Uncover Magazine - Volume Six by uncovervic

Meet Ny ibol Deng

D i s cover G lenelg

A Road to Red

Leav i ng i n s earc h of s afety

I t 's not al l abou t t he de st i nat i on

D i scoveri ng t he P y rene e s t hrou g h re d w i ne

V/ SIX - 2021 - FREE

T H E B E S T O F B A L L A R AT A N D W E S T E R N V I C T O R I A

Contact Uncover Editorial: hi@uncovermagazine.com.au Advertising: ads@uncovermagazine.com.au 0447 820 727

Editorial Team Eliesha Rae Della Vreeland Ali Webb Shona Hendley Liana Skewes Nikkole Stanton Teagan Glenane

Photographers Tara Moore Photography Liana Skewes - Finding Femme Andy Chappell Emma Leonard - Little Wild Love Peter Bennetts Teagan Glenane Melissa Brennan - Her Golden Point

From the Editor

Editing Partner

Well, my first magazine as a mum of three. It didn’t… entirely go to plan, but I am

Joana Stevens Premier Strategy

impressed with my sleep deprived brain for getting it to print. Winning!

Design/Publishing

delivered before I went into labour, so I could enjoy a nice break filled with

Roar Publishing www.roarpublishing.com.au lucy@roarpublishing.com.au

Printer Sovereign Press Uncover Magazine is a venture of ROAR Publishing Pty Ltd. The Uncover Magazine team invites your feedback and contribution.

Disclaimer Uncover Magazine takes all care but accepts no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Uncover Magazine holds copyright to all content unless otherwise stated. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information in this publication, the publishers accept no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences including any loss or damage arising from reliance on information in this publication. The views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the editor or publisher.

I thought I had it planned perfectly. This edition would be done, dusted, and newborn cuddles. But I guess I can thank COVID for throwing a massive spanner

into those plans. Instead, it has been a glorious six weeks of one-handed designing and trying to hear phone calls over a crying baby and two bored, boisterous girls. As I write this, I have my almost 5-year-old 'gently' brushing my hair, my almost two-year-old attempting to choke me with a necklace and my 8-week-old

being jiggled in the bouncer at my feet. So please forgive me if this isn’t my most eloquent address.

Cute, time-consuming children aside, I got there in the end, and I super proud of the edition that we’ve pulled together. My wonderful team of writers and

photographers have produced an amazing edition filled to the brim with exciting content.

To start, we meet our cover star, artist Nyibol Deng, who made the life-changing decision to leave her native homeland in search of safety.

We also have your summer adventures sorted with articles discovering the red wine road to the Pyrenees, the wild and wonderful Glenelg region, the cultural

metropolis that is Bendigo and four perfect itineraries uncovering the Grampians wine region.

You will also get to meet a slew of wonderful women who are absolutely shaking

up it up in their respective industries. We start with Jackie Elliot, who is celebrating and connecting rural women, before moving on to Corrina who has solved an

age-old issue with her No Fight Tights. Chocolatier Jade Davidson will then have you salivating as she chats about her love for all things sweet, and you will get

to meet Missa Price whose vintage candy store is the stuff of your 90s childhood dreams. We end with clinical nurse specialist, Nicole Gleeson who is bridging the

Be sure to follow us on social media! And tag your pictures with #uncovervic

health care gap with her beautiful first aid boxes and courses.

I, for one, cannot wait to share these incredible stories with you, so dive in and enjoy!

facebook.com/uncovervic Instagram: @uncovervic 4

Lucy

Lucy Gilbert Managing Editor

TAKE TIME

TO DISCOVER GRAMPIANS WINE

ONTENT

NYIBOL DENG

14 DISCOVER PORTLAND

20 JACKIE ELLIOT

A story of family, love

Windy, wild and simply

Connecting rural women

and faith

DISCOVER BENDIGO

wonderful

BALLARAT SEWERS

THE GRAMPIANS

A cultural metropolis

The jewel in the empire

Explored through wine

NO FIGHT TIGHTS

LUCKY AND JAMES

Corrina's solution

WHO LIVES HERE

At the heart of Insignia

SUGAR SUGAR

Jade Davidson -

VINTAGE VILLIAGE

A Ballarat villiage of

Ballarat's chocolatier

vintage and wonder

THE PYRENEES

VOLTA

Where red wine

Surviving the pandemic

reigns supreme

THE GOV HUB

together

RHYTHM FIRST AID

Missa Price's candy store

A collaborative story

Bridging the regional

ACCESSING JOY

RENT A VINE

health care gap

MOVE FOR BELLA

Soul Aligned Money

It's pruning time

Leading the fight

102

106

110

HOTEL VERA

A gracious commitment to local

PREMIER STRATEGY

A global mindset with a regional grounding

against SMA

EVENTS AND COVID

The good, the bad, the ugly... and the lovely

Weekends in the Pyrenees There’s something for everyone less than an hour drive from Ballarat. Stay close this summer and explore your own backyard in the Pyrenees. Wide open spaces and intimate cellar doors ripe for exploration. Over the summer months, you can experience a brilliant calendar of events scattered across the region. Plan a weekend getaway.

www.visitpyrenees.com.au

Luna: the taste of summer celebration! Nothing says celebration like a bottle of Luna. Made from fruit harvested under the light of the moon, this magical cuvée combines the richness of traditional method sparkling with the vibrancy of our estate-grown Pyrenees fruit. Deliciously fresh and fun, it’s the perfect drop for all your summertime festivities. 8

bluepyrenees.com.au | @bluepyrenees

Take a step oﬀ the edge of the Earth and visit the place where the beach meets the deep and the ocean’s biggest ﬁsh, swells and whales can be experienced from the breakwater. Go out of your way to discover Glenelg, Victoria

www.visit.glenelg.vic.gov.au

NOTHING COMPARES... 38°4’S 141°.5’E 9

A Story of Family, Love and Faith

Words by Della Vreeland. Cover by Tara Moore Photography. Images supplied.

Eighteen years ago, Nyibol Deng made the life-changing decision to leave her native homeland in search of safety.

Having lived in Ethiopia as well as war-torn South Sudan, she had faced her fair share of trials and tribulations.

“I came (to Australia) because of the civil war in South Sudan,” the single mother-of-five tells. “I was with my husband at the time and my two children, who were both born in refugee camps. “Most of the time we had the war happening and the problem was that you’d be scared. It gave you no hope for the future and made you think very little of yourself and what you could do.

You’d see soldiers roaming the streets, and you’d be sleeping at night time then the war would break out and you’d have to start running for your life. “The war still affects us. Wherever we go.” Nyibol and her family made the move after they were sponsored by relatives who had already made Australia their home.

While they were given the chance to lead a life of opportunity, not to mention easy access to necessities such as food and water, they were still confronted with some profound struggles. “There was another loss for us too - being in a new country, not speaking the language, and being confused for a few years. It takes a while to get used to a new country,” she says.

“I had to learn English and I didn’t have an education. Growing up in Ethiopia in my time, the education was mostly for the boys because they would need to move away and go to city

to work. I had been quiet for so long – I didn’t know what to do, what to learn and what to ask.” Regardless of her perilous journey, Nyibol was able to pave a new life for herself – a life characterised by family, autonomy, love, and faith.

Following her move to Australia, she had three more children, started a career in childcare, and

discovered a community of passionate and like-minded folk who would empower her to tap into an inner potential she never knew existed.

Nyibol is the founder and owner of newly established homeware and accessory business A Tuk. A name aptly drawn from a Nuer term meaning ‘begin’, her venture celebrates the vibrancy of African culture through the creation of products made using rich upcycled textiles and fabled Ankara wax cloth sourced from Kenya and Malawi.

"I didn’t have an education. Growing up in Ethiopia in my time, the education was mostly for the boys because they would need to move away and go to city to work." Her ever-evolving range features everything from cushions to tea-towels, placemats to earrings, and a brand-new line of satin scarves.

She also has a couple of friends and family members helping create her collection, and her hope is to employ more women in the future.

Nyibol attributes her confidence to take on the business world to her participation in the It Takes

Courage program – an initiative which gathers women from all backgrounds in order to provide a safe space for mutual support, creativity, friendship and encouragement.

Nyibol went on to graduate from the Stepping Stones To Small Business program before officially registering her A Tuk in the middle of last year.

“I wanted to acknowledge that all of the women in my community have abilities and talents

and ideas, and to encourage them to know that - despite it being hard to find jobs and learning English as a second language - they could start something that could support themselves and their families,” she says.

“The name A Tuk was decided between my two friends and myself as a way of expressing that it is

possible to start something new in life and also to show our children that it is possible to overcome difficulty by creating something new.”

As well as selling her stock online, through the Ballarat Pot of Courage café, and also at various markets, Nyibol also started a side project mending and providing clothing alterations.

And even though her offerings were launched in the midst of a global pandemic, she says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m glad I did it. I haven’t really made any money with the business, but I’m happy because I’m making products, I’m learning and I’m getting better at what I’m doing. “The learning process is my joy.” To find out more about A Tuk and shop online, visit

atuk.com.au or follow Nyibol on Facebook at facebook.com/tukbusiness

come to discover

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Windy, wild and simply wonderful: Portland is an explorers paradise Words by Ali Webb. Pictures by Andy Chappell.

It’s not always about the destination, but the journey you take in getting there.

The on/off switch of the global pandemic has made me

grateful for the space in which we live and the state in which

Already feeling teeny in comparison to the massive sea spurts

we’ve just been exposed to, when we walk along to the nearby Petrified Forest, I feel as if I’m the littlest human surrounded by nature at its wildest and most wonderful.

we can explore. Whether it’s stretching your legs in a backyard

The Petrified Forest is not as scary as it sounds but almost like

great sense of achievement in making it to a destination, no

and its surrounds are still unknown. Tiny little structures line the

sunbeam or climbing to the top of a nearby hill, there’s a matter how close or how far it is.

Our destination this time is picturesque Portland, part of the

Glenelg Shire. If we can’t cross the South Australian border, we may as well get as close to it as possible, and Portland is the perfect spot!

As a central Victorian, I’m always ready to race down to the

a scientific wonder, just showing how much about the ocean cliff edge and form miniature ‘forests’ along this part of the

coast which look like fossilised tree trunks, formed by erosion from the wild winds and water.

We don’t see a whale, but we are blown away (almost literally) by a seal having the most joyful time jumping through the waves and celebrating the windy weather.

coast to get a sea breeze in my face. With lockdown lifted, the

We’ve found this superb viewing spot by following the Great

the ocean was all that was needed to get us buckled up and

secrets! The Great South West Walk starts and ends in

promise of a potential whale tail sighting or a seal dipping in driving down the Glenelg Highway. We arrive in the Glenelg Shire four hours later and we’re hit with the full force of the great west wind!

Located around 20 minutes from Portland, the blowholes at

Cape Bridgewater are the most magnificent and empowering

South West Walk – one of Victoria’s best kept bushwalking Portland and covers a mega 250km loop of coastal and

inland walking tracks built in the 1980s and lovingly cared for

by bushwalkers ever since. The 8-10 day walking trip includes a camping spot every 10km along the way, so you’re well covered with rest stops!

forces of nature I’ve been exposed to for some time! We’ve

This trip, we are just experiencing the walk in little two-hour

the massive and seemingly endless almighty southern

We plan to return with larger backpacks and sunscreen soon.

found ourselves holding onto a lookout guard rail overlooking coastline on a very windy day.

The wind is so strong and the waves are so big, I feel so tiny that the best thing I can do is hold still and watch and wait.

There’s a reason we’re obsessed with sharks and marine life, the ocean is full of wonder and the unknown which makes it both scary and incredibly fascinating. But it’s the wind, however, that makes this place just so terrific

The blowholes are surrounded by a beautiful black and purple rockscape and create the most spectacular bursts of sea spray, throwing massive spouts of water high into the sky.

We have been drawn to the blowhole lookout in the hopes of

seeing a blue whale, who regularly play along this part of the coast.

slices providing us with a glimpse of the great southern coast. Just outside of Cape Bridgewater is the Discovery Bay Coastal Park, a must-see for explorers of all ages! Hidden down a dirt

road behind the gloriously rough foliage of the seaside daisy are the sand dunes, a destination that would make the Sand

People of Star Wars salivate. The location was featured in the beautiful Australian cinematic delight, Where the Wild Things Are and, depending on the time of day and the season, you would be gobsmacked with just how quickly this landscape changes from just one gust of wind.

The day that we are there, there is a fast-flowing river making

its way through the centre of the dunes, straight to the ocean. Like a toddler tugging on its mother’s skirt, the water knows its way and there’s no stopping it.

We are told by our hosts that this is a very rare moment,

Eating tiny snacks in a sweet little campervan after feeling like

through the desert-like dunes.

most magnificent is the cosiest way to relax after a huge day

seeing this amount of water from the recent heavy rains run I’ve never driven a dune buggy before, let alone sat in the

of adventure.

back of one while my photographer attempts to capture

I’ve heard so many rumours about The Bakehouse – Portland’s

Geographic safari.

to let the ol’ cat out of the bag and share the news that if you

the landscape alongside me as if we were on a National The dune buggy takes us across the sand and if I were

able to open my mouth, my jaw would be dropping to the

best kept baked goods secret – that I’m almost too terrified

don’t get to the Bakehouse ASAP for fresh sourdough from the second it opens up at 8am, you’re missing out… big time.

vehicle floor (I learn very quickly to keep my gob shut with the

We arrive at 8:06am and join the queue. I’m a little under

shapeshifters crossing sands and we are like walking sandpits

pressure of the queue forming behind me. We settle on the

amount of sand being swept about). We are in another world, when we arrive at the Narrawong Caravan Park, ready for a night of cinema in our sweet little RV Campervan.

We are staying in Vida, a fully decked out campervan that can

prepared as I don’t know what’s available and I can feel the sourdough but can’t stop there and we fill our basket with

croissants, breakfast buns, a fruit loaf and a buffalo mozzarella baguette for an afternoon picnic.

be hired and driven across the state. The adventure-mobile

Our basket now full of baked goods, we walk around Portland

my childhood dreams!

it is simply beautiful exploring Portland at this time of day

is the real deal, and the styling is like staying in a dollhouse of In our vague road tripping state, we spot the gorgeous Lido

Larder in Portland on our way back to Narrawong. Seduced by

in search of coffee. The fishing town is just waking up and

watching the fishing trawlers coming in; the boats shining like gold bullions along the wharf in the morning light.

the signage offering wholesome goods, we select a range of

Along the waterfront there is a row of ancient shops, each with

pleasurable homemade cheesecake that barely makes it

faded signage highlighting the fish shops, book shops, bait

tiny goodies from pickles to quiches, sandwiches and a very back to the RV.

the smallest human in this world surrounded by nature at its

their own history. The tiny stores feature original windows and hubs and more of the past.

A step into the Portland second-hand book shop provides me with a wealth of books on the history of the region, including plenty of tales on the shipwrecks along the wild coast.

Loaded up with maritime history books, we duck around the corner to discover Revival Records - one of my favourite

record shops in Victoria which recently relocated from Port Fairy. The space in Portland is bigger, which means more room for a decent crate dig!

Shipwrecks, history books, Nancy Sinatra records, baked goods, homemade chai and a jar of locally made jam

from the nearby strawberry farm we make our way to our

accommodation, the delightful Pretty on Palmer in central Portland.

The afternoon downpour outside sees us enjoy an indoor

picnic, fireside with a side of cinematic screening with a swig of locally made chai chill. Pretty on Palmer seems to have

It’s an ideal location to bring your family for a weeklong trip,

with so much to explore nearby. Seal gazers, whale watchers, bushwalkers, baked good fans, crate diggers, book lovers, dune buggy believers should all apply to take part in the exploration of this extraordinary coastal township.

Hire Vida the RV Campervan through Getaway with Vida www.camplify.com.au

The Bakehouse Portland is located at 31 Percy Street. Arrive early!

Pretty on Palmer is in central Portland. Book via AirBnB or Instagram

Score delicious jam from Portland Strawberries at the road stall on Princes Highway, Bolwarra.

Dig the crates at Revival Records on Julia Street, Portland.

everything set up for a week away and the styling leaves

Plan your Great South West Walk journey at

with housemade granola, honey from the backyard beehive

Discover Portland and surrounds at www.glenelg.vic.gov.au

me both breathless and inspired. Our breakfast is complete and another gorgeous loaf of THAT sourdough from the Bakehouse. Heaven.

Portland is about halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide.

www.greatsouthwestwalk.com

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710 Sturt Street, Ballarat Central VIC 3350

Connectin Rural Wom Jackie Elliott was living in a small community when she landed one of her first full-time jobs. Already feeling isolated from her friends and family, the last thing she needed was for her spirits to be further squashed.

“I suffered anxiety as a result of workplace bullying,” Jackie recalls. “Being isolated from friends and family made that time more challenging and it took many years of learning self-confidence, speaking up, and personal strength to overcome those ongoing effects.”

According to a Royal Doctor Flying Service report from 2017, around one in five remote and

rural Australians experiences a mental disorder each year. Although the prevalence is similar across metropolitan areas, access to health and support services is more limited in isolated communities, making it difficult to receive adequate care.

Logistics, access to health care and mental health services, and opportunities to network and

make connections are some of the most common challenges faced by women living in remote and rural Australia – as Jackie knows full well.

“Looking back on this difficult time, it makes me appreciate the support I had from my family and partner. It made me more aware of mental health for myself and others,” she affirms. Jackie grew up in Central Victoria on her family’s fifth generation beef and sheep farm. As a child on the land, she was surrounded by pets and livestock, and had the opportunity to raise her own animals, including one particularly special bottle-raised calf, Charlotte.

This experience not only nurtured Jackie’s love for animals but opened the way for something much more profound – the establishing of a solid foundation from which her future passion would evolve.

“My brother had a show team of a steer and heifer, so I decided to get an old horse halter to break Charlotte in,” Jackie recalls.

“I took her to the local country show, but my parents had no idea about showing beef cattle. “There was another family (who) gave advice to my parents to send us kids to the annual Beef Cattle Handlers Camp to learn skills.

ng men

Words by Della Vreeland. Pictures by Emma Leonard Little Wild Love Photography.

“It was this camp that gave me valuable skills in not only

“We all face different challenges, but we choose this lifestyle

minded farm kids, self-presentation, practical skills, healthy

live in and the country we call home. We are resilient and

showing cattle, but in networking, making friends with like-

competition, public speaking and a basic understanding of the agriculture and beef industry.”

Jackie’s lifelong experience on the land, and her knowledge

surrounding the everyday challenges and blessings of country

life, eventually empowered her to start Australia’s first and only Rural Women’s Day (RWD).

While International Day of Rural Women is observed on

October 15, Jackie realised it wasn’t being marked across Australia.

According to the United Nations, the International Day of

Rural Women recognises the ‘critical role and contribution

of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing

agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty’.

“I wanted to see this day observed, and the rural women in my communities celebrated, just like we celebrate International Women’s Day,” Jackie says.

“October 15 is for rural and regional women who navigate

different challenges to the general population of women like geographic isolation, access to health care, education and employment.

because we are passionate, love the communities we resourceful.”

The first RWD was hosted in the heart of the stunning

Grampians National Park, at the foot of Mount Sturgeon in Dunkeld, on October 15, 2019.

The event sold out four weeks prior, with 150 women in

attendance and a dozen speakers and presenters – all

rural women – as well as interstate guest speaker Edwina Robertson.

The event’s popularity was a glaringly obvious attestation to the fact that women across rural and regional communities were yearning for connection.

“When I organised the first RWD event, I thought I needed a

well-known ‘big name’ to attract women to the event. (But) it wasn’t about the who, it was about the now, living in the community and connecting with other rural women.” With an emphasis on community, collaboration and celebration, RWD has now expanded to encompass various forms.

Following the cancellation of last year’s event due to the

COVID-19 pandemic, Jackie decided to think up more creative methods of continuing her venture’s aims and objectives to maintain that sense of community.

“I knew I wanted to share stories of rural women and the best

way to share these was via print, so they could be distributed easily and made accessible to as many people as possible,” Jackie says.

“With the support of some writers local and interstate,

I designed a magazine and marketed it solely on social

media. We successfully sold 700 copies across Australia and New Zealand.”

As well as garnering a following of more than 8,000 across

Instagram and Facebook combined, Jackie went on to launch a Podcast titled Ducks on the Pond, joining forces with her

friend Kirsten Diprose to produce a series of episodes covering themes of import to those living in rural communities.

“It was an opportunity to connect with our audience in a

different way and reach more people on a different platform,” she says.

The first RWD was nominated and awarded the Southern Grampians Shire 2020 Australia Day Community Event of the Year. Jackie was also announced as a finalist in the

AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award – with her project extending its reach across Australia.

The organisation is now registered as a non-profit enterprise, and plans are in the works to grow its reach even further.

“We are for all rural and regional women. You don’t have to be a farmer, own land or even live on the land.”

While the 2021 RWD was also unable to go ahead due

to state-wide lockdowns, it hasn’t stopped Jackie from

fostering connections, inspiring rural and regional women, and providing glimmerings of hope amongst the turmoil.

“Before I started RWD, I didn’t know many rural women across southwest Victoria. As RWD has grown, I have a list longer than my arm of talented rural women who I admire and

am inspired by. These networks have grown into friendships, business collaborations and something far beyond what I thought I was doing with RWD,” Jackie says.

“Everyone’s story is important, so this RWD we encourage people to connect through social media. In the current

situation, people can only connect through technology,

so if they have access to social media, they can build their community around them without leaving their back door.

“I can’t wait to see RWD grow further and to welcome more local women to celebrate them and their communities.” For further information about Rural Women’s Day, visit ruralwomensday.com.au or follow @ruralwomensday on Instagram.

“RWD offers a place for rural women to connect,” Jackie says.

“The events are a place to celebrate and be inspired, offering a safe space to share your story.

Plastic Surgery, Skin and Laser Clinics

A Cultural Metropolis Words by Della Vreeland. Pictures supplied.

Culture. It’s a word that encompasses a myriad meanings. We use it when referring to art in all its forms and manifestations,

when describing the customs of a particular people, when discussing social behaviour and norms.

When we think of regional Victoria, in particular the cities and townships scattered throughout the goldfields, we can quite

those from the gallery’s permanent collection which depict

the Ancestral and spiritual connections between People, Place and Country.

“(The Gallery) regularly features indigenous works from

our collection in this first space,” says Bendigo Art Gallery curatorial manager Lauren Ellis.

easily discern the cultural elements which define the district.

“It’s important to create a moment of pause for our visitors,

and heritage, religion and race – forging centres that are

people were the first artists in Australia and remain dynamic,

Many of the spots are infused with art and creativity, history both rich and enthralling.

to acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander innovative, and prolific artists today.

Bendigo is a prime example of a regional city imbued

“Displaying works from our First Nations collection in the first

hub dominated by western influence with little to offer the

context of those first and most enduring artistic expressions

with cultural intensity. At the outset, one may view it as a

discriminating traveller. Delve a little deeper, and there is much more to explore.

My husband and I recently visited Bendigo for an enriching weekend that showcased the city as a grand cultural metropolis. Here is what we discovered. The Art Gallery of Bendigo Likely the jewel in Bendigo’s (cultural) crown, the Art Gallery

of Bendigo is one of the country’s oldest and largest regional

gallery space places everything else our visitors will see in the across Indigenous Australia.”

This spring, the gallery has curated a selection of works from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contemporary artists which examine the vitality of colour.

“The exhibition looks at the way that artists today are working in a long context of the history of artists’ colours, which in

Australia extends across generations of First Nations People,” Lauren says.

galleries. Renowned Australia-wide for its incredible showcase

The Gallery also recently hosted a contemporary art exhibition

to fashion and textiles, the gallery’s collection features pieces

the world and Australia with a shared connection to Muslim

of colonial and contemporary art, as well as its commitment across a whole range of mediums.

bringing together the work of 16 diverse artists from around heritage.

Just recently, the gallery exhibited the highly coveted Mary

“We think it might be the first, or one of the first, to bring

droves (not unheard of when the city hosts exhibitions of this

thread of feminist reflections on patriarchal power structures

Quant: A Fashion Revolution, attracting fashion lovers in

ilk). But what I was most taken by on my visit to this institution was the way in which indigenous art was placed front and centre.

The very first pieces you become acquainted with are often

together a group of women artists in this way, with a strong across global societies,” Lauren says.

Artist Walk What’s a cultural metropolis if not a hub of vibrancy and art?

And a hub of vibrancy and art is most certainly what Bendigo is. Merits of the Gallery aside, the city’s streets, buildings and laneways are adorned with visual works created by artists

in the local community and beyond, immersing locals and visitors in a constant flood of creativity.

The (free) Bendigo Artist Walk presents the chance for visitors

to experience and meet the local arts community. With murals to discover, galleries to visit and street art to admire, this selfguided walk will satisfy your inner culture vulture while also doubling up as a handy tour of the city. Bendigo Pottery and Antiques One of the places I knew I had to peruse during my stay was

Bendigo Pottery. Little did I know my visit there would be further enriched by the extensive gallery hub on site - boasting a

number of artists-in-residence as well as the accompanying Bendigo Pottery Antiques.

Open every day (except public holidays), Bendigo Pottery

has been operating for more than 150 years from its current site in Epsom. Australia’s oldest working pottery, the space

serves up a lesson in history and provides access to hands-

on clay workshops, demos, an interpretive museum, café and indulgent retail experience.

But the shopping doesn’t start and stop with the pottery.

The adjoining antique and collectables centre is a tourist

destination in and of itself, with more than 40 stallholders each

Not as visible, yet equally sacred stands Bendigo’s Great Stupa of Universal Compassion – a pagoda serving as one of the most sacred buildings in Buddhism. Surrounded by serene

gardens showcasing symbols from faiths including Catholic, Baha’i, Islam, Hindu and Buddhist, the Stupa aims to inspire people along a spiritual and peaceful path.

Bendigo’s cultural landscape is further enriched by the Golden Dragon Chinese Museum and Buddhist Temple - serving as a living history and tribute to the city’s Chinese people. The

museum allows visitors to experience first-hand Chinese arts, history and culture and learn about the Chinese population’s invaluable contribution to the city. Dining Out In 2019, Bendigo was dubbed a UNESCO Creative City of

Gastronomy, joining tens of other cities around the world whose claim to fame lies in the culinary. Fair to say that

the city’s food and drink culture is worthy of the hype, and

a getaway to the region is not complete without a decent gastronomic itinerary.

During our stay, we visited Edward’s Provedore for an

Asian-infused seasonal lunch, Harpoon’s Social Club for

contemporary Asian fare, as well as the Green Olive Café for a classic brunch with stellar coffee to boot.

While our experience was in no way a broad enough reflection of the culinary offerings available in Bendigo, it most certainly

showcased the commitment and passion with which the city’s foodies hold their craft.

selling hundreds of goods from bygone eras. For an ardent

Unfortunately for us, our Bendigo stay was limited to two days.

really is a haven worth exploring.

there was a distinct buzz in the air. The streets were bustling

forager of ceramics and vintage – such as myself – this spot Sacred Sites and Cultural Museums Upon entry into Bendigo, you are greeted by the majestic

Sacred Heart Cathedral, overlooking the city with its gothic

revival façade, grand steeples and century-old spires. One of the oldest churches in the country, the presence of this sacred building immediately denotes an intrinsic cultural

identity that exists within the community – one which is largely

But even in that short amount of time, it was obvious that

by day and by night, the eateries were filled to the brim, the

galleries and museums were bursting at the seams, and the city was well and truly alive.

So what’s the secret? What do you have going for you, dear Bendigo?

The answer, put simply, is culture.

characterised by religious ideologies.

The Jewel in the Empire Words by Della Vreeland. Pictures supplied.

Ballarat was renowned for much more than its gold rush in the mid 1800s.

In fact, there was another sought-after gem that was being unearthed in the city and attracting visitors in droves.

Believe it or not, it was the Ballarat sewerage system. “It was called the ‘jewel in the empire’,” Central Highlands Water (CHW) manager of capital delivery Neil Hordern says.

“(It) was considered the best sewerage system in the

colonies for a provincial town. It attracted visitors from

across the globe to come and learn what they could do for their own cities and towns.”

Conceived in the 1880s, Ballarat’s sewer system came

about in response to the rampant plagues and diseases of the time, like cholera and scarlet fever.

“Further public health issues emerging at the end of WWI such as the Spanish Flu, Diphtheria and Polio, all brought the need to a head,” Neil says.

The original sewer commenced almost 100 years ago

with construction starting in 1922 and continuing into the early 1930s.

As well as being instrumental in addressing the demands of public health, the project acted as a significant boost to the local economy – employing local tradespeople, suppliers, returned soldiers and even orphans as apprentices.

“For its time, the project championed fair wages, working hours and workplace safety and conditions,” Neil says.

So how exactly did sewer networks operate over a

century ago? According to Neil, the key has always remained one and the same – gravity.

“The early sewer network used the lower lying land in

Ballarat adjacent to the Yarrowee River to contain the

main lines to transfer the sewerage to the Ballarat South Waste Water Treatment Plant – one of the country’s

oldest running treatment plants, which also turns 100 in 2022.

“As the system used gravity, the focus was to get the

main network into the central business areas and main residential areas, which traditionally occurred more to the north and east of the city.

“As can be imagined with a gravity system and Ballarat’s undulating topography, this required installing the pipes

in many areas at a considerable depth, a process which involved deep excavation and tunnelling. Fortunately for Ballarat, there was lots of local mining tunnelling experience.”

The early sewer network took over a decade to complete, but its longevity is testament to the careful planning and focus of the workers of the day.

While the original clay pipes have mostly been replaced by concrete pipes, CHW expects only some additional minor repairs and relining will be required to keep the system operating for at least another century.

CHW is currently in the midst of a multi-million dollar upgrade of Ballarat’s sewerage system which also

features the installation of a new sewer line parallel to the existing one.

Together with streetscape revitalisation projects

"Current stages of Ballarat East, which has been

represent one of the most significant infrastructure

no doubt given the crews a sense of how hard it may

undertaken by the City of Ballarat, this project will investments in Ballarat.

Rolling out in three stages, across Ballarat South and

have been for their forbearers without the technological advances of today.”

Ballarat East, the project commenced in April this year,

As well as forging a lasting legacy, Neil says the Ballarat

completed by open excavation and micro-tunnelling –

approach to the delivery of community infrastructure

with the challenging central business district (CBD) area a stark contrast to the days of yore.

“While mechanisation had begun and tractors, trucks and

excavating equipment was advancing, much of the works was manual and relied on horses and drays to deliver

pipework and take away excavated material,” Neil says. “Early photos also show the extensive use of timber

shoring used for vast lengths requiring significant felling of trees locally.

“With the deep section, mining was undertaken in often

very cramped conditions which required pumps to supply fresh air.

“These days, the use of modern materials has significantly reduced their weight and the materials required for their manufacture.

undertaken on many cold wet winter night shifts, have

sewer build provides an opportunity to take a fresh

– an approach which CHW hopes will facilitate growth, protect the environment, and protect public health for generations to come.

“As it did 100 years ago, the project is being undertaken

during a pandemic where there is an increased focus on sanitation and economic challenges for business and households,” Neil says.

“It provides a timely investment into the economy, an

opportunity to keep improving safe work practices and the coordination and engagement with community stakeholders to mitigate construction disturbance. “I’m proud to be a part of the next chapter in this amazing legacy project.”

Take Time To Discover Wine, The Grampians Way Words by Eliesha Rae. Pictures by Visit Grampians.

Grampians + Wine = the place to be this summer

Itinerary 1 - The Great Wine Village

If you’ve been following our love affair with the Grampians,

Best’s, Great Western

you’ll be aware by now that there is perhaps no better way to spend a day than making your way around the picturesque

cellar doors of the Grampians region, meeting a maker or two and indulging in a tasting over a bite to eat.

With the majestic Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park as your backdrop, surrounded by hectares of vines, we are telling you now - goodbye Yarra Valley, the Grampians is the place to

be (especially if you prefer your wine tasting without a side of hordes of tourists).

We’ve curated four itineraries from the north and eastern areas of the Grampians, for you to enjoy this summer (or whenever the hell you want really - this region is heaven year round!).

Great Western is known as the wine village of the Grampians, and for good reason with three acclaimed wineries right in

the centre of town, plus boutique vineyards dotted around the outskirts.

For your first stop, get yourself down to Best’s Great Western,

who boast a historic collection of Australia's oldest and most

significant vineyards that have thrived under the stewardship of just two families since 1866.

You will feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you enter through the old stable doors to a heritage red gum slab

tasting room to be greeted by a team of people who live and breathe (and drink!) their wines.

1. Miners Ridge offers a vineyard picnic sunset package for those staying in their accommodation. 2. Tours are conducted daily of the 3km underground cellars at Seppelt. 3. Pies, platters and more are on offer at Grampians Estate’s new cellar door and deck. 4. Step back in time in the red gum stable cellar door at Best’s Great Western.

It would be so easy to plan a quick lunch break at Grampians Estate, but find yourself settling in for the whole afternoon,

however we mustn't! As there is another great stop on the great wine village itinerary, Seppelt. If you're lucky you may even run into Best’s patriarch, Viv

Thomson, who will gladly share stories behind each bottle. While there, swipe your finger along a dusty barrel as you tour the underground cellars, hand dug by miners, and breathe in the fresh country air over a platter you can hand-pick from their produce fridge.

Private tastings and tours can be booked in advance and

Best’s are a stop for Grampians Helicopters and Wine Tours. Grampians Estate, Great Western Time to go lunching! With a brand new deck and cellar door

extension, you’ll find a relaxing corner in any direction to take

in the vineyard views and welcoming hospitality at Grampians Estate. The winery is particularly known for their Sparkling Shiraz, a fun and festive drop, and summer favourite!

Owners Tom and Sarah Guthrie also farm sheep, and their lamb pie, which is featured on their lunch menu, is quickly

gaining the reputation of their Shiraz and Chardonnay, with

cellar door visitors calling in just to enjoy the mouth watering goodness.

Great supporters of the region, Grampians Estate also stock local produce and homemade goods at their cellar door, from Five Ducks Farm to Grampians Olive Co.

Seppelt, Great Western Gold was discovered around Stawell and St Arnaud in the 1850s, signaling the beginning of what would become the 1900s gold rush.

Nowhere is the relationship between the gold rush and wine

more evident than in the labyrinth of underground tunnels at Seppelt Wines.

The Great Western winery’s founder, Joseph Best,

commissioned local gold miners to tunnel the underground cellars which became known as ‘The Drives’. Stretching

for 3km, The Drives are the largest underground cellars in

Australia, an integral part of Seppelt’s history and heritage, which you can tour daily with a local guide.

Step out of the darkness of the tunnels and into the stunning

cellar door gardens, which can also be enjoyed by overnight visitors, with glamping, a historic homestead and vintage caravan onsite. And if you’re still feeling a bit peckish, the

Seppelt cellar door has platters to enjoy, and let’s face it, what more could you want on a summer afternoon than a glass of sparkling with cheese?

The great news for wine and food explorers is all of these wineries are open 7 days a week, so you can visit Great Western at any time to discover Grampians wine.

Itinerary 2 - Boutique And Brilliant Clayfield Wines, Moyston Between Ararat and Halls Gap we find the small village of

Moyston, a town rich in history and a perfect starting point for your wine and food experience.

Early settlers in the Moyston area were Horatio and Elizabeth

Wills. Their son Tom later became famous as a cricketer and the originator of Australian Rules Football.

Close by you will discover Clayfield Wines, a micro winery

established in 1999 which produces distinctive and elegant

Grampians Shiraz, including their renowned Moyston Thomas Wills Shiraz.

Your visit to the winery and cellar door will be guided by

features on their all new grazing plates, so try to keep those eyes open if you can!

Don’t let a brisk afternoon turn you off either, these guys have a large fire pit to sit around. Heaven. Miners Ridge, Armstrong

Just around the corner, across an unsealed track (which we

love), you’ll find Miners Ridge Vineyard. Yes, we put this winery last on your day’s tour for one special reason… there is a

corner couch with a view outside their cellar door with your

name on it. So grab a wine, settle in, and if you’re really lucky you may even get to meet their beautiful border collie, Milo.

vignerons Simon and Kaye Clayfield who generously share

Call ahead and either Andrew or Katrina will welcome you like

and winemaking which is evident in their range of Shiraz.

love this region so much. But don’t let their relaxed way fool

their combined knowledge and experience in grape-growing Oh, and it’s hard to resist patting their beautiful dogs, Ruby and Ernie who are always willing to greet visitors. Coming

they’ve known you for years, which is a huge part of why we

you, these guys have been taking out awards hand over fist lately, and are here to play.

soon and by appointment, foodies will be able to enjoy a

In 2020, they took out Best Shiraz, Best Wine of the Show and

Grampians panorama. Be sure to call ahead for this

with their AT Shiraz, and at the same show in 2021, they got

platter with a glass of wine while taking in the wonderful experience.

ATR Wines, Armstrong Yes, it’s fair to say the Grampians are serious about their wine. And notably, Shiraz. But there are many more varietals to be enjoyed in the region, and ATR Wines is a demonstration of

that. Pinot Gris, Nebbiolo, Riesling, Syrah and Rosé can also be enjoyed at their brand new cellar door lounge and alfresco area.

Positioned next to a dam with vineyard views, it’s hard not to close your eyes and drift off to the sound of the Australian bush.

But then you might miss out on the beautiful produce that

Best Single Vineyard Wine of the Western Victorian Wine Show the gong for Best Riesling, Best White Wine and Best Single Vineyard Wine with their Riesling, which also took out Best Riesling in the Ballarat Wine Show.

Miners Ridge also offers a sunset picnic experience for guests staying in their accommodation. We were lucky enough

to get a little taster of this experience (including Katrina’s

homemade produce and picnic delights) and it was simply breathtaking. The views. Man.

Itinerary 3 - Mountains Of Magic Mountainside Wines, Warrak Whether you are local, or a first time visitor, there’s something very magical about the Grampians National Park and vineyards sprawled across rolling hills alongside it.

For this day of exploration, we suggest you kick things off in

the company of the lovely Shane and Jane from Mountainside

Here you can enjoy lunch at the newly opened cafe and a tasting within their modern cellar door, but what we really love about a trip to Mount Langi Ghiran is a picnic ride on

vintage bikes through the vineyard, followed by a game of bocce on the piste that overlooks the entire vineyard! Montara, Ararat

Wines. From the Rotundone Road Shiraz Adventure to Shiraz

Finish your day off at Montara Winery, on the outskirts of

at their Warrak vineyard, not to mention, they make a mean

their verandah or deck for a spicy, aromatic Shiraz or an

spritzers, these guys love to bring new experiences to guests pie.

What we love about Mountainside is how you can really

disconnect from life, yes, okay the lack of phone reception helps, but it means you can actually kick back and enjoy good company, good food and good wine.

Shane and Jane make excellent wine, there is no doubt,

but on the hot day we were there, we could have sat on their

Sangria all day, with the company of Hunter, the resident wine dog.

Mount Langi Ghiran, Bayindeen Long sunny days and cool nights, influenced by the elevation of the Great Dividing Range and proximity to the Southern

Ararat. With views to Mount Langi Ghiran, settle in under unforgettable light-bodied white. These guys make a

sparkling brut and a Prosecco as well, all perfect to enjoy in the very place the winemaker is inspired by every day.

We suggest you book in a Sit + Sip and platter to make the most of your Montara experience.

We might just slip in a nod to their Victorian style gin while

we’re here, and also the amazing Stay + Fly + Wine Weekend

packages Montara do with Grampians Helicopters and DULC Cabins. If you’re looking for something a little special - this experience will tick ALL your boxes.

If you have a little more time to explore the Ararat area be

sure to look up Fratin Bros, another Grampians wine haunt.

Ocean, sees the mountainous Grampians region produce distinct cool climate wines.

From wild landscapes to manicured vineyards, take in this

spectacular relationship between the mountains and wine at the acclaimed Mount Langi Ghiran.

1. Taste the ranges of red with winemaker Simon, at Clayfield Wines. 2. Winemaker (and great home cook we believe), Adam Richardson from ATR Wines. 3. A Mountainside Sangria or Shiraz spritzer is best enjoyed with friends. 4. Cafe Langi opened in November and is open 10am-3pm on Friday, Saturday and Sundays

Itinerary 4 - For The Love Of Wine! Grampians Wine Cellars, Halls Gap Not all wineries in the north and east Grampians have cellar

doors, many of these small batch wines sell online and to top restaurants, SubRosa, Clarnette & Ludvigsen, Black & Ginger, Kimbarra and The Story Wines are all examples of these. With views up to the ranges that surround Halls Gap,

Grampians Wine Cellars is the perfect spot to discover some of these in-the-know wines and a great way to start a wine

tour that keeps you close to Halls Gap, as Simon Freeman will talk you through his recommendations. Pomonal Estate, Pomonal Just 10-minutes down the road from Halls Gap is Pomonal, a picturesque village set against the rugged backdrop of the Grampians National Park. A true hidden gem of the region, Pomonal offers a slice of everything that the Grampians

is celebrated for – nature walks that reward with stunning

views, dazzling wildflower gardens, adventures on the water, renowned wineries and unique local produce that can be purchased direct from the farm gates.

Established in 2017, Pomonal Estate is a winery, microbrewery

and cider house that has become a popular haunt for locals and tourists alike. Patrons can choose from a selection of

regional wines and handcrafted beers and ciders and order

from a menu of platters, lunch options and homemade cakes that all hero local produce.

Our tips, try their ginger beer - it's amazing, and take

advantage of a Hitch-A-Ride pick up and drop off service, where Ambush Grampians will do the driving for you. Or,

even better, stay the night at Pomonal Estate's Mt Cassel Villa

which has 3 bedrooms and can sleep up to 8 people. Nestled among the vines, there is plenty of space for the kids to play

outside the villa and an outdoor spa and entertainment deck. Can it get better?

Fallen Giants, Halls Gap On your way back to Halls Gap, you’ll find Fallen Giants. Just near the Zoo, yep, Halls Gap has a zoo. There are giraffes.

Head up the driveway lined with vines and feel your worries melt away. That’s why we recommend it as your last stop before heading out to a local brewery or pub for dinner.

If you’re still on the hungry side, Fallen Giants also make a

For more than 150 years, the Grampians have produced

can kick back and enjoy every moment of it.

stand the test of time. This place is magical, and we now

wicked platter, and have a playground for the kids so you The vineyard was part of the planting resurgence to combat a potentially devastating lull in Australian wine production

about 50-70 years ago, which saw several dedicated wine families plant vines that are still thriving and producing

excellent wines today – a true nod to Australian viticulture that is worth a little research trip.

We recommend not going home without a 2019 Shiraz.

award-winning, distinctive, cool climate wines, made to

understand why they say it’s wine, made the Grampians way.

To find out opening times and to plan your vine vacation, go to www.visitgrampians.com.au

To purchase mixed packs online from the region go to www.madethegrampiansway.com.au

Why? It just took home the Best Victorian Shiraz Trophy, the Trevor Mast Memorial Trophy for Best Australian Shiraz and the iconic Jimmy Watson Best Red Wine. Can't beat that. Grampians Helicopters and Wine Tours Love a guided experience? Let Grampians Wine Tours escort

1. Keep an eye out for Montara’s Wine Down Fridays, they are always a night to remember. 2. Enjoy a wine or two then hit the shops next door to Grampians Wine Cellars. 3. A Pomonal Estate wine tasting paddle with chocolates matched by Kerrie’s Kreations. 4. Fallen Giants is a place you can feel free to feel free.

you in comfort and style as you tour and taste some of the Grampians finest wines all while learning about the region.

Departing Halls Gap & Pomonal, Grampians Wine Tours visit local vineyards in the region every Wednesday to Sunday.

Or make memories of a lifetime with a Grampians Helicopters vineyard heli-hop tour. You'll be on cloud *wine*.

Your Must Reads Love Stories by Trent Dalton A blind man yearns to see the face of his wife of thirty years. A divorced mother has a secret love affair with a priest. A geologist discovers a three-minute

video recorded by his wife before she died. A tree lopper's heart falls in a forest. A working mum contemplates taking photographs of her late husband down

from her fridge. A girl writes a last letter to the man she loves most, then sets it

on fire. A palliative care nurse helps a dying woman converse with the angel at the end of her bed. A renowned 100-year-old scientist ponders the one great

earthly puzzle he was never able to solve: 'What is love?' Endless stories. Human stories. Love stories.

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty From the outside, the Delaneys appear to be an enviably contented family.

Even after all these years, former tennis coaches Joy and Stan are still winning tournaments, and now that they've sold the family business they have all the time in the world to learn how to 'relax'.

Their four adult children are busy living their own lives, and while it could be

argued they never quite achieved their destinies, no-one ever says that out

loud. But now Joy Delaney has disappeared and her children are re-examining their parents' marriage and their family history with fresh, frightened eyes.

Is her disappearance related to their mysterious house guest from last year? Or were things never as rosy as they seemed in the Delaney household?

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No Fight Tights Words by Liana Skewes. Pictures by Tara Moore Photography.

No Fight Tights came about when Ballarat born and bred Corinna saw how her daughter struggled with the uniform requirement of wearing tights to school.

From day one her daughter hated wearing her winter uniform, because of the tights.

Like many women before her (including Corinna herself), her

daughter would complain they were itchy and would fall down

and she wished she didn’t have to wear them. Knowing that her

daughter had over a decade of school uniform related discomfort ahead of her and encouraged by the struggle she saw by school aged children all around her, Corinna set to work to solve an

intergenerational issue of discomfort and pain with innovation. She started by calling on friends and family with knowledge in design, production and sewing. With this professional

encouragement and a lot of research she was able to combine

comfortable leggings with school tights, something she couldn’t find in production anywhere else in the world. Once she had the

basic design ready, she took on the suggestion of her friend and

Laboratory clothing store founder Brooke to set up a focus group

to develop the product. After getting input from women of a range of ages she then consulted with Sample Room in Melbourne and

signed on to their Mentor course to pick up the skills she needed to take her idea through all the stages of production.

This was a big shift in knowledge for Corinna whose her career until this point had been in early childhood education.

No development these days is without hurdles. They found

themselves having put in an incredible amount of work to have

samples they were proud of, when schools suddenly closed due to COVID-19. This meant that the school aged girls that would have

been ready to try out their designs wear now sitting comfortably at home in their trackies, tights-free! So, Corinna pivoted (Word of the Year 2020?) and reached out to mums that lived in the states that weren’t in lockdown. The feedback was resoundingly positive.

One hurdle Corinna is particularly focused on overcoming is making sure their product range is as inclusive as possible. They found their first manufacturer was limited by the maximum stretch that could be worked

into the tights, initially limiting the size range up to a 14. So, while they have launched the kids ranges, Corinna continued to work on the adult sizes, which are now for sale in sizes 8-18 in black and navy.

Children’s sizes are available in sizes 4-14 and in 4 colours, Black, Maroon, Navy, and bottle green, choosing to launch with the most popular school colour range. They have now had several requests for grey and fawn, which are being looked at for 2022.

Challenges in getting the business off the ground have meant a lot of personal growth for Corinna. She’s

found herself learning how to use social media to promote what she was creating and having to ask for help to keep her idea growing, all while juggling her already established career and helping her high school and primary school aged kids with remote learning during the pandemic.

She credits the support of her family for strongly believing in her and supporting her to bring the idea to this

moment. The continued pandemic has meant a more… subdued launch than might be expected in “normal

times” (whatever that means anymore), but Corinna is sure, as more women hear about this alternative to the pain, frustration and distraction of traditional tights that their small business can only grow. The proof is in the pudding after all, and the feedback so far has been off the charts! Feedback from one young girl to her mother was “They are so good mum, they don’t fall down, and I actually forget I’m wearing them,” which is music to Corinna’s ears.

They have also had success with a few families of children with sensory sensitivities, who have not been able to wear tights in the past.

Corinna says, “I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has said to me ‘what a great idea, I wish they were

around when I was at school’. Nicci Ashby from High Profit Media labelled the idea as “a game changer” when I first contacted her. I believe that sums it up very well.”

No Fight Tights have a design patent in Australia and two other countries and with the recent invitation to participate in the Ballarat Export Ready Incubator Program, Corinna is looking forward to developing her knowledge, skills, and networks to trade internationally.

As for seeing how the tights survive at school, well according to Corinna’s own family’s experience, “my

daughter has worn the same pair of tights this entire winter and apart from outgrowing them they would be perfectly fine for next winter. I am so impressed how well they have washed and worn.” Feedback that has been echoed by many other customers.

If you want to get your hands (or legs) on some tights, you can get them online from the website www.nofighttights.com.au.

And they are already enthusiastically supported by some local business, where you can buy them in person, including Crockers Ballarat, Hip Pocket Workwear, Safety Ballarat and Studio g.a.s.

When asked how she feels about making products that are changing people’s lives, Corinna, a natural at

helping other people said, “I can’t wait to help more children with sensory sensitivities eliminate one more

challenge. I can’t wait to help more parents and daughters start their day with more confidence and comfort.” Find No Fight Tights on social media if you want to watch this simple fashion revolution take over the world.

Lucky and James Words by Shona Hendley. Pictures by Tara Moore Photography.

From a what was once a mere whim to now, as Ballarat’s first chocolatier, Jade Davidson, founder of Lucky and James Chocolate sits down with Uncover to share her nearly two decade long (and still going) chocolate coated journey. Can you tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a chocolatier?

I’ve always had a strong love of chocolate, from when I

was little, sneaking extra Milo and Nutella, to as a grown up

travelling the world and visiting every chocolate shop I could find.

My career began on a whim, I was 21 and saw an ad for an

I’ve been so fortunate to have studied in the UK, Switzerland and Costa Rica alongside travelling the globe visiting

chocolate shops, festivals, conferences and plantations.

It’s wild looking back and realising that chocolate making has been part of my life for nearly 17 years!

What have been the highlights so far on your chocolate journey?

apprentice chocolatier at Cacao Fine Chocolates. I applied,

There’s definitely been three. Seeing my first cacao plantation

polishing moulds and washing dishes. In the five years I was

the first in Melbourne to produce bean to bar chocolate.

got the job and started from the bottom packing chocolates, there, I worked my way up to running the production kitchen. Alongside that, I had become fascinated with the process

of making chocolate from the bean (bean to bar chocolate)

and began studying it. I found out as part of my course there was an opportunity to travel to Costa Rica to visit cacao plantations and off I went!

When I returned, I began working at Monsieur Truffe, a

chocolate factory that focused on single origin chocolate

and its unique flavour profiles and a dream to make bean to bar chocolate. In July 2013 I became the first in Melbourne to

release a bean to bar product, which was a very exciting time. Over the next few years, I went from there to Koko Black and learnt a whole variety of new chocolate skills to add to my chocolate knowledge. While (at Koko Black) I fell pregnant

with my first daughter and finished working, and although I

dabbled in making chocolate for family and friends, I didn’t

start making chocolate again properly until Lucky and James nearly four years later.

in Costa Rica, visiting the Salon Du Chocolat in Paris and being What made you decide to start our own business, Lucky & James Chocolate and why in Ballarat?

I’d always secretly had a wish to open my own chocolate business but in a different way from the standard retail

shopfront. After moving here, I quickly noticed how kind and

incredibly supportive Ballarat was to local business, especially when they had a unique offering. I knew I had to move quickly if I wanted to be the first chocolatier in Ballarat, and after the slight delay of a second baby, here we are! So how did Lucky & James come about? I really decided to go for it during the second lockdown last

year. My husband and I renovated our kitchen, got it certified and then Lucky & James went into production in November. It’s safe to say I was pretty blown away with the hugely

positive response and amazing local support. To have had

such wonderful businesses as Campana’s Deli and Soho Rose Farm come on board (as stockists) from the first few months has been an incredible gift.

Where does the name, Lucky & James come from?

Does your family share your love and passion for chocolate?

When my husband Lachie and I were in NY travelling, we

They certainly do!

ordered coffees and they took our names. They then started yelling out “Lucky and James??!” And after quite a while we

realised, they meant us. I thought, hey that could be a strong name one day! I wrote it down in my phone and when I decided to go into business, I knew that was the name.

So… without giving away any trade secrets, how do you make your delicious, handmade chocolates?

I start with beautiful Swiss couverture, melt it, add my

inclusions, temper and then mould into my 100g bars. After

putting them in to the fridge they are then unmoulded and wrapped.

What has been the greatest achievement so far with your business?

My greatest achievement was selling over 1000 handmade bars in my first four months! I’ve definitely lost count now though!

What varieties of chocolate do you make? And do you have a favourite?

I make four varieties in both milk and dark. Fruit & Nut,

Honeycomb, Rocky Road and Cinnamon Pecan Crunch. The last is Cookies & Cream in white chocolate. As for a

favourite? It depends on the day and what mood I’m in! In five words can you describe your absolute favourite thing about chocolate?

Making chocolate keeps me sane!

When I met my now husband, I was running a chocolate

factory and so I slowly educated him about chocolate over the years. Funnily enough when we moved to Ballarat three and a half years ago, he got a job as an engineer at Mars! My three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, like any little kid

will jump at the chance to eat chocolate (although her real passion is continually trying to steal my date stamp!) and

judging by the fact that the other day, I found my one-and-ahalf-year-old secretly eating one of my bars I had left in my handbag I’d say she’s a big fan!

I feel very fortunate to again be doing what I love, with my kids getting to grow up alongside it.

And finally, what does the future of Lucky & James Chocolate look like?

I just want to be able to continue making the kind of

chocolate people keep coming back to buy again and again. It would be wonderful to have my bars stocked in stores

across the region, representing products made in Ballarat. You can purchase Lucky & James Chocolate from the following stockists:

Campana’s Deli, 301 Mair St Ballarat

Soho Rose Farm Pop Up, 415 Sturt St Ballarat Hattie and the Wolf, 202 South St Ballarat

Creative Framing Gallery, 216 Mair St Ballarat The Wine and Deli Co, 148A Inglis St Ballan

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A Villiage of Vintage and Wonder Words by Della Vreeland. Pictures by Liana Skewes.

Diane Opie fondly recalls the meticulously handcrafted clothes she wore as a young girl.

“My mother was a seamstress. She used to make everything, and all of the clothes she made were beautiful.”

There can be no doubt that watching her mother sew imbued Diane with a deep appreciation for the process involved in producing quality garments.

Perhaps it is this appreciation for quality which is one of the reasons Diane admires vintage clothing.

The owner of The Dressing Room Recycled, Diane says she has always been drawn to vintage fashion and a quick look around TDRR and you’ll soon discover her love

for yesterday’s clothing and her interest in the stories they embody is indisputable. The Dressing Room Recycled is a sea of colour, texture and historical wonder, selling a plethora of clothing, footwear and accessories spanning across the decades.

The shop not only showcases the beauty inherent in the fashions of the past but is proof that you need not adhere to current trends in order to look the part.

“I started off at home then moved to a tiny place in Macarthur Street and then it

expanded into this big thing here which is three rooms chocka block with vintage,” Diane says.

“Young girls love vintage, and a lot of collectors from Melbourne shop here too. “I just love it. It’s good fun.” The Dressing Room Recycled is only one of the spaces sitting pretty, along Main Road’s Vintage Village – showcasing goods from years gone by and providing

customers with the opportunity to shop sustainably and give old items a whole new lease on life.

Nestled in the heart of Ballarat’s historic Bakery Hill precinct, the Village has fast

become a destination for all those who seek to indulge their second-hand whims. Each of the Village’s stores is aptly housed in a reclaimed heritage building, providing the perfect backdrop for these businesses.

“These buildings are all still original. You wouldn’t want to put something like Gucci or Prada there,” Diane remarks.

Opposite The Dressing Room Recycled lies The Main Emporium – also managed by Diane. The Emporium is home to a handful of vintage and second-hand stallholders, as well as its own Tarot Card reader.

A fossick through this storefront will unearth anything from

“It really is one of the most intact historical streetscapes.

accessories to thrifted threads and old books through to

grocers were. It’s a fascinating part of Ballarat’s past.

bold and bright 60s fashion to vintage jewellery, handmade antique homewares.

“It’s like the Mill Markets, but on a tiny scale,” Diane says. The Vintage Village is also home to the iconic Antiques Goods

This is where all the pubs, brothels, grog-houses and Chinese “Today, it really is a creative precinct featuring vintage

fashion, antiques, collectibles, second-hand books and handmade designs.”

and Chattels – a longstanding fixture on Main Road boasting

And while this corner has become its own special hub

Nicola Cerini designs and the magical Known World purveyor

sustainable offerings which are having a serious resurgence.

all the bits and bobs you never knew you needed – alongside of second-hand books.

An enchanting enterprise and tourist destination in its own

right, The Known World offers avid bibliophiles with a (literal) floor-to-ceiling range of books both contemporary and antiquarian.

Stepping into the space can be likened to an escape from

reality, transporting you to an alternate world where stories beckon and history runs rampant.

Having owned bookstores for 20 years, The Known World’s Michelle Coxall says her shop prides itself on its carefully

curated offering of history, literature, art, children’s books, philosophy, the old and the unusual.

“Just about all bases are covered,” she says.

of creativity, Michelle says there remains a firm focus on

“I think there will be a sort of renaissance where people will start valuing shops like ours and marvellous objects from

the past – whether books or quality clothes or handmade depression-era stools.

“It fits in with the environmental ethos of not creating more stuff and making really good use of the things we already have.

“I love books because they are a part of the furniture of our lives. They embody the thoughts and ideas of people from centuries past and bring them into our century so we can have a window into the past.”

The exact same thing can be said about all things vintage.

Living amidst the Main Road village for one year now, Michelle says the precinct is an important part of Ballarat’s historic fabric.

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Pre-COVID era we were purchasing flights, bustling through

Stepping into Carboni’s Next Door you feel as though the

been locked down, feeling very trapped, isolated, and sorry for

pastries, cured meats, cheese, wine, homemade sauces

airports, and flying out to explore the world. Now, while we've

ourselves, it’s easy to forget of the treasures we have right in

our own town. We forget we can be transported far and wide right here in Ballarat. We forget to appreciate that we can holiday right here in Victoria.

Carboni’s Italian Kitchen on Eureka Street, in Ballarat East, is

a long-standing Ballarat favourite. Serving delectable Italian cuisine, Carboni’s is perfect for a casual dining experience,

catch-up with friends or a date night. Plus – look out for their speciality nights – and watch as your pasta is tossed in the cheese wheel table-side!

Remember that nostalgic saying of the “boy (or girl) next

door”? The one who made you blush and gave you butterflies. Well, let me introduce Carboni’s next door, the one-stop Authentic Italian Shop and the only ‘Pastificio’ artisan

producer of fresh pasta in the Ballarat region! Not only will

world is your meatball, with the fantastic range of coffee, including their original Lamb Ragu, Bolognaise and Napolitana and PASTA, even weighed to your portion requirement by the fantastic staff, just the way Nona used to do it.

Carboni next door will transport you direct to the cobblestone laneways of Rome, invoking sunny evenings and carefree

Vespa rides through winding streets (side note: if it’s Vespas you’re after, Il Piccolo is another must-stop-Italian-shop. Go

for the sweet lime green Vespa, stay for the artisan gelato!!). Oh, and did I mention that Carboni’s Next Door is open 7 days 8am-4pm, dishing up beautiful food for you to take home to your family?

You can 100% get an authentic Italian experience in Ballarat, no check-in luggage required. Support, live and love local.

she have you drooling behind your face mask, but she’ll have you stocking up on items you never knew you needed, from croissants to lasagne and limoncello to panino!

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Ballarat 1207 Latrobe Street Ballarat Vic 3350 Phone: (03) 5335 7277

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Beaufort Racecourse Road Beaufort 3373 Phone: (03) 5349 2777

Maryborough 17-19 Tullaroop Rd Maryborough 3465 Phone: (03) 5461 2492

Who Lives Here? Owner Olivia Bates welcomes us into her beautiful Hamptons inspired family home located in the heart of Insignia. First thing’s first, tell us a little about yourself… I’m Olivia and I work in HR. I live with my husband Ivor who is a Nurse and our two children Ava (11) and Henry (8), along with our cat Prince and dog Chester. Tell us, what enticed you to buy land in Insignia? Ivor, being a big golf fan, always wanted to live near a Golf Course so when Insignia started to

build, we jumped at the chance to live here. Alfredton in general is a lovely area to live and we are close to everything we need.

Having primary school aged children, Ava and Henry love our walks to the playground, we meet there regularly with our other friends in the Estate. It’s lovely to walk around Insignia, especially in Spring and Summer. You feel like you are on holidays sometimes wandering past the golf course!

Insignia has a lovely community feel, as neighbours we all look out for each other, especially

since lockdown. There have been some nice initiatives we have all taken part of like the Teddy Bear Hunt for kids to look out for on walks.

Your home is beautiful and obviously has a strong Hamptons influence, can you tell us a little about how you chose this style?

We were lucky enough to purchase quite a large block in Insignia (approx. 850 sqm), BUT it

originally had a large tree right in the middle. The tree was able to be removed as it was no longer viable, but then the house had to be set back because of the tree protection laws.

Because of this, we decided to build a two story, and I have always loved the Hamptons style look. I feel the house being set back from the road is one of it’s nicest features, although my

husband was a little dubious on how I would back out of the winding driveway… happy to report there has been no issues!

Where did you go for inspiration?

Tell us a little bit about the journey of the build…

Lots of magazines! Home Beautiful, House and Garden,

The tree was probably the main thing at the start of our

and started investigating. My Mum and Sister and I all enjoy

the viability of the tree and then the removal. Once that

Country Style were favourites, I just ripped things out I liked

watching home renovations shows, so I gained some ideas from these as well.

Did you outsource the design/architecture? Tell us a bit about the design process!

We used James Stapleton and the team at Project Now. They

were fantastic to deal with- from our initial meeting where we

happened, we could get cracking. We poured the slab in

September 2016 and moved in in April 2017. I remember it well as Ivor was booked into have a hernia operation the week

after we moved in, so I knew I had to get him to do the heavy lifting beforehand while he could! Any… hiccups along the way?

got to share our vision, to the final drawings they provided. It

Nothing major, I think having an experienced builder always

shared many laughs along the way.

starting. Ivor would argue that I blew the budget, in particular

was a seamless and thoroughly enjoyable process, and we

And who was your builder? How did you choose who to use? We used Andrew Madigan who is also a long-time friend of

ours, so we were very lucky. We all worked very well together.

helps, there was some good planning put in place prior to the tiles budget as I thought the amount listed was just to

purchase the tiles, not to lay as well but we worked through it! Did you use an interior designer? Or is this magic all you?

Andrew had great solutions if we encountered any issues,

We didn’t use an Interior Designer; I really enjoy doing this

etc from wherever we liked. Andrew prides himself on his

I wanted to. It’s very Hamptons, but also my style and colours

plus it was nice to have some freedom to pick tiles, carpets quality workmanship and we couldn’t fault him. It was lovely

to be able to host my 40th birthday party at our home in the

same year we moved in and have Andrew and Narelle his wife attend, it was a great night!

journey – just getting the Arborist reports etc to determine

process myself and loved being able to style our home how thrown in. We used George Taylor from Taylored Gardens to

design and plant our garden who was fantastic. We couldn’t recommend George and his team highly enough, even four years later, he still pops by to check on the garden.

Photo by Baylee Gramling on Unsplash

What’s your favourite thing about your home?

And finally, what is your favourite thing about Ballarat?

I love our Master Bedroom- it has a beautiful wallpaper

Ivor and I love living in Ballarat – we live close by to my

and white tiles from Ballarat Carpet and Tile Gallery are so

We are lucky to some fantastic schools nearby which is great

feature which is really striking. I also love our ensuite, the black effective – I am a big bath person, so it’s a lovely area to soak in the bath.

parents and Ivor’s Mum which is great – we are all very close.

for our kids, along with Sporting and Recreation activities such as the Aquatic Centre, Golf Club and Football ovals.

I also love the main living, kitchen and dining area at the

When I was pregnant with our children, I discovered the

have a gas log fire which provides a really nice atmosphere in

a family favourite now, along with Dyers Steak Stable and

back – it feels spacious, and we all enjoy our time there. We

the colder months, plus the kitchen is great and very easy to

work in. I love the tiled splashback, which is quite a statement, I think.

Ballarat Steakhouse (I think I was craving iron!) and it remains Table 48. Being so close to Lake Wendouree, we all enjoy

walking over to Pipers for breaky, and also enjoy Café Lekker,

Café Provincial and Eclectic Tastes for great food and coffee.

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Golden Determination Words by Ballarat Grammar.

A chat with Lucy Stephan, Old Grammarian and Tokyo

Olympic Gold Medallist, who learnt to row at Grammar when Lake Wendouree was dry.

Congratulations on your Gold Medal, Lucy! Could you talk us through how you came to rowing and what you love about the sport?

When I began boarding at Grammar it was my first

opportunity to give rowing a go. I fell in love with it pretty

instantly. It gave me a place where I belonged. It also was

a sport that was pretty black and white. I always say it’s the ultimate individual sport but also the ultimate team sport.

You have to make sure you are at your absolute best. It’s not like netball where if someone is having an off day you don’t throw them the ball or you put them on the bench. You are literally carrying yourself and each other down the course. I think there is something so special about that.

What are some of the things you enjoyed about school and why?

There were probably three places where I felt most

comfortable: my boarding house, which was obviously my

home for three years, the Boat Shed, which was where I found my people, and the Art Wing (my other people!).

At Grammar, I was never told I had to be any different to what I was. Grammar as a school helped me find what I loved, and fostered that, then guided and supported me with subjects I struggled in, like English and Maths.

Do you have any advice for young Ballarat students? I always say to kids: find a passion and it will open you up to

so many possibilities, it opens up who you are. From a young age, I always thought of myself as driven, passionate and

fiery but until I found rowing those traits never really shone.

As much as I think sport is amazing and very important, that

passion can be anything from music, writing, acting whatever you wish, as long as you love it.

I firmly believe I became an Olympic champion, not because I am the best athlete in the world, but, because I love rowing.

I love what it has taught me about myself, I love that grit and determination can win a race and, more to the point, I just love racing.

The glory of sport is amazing, winning is amazing, but it’s the journey along the way that makes it worthwhile. Make sure

you have fun and enjoy the process. Of course, I remember winning Head of the Lake, but what stands out more in my

memories are the bus trips to Geelong, training down at the

Boat Shed and rooming with my teammates at rowing camp and the National Championships.

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BALLARAT AND QUEEN’S ANGLICAN GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Photo by Mathilde Langevin

Red Wine Reigns Supreme Words by Charlotte D. Nay. Pictures supplied.

Launching soon is the Pyrenees Road to Red Wine Trail, where

Anyway, instead of relaxing in the extensively renovated and

the Pyrenees Wine Region’s most esteemed award-winning

the beautiful winery gardens, I sat on my couch in my PJs,

red wine reigns supreme. The trail winds its way around 21 of

wineries and is the perfect way to sample some of the area's most exquisite drops.

This Winter, I was supposed to jump in the car and give it the old college try. Unfortunately, COVID had other ideas.

Instead, I was lucky enough to be sent some samples from some of the region’s best wineries to taste test, and that,

coupled with Google maps and a little bit of imagination, is how my 2021 Road to Red Wine Trail began…

The Pyrenees winemakers have been producing excellent

wines for many decades—and the growing list of awards and endorsements that their wines are collecting is testament to the high quality on offer.

The signature grape varieties in the Pyrenees are Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, perfect drops for a Victorian winter

(maybe even better when you’re locked in your house, fully

equipped with a roaring gas log fire, stretchy pants and only ten or so steps to a comfy bed – don’t tell the wineries I said that though, you really should go visit).

If we were driving from Melbourne, Summerfield Winery would

have been our first stop. A multi-award award winning winery,

situated in the small rural township of Moonambel, the familyowned vineyard and winery was established in 1970 and

today produces Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc. You can enjoy wine tastings with a cheese platter at their charming cellar door café deli or a

wood fired pizza in the restaurant. Plus, they also offer modern studio apartment accommodation.

If that already sounds right up your alley and you were

thinking about booking for as soon as COVID restrictions lift…

extended café and cellar door at Summerfield, overlooking

heated up an oven-baked pizza, dialled up a little Nick Cave

on Spotify and sampled a couple of perfect-for-Melbournewinter Aussie shirazes.

First – let me preface this by saying that I don’t like to know

the price of wine before I taste. Yes, science tells us that we

enjoy a wine more if we know it’s spenny, but – ipso facto – knowing the price clearly skews opinions and I prefer to go in blind.

We started with the Summerfield 2019 Shiraz. This single

vineyard baby oozed blueberry aromas, with a touch of

cherry and spice. It was deliciously fruit forward, full bodied and so silky smooth you could mistake it for a baby’s

bottom. It definitely upped the ante on my oven-baked za

and would’ve been even better with a meaty lamb ragu or anything rich, meaty and smoky for that matter. And while

it was undeniably delicious, I got the sense it was waiting for

something (maybe COVID restrictions lifting?) – I would LOVE to taste it again in 3-5 years’ time. Pow.

And if I thought that was good, I was about to have my socks well and truly knocked off (and then stolen by my eightmonth-old puppy, because that’s her jam).

I kind of assumed that all the vinos I got sent were probably

on par with each other, you know – similar price, similar vibe – they were mostly shiraz (or shiraz blends), they all had classic, classy old school labels. Maybe I should’ve taken the hint

when my poorly underworked triceps nearly gave out trying to pour this next sucker (seriously – it was so heavy we decided

to weigh the bottles) – but I poured on, oblivious to what was about to hit my tongue.

back off. I have first dibs.

Pow, boy howdy. What is there to say about the Summerfield

Violet smell aside, The Mang and The Peerick 2019 Shiraz

bunches, 7 days on skins, matured for 18 months in French

by myself, my husband and my not-a-huge-fan-of-red-

Jo Shiraz? Hand-picked, open-fermented with 30% whole

oak, only two barrels selected, blah blah, blah, whatever. This, my friends, is a wine for the ages. A truly special drop, which

deserved better than my $12 pizza and elastic waist pjs. This is

a wine that deserves structured undergarments, red lippy and a Wagyu steak. If you’re on the fence about Aussie Shiraz – get a glass of this up ya.

Dear Summerfield – please don’t sell out of this masterpiece

before I get the chance to come taste it in its natural habitat and bend your ears about its magnificence. Thank you. I

mean that from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for making this wine.

Summerfield 2019 Shiraz ($39/bottle) and Summerfield Jo Shiraz ($150/bottle) are available to purchase at summerfieldwines.com.au/shop

The next stop on our entirely fictitious Pyrenees Road Trip… Peerick Vineyard.

The name Peerick derives from the Aboriginal word ‘beeric’,

wine single friend who got the rest of the bottle (because it’s

inadvisable to drink six bottles of red all to yourself, even if you are ten steps from your own comfy bed).

The perfect accompaniment to a Saturday cheese platter –

Peerick, mark me down for a Saturday afternoon visit as soon as restrictions lift (I certainly won’t complain if you have a cheese platter on the go either).

The Mang 2019 ($39.95/bottle) and the Peerick 2019 Shiraz

($29.95/bottle) are available to purchase at peerick.com.au The last stop on our virtual tour of the Pyrenees was

Dogrock. Celebrating their 10th year as a Halliday 5-star

Winery, Dogrock is an accomplished producer of premium, sustainably produced wines. Established in 1998 by

winemakers Allen and Andrea Hart, Dogrock produces small batches of premium Riesling, Arinto, Chardonnay, Shiraz,

Grenache, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional and Graciano, mostly from estate grown fruit.

meaning ‘wild cat’. It was bestowed on the region by its

First up – el Rojo. I do have a weird tangential story I could

their traditions, beliefs and dreamtime stories, together with

(who was also a magnificent red), but my word count is fast

traditional custodians, the Dja Dja Wurrung people, and it’s the triskele from the O’Hara family’s Celtic culture, that are

depicted on Peerick’s label artwork and embody the winery’s commitment to sustainable viticultural and winemaking practices.

Our first taster? The Mang, a premium, powerful blend of

Cabernet, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Shiraz grapes, all sourced from Peerick’s Warrenmang vineyard, in the heart of the

rugged Pyrenees. Even aside from how fun it is to say, The

Mang is kickarse wine. It will also always hold a place in my

heart because of the following (probably kind of weird) story.

tell here about a wedding at a donut shop and a llama

approaching, so I’m actually just going to concentrate on the wine…

If you’ve ever wondered WTF people are talking about when they say a wine is “peppery”, this baby is a fine example to

learn from. A red blend, made from Estate grown Grenache,

Shiraz, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional, el Rojo goes a treat with a stinky as hell cheese and is a stylish little minx that’s not for the faint of heart. Only 60 dozen made, if you fancy yourself a connoisseur of the weird and wonderful – get yourself a glass of this baby.

I poured myself a glass of The Mang and sniffed, swirled and

Followed in quick succession by the Dogrock 2019 Degraves

did that gross sounding thing that wine wankers tend to do,

the estate’s best parcel of estate grown fruit from a truly

sniffed again, gave it another sniff and a quick sip (I even

sucking in air and swizzling wine around in my mouth), turned to my husband and said, “Does this smell like lipstick to you?” Of course, he had zero bloody idea what I was on about, not

Road Shiraz, an outstandingly easy to drink Shiraz made from outstanding season. Superlatives that flowed from my tongue relating to this wine included: luscious, full-bodied, sexy, easy, plummy, should-we-open-another-bottle…

being quite as much of a connoisseur of Chanel and Yves

Look, when you’re still enjoying it six bottles deep, you know it’s

After a quick google, and a confirmation with the Le Nez

Dogrock’s 2017 el Rojo ($65/bottle) and 2019 Degraves Road

lippies is VIOLET. Mother-effing VIOLET. I never knew what violet

dogrock.com.au

Saint Laurent lippies as I.

smells, I discovered that the predominant smell in high end

smelled like before. Friends, I just learned a NEW WINE SMELL.

I’m sorry if you don’t feel as emotional about this as I do, but learning a new wine smell is a bit of a holy grail in the semi-

professional wine swilling world, so I will be forever grateful to The Mang for smelling like lipstick.

were both rated thoroughly “thumbs up, would drink again”

good.

Shiraz ($38/bottle) are available to purchase at

And you, get your arses to the Pyrenees, post haste. Before the cool kids find out about it.

“Don’t wait for the world around you to be right for you to be happy.”

Volta: Surviving together. “I’ve just had the worst workday I’ve ever had,” were the booker’s exact words to Lachy Anderson, Volta’s brand-new Booking Agent.

The booker then started listing the live acts that had cancelled. All of them. No-one in the industry had ever seen anything like this. But call after call went just

like this one. The agents on the other end of the phone were shocked or apologetic. Sometimes Lachy found out via Instagram that an act had cancelled. He had

wondered if maybe, because their venue was regional, they might escape the heavy blows that were falling on their metro cousins.

But it hit everywhere and all it meant for a regional venue, was that it happened a little later.

Lachy and Zac (Hill, Owner & Manager) were only five weeks into running the iconic

Ballarat venue previously known as Karova. The new venue was supposed to continue the legacy of live music and performance, and be a must hit touring destination. Acts that had never before performed in Ballarat were among an exciting, months-inadvance booking sheet.

But we all know what happened in 2020, it’s not a plot twist anymore. Five weeks in, the bookings evaporated. The venue and the booking sheet were suddenly empty.

In their shared experience, Lachy and Zac had never been in a position where

a venue like this was totally unable to open for a period of time, let alone a very extended period.

During the past couple of years, Zac said there was a quote that stuck with him, “Don’t wait for the world around you to be right for you to be happy.” He made

the choice to remain positive. A choice he says was not easy, “When great things are happening it’s easy to be positive. When terrible things are happening it’s a challenge.”

And the way Lachy and Zac navigated that challenge was together, “Being

surrounded by negativity can become a vicious sinkhole we worked hard to keep

pulling out of and away from. It’s definitely difficult times. We can’t change it though. If we can get through it, that’s the main thing. Smiles will be next,” was Lachy’s hardearned wisdom.

Zac notes that “As hard as it was to watch, at least everyone was in the same category at the same time. We feel that people are more important than the

business, so it has been beneficial to make sure we’re investing in the people. This could be as simple as a phone call.”

Zac and Lachy were speaking daily to make sure they were staying connected.

It gave them a chance to digest how other people were responding as well and, in turn, to support others.

Zac is still incredibly grateful for the support they did receive. The private messages, comments on posts, phone calls. They were contacted by other business, patrons, and acts. After listing off the ways people have continuously supported them Zac

says, “none of these people have to do that and they are going through their own experiences, which makes it matter so much when they do it.”

And it’s not like the Volta team were idle during the closure

“Knowing you built that, contributed to it, made it happen.

shows for an entire year and they set up a Patreon (online

are doing it tough can be in that space and feel something

periods. There was the raffle fundraiser to win tickets to

membership platform), which was a great way for them to

give back to the people who were supporting them through the journey.

At the start of October (2020), right when Zac was asking how they were all going to survive, Volta received a state funded

grant. He got the call from Local Member, Juliana Addison, as he was driving down the freeway and suddenly the pressure released. Suddenly they had things to plan and do and work

on and had the resources to support the people they needed to.

Lachy says remembers the sense of relief from that moment. “It felt like a relief and hope not just for us but for the industry around us as well.”

November 1, 2020 was a red-letter day. They were able to

open again, and they felt it was worth the risk. The other risks

– the business risks, the mental health risks – of NOT opening outweighed the risk of COVID at this point. And as Zac so succinctly puts it, “there’s no point in not trying”.

2021 has been another journey altogether. They were pumped through January and while running a business like this is

EXHAUSTING, Zac says, “the thrill you get in a live music venue watching someone perform, even if you don’t know if you’ll

be open tomorrow or the next week, the release you get you cannot describe.

Seeing the way it lands on other people. Knowing people who special.”

But after a hopeful summer, Volta has barely traded at full capacity this whole time. But they are remaining positive about a future when their venue will be full, regularly. Full

of people, full of music and (without sounding too weirdly

sentimental) full of hope, and they both want to be there to see it happen.

“It’s great seeing people in the industry getting vaccinated

and the campaigns from arts to get people vaccinated. There is a light at the end of the tunnel again. You’ve got to hold on and wait,” Lachy says, with that eternal optimism.

And everyone at Volta is beginning to visualise what the

future looks like. They are looking forward to the vaccinations

being rolled out, the sun coming out people being more than

5km from home. They have missed being in a sweaty packed room of people watching live music. They cannot wait for

a sell-out show. And though Zac and Lachy both note that getting used to crowds again will be part of the transition

back, surely it will be a hell of a lot easier when you’re in front of your favourite band and just swept up in it.

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Words by Della Vreeland. Pictures supplied.

Like a child in a candy store. This is how you’re bound to feel when you peruse Missa Price’s online shop Sugar Sugar Candy Co.

“Old school candy just holds a special part in everyone’s heart, bringing your inner child so

much joy,” Missa says as she talks about her latest venture, which has people all around the country buzzing – and not just because of the sugar.

The 33-year-old officially launched the online retro sweets shop early in 2020, just after the COVID pandemic really kicked off. Having run her own business selling handmade baby

products, Missa Made It, for ten years, she was forced to close her virtual doors due to the demands of home-schooling.

Add to this the physical demands of coping with a recently diagnosed auto-immune disease, and Missa felt it was time to call it quits.

“In 2019 I was diagnosed with an auto immune disease, Fibromyalgia, which causes chronic

pain. It meant the job that I loved, that I had done my whole adult life, became something that caused me great amounts of pain every day,” she says.

“Sitting down sewing all day can be so bad for your body. For me it badly affected my back,

knees and, most of all, my wrists. My body was saying I needed to stop, but I didn’t know what to do. There was so much demand for my products and my business was also my family’s main source of income.

“Then 2020 happened, and lockdowns forced me to close my handmade business while I spent months home-schooling my two teenagers.”

But, as it turns out, this may have been a blessing in disguise. The closure of Missa Made It

presented an opportunity for this creative mother to harness her energy into something that was less demanding on her body, yet super satisfying for her spirit.

“Not being able to run my handmade business ended up being the best thing for me, for both my mind and my body. I needed to focus my creative energy on something new,” she says.

“Candy has always been a big part of my life. Every year I gift my family an assortment of their

favourite childhood candy, but during Father’s Day 2020 I couldn’t wander around the shops to pick and choose what to put in the gift, so I turned online to buy a ready-made gift box.

Sugar Sugar Candy Co. boasts all the 90s classics – think Ghost Drops, Super Tattoos, Warheads, Double Dips, Zombie Chews, Nerds, Snap & Crackles, Fizzers and more. “It was then I realised I could start my own gift box business,

“A lot of our gift boxes are shipped directly to our customers’

shipped directly to their bestie, siblings or friends they couldn’t

messages printed inside the lid. It’s nice to know what I now

making candy gift boxes people could order online, and have visit due to the extensive lockdowns.”

And so, Sugar Sugar Candy Co. was born. Combining her love for candy and her passion for photography, Missa used the

skills she’d garnered over the last decade and took what she describes as a “leap of faith”.

With tens of thousands already following her on Instagram thanks to her previous business, Sugar Sugar Candy Co.

launched 50 ‘Classic 90s’ gift boxes which sold out within 48

hours. Nine months later, and each restock continues to sellout within hours of hitting the virtual shelves.

Shipping all over Australia, and with requests to ship

internationally, Missa recently made the move into her own warehouse space – quite the milestone for a business only several months old.

“We have just had our first 10k month of sales since moving

friends, siblings or loved ones, with heartfelt personalised do as a career is bringing happiness and smiles to other

people who are also feeling sad or lost due to the current world events.

“I know all too well how it feels to feel trapped within the four

walls of your house due to lockdowns, and how important the small moments in your day can be – like the feeling of pure joy after receiving a box filled with your childhood favourite candies.”

Speaking of childhoods, despite being born and bred in

Portland, Missa remembers longing to leave her hometown

when she was a teenager. But now, after having children and buying a house, it is clear that Portland will always be home. “I love the laid-back lifestyle here in Portland. No one is in a

rush to get anywhere. There’s a real sense of community in living in a small town.

into the warehouse. The response has been above and

“But most of all, there’s the beaches. They’re my favourite

Sugar Sugar Candy Co. boasts all the 90s classics – think

And as she takes on the highs and lows of a new business

Chews, Nerds, Snap & Crackles, Fizzers and more.

Candy Co. to gradually expand and employ staff in the not-

beyond all expectations,” she says.

Ghost Drops, Super Tattoos, Warheads, Double Dips, Zombie Beautifully packaged and reminiscent of the days when milk

bars were aplenty and lollies were sold for a cent, Missa says

her products are all about conjuring up childhood memories. “The goal is to fill our customers with a sense of nostalgia,”

place to be.”

– like a (literal) boss – she says the hope is for Sugar Sugar

too-distant future, and the possibility of opening a bricks and mortar store is also not out of the question.

“2020 made me really reassess who I was as a person, and what my goals were for the future,” she says.

she says. “We have had a lot of customers tell us our products

“Dream big and big things will happen is the motto I have

forgotten about, and we’re all for that.

happen.

have unlocked happy childhood memories they had totally

been living by since starting Sugar Sugar. So, anything could To purchase visit, www.sugarsugarcandyco.com

The Gov Hub Words by Eliesha Rae. Pictures by Peter Bennetts.

Hundreds of public servants, previously based in Melbourne, have already started moving into Ballarat’s $100 million GovHub building.

It’s a proud time for a lot of people, but none more so than the partnership of John Wardle

Architects and KNJV (Kane Nicholson Joint Venture) – the brains and brawn (read Architect and Construction firm) behind this truly epic operation.

A project of this size is rare in Ballarat, or anywhere in regional Australia, and with the

GovHub construction’s employing over 400,000 man-hours on site, with 80% of the workforce based regionally and living within 100km of the project, it’s amazing how big an impact one building can have on a city.

KNJV were particularly focussed on engaging “as many local contractors as (they) could” and are proud of identifying “a number of strategies to help smaller companies engage with the project,” as Richard Nicholson (Director, Nicholson Construction) puts it…

“One successful strategy was to break the trade packages down into smaller pieces and

the nature of a multi-storey building provided a good opportunity to do this. One successful package where this worked was the plastering.

“We employed three (plastering businesses); one from Melbourne and two smaller firms

from Ballarat, each taking on different levels within the building. This helped increase the

local involvement, ensured a level of experience and skills transfer on larger projects locally, and ensured we were able to implement some social procurement strategies to help disadvantaged Victorians.”

Mick Page (Construction Manager, KNJV) is proud to have been “a part of… something of this scale,” as he so succinctly puts it, “Normally you wouldn’t have this opportunity in a regional

town, part of the reason I moved back home from interstate (was) to deliver this project with Nicholson Construction’s joint venture.”

And the effect this building has had is not contained to just within its four walls. Mick continues, “Businesses directly opened up for construction and are staying.” During

construction, coffee shops, takeaway lunch offerings and bakeries directly targeted

construction workers and have now stayed open to support the growth in the precinct. GovHub Architect, Luke Jarvis, was focussed on local impact from the beginning (way back

in 2017 – remember those halcyon days?), ensuring the design was “…sensitive to its context

and recognised the important cultural and community significance of the existing Civic Hall and Library within the city of Ballarat.”

“Standing on the fourth floor of the GovHub, looking back over the city of Ballarat reveals a rich layer of brick and masonry that is not immediately evident at street level. The old

brick warehouses connected to the brick laneways show a connection to Ballarat’s early

industry and prosperity that has transformed the city into the exciting regional centre that it is today.”

Hand in hand with the concentration on local aspects of the

project, was a heavy focus on the environmental impact and sustainability factors, “One of the unique elements of this building is the timber superstructure,” Luke continues.

“Less energy is used in the production of timber in comparison to steel or concrete, making timber a more sustainable

building material. Timber is also a carbon sink, absorbing and storing carbon from the atmosphere.”

And as proud as the contributors are of having had the

chance to make a permanent impact on Ballarat’s skyline

(as Mick puts it, “You can see it from everywhere in Ballarat!”) – they are even more proud of being a part of a building

that has truly been built for Ballarat’s future. “It certainly has

changed the skyline,” agrees Richard, “and I’m very proud to have been associated with the project, more so in the fact

that it is 5-star GreenStar and Nabers building and the fact that is a large mass timber structure.

“It is certainly time that Ballarat has a large structure like that,

Ballarat is growing, ready for business, ready to take on larger developments, good for the future of Ballarat.”

But Richard’s favourite thing about the GovHub building? “That its finished! It’s an awesome building, it’s terrific,

the quality of the facilities inside is fantastic… it just has a wonderful feel inside. A great sense of space.”

The team agree that Ballarat’s lifestyle offering these days can rival any major regional area, and as Mick puts it, “Everything is within reach, a quick trip and you can be at the beach, Melbourne, the river, the Grampians. Nothing is too far away.”

And while it has historically been a challenge that we haven’t had the same level of higher paying professional jobs you can get in Melbourne, GovHub will be a huge part of the push in the right direction.

Once fully operational, GovHub is set to house workers from Service Victoria, Consumer Affairs, Working with Children Check, the State Revenue Office, Regional Development Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, the Department of Education and Training, and VicRoads.

Richard believes this facility will have a huge impact on Ballarat’s

CBD, “And already has. From the moment the project started, shops sold and renovated around it and I witnessed an injection of life in the area that got even when we were building.

“Armstrong Street was already starting to emerge, whether that was driven by Gov Hub or occurring naturally, Gov Hub is going

to support that strip without a doubt. And continue to encourage investment.”

Planning permits in at the early stages are already coming in

for further developments around the precinct, all the way from Armstrong St to the Bridge Mall.

Rythm First Aid Words by Shona Hendley. Picture by Liana Skewes.

Bridging the Regional Health Care Gap with Rhythm Clinical nurse specialist, Nicole Gleeson is a country girl at

“We provide onsite training that is evidence-based, up to

and currently living in the regional township of Maldon, Nicole

Nicole says.

heart. Born and raised on a farm in rural south-west Victoria has witnessed and experienced both the advantages and disadvantages of country living.

“Living on the land, in a regional or rural area has so many

wonderful advantages, but one disadvantage is, at times, the lack of medical and health support, and access to education surrounding that.

While there has been a huge improvement in Telehealth and

date, and contextualised to your organisational needs,”

In addition to the general First Aid and CPR course, one of

Rhythm First Aid’s most popular training options is the Infant and Child First Aid Course where the important life-saving

skills such as CPR and choking First Aid are taught, alongside dealing with a range of other emergency situations, such as fever, seizures, anaphylaxis, asthma, burns, bites and drowning.

technology healthcare, there is still a longer wait-time for

And while the material is deadly serious, Nicole’s approach

arrive can make the biggest difference,” she says.

comfort of your own home.

ambulances in rural areas. What happens before paramedics

is “relaxed, fun and engaging” and can even be taught in the

Being aware of this lack of medical and health support

Rhythm Fist Aid also conducts school programs which

idea.

children and adolescents, empowering school age children

became a growing concern for Nicole but it also gave her an Utilising her vast experience in healthcare, including roles

develop and deliver age appropriate First Aid education to with potentially lifesaving skills.

in emergency, paediatrics and as a school nurse, Nicole is

In addition to providing courses, Rhythm First Aid has also

medical and health support by starting her own community-

home or business, including: Automated External Defibrillators

trying to help bridge the gap for regional and rural access to focussed business, Rhythm First Aid.

While the idea was conceived over six years ago, it was

around two years ago, when the initial First Aid course was facilitated, that it became a reality.

Since then, Rhythm First Aid has shaken up the First Aid

training-sphere in rural Vic, by bringing a fresh and engaging experience to families and businesses through empowering, evidence-based courses.

Nicole and her team travel across Victoria to facilitate their

innovative and high quality First Aid and CPR courses, which

developed a suite of First Aid products to well-equip any

(AED)s, Medical Supplies, and a large range of First Aid Kits,

including those that are tailored to specific businesses, as well as snake bite kits for the farm.

And while they are all in demand products, Rhythm First

Aid’s best seller is their Family First Aid Kits which Nicole says, “revolutionise First Aid in the home.”

“Most average home kits are typically a mess, hidden, and full of out-dated medications – but Rhythm has identified a key

gap in the market, by creating a comprehensive inventory of medical essentials for any family home.”

are nationally recognised and can be used across industries from manufacturing to childcare.

Not only practical, containing 123 child safe essentials from

But social media and celebrity hype aside, Nicole says that

functional yet aesthetically pleasing and environmentally

that they are having on their community.

scissors, sanitiser and plasters, they are also presented in a friendly bespoke box that is lovingly handmade in regional Victoria. The box is finished with a beautiful natural tanned veggie leather handle that can even be personalised.

This attention to detail and fresh outlook is why Rhythm’s

reach has continued to grow, and in doing so, has gained recognition from notable influencers on social media.

“Our Family First Aid Kits have been showcased to millions of people via Instagram and social media platforms, through celebrities like Steph Claire Smith (with over 1.5 million

followers) and The Block contestants Josh Barker, and Andy

and Deb, who purchased a kit for their holiday home. Several high-end Airbnbs have also purchased our kits.

The positive response and demand for this product has been

Rhythm’s proudest achievement is the measurable impact “The business embodies this through its community-focussed attitude, and commitment to distribute innovative First Aid

products and essential First Aid training to meet the new and changing trends of the modern era. Rhythm places great

emphasis on courses that are designed to ‘prepare not scare’ participants, firmly believing that all families and businesses can be equipped with the right skills to handle First Aid with confidence. Through making sessions captivating and fun, Rhythm First Aid has reinvigorated this sector of the health

industry on a local level, positively impacting its community.” And for anyone out there who hasn’t yet undertaken First Aid and CPR training, Nicole says stop putting it off, the time is now.

a special accomplishment for Rhythm – and our Family First

“It’s a safer community for all if everyone is educated in

is an absolute honour, as we have followed this community-

deserve it.”

Aid Kits are now proudly listed on ‘Buy from The Bush’, which focussed initiative since its inception,” says Nicole.

First Aid. Your friends deserve it, your family deserve it, you To find out more information about Rhythm First aid, visit their website: www.rhythmfirstaid.com.au

Prep at Ballarat Steiner School, Kindergarten and Playgroup Early childhood education and care has been increasingly acknowledged as being vitally important throughout our

communities for parents, carers and children. These precious years provide opportunities for imitation, imagination and

inspiration, which allow each and every child to grow, develop

and learn about different aspects of life and the world around them.

It has been noted by various scholars that although the

brain develops most of its neurons between birth and three years of age, early childhood education can be defined as

the period between birth and seven years of age. At Ballarat Steiner School, Kindergarten and Playgroup this has been

acknowledged with the Foundation (prep) year being part of the Early Childhood Program alongside playgroup and kindergarten that also take place on the premises.

The prep program at Ballarat Steiner School provides a

myriad of learning experiences that engage and support the children throughout each day. The children are

surrounded with natural materials and soft colours in gentle, nurturing spaces and special care is taken to create a play

environment that is beautiful, unhurried and secure. There is rhythm and balance in daily and weekly plans, and through the teachers’ guidance, a healthy alternation takes place

between active pursuits such as circle games and outside play to more receptive, quiet activities such as drawing,

painting and listening to stories. Children can experience both the pleasure of solitary play and the rewards of being part of the group as part of the program at the school.

Rudolf Steiner likened the young child under seven years of age to a sponge, soaking up the sense impressions in the

world around them. The prep class surrounds the children

with an environment that inspires beauty, goodness and truth. The mood in the room is of purposeful work with care and reverence for all that happens within the space.

The children learn through imitation of the adults who are

busy working around them and through doing. Daily activities in the program involve bread making, cutting fruit, baking, sewing, finger knitting, painting, drawing, modelling,

gardening, nature walks, setting the table and serving food. Through these real-life tasks the children are experiencing hands on Mathematics, Science and English skills.

Each prep day has a strong rhythm, which incorporates a

balance of teacher-led activities such as story time, puppet plays, counting rhymes and morning circle (which involves re-enacting fairy tales or seasonal themes through song,

movement, gesture and verse) and child-led periods of selfdirected play both indoors and outdoors. Digging, building,

caring for animals, water-play and climbing help to develop balance, healthy vitality, fluidity and strength of movement,

sensory and social skills which enable the children to embody strength and a strong connection with the environment,

necessary for commencing more formal and academic learning that takes place in class one and beyond.

If you have any questions about the prep, or any other

program at Ballarat Steiner School and Playgroup, please visit our website at www.ballaratsteinerschool.com.au or contact us on (03) 5341 8188.

Accessing Joy Words by Sarah Falkinder. Pictures by Melissa - Her Golden Point.

Feeling joy is often externalised. We ask the world to produce

Find your list of go to joy creators and actively incorporate

surprise us. But there are also these rare humans who are the

importantly, be deliberate. This is a new habit you are

the feeling for us, challenging others to rise to the occasion,

internal joy creators – no inputs are required, it’s just a natural state of being. How do they do it?

As adults, joy can become foreign to us. We allow ourselves

them into your life. Make space, make time. And most

practicing, much like when you change a diet or begin to

exercise frequently, this is the setting of a habit that takes time. You are the creator of your joy, you are responsible.

happiness and contentment, but joy is different. The spirit of

It could be said that once again ingraining joy into your daily

really big moments in life - a wedding, birth of a child, moving

magical parts of life that will shine some delight into your

joy is mostly forgotten, or assigned to the rarely experienced, into a new house, going on a long planned for holiday.

But it was there once, probably daily, the most natural of childhood emotions.

But when did it go missing? Was it in the layering of responsibilities and expectations

through school? Was it in our earnest attempts as children to become the best adults we could be? Or did we just get lazy and get out of the habit?

Maybe it’s all of the above. Probably starting with heartfelt attempts to grow up, relishing the responsibilities of being an adult and not even noticing we’re leaving something

important behind. We sign up to giving joy only to the big things.

Lately though, we’ve been required to focus on the small again, with planning for those big moments not even an

experience is the re-claiming of childhood. The trust in the

every day experience. In crafting space for joy then, you can easily start by finding a moment or two, each day, to be a

child again. Once you start with deliberate action, you build that tangible evidence that this is possible for you. Yes, the

stressful, busy and dull will still be there, but balance it daily with joy and you will carve yourself a much different life.

Finding those moments regularly will slow down the passage of time and call you into the moment.

This has certainly been a personal journey of unlearning and relearning for me. If you feel called to pursue, then

be deliberate. Some days you may fail, but every day you

succeed you give yourself more and more evidence of the joyful life you lead.

For more inspiration on living an intentional life, follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahfalkinder.

option for many. And this has given space to reflect.

The heavier the environment, the more that this is needed. Joy helps connect us to the beauty of life, the unique experience

of being human. It draws us into the moment, without thinking of what’s ahead. It pulls us from the micro-obsessions, up and out of our heads and into the bigger experience. The moments of flow rather than constant planning.

But our societal conditioning, collective learned beliefs, create so many rules that deny this. Work must be hard, we must

always be busy or stressed, we’ve got to hustle to get ahead. This belief system programs our mindset to search for the

negative and easily excuses us from experiencing the positive. On top of this, an obsession with accumulation of things,

without reflecting on the value they bring to our lives, can keep us in a state of denial.

In my work with clients, reflecting on these beliefs we’ve inherited and made true for ourselves is the most

fundamental, but also easiest way, to start feeling more abundant. It requires no change to anything but being

proactively mindful. Of course, changes then start to naturally flow from a changed mindset.

Rent a Vine Workshop 3: It's Pruning Time! Words by Charlotte D. Nay. Pictures from Austins Winery.

Well, that’s a big pile of deja poo, isn’t it? After a couple of reschedules due to COVID V2.0 sending us in and out of lockdown

here in Melbs, it appeared that yet again, RAV Workshop 3 was not to be. No snipping vines in the sunshine for me. Again.

But… thank god for the brilliant minds at Austin’s. Again. Just like last year, it all started with a series of “Don’t worry, we’ve got this covered”

emails as date after rescheduled date got gobbled up by the lockdown machine. And this year it wasn’t just the Melbourne contingent who were housebound. The whole of Victoria was caught up in it. The Austin’s team had to operate under the same

restrictions as everyone else, but still, somehow, managed to pull off the impossible – an actual event, amid a pretty barren year.

In case you didn’t follow all that rambling (my brain is a little worse for wear after being locked in my very small house in Melbourne’s inner west for the better part of two years)…

tl;dr: our pruning workshop, was switched to “remote learning”. Our poor baby vines have been orphaned, our only contact with them via FB video. Anyway… It’s pruning time! Just like human hair, grapevines are healthier and happier when trimmed regularly and on a schedule.

How exactly the vines are trimmed depends on a variety of factors. If you’ve ever

driven through a landscape covered with vineyards, you’ve probably noticed that not

all vineyards look the same. That’s because not all grape vines are grown in the same way. It can depend on which varietal you’re growing, if you’re growing organic or not, or it can even depend on the age of the vine. But they all need to be cut. And cut in a timely manner. There could be no more waiting for us to come out of

lockdown. Mother Nature waits for no man (not even Brett Sutton), and budburst (when the vines begin flowering) in Chardonnay happens pretty early. Pruning must be done before this happens.

Basically, pruning is the beginning of the wine cycle for the following year’s harvest. It’s

the winemaker’s chance to design how the growth is going to look for the coming year and selection is key.

“Spur pruning” is the prevalent method at Austin’s vineyard. This can be easily mechanised and is the most common

pruning method on Vertical Shoot Position (VSP) trained vines.

A few things we learned: 1.

It’s important to keep tasting (again, yes, rough gig), all

the Chardonnays are still sitting on lees (dead yeast cells

All the Austin’s vines are pruned by machine and then hand

left over after the ferment) and can get a little “grubby”,

snipped to optimum bud/shoot level to ensure the ultimate quality/quantity of the grapes for next year.

Because of the delays with Rent a Vine, and various other

as Dwayne puts it, if left too long 2.

COVID related mishaps and misadventures that I can’t

bottling, which leaves us with a crystal clear and stable

now, it’s been a tricky year, pruning wise. Austin’s were lucky was all hands on deck to ensure the 150 acres of Austin’s vines

wine. 3.

were pruned in time.

And, to put this in perspective… the expectation is that we (as total amateurs) would probably take around half an hour

normal. A lot of the natural settling will take the

cloudiness out, but it will be racked and filtered before

imagine anyone really wants to hear all the details of right

enough to get a skilled team in right before budburst and it

Our wine is looking slightly cloudy rn, which is completely

Pruning is a huge cost, maybe the biggest cost incurred in the vineyard in any given year, but it’s worth it! It can make the difference of tonnes and tonnes of fruit.

A lot of people adopted puppies during lockdown, and

to prune a vine. If everyone pruned at this rate, it would take

they were all pretty excited by the stinky cheese that

the whole of Austin’s vineyard. This is obviously not remotely

wine-related, but I thought it was interesting (not the

who can smash out a vine in around a minute, using electric

stinky cheese).

approximately 47,000,000 minutes, or 9,890 days to prune

came in our care packages. I know, I know, totally un-

feasible, which is why it’s important to get in skilled pruners,

least because I have a puppy of my own, and she LOVES

shears to prevent RSI from all the clip, clip, clipping.

I get it, this is intense stuff, and no-one is expecting you to

take on a professional winemaker’s years of knowledge in the space of one article… this is just supposed to be a teaser, to

get your taste buds tingling for next year, so it’s probably time I get to the juicy stuff.

Until next time friends. Pray for us, that we may be able to

once again see each other in person and drink wine and be merry.

And if you’re looking to tick “become a winemaker” off your bucket list next year AND enjoy the spoils of Austin’s brand new cellar door, enrolments for Rent a Vine 2022 are now

Cheese and wine tasting.

open!

By this stage, each and every Rent a Vine enrolee had

And did I mention your Rent a Vine membership comes with a

bottle of Austin’s finest AND a little sampler of our very own

access to new release wines and membership discounts for

received a little care package with some stinky cheese, a

host of member benefits including first access to events, first

(stomped by my very own feet) vino.

ongoing wine purchases.

And Dwayne (Austin’s Head Winemaker) has been taking care

It makes a hell of a Christmas pressie… just sayin’.

of our baby wine as if it were his own (I mean, because it is

also his own, but you know what I mean) – a touch of sulphur here, a stirring of the lees there, we are assured that all of

More information can be found at www.austinswines.com/ rent-a-vine

Austin’s chardonnays this year are looking fantastic (Dwayne

tasted his way through them all last week. It’s a tough gig, but someone’s gotta do it).

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21/07/2021 4:27:32 PM

Old Collegians debut at the Tokyo Olympics

Images from left: Stewart McSweyn, Lucas Hamilton and Katrina Werry.

Old Collegians, Katrina Werry (2011), Stewart McSweyn (2013)

“I never thought I would have been able to travel the world to

Olympics in July. Amongst globally recognised stars, Katrina

King Island,” said Stewart. “It’s crazy how quickly your dreams

stage not only representing Australia, but their exceptionally

certain level.”

and Lucas Hamilton (2014), made their debut at the Tokyo

compete, having started running in a small community like

in rowing, Stewart in athletics and Lucas in cycling, took to the

become a reality once you back yourself to make it to a

proud former school, Ballarat Clarendon College.

Lucas Hamilton joined Clarendon as a boarder in Year 10

During their time at Clarendon, their sporting talents were

as one of Australia’s top junior cyclists. During Year 12, he

Katrina, Stewart and Lucas could pursue their heart’s

Championship and the National Madison Championship. In

encouragement they received, they have certainly reached a

the Tour de France for Team BikeExchange which saw him

supported and nurtured, so that when the time came,

won the National Road Championship, the Oceania Road

desires. As a result of their determination, hard work and the

2019, he raced in the Giro d’Italia and recently debuted at

pinnacle in their professional lives.

qualify for the Olympics.

Katrina is only the second Old Collegian to have won two

“Lucas displayed great professionalism, attention to detail,

represent Victoria in 2021 and became a regular at interstate

him to make the most of his opportunities as a cyclist,” said

Championships, progressed to the Senior Squad in 2017 and

Griffin.

Head of the Lake titles, in 2010 and 2011. She was selected to

toughness, bravery and a high racing IQ, which allowed

regattas. She debuted for Australia in the 2014 World Under-23

Head of the Boys Boarding House and mentor to Lucas, Dean

has since won two World Championships.

These Olympians have certainly put in the hard yards. They

“I’ve always seen myself as an underdog, which is why I think

have displayed incredible passion, focus and resolve – their

taught me how to be resilient, how to lead and how to

bar high and then do everything to pursue their dreams and

sport like rowing.”

athletes have achieved and will achieve. We turn to them as

I’ve been so successful in my career,” said Katrina. “Clarendon

determination to compete at the highest level, to set the

communicate with others, which is so important in a team

aspirations is inspirational. Clarendon is proud of what these

Stewart McSweyn moved to Clarendon in Year 7 as a boarder from King Island. He holds the schools’ record for the Lap

of the Lake event at an impressive 18:38 minutes as well as

examples of those who, fostered by their family, friends and school, maximised their competence, skills and capacity, to pursue their hearts’ desires.

several Australian records including the fastest 10,000m.

What Causes Skin Cancer? Words by Dr Melinda Dalman. Picture supplied.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes skin damage that can add

Our skin is made up of cells: basal cells, squamous cells, and

damaged by UV, changes take place in the structure and

the skin cell where the cancer develops: basal cell carcinoma,

up over time, leading to skin cancer. Each time your skin is

function of the skin cells. If UV damage keeps adding up, skin

cells become less able to repair, increasing the risk of cancer. Approximately two in three Australians will be diagnosed with

melanocytes. The different types of skin cancer are named for squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Basal cell and

squamous cell carcinomas are often grouped together and

called ‘common’ skin cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer.

skin cancer by the time they are 70, with more than 750,000

Not all ‘common’ skin cancers need to be surgically excised.

each year.

Body offers Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), a procedure that

people treated for one or more non-melanoma skin cancers Data released by the Cancer Council shows that fewer than one in ten Australians understand that sun protection is required when UV levels are three or above.

Dr Melinda Dalman of Australian Skin Face Body says it’s important to reinforce the message that it’s ultraviolet

Topical creams may be an option and Australian Skin Face

includes using a special light source focussed on the target area.

Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world. On average, 30 people will be diagnosed with melanoma every day and more than 1200 will die each year.

radiation that’s the major cause of skin cancer – and that

Melanoma can grow quickly. The most aggressive forms

factors, like the temperature, humidity, wind, or cloud cover, to

untreated, can spread to other parts of the body.

UV can’t be seen or felt. It’s important not to rely on other

determine when you need to slip, slop, slap, seek shade and slide on sunglasses.

In Australia, UV levels can be high enough to damage

unprotected skin all year round. You can check the UV for your location on the handy SunSmart app. What does skin cancer look like? Skin cancer can present in many different ways, it’s important to get to know your skin - knowing what is normal for you,

can become life-threatening in as little as six weeks and if Some types of melanomas, such as nodular and

desmoplastic melanomas, don’t fit the ABCDE guidelines, so

your doctor may also assess whether the spot is raised, firm or growing.

The earlier you diagnose skin cancer, the better your

prognosis. Skin cancers are generally treatable when diagnosed early, which makes prompt and accurate detection crucial.

so you notice anything new or changing, particularly to the

Although there are a few smartphone apps around these

you as odd, take it seriously.

need to be aware of the limitations of algorithm-based apps

colour, size or shape of a mole or skin lesion. If a spot strikes Skin cancer usually appears on parts of the body that have

days that assess suspicious moles, Dr Dalman warns people to reliably identify melanomas.

been overexposed to the sun. However, they can appear

Bottom line is, you can’t beat experienced, highly trained skin

important to note, not all skin cancers start out as moles.

thoroughly examine in the flesh (full body check) offer total

on areas less exposed such as the soles of feet. It is also Types of skin cancer.

There are three main types of skin cancer. The most serious is melanoma.

cancer practitioners who take a patient’s history into account, body photography and biopsy where necessary.

An annual full-body skin check is advised, and any suspicious lesions or moles should be checked without delay.

You do not need a referral to see a GP experienced in skin

cancer detection, diagnosis, and treatment at Australian Skin Face Body.

Look out for these warning signs when checking moles:

Asymmetry one side looks different from the other

Uneven borders

Colour differences like brown, tan or black

Diameter grows larger than 7mm

Evolution change in size, shape, colour, elevation, another trait or new symptom

LOCAL BALLARAT MADE

Water tanks, sewer and trade waste, storm water and electrical products.

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Damascus College Celebrates 140 years of Catholic Education

Words by Damascus College.

In 2021 Damascus College celebrates our 140-year

Throughout 2021, this milestone has and will be celebrated in

shared history since 1881.

Damascus Day and the Awards & Achievement Evening, and

anniversary of providing Catholic education, building on our Damascus College has a long and proud tradition,

commencing with three foundation colleges, including Sacred

numerous internal Damascus events including Opening Mass, will culminate with a hallmark community gala on 23 October 2021, at the new and exciting Damascus Events Centre.

Heart College, St Paul’s Technical College and St Martin’s in

The Anniversary Gala will be an evening of celebration and

Damascus College.

current and past students and staff. A special anniversary

the Pines. In 1995 these three schools amalgamated to form A willingness to change to meet the needs of the time has

been a hallmark of this community. The movement from three single sex catholic schools to one catholic co-educational

provider positioned Damascus College strongly for its growth over the past 26 years.

This was further enhanced when all students from Years

7-12 came together on the Mt Clear site at the start of 2011. Creating a true ‘one school’ identity.

entertainment and will showcase the gifts and talents of

publication and badge will also commemorate this milestone year and will form a vital part of commemorating our shared history.

The Damascus College community is proud of our beginnings dating back to 1881, and will continue to enact the Mercy works, to bring the light of Christ within our community. Together, we are Damascus.

TE A D EW

You're invited to an Evening of Celebration & Entertainment at the Damascus College

140 Year Anniversary Gala Saturday 26 March, 2022 Ticket includes a sumptuous sit-down meal including canapes, main course, dessert, and drinks (beer, wine, soft drink).

- TICKETS NOW ON SALE Full details and tickets at damascus.vic.edu.au

Maximise Your Home's Selling Potential with Buxton Ballarat By Buxton's Ballarat.

About to put your home on the market?

2. Analyse your space

Styling can literally make the difference between your

If you can’t afford to invest in a property stylist, it is important

homeowners naturally reach for the paint brush or tool kit in

Inspect the interior finishes, natural light vs artificial light, is

property selling and not. When it comes to selling,

the hope of making their home more profitable when it goes to market, but this can be costly and unnecessary.

to begin the preparation process by analysing your home.

the space large or is it on the smaller side, how high are the ceilings and so on.

The crucial element in any purchase journey is the first

These factors will become your palette allowing you to

break a prospective buyer’s opinion of the home (and often

visual harmony.

impression and it’s the styling of a room that can make or

add thousands of dollars to the final sale price in the process). Buxton Ballarat spoke to Donna D’Paul, Head Stylist at Köntrast Interiors to get her top tips to help you get the best price for your home.

1. If you can - hire a professional Property Stylist A Property Stylist is qualified to assist with maximising the visual appeal of your home, they know what buyers are

looking for, which is key in getting you the best sale price.

highlight architectural features of the home, whilst creating It is vital that when selecting furnishings, you consider colour and material as these can affect how the room feels when complete.

3. Remove personal items If you are living in your home throughout the sale campaign, it’s important to depersonalise and declutter your home so

when prospective home buyers inspect the space, they can clearly imagine themselves living there.

We recommend working with your agent first to see how your

Remove personal items such as photos and accessories, and

understanding of the level of styling that is expected when

artwork and cushions.

home competes in the primary market. This then provides an selling in your neighborhood.

It is important to remember that in a competitive market, every impression counts. A property stylist is able to cut

through the clutter, creating a ‘wow’ factor, and eliminating

any opportunity for doubt from prospective buyers through incorrect furniture choices and styling.

instead inject personality using carefully selected furniture, 4. Adopt interior trends to bring a fresh look to the space

In order to bring a fresh feel to a space, look to current interior trends to boost a room’s appeal. Currently we are seeing the revival of 60s and 70s colour trends and finishes; think burnt orange and green, along with velvet sofas, ottomans and

feature chairs. Combine these with the ever-popular indoor plant for a homely feel.

Scandinavian design is here to stay, so if the above is a little

too bold for you, we are certainly seeing tonal value from light timbers and black accents.

Lounge, living and study O

5. Avoid making common mistakes In the rush to get your property ready to go on market, it is easy to make avoidable errors. Here are the top three Cluttering a space with too much furniture

•

Presenting each room in the home with a different style

•

Not cleaning the interior and exterior

of furniture

Hiring a stylist or purchasing new interior items can seem like a costly up-front exercise, but time and time again, houses

tidiness and space O

Place a vase of fresh flowers in key areas

Draw or remove blinds or curtains to bring in natural light and to showcase the garden or any views

Kitchen and laundry O

To minimise clutter, store away any fridge magnets,

unnecessary appliances, personal items, clothes, pet

bowls, rubbish bins, floor mats, dish racks and dishcloths, etc. O

your house for sale:

necessary), furniture and windows, and ensure any

have experienced 10 per cent higher - so the proof really is in Buxton's Ballarat have prepared this checklist to optimising

Clean thoroughly, including carpets (steam clean if smoking or pet smells are eliminated

that are styled properly achieve a higher sale price - some the pudding!

ornaments, remote controls, fans, cables and furniture, and arrange any remaining items neatly to maximise

common mistakes that are critical to steer clear of: •

Remove any unnecessary clutter, such as photos,

Clean thoroughly so that all surfaces, including tiles benches and windows, are gleaming and free of fingerprints

General and lighting

Clean inside the oven and cupboards

Turn on lights to enhance the brightness of all spaces

Open or remove any blinds or curtains to maximise

If the weather’s okay, open some windows a few hours

Consider adding some style touches, such as a vase of

Have friends mind your pets, and store away any pet

Eliminate any odours – perhaps even consider a candle?

Create a comfortable, even temperature with heating or

Place any valuables safely away

prior to inspections to let in fresh air bedding and bowls air conditioning

natural light and enhance the exterior aspect cut flowers, pot plants or a bowl of fresh fruit

Bedrooms O

Declutter by removing any unnecessary items, such as wall posters, mobiles and charging cables, personal

Pay special attention to cleaning this room, so it is

completely spotless – including toilet, taps, tiles, bath and any glass panels and mirrors

items, photos and ornaments

Clean thoroughly, including carpets, furniture and

Exterior, gardens and entertainment areas

windows, and ensure any smoking or pet smells are eliminated

Draw or remove blinds or curtains to let in the most

possible natural light and showcase the garden or any

Make sure garden beds are freshly mulched, and the

Showcase your entertainment area with a clean

views O

Switch on the bedside lights to create a warm

Ensure all the beds are made, have fresh, stylish linen

Consider replacing large beds with smaller ones to

atmosphere

and complement with cushions

enhance the sense of space in each room

Bathrooms O

Remove clutter and personal items such as old soap,

Store away bathmats and bins

Neatly hang fresh, stylish towels

make-up, shavers, hair products and toothbrushes

Check that the ceiling fan is free of dust and cobwebs

lawns and shrubs trimmed and neat

barbecue, large modern pot plants and a freshly oiled deck and furniture

Store away any unnecessary items, such as garden tools,

Sweep paths and clean the eaves, fascias and gutters

hoses and wheelie bins

and check the footpath and nature strip for any weeds or rubbish

If you have a pool, make sure it’s sparkling clean

Remove cars and bikes from your driveway

Place mats at every external door to help keep floors clean (especially if it’s raining)

Move For Our Bella Words by Emma Tuddenham. Pictures supplied.

My pregnancy was a six-month rollercoaster ride. Draining, challenging and the toughest time of our lives, at

twelve weeks we received news that our little growing baby may have some challenges. But each test we did came

back clear, and every time there was a sign of a health issue, Bella would prove us wrong. The conclusion was she was

measuring much smaller than our other four children and

Then, 24 hours later our world turned upside down, and her

fight to live started all over again. She was rushed by special care baby ambulance to Melbourne. It was touch and go

with her heart rate fluctuating and her breathing. Our anxiety and emotions from that point on were excruciating. Bella

was being continually monitoried with 8 different cords and breathing attachments attached to her.

possibly the placenta was not feeding her as well. Because

We arrived at Monash Royal Children’s Hospital. The best

Hospital Ballarat.

of tests that were so challenging for her little body to cope

she was so small, at 37 weeks I was induced at St John of God It was the best moment in our world when our little darling Bella Margy Gwen was placed on my chest. She arrived at

place to be if you have a sick child. She underwent a series with. it wasn't until she was 4 days old, we were finally able to cuddle her again.

3:33 p.m. on April 28th, 2021. It was such a relief when they

We lived in Melbourne Monash hotel while our other children

minutes before I could let her go to have the pediatrician

half hours from the hospital. Every night we would go to the

announced she was healthy and perfect. I held her for 5 check her over.

She was making little cries; her body was showing little

movements and her chest was labouring to breathe. She

were looked after by the grandparents in Ballarat, two and a hotel at 9pm try to sleep then back in the morning at 6.30am. I was emotional and tired; I was expressing milk every three hours and Bella was being fed though a nose tube.

stayed in the special care nursery while I got some sleep, and

As she started to improve, and come off the oxygen, her little

normal for babies at 37 weeks to need breathing help. So, they

to come back. But then a muscle biopsy sent her health

it was at this stage the medical staff told us that it is perfectly took her to the Ballarat Base Special care unit. I went back to

have a sleep at St John’s, I remember hearing the babies cry on our maternity ward and through the night the sadness overwhelmed me, that I couldn’t have her here with me. I went to see her at 4am when I had to wake to express

milk, she was doing great. Our doctors were happy with

arms started to regain movement and some reflexes began plummeting, leaving us fearful she wasn't going to make it. I had mum in the room with me as I was cuddling her, the machines were flashing red, the siren started, we had 10

doctors in the room working on her. I was calm and said my goodbyes as Mum cried in the corner of the room. But she was a fighter and came back to life.

her improvements in breathing, possibly a little concerned

that her movement was limited, but we learned that can be caused by shock from the birth.

The days went on, and each felt like a week. On day 14 of her

Bella's life was out of our hands, all we could do was support

event; and we received a phone call from the hospital they

Bella Margy Gwen died in my arms, surrounded by her loving

life, we had returned home to watch our little boy in a running had some results and I needed to bring a support person

with me. I just burst into tears because I knew the news could only be bad. I cried as I went to her room and packed all of

her things away and took them to our storage room and then cried all night until we got up at 4am to return to her.

It took 14 days to diagnose Bella with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA); the number one leading genetic cause of death in

Australian children under the age of two – and a condition

that could have been diagnosed at birth; with something as

simple as a heel prick test. Unfortunately, Victoria do not offer this kind of testing, unlike other Australian states. Treatment

is available if you can diagnose SMA early before symptoms start.

SMA progressively destroys the motor neurons which control

essential skeletal activity; including breathing and swallowing – and there is currently no cure, but there are amazing treatments available.

What we experienced was a level of hurt and pain I never

even knew existed. Her condition was too severe; and for her it was too late for treatment; but for other babies this simple

newborn test could be the difference between life and death.

her palliative care and pray for a peaceful death. On May 18, family.

It was bitter pill to swallow, knowing we could have had a simple blood test to detect that we were carriers. One in

35 people is a carrier of the gene, and if both partners are

carriers, your children will have a 1 in 4 chance of having SMA. We learnt if we lived in NSW or ACT Bella would have had a simple $10 heel prick test at birth to detect this disease in

newborn babies – but because we live in Victoria, Bella and other SMA babies are missing life-saving treatments.

We now see Bella’s death as a heart-breaking gift to other families, we are demanding more awareness in genetic

testing and petitioning Victoria to add SMA to the newborn screening blood test.

Our Move 4 Bella Campaign has raised over $100,000 to

date. A portion of the funds raised will go towards helping

families with SMA babies with finical support, while the rest will go towards SMA research, being headed by paediatric neurologist Dr Michelle Farrer.

Change will be Bella's legacy. She fought her way into this life, she fought her way out and we will fight, on her behalf, for change.

We at The Boutique Skin Clinic believe you should feel comfortable in your own skin. Specialising in the treatment of all skin concerns, we can help you achieve your skin goals by working closely with you on your journey to improved skin health. 03 5331 7675 hello@boutiqueskin.com.au

www.theboutiqueskinclinic.com.au

U N C OV E R T H E B E S T O F B A L L A R AT A N D W E S T E R N V I C TO R I A

www.uncovermagazine.com.au/subscribe $ 2 0 P E R Y E A R T O H AV E U N C O V E R M A G A Z I N E DELIV ERED TO YOUR DOOR EACH SEASON

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Next Smile

Words by Dr Brian Johnston.

In Australia alone, there are several million adults whose lives

All-on-4 was a name created by an implant company called

having less than an adequate number of teeth or total loss of

all the research and development of the technique. Since

have been impacted by severe deterioration of their teeth, their teeth.

And for many, they genuinely don’t know what to do about it. Most assume that dentures are their only option, which can

Nobel Biocare and Professor Paulo Malo who, together, did its inception though, many of the patents associated with

the treatment have expired, which has resulted in a lot of… variations creeping into the market.

be overwhelming (not to mention pricey). This can have a

The version of All-on-4 applied at Next Smile™ is the original

and discomfort, all to try and postpone the inevitable.

This is now more commonly known as the Malo Protocol after

compounding effect, resulting in people “putting up” with pain The invention of the dental implant at the end of the last

All-on-4 technique using the correct protocols and materials. its inventor.

century, and their rapid growth as the recognised gold

I saw an opportunity in the market to create dedicated clinics

given an attractive alternative solution to people who face

patients with gold standard outcomes. I got together with

standard tooth replacement solution since the 1990s, has the consequences of tooth loss.

Dental implants are small titanium rods that are inserted into

that focus exclusively on this Malo Protocol and provide

a group of likeminded colleagues from different parts of Australia and together we formed Next Smile™.

the jaw bone. They have a special surface which actually

Ballarat is now one of the first places in Australia to have a

becomes osseo integrated, meaning it fuses to the bone

is this treatment.

attracts bone until, after a period of time, the implant actually rather like cement setting around a steel post.

It is possible to use several of these implants to support a

full set of teeth, which provides an attractive alternative to

traditional dentures, as the teeth are fixed rigidly and don’t

cover the roof of your mouth, which offers a myriad of upsides to traditional dentures – like improving the enjoyment and variety of food you can eat – not to mention, the selfconfidence that comes with a smile you’re proud of.

Here at Next Smile™ Ballarat, we’ve been helping people who

dedicated All-on-4 centre where all we do, all day, every day, Myself and my team get immense satisfaction from seeing the difference we make to people’s lives every day. And,

hopefully, provide those looking for such solutions somewhere

to go to be heard and receive the empathy that they deserve. If you, or someone you know suffers debilitating tooth loss or degeneration, we would love to hear from them. Please visit our website www.nextsmile.com.au/ballarat or call (03) 5364 9500.

suffer with these kinds of problems for almost 9 years, using a protocol known as All-on-4, a technique that was first invented in the 1990s.

These days, you can’t read a dentist’s website without running into this term, but there can be quite a variance in what exactly they mean by it.

101

102

A Gracious Commitment to Local Words by Della Vreeland. Renders supplied.

There’s been many whispers of late regarding the burgeoning

As such, most of the workers, collaborators, craftsmen and

scaffolding and ensconsed in mystery. Few know of the

surrounds.

project in the heart of Sturt Street. The one laden with emerging beauty unfolding beneath the surface. Soon enough, all will be revealed. The project in question is none other than the grand

Hotel Vera. Set to swing open its doors in May 2022, this contemporary historic oxymoron promises to elevate

Ballarat’s accommodation offering to a whole new level. The fully serviced hotel is the brainchild of Ballarat creative

entrepreneurs David Cook-Doulton and Martin Shew. Expected to redefine everything we perceive to be luxury; the hotel comprises all the elements of a truly luxurious getaway.

Quite fitting, since the hotel’s eponym literally translates to truth.

Named after David’s maternal grandmother, Hotel Vera

is infused with graciousness and beauty – virtues David exclaims were embodied by Vera herself.

“There are those rare people who touch our lives in very

special ways,” David says. “They guide us with their love, wisdom and humanity.

“When I think of love, I see my grandmother’s face, smiling, reaching for an embrace. I want this hotel to embody this unassuming, yet extraordinary woman.”

While refinement, grace, heritage and modernity combine to create the wonder that is Vera, David and Martin say one of

the most important aspects in the hotel’s reconstruction is a

organisations involved in the project hail from Ballarat and “It was very important for us when working on the vision for

Vera, that we implemented a plan showcasing as many local trades and organisations as possible,” Martin says. “A project

of this calibre must embrace and support the wealth of talent inherent in Ballarat.”

Hotel Vera is founded on an ethos of sustainability, and David and Martin know full well that sustainable practices are integral in the forging of true luxury.

The couple’s commitment to this is evident through the

restoration of an historic building, the recycling of demolished

materials, the lush on-site gardens, the restaurant’s paddockto-plate ethos, the installation of solar panels, and also,

through the partnering with Ballarat social enterprise Fifteen Trees which has planted 250 trees in order to help offset the impact of the hotel build.

"Fifteen Trees is also set to plant one tree for every guest

who books in at the hotel," David says. "These trees will all be

planted together in the region, allowing guests to return to the space at a later date and remember their stay more vividly." Ballarat traders involved in the overall renovation and

restoration process include Ludbrooks Joiners, Leigh Smith Specialist Bricklaying, and Nathan Curtis Plumbing. It is

these companies who are ensuring the hotel’s overall vision

becomes a reality, and that the theme ‘love local’ permeates throughout the entire project.

strong commitment to local.

103

PC Whitehall & Sons’ Stephen Griffin has been engaged as Vera’s site manager. As a local, Stephen says he is able to

contribute sound knowledge to the project - offering valuable insights regarding location, materials, tradespeople and design.

“I have a fair bit of experience working on heritage buildings

and not everything can be captured in plans,” Stephen says.

“My role is to find out where we need more information, figure

out what can and can’t work when taking the existing building to a newly-restored building, and to make suggestions to the architects and engineers.

“(David and Martin) have a great vision, and we want to make sure we capture that vision - keeping as much of the history as we can, not overdoing it, but adding a touch of class and comfort.”

One major component required to ensure the comfort

Stephen alludes to, is the installation and overhaul of the

hotel’s heating, cooling and plumbing systems - something

local plumber Nathan Curtis affirms has been a challenging yet thrilling task.

Nathan says the scale of the project has been quite extensive, with works including roofing, cladding, hydraulic, gas and drainage.

He says there have also been added complexities involved in the whole process, especially in the hotel rooms and the commercial kitchen.

“It’s fantastic to be involved in such a high calibre project,”

Nathan says. “I have enjoyed and appreciated seeing (David and Martin) pay such high respects to the heritage and history of the building.”

Ballarat’s Ludbrooks Joinery has been put in charge of restoring Vera’s historic windows to their former glory.

Operating in Ballarat since the 1950s, the company has

worked on major projects for the likes of Her Majesty’s Theatre and Sovereign Hill.

Ludbrooks Joinery production manager Steve King says the company’s first port-of-call is always to reuse and recycle

existing materials. According to Steve, the hotel’s Sturt Streetfacing windows were in “pretty good nick” and able to be

restored, while the north-facing windows required a little more work.

104

In both cases, it was imperative the end product paid tribute to the hotel’s bygone days.

“We recycle where we can, and where we can’t, we use timber that is bought sustainably,” Steve says. “For Vera, we were

able to remove the better quality windows and give them a

bit of an update featuring double glazing and now they’re as good as the day they were built.

“The north-facing windows had copped it from the weather,

so we are rebuilding them from scratch but in the same style

as they were. We do quite a few restorations of older buildings - it’s one of the things we are known for and what gets us out of bed - and we certainly like working with Ballarat’s history.”

Vera’s indulgent design doesn’t end indoors. Outside, guests will be able to take solace in the manicured gardens and intimate bar with Ballarat’s first hotel EV charger and car stacker amongst other standout features.

Bricklayer Leigh Smith is working on both the internal and

external walls - recycling the site’s 130-year-old bricks and bluestone.

“I was able to match the brickwork to the photos of the

original building so I could restore it to its original state,” Leigh says. “I do a lot of heritage brickwork on older rural properties and around Ballarat and love working with the different

shapes and colours. It’s more rewarding than the mundane laying of bricks.

“They’re doing good work (with Vera) restoring what was originally there. It’s really exciting.”

The word luxury is often overused when it comes to describing accommodation offerings, but you can take our word for it when we say Vera will epitomise true luxury.

“Our mantra is to treat guests as individuals, each with their own tailored needs, instead of seeing them as numbers,”

Martin says. “Our local makers and creators play a huge role in helping turn this into reality.”

Hotel Vera features seven suites, each a sanctuary in its

own right. Boasting only the finest features, furnishings and finishings, each room is envisioned to infuse a sense of

slowness and sense-memory, leaving guests with a narrative that will linger beyond their stay.

105

Joanna Stevens with Michèle Fitzgerald.

106

Winning Over CEOs, One Cake at a Time… Words by Rama Razy. Pictures by Teagan Glenane.

Tucked away on a comfortable corner block just a lazy stroll from Lake Wendouree and lined with bay windows overlooking the Ballarat cemetery sits the new regional office of Premier

Strategy. The serene exterior belies the hive of activity, laughter and noise inside. Just the way founder and CEO Joanna Stevens likes it.

“The business has always reflected the ebbs and flows of my life,” muses Joanna as she arranges wine glasses ahead of the long-awaited official office opening.

“I adapted the way I worked when I had my four children, travelled around Australia and again after a major health scare. Now we’re ready for a new phase where we adapt to the changing industries, investments and post COVID environment.

“When we started the business, the only batteries we were familiar with were those in the back

of a TV remote – now we are working with our clients to build some of the biggest batter-ies in the world.”

Not your average office, Premier’s new pad embodies what Jo has built over 20 years. “I wanted the office to be an extension of our team’s lives. A place they would feel at home, and their families would too.

“It’s a space where our fabulous team can work in a way that both caters to our clients and fits in with their busy family lives. It’s not uncommon to have kids and dogs running around our office.”

Jo, or Chief Goal Kicker as her team likes to refer to her, manages a team of professionals with expertise across a diverse range of industries from government to tyres to renewable energy.

“We are the type of people who take cake when we visit multinational companies and present

to their boards. Why? Because that’s what we do. And it’s worth the effort, even when the cake is awful and the CEO chucks it in the bin when he thinks no one is looking… a true story, in case you were wondering,” Jo says smiling.

“I love that every day is different. On a typical day, we can issue a media release for a local

poultry business, organise a delegation to lobby state and federal ministers, provide skin checks to ministers, launch a campaign to promote an Australian-first renewable energy project, or help local communities tell the story of their bushfire recovery.

“And we have been known (on quite a few occasions) to swap high heels for steel-capped

boots as we leave a board room to visit a farmer across the paddocks or tour an industrial site.” Premier Strategy’s growing list of international clients is supported by an expanding team of

(mostly) women – indeed, it’s a source of pride for Jo that her consultancy is female run and led.

107

Some of the Premier Strategy team.

“I have surrounded myself with women who continue

Swiss-born Ballarat local Michele Fitzgerald came on board

and change makers. While presenting a relaxed and fun

Premier Strategy in new directions.

to challenge me while being curious, problem solvers

environment, they are contributing to some of the most

important nation-building projects in the country, projects which are investing billions of dollars into the economy.”

Many of these women have worked with Jo for years, some

from the beginning. Their local knowledge, connections and ties in regional Victoria help clients navigate complicated

bureau-cracies and set up projects in ways that fit with local values and expectations.

“My team hail from all over Victoria, from the far west in The

Wimmera to East Gippsland. We have team members located in Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne and Canberra.”

Newer team members reflect the growing diversity of the team.

“We have team members who speak German, French,

Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Farsi and Te-tun, no less! This has really expanded our ability to take on international clients in the Nether-lands, Singapore, China, France, and who knows where in the future.”

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at the beginning of the year to drive growth and help take “Michele came to us with incredible experience working

on global brands. Her multilingual skills have been hugely

beneficial in engaging with some of our European-based clients.

“She epitomises our ‘be regional, think global’ mindset.” In the new year Michele will lead an international delegation

to explore and learn about cut-ting-edge renewable energy projects in Germany, Denmark and Switzerland in order to facili-tate the growth of renewable energy investment in Western Victoria.

“It’s projects like this that point to the future of industry in Ballarat and across Victoria.”

Michele had taken a step back from the high-powered corporate world when Jo asked her to join Premier. In

Michele’s own words, “I couldn’t resist - it’s very hard to say

no to Jo. I was ex-cited by her vision for Premier and wanted to be a part of it.”

Rama Maria Razy came to Premier in early 2020 after a

“But, the best part of my job is I get to work with a bunch of

for the United Nations in Asia and Europe.

imagined I’d find a professional home in regional Victoria,

considerable career in international de-velopment working “Rama’s experience is appreciated by our clients, particularly those based interstate or abroad. At the same time, she

easily adapts to a local context. This shows our clients that

we under-stand their needs and can get things done on the ground,” said Jo.

For Rama, Premier came at just the right time. “I was working in government, contemplating my next step when the opportunity with Premier came along. It was

super smart, down-to-earth, pro-fessional women. I never but there you have it.”

For Jo, keeping a balanced, satisfied team is the key to success.

“I’ve been blessed to have a life where I genuinely love my job, and I want anyone who works for me to feel that way. I think it says something when you have an incredibly busy workload but spend half your working day laughing – you can’t take

yourself too seriously. Especially when the cake is terrible…”

unexpected and has completely changed my view of what

Premier Strategy is regional Victoria’s leading advocacy,

“I love every minute of it. My work allows me to move between

To learn more, visit www.premierstrategy.com.au

communication work can be in Australia.

creative, technical and project management, managing

engagement and communications consultancy agency.

vastly different outputs, budgets and expectations. I get a lot

of satis-faction from working so fluidly between clients and on projects where I see results in real time.

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Events and COVID The Good, the Bad, the Ugly… and the Lovely Words by Vanessa Briody. Picture by CreativeCo Photography.

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There’s no doubt the events sector has been hit hard as a result of COVID-19. This industry is all about gatherings and, in so many cases, relies on travel, whether it be intrastate, interstate or international

travel - of artists, delegates, patrons - to those of us in the events industry, travel is essential, “rings of steel” and hard borders can be a death sentence.

Earlier in 2021, we managed a small window of opportunity to get our event on in Victoria, with the

likes of SummerSalt and the Ballarat Beer Festival just able to squeeze themselves in before the Delta strain reared its really ugly head. Beyond this, most of the events we all know and love have been hamstrung for the good part of two years, and I don’t know about you, but as a player in events management myself, I’ve missed being on both sides of the bar!

For this issue, we reached out to event warrior Vanessa Briody from Oregional Collective, who has

been a stalwart of the events sector for more than 20 years, marketing and delivering events, from

food and wine festivals to open days, and conferences to trade incentive competitions. A member

of the Australian Regional Events Alliance and mentor in marketing and events, Ness has been living

and breathing event industry recovery day-in/day-out since Friday the 13th of March 2020, a day we saw en masse cancellations of events across the state, the stuff nightmares are made of.

We asked Ness about the good, the bad, the ugly and (surprisingly) the lovely of her last 20 odd months...

Let’s kick things off with THE GOOD, there has to be something good to come out of COVID for you and the events sector… right? Please?

Yes, I have managed to find good in this moment of time we’re in, which I hope will be what I remember most in years to come.

I’ve been volunteering for the Australian Regional Events Alliance, an advocacy and support group

that sits under Australian Regional Tourism, to play a part in helping the events sector bounce back post pandemic. Within the group I have developed some great friendships with like minded people which I will always treasure, one of whom even shares my love of anything vintage and 70s rock,

Lyndy’s a ripper, and I can’t wait to met her in person one day soon and give her a big non-socially distanced… hi-five (I’m not really a hugger… Hey! Another good thing to come from coronavirus, for me and the rest of my fellow non-huggers!).

While much of our work has typically been in events or event related services, Oregional also offers

marketing, creative and strategy services, so fortunately we’ve had a few eggs in other baskets. The extra time on our hands gave us the chance to really work on our business which has seen us pick up work outside of the core industries we typically work in. Events are really bloody hard work, you

wake up to umpteens of deadlines each and every day, so I’m not going to lie, the change of pace was nice.

OK, so dare I ask... what has been THE BAD of this challenging situation? How many pages have I got? Ha! Look, I am a pretty optimistic person, I don’t like to be negative, but I’ll admit, the scales were certainly tipped toward the bad side for the events sector. My Facebook

feed was full of cancellations and postponments day after day, it was heartbreaking. Not to mention the amount of people who rely on this industry to get paid, job security is so very important.

And on that, so is social connection, live music, and anything that provides entertainment and

awakens the senses! I’ve seen just the one gig in almost two years, C.W. Stoneking, what an artist he is! And yes, it was seated, but that one event really filled my mental health bucket up. I can’t

wait to see live music again, I am so happy events are on their way back! Like most of us, they give me something to look forward to, something to enjoy, something to talk about and memories to treasure.

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Pictures of the Grampians Grape Ecape by Tony Evans Photo.

We’ve came close to delivering a couple of events, but sadly,

A mum of two young kids working in a face-paced and all

been decimated, but I’ve no doubt the revival will come hard

were disappearing before my eyes, my daughter went from

there’s been ‘no cigar’ due to lockdowns. Yes, this industry has and fast, and then look out world, you’d better be ready for one hell of a party! And... THE UGLY? As a whole, the events sector is an inclusive and welcoming bunch, both in the industry and to patrons. A vaccine-

passport is not something we would have ever predicted we’d have to consider two years ago, most of us are in the game because we want to empower delegates, entertain festival

goers, support industries we feel passionate about, provide for our communities who rely upon us and welcome one and all.

For many it adds to the already increased stress and pressure on event operators to deliver risk managed events that are COVID-safe, that may look completely different to what

they’ve ever delivered, that cost more because expenses and resource requirements have increased, that are all systems go, but in half the time. There’s a lot goin’ on!

On the flip side, the appetite to attend an event right now is

consuming industry, I often felt my kids early childhood years Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to Katy Perry in what felt like a month, so to stop, take a breath, and soak up the innocence of a 5 and 7 year old has been the lovely. I could kiss and cuddle

them a thousand times over (yes, I am a massive hugger to those I birth), and that’s exactly what I made the most of.

Don’t get me wrong, homeschooling - you can have that

back, but it has been wonderful to spend that extra bit of time with them that I will never forget (mostly because it’s all been recorded and uploaded to the school’s Seesaw app)!

Also! Before I finish, I would like to reach out to Uncover’s

readers. If you’re one of those super lovely people who put

loads of thought into gifts and holiday experiences, please, please, please - think tickets to an event! It will make a

whole bunch of small business owners, entertainers and

communities do a simultaneous happy dance. It’s such a powerful way to make a difference to so many people. Thank you Lucy and thank you Uncover.

huge, the industry have confidence knowing they will be well

You can find out more about Ness and her business

wait for that moment.

Wiebusch at:

supported by patrons once the gates are open, and we can’t And finally, let’s end on a high note, you’ve hinted that it

hasn’t been all doom and gloom… how about THE LOVELY? There most definitely is a ‘lovely’. I jumped on the self-

which she runs together with Kate Kirkpatrick and Andrew oregionalcollective.com.au

facebook.com/OregionalCollective

instagram.com/oregionalcollective

employed train almost 15 years ago now, with the plan to

eventually have the flexibility to be able to do a school run,

take holidays when I wanted (in theory), watch the kids school sports, and all of those perks (don’t worry, you have to make

up for it typing away until all hours of the night, but I wouldn’t have it any other way).

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20 Minute Home Toning Session by Emma Tuddenham at Hot Temple BOXING

BOAT POSE SHOULDER PRESS

SINGLE LEG DEAD LIFT

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This is a great home session for when you are

busy and on the go. All you will need is a small

dumbbell set. Around 2kg would work perfectly for this circuit.

To start, warm up with some boxing and running for 3 minutes.

Do each of the following exercises for one

minute. Have a one minute drink break and repeat.

Boxing

O O O O O O O O

Boat pose and shoulder press Single leg dead lift Boxing

Lunge pulse with shoulder press Boxing

Plank high to low Boxing

Squat press

LUNGE PULSE SHOULDER PRESS

PLANK HIGH TO LOW

SQUAT PRESS

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