Uncover Magazine - Volume Two by uncovervic

Ben Sanders

The G ra mp i a n s

On the Hunt

W here i s he now? H ome i n B a l la rat !

Ti m e to k ic k of f t h os e w i nte r b l u e s

D ig g i ng for go l d i n t h e G o l d f i el d s

V/ TWO - SPRING EDITION 2019 - $9.50

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

ISSN 1837-1043 03

9 771837 104001

FIND SPACE. FIND BEAUTY. FIND YOURSELF.

The road to the Grampians. It’s more an escape route. You’ll discover thousands of square kilometres of possibilities that will make you feel more alive than ever. From meandering trails dotted with wildflowers to the wonder of pristine waterfalls and abundant wildlife, there’s no better time to experience the Grampians than Spring. Whether you’re looking for adventure or enlightenment, find your Zen, the Grampians Way. Make your escape this weekend. Connect with us

Discover more at www.visitgrampians.com.au

LOVE HAPPENS AT

P. ( 0 3 ) 5 3 3 3 4 7 1 5 S H O P 1 , 4 2 4 S T U R T S T R E E T B A L L A R A T V I C W W W. G E M S A N D J E W E L S . C O M . A U

Thank You to Our Partners Uncover Magazine would like to thank our advertising partners for their commitment to the publication and our region.

To find out how you can become an advertising partner, contact ads@uncovermagazine.com.au or call 0447 820 577. 4

Contact Uncover hi@uncovermagazine.com.au 0447 820 727 Editorial: lisa@uncovermagazine.com.au Advertising: ads@uncovermagazine.com.au 0447 820 577

Stylist Genevieve Manley

Editorial Team Eliesha Rae Ali Webb Bianca Flint Lisa Taylor Heather Armstrong Brigid Moloney Francesca Carter

Photographers Ange Hayward - Ballarat Property Photoraphy Teagan Glenane Photography Tara Moore Photography Chip Shots Photography Gregory Karslake - Inside Look Photography

Lucy Gilbert

Lisa Taylor

Managing Editor

Deputy Editor

Editing Partner Joana Stevens Premier Strategy

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

Printer Print Graphics 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.

From the Editor Ok; so the world domination thing hasn’t quite come to fruition (yet), but boy are we stoked with the response from the launch of our first ever Uncover Magazine. I must admit, I was worried how our wonderful, loyal readers

would react to such a huge change, but you all have well and truly wowed me with your incredible support.

So, without any further preamble, welcome to the second-ever edition of Uncover Magazine!

Spring has officially sprung and, hopefully, our pages this edition will help

you spring out of those winter blues. Lace up your sneakers and shake off the wintery cobwebs with our guide to walking the Grampians; catch up

with illustrator extraordinaire Ben Sanders, who is finally home from Bolivia and has some exciting news about his series of children’s books; meet

Cecile Michele, a french couturier and wedding dress designer, who has

made Waubra a surprising destination for handcrafted couture (and who

made my wedding dress!); and (speaking of THE wedding) get a sneak peek into what was the best day EVER on page 46.

Oh - and do make sure to check out new writer on the block, Ali Webb, and her endless forage around Western Victoria, hunting for record gold.

There is so much to feast your eyes and minds on in this chock-a-block

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

edition, so I won’t keep you any longer. What are you waiting for? Get started!

Happy reading!

facebook.com/uncovervic Instagram: @uncovervic 6

Lucy

Picture by I Got You Babe Weddings

Picture by Ms Tahnee Jade

Picture by Johnny Rollins

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Contents

14 18 22 26 30 34 42 44 46 60

Industry

84 88 98

BEN SANDERS

Where is he now?

ON THE HUNT

Digging for gold

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Discovering the Grampians

LOCAL FRENCH COUTURE

Meet Cecile from Waubra

FIFTEEN TREES

Reduce our carbon footprint

OUR NATURAL SPRINGS

Utilising a natural resource

CHANGE TABLE HEROICS We have all been there

WINE AND CHOCOLATE Need we say more?

NED AND LUCY

Our editor got hitched

MUSIC AT THE GALLERY

A season of musical events

WASTEWATER

Not a waste product

DREAM HOME

A family owned solution

BEES WITH BACKPACKS A world of pollination

Ben Sanders Words by Eliesha Rae. Pictures by Tara Moore.

When last we chatted to Ben Sanders, local boy, illustrator extraordinaire, aspiring Lego Master Builder and BMX Bandit, he had uprooted his life and his family to Bolivia, South America, to volunteer in the local community and continue illustrating remotely.

Back then, Ben was enjoying the culture shock, dreaming of

working on travel posters and lamenting his lack of Spanish speaking abilities.

Let’s just say, things have changed a little in the last four years…

Well – it’s been four years since we last spoke (can you even believe it??) – fill us in on what’s been going on for you…

When we last chatted I was living in Bolivia with my family. I was volunteering with an NGO that assists street kids back

into school and my wife was working at a government-run women’s refuge. She was assisting Bolivian women and

their children who are affected by family violence. Our kids were in a local school and we were doing our best to fit in

with our neighbourhood. We were perched breathtakingly

high in the Andes Mountains in a city called Sucre. The city

What an incredible experience that must have been! Did you ever learn to speak Spanish?

When we first arrived in Bolivia we were proficient in only a

few basic Spanish phrases like, “Where is the bathroom?” and “What time is it?”. We had to quickly learn some more useful

sentences, such as informing the landlord, “There are rats in my lounge room!” and asking taxi drivers “How many beers

have you had in this morning?” before climbing into the cab. There are many parts of Bolivia where Spanish actually isn’t useful at all. In the rural areas around Sucre the language

spoken is Quechua. It’s the ancient Incan tongue and it is still going strong today. If you have seen the famous Star Wars

cantina scene where Han Solo is chatting with a blue alien,

the alien is speaking Quechua! The language sounds alien but it’s spoken by thousands of people daily in Bolivia.

is approximately the same physical size as Ballarat but with

That’s amazing! I’m filing that piece of trivia away for future

dogs!

a culture shock being back in Ballarat after three years in

triple the human population plus approximately 100,000 street Back then I spent most of my time volunteering for a

magazine that assisted kids who were working on the streets, making a few pennies for their families.

The sales of the publication meant that the kids could return

to school and reclaim their childhood. The program gives the

use. But now you’re back in the country! Has it been a bit of Bolivia?

Yes, there’s more adjustment than you imagine when you

return. The biggest change is the sheer number of options

here. Like, if you wanted to buy bread in Bolivia there were a couple of options.

kids a better shot at life.

Over here there’s a whole aisle in the supermarket dedicated to bread in its various shapes and flavours across dozens of

brands and price points. The lack of options in Bolivia helps to make life simpler.

So, what are your favourite things about being back in Ballarat?

You really appreciate your hometown when you are away

for a long stretch. I’m sure that my Bolivian friends grew tired

in the US – how’s that going? Tell us a bit about the project. My Book (Not Yours) was the last children’s picture book I

wrote in Bolivia and the first to be published since returning. It features a sloth named Lento who is SO excited you are

reading HIS book. He has a BIG story to tell you. First, though, he needs a little nap. But if you snooze, you lose. Enter Fox, stage right, to steal the show.

of my constant bragging about Ballarat. Ballarat’s parks and

It’s the first book in a fun series about a bewildered sloth who

and love of sport. Ballarat’s extreme seasons. Balla-blah-

stealing the limelight. And YES, it’s also hitting bookstores in

lake. Ballarat’s rich history and architecture. Ballarat’s festivals blah-blah! But… it is true that the grass is greener in Ballarat

because any kind of vegetation is a bit rare in Sucre and the surrounding mountains!

But being back in Ballarat, now I find myself bragging about my second favourite city in the world, Sucre.

How do you think travel and living abroad has affected your creative process?

It was such a creative boost being in another culture,

especially one that is as vibrant and bustling as Bolivia. Being

just wants to express himself and a sly old fox who keeps

the United States before Christmas, which is a big first for me. And the second in the series should be hitting shelves here

any minute now – what can we expect from it? And are there plans for more in the series?

Initially, there will be four books in the Lento & Fox series, with the possibility of many more. This spring the second book, My Pet (Not Yours), will be launched featuring a new and

adorable character, Mister Fluffington. The third and fourth

books will be released next year. Yes, a Box Set is on its way!

in a different culture seems to mess with your brain enough

Back on the big Bolivia move, do you have any advice for

perspective. Time seems to move slower in South America.

themselves (and their family) to a new country?

to force you to start seeing ordinary things from a different

Everyone is more relaxed and the expectations around what you will be able to squeeze out of a day are far lower. I think the lack of time pressure can assist creativity.

I wrote a lot of children’s stories in the three years away. Some of those books are now being published in Australia.

I heard – and you’ve got a new book out and about to launch

someone thinking about taking the plunge and moving

Do it, it’s not as daunting as it seems. Be as prepared as you

can with language, and learn about the culture you’re moving

to. If you’re taking kids, talk enthusiastically about where you’re going and what you expect your life will be like when you get there.

Although you’ll be trying your hardest to fit in over there

Hahaha - well that would be amazing, free lollies for life??

cultivated here. In Australia we would have pancakes on a

changed in the last four years?

make sure you keep some of the family traditions you have Saturday morning, which was a nice familiar thing to do when we moved to Bolivia. It helped us to transition when we were able to keep a few comforting traditions.

Have your kids inherited your artistic talent? Do you think they’ll follow in your footsteps?

My kids are quite the talented pair. They have the potential

to do so many things, so it’s likely they won’t follow in my little footsteps!

And do you prefer working for clients? Or on your own projects?

I have some of the best clients in the world, which means that I don’t really go looking for too many personal projects. But I

have to say that writing and illustrating kids books is probably

the best way I can spend my time. I love it. It’s the best of both worlds really because I get to work on my own creations but I also have experienced editors, publishers and marketers supporting the work. Perfect.

What would your dream project or collaboration be? Has this I’m keen to make my book series, Lento & Fox, into a children’s TV show. We are already talking about it. That’s all I can say!

How exciting!! Well I guess that’s answered my next question, which was “what’s next for you”? But, are you planning to

settle down in Aus? Or are your feet too itchy now? Any more travel on the horizon?

I think I’ll resist the urge to travel for now. There are too many good things that draw us back to Ballarat whenever we are away.

In the last two years I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with some amazing homegrown talent. I worked with

illustrators Caroline Keys and Travis Price on the Ballarat Christmas Art Trail last year, and I’m collaborating for a

second time with sculptor Cameron Ross for White Night. It’s inspiring to see how others work creatively and how it can influence that way I approach projects.

What has been your favourite client project to date? Any crazy stories to share about working with some massive household names?

I love creating the characters on The Natural Confectionery

Lento and Fox: My Book (Not Yours) can be found in all good bookstores now. Or find out more about Ben at bensanders.com.au.

Co. packs. People ask me if they supply me with free lollies.

They don’t! Others ask if I receive royalties for each packet of lollies sold. I wish!

Digging for Gold in the Goldfields Ballarat and its surrounds are filled with vintage haunts and treasure troves for music lovers on the quest for new and secondhand music. With a number of record stores located in the city and beyond, curious cratediggers may find musical treats ranging from Joni Mitchell to Kamasi Washington, David Bowie to Gram Parsons and everything in between.

Words and pictures by Ali Webb.

In a music buying industry now dominated by streaming sites, the CD and

physical music stores have been in sharp decline. But something, it seems, is changing. A curious development in music consumption has seen vinyl, the

format rendered obsolete by the compact disc, make an unlikely but significant cultural and commercial comeback. In an era where even digital album sales have fallen, vinyl has bucked the trend. The ‘vinyl revival’ has been a global

phenomenon, and locally, vinyl sales are booming, seeing significant growth over the past eight years. 2017 saw the sale of over 800, 000 units, and in April this year ARIA introduced a Top 100 Vinyl Sales Chart to coincide with Record Store Day.

If there’s one person in Ballarat who has kept the faith, even in the less optimistic times, with regards to physical music sales, it’s Greg Wood at L’Espresso. Having ditched a not so promising career in Aussie Rules, Zoology graduate Wood

launched Oregon, a record store with its own importing arm in Ballarat in 1976. Shipments from the UK, USA and Japan rolled in, focusing on Jazz and Blues

alongside other harder to find records by artists admired by Greg and business partner Jim Reeves.

Having already established itself as a meeting place for Ballarat’s Bohemia in

1986, the store evolved into L’Espresso, fortuitously in time for Ballarat to embrace a burgeoning café culture. It remains Ballarat’s best known and most loved café.

For travellers with more than a passing interest in music, a quick coffee pitstop or bowl of pasta at L’Espresso can turn into hours lost, perusing what is one of the most idiosyncratic yet lovingly curated music selections in the state.

Warren Ellis of Dirty Three and Bad Seeds fame grew up in Ballarat and regularly haunted the store, and composer and multi-instrumentalist Adam Simmons was a regular feature and still performs there on

occasion. More recently, local musician Freya Josephine Hollick launched her career while working there as a barista.

Having reduced his offering to almost exclusively CDs as the years wore on, Greg has been as surprised and delighted as anyone with the massive resurgence in vinyl sales of late.

Around the corner on Doveton Street, semi-retired musician Paul ‘Butch’ Howlett launched Rediscovery in 1998 in response to the lack of variety on offer from the major chains. While initially positioning

himself as the David to Sanity and Virgin’s Goliath, Rediscovery has outlasted both and remains an

indispensable part of Ballarat’s musical landscape. Butch’s focus is on secondhand, in various formats, sourcing music from garage sales, trash and treasure markets and record fairs.

As to the challenges of surviving in the digital age of music downloads and streaming services, Butch believes that his customers prefer the sound quality of CD or Vinyl over MP3. “People grow up with an iconic piece of technology and form an attachment,” Butch says. Having relocated Rediscovery to

Doveton Street from its original shopfront on Sturt Street, the new store stocks thousands of CDs, vinyl

LPs and singles, and cassettes (yep, pretty niche but they’re also making a surprising comeback) but if you’re unable to find what you’re looking for Butch and crew will do their darndest to track it down.

Daisy Bailey is another one that’s no stranger to record shops, she virtually grew up in them. Her father, Keith Glass was involved in the set up of several in Melbourne in the 70s and 80s including Archie

& Jugheads and Missing Link which established its own independent label, launching the career of

The Birthday Party amongst others. Setting out on her own in 2001 she opened International Trash in

Richmond. By the end of the noughties, as music sales were folding globally, Daisy found herself in a position where she was moving more t-shirts than records. She disbanded and moved to Bacchus Marsh with her partner to raise a family but the bug never left her.

With two friends, The Vintage Loft was born on The Marsh’s Main Street. Vintage furniture, art, ceramics and Daisy’s massive collection of vinyl, containing everything from Captain Beefheart to Captain &

Tenille and Blondie to Dylan’s Blonde on Blonde. Some of the records are sent from Alabama, where her father is now based, while others are picked up locally, Daisy is always on the search for anyone who’s thinking of letting their collection go. Hours can be lost flicking through the store’s racks but Daisy is confident that “if you love music, you’ll find something.”

Tim Drylie and Holly Sewell, from Tin Can in Creswick have been dealing in vintage wares for some time now, initially with a stall at the Camberwell Market in Melbourne’s east and a space at Collingwood’s

Smith Street Bizarre before moving to the Goldfields. While specialising in mid-century Australian and

Danish style furniture and homewares they also offer a small but eclectic selection of secondhand vinyl. Tying into these collections, a number of reconditioned, vintage turntables are also on offer for those seeking to return to the vinyl format.

Get digging: L’Espresso, 417 Sturt Street, Ballarat | Rediscovery, 5 Doveton Street North, Ballarat Vintage Loft, 99a Main Street, Bacchus Marsh | Tin Can Collective, 55 Albert Street, Creswick

On Your Doorstep Spring has finally sprung and we’re betting we’re not the only ones who’ve been going crazy with cabin fever over the last few months of rain, hail and snow!! Forget roadtripping to Melbourne at this time of year – wouldn’t you rather get a good healthy dose of the great outdoors?

Words by Eliesha Rae. Pictures by Tara Moore.

This Spring/Summer, we’re making a commitment to turn left onto the highway and spend some time exploring our own backyard. It’s time to dust off the sneakers (or

hiking boots), leave the car in the car park, throw on a pair of shorts and expose that winter white, pasty skin to the elements, while soaking in some fresh spring air, and

what better place to do it than in the spectacular beauty of the Grampians National Park?

Let’s be honest, last time I did the Pinacle walk it was Grade 6 Camp, I was desperately

sugar hungover and had zero sleep the night before (what do you expect from a cabin full of twelve year old girls?), but still somehow managed to have the absolute time of my life. How much better will it be now? Getting out of the office, stretching our legs,

sun shining, gourmet picnic packed and maybe a cheeky vino at the summit… I mean, I’m sold.

If you’re looking to step out and explore the Grampians on foot this Spring, there are a myriad of walks and hikes on offer, from a gentle stroll, to a full day adventure, to the recently launched multi-day Grampians Peaks Trail.

For a shorter walk, suitable for any age or fitness level try the Venus Baths Loop Walk or the Balconies Walk, both walks are easily accessible, flat and under 2kms.

For the more adventurous, spend up to half a day exploring Venus Baths, Splitter

Falls, the Grand Canyon, Silent Street and the Pinnacle via the Wonderland Loop Hike,

departing from Halls Gap. To the north, the Hollow Mountain Walk with its spectacular caves and views over the Wimmera, is worth the rock scrambling, and for awe-

inspiring 360 degree vistas from the southern Grampians, or try the Mount Abrupt and Mount Sturgeon walks to really get your blood pumping!

The Pinnacle Walk & Lookout The iconic Pinnacle walk and lookout is one of the highlights of the entire Grampians region. Hikers are rewarded with

stunning views of Halls Gap and the Grampians’ many peaks. There are a number of walking options to reach The Pinnacle, varying in distance and difficulty:

Starting at Sundial Car Park is the easiest option and the best route to use if young children are part of your walking group. The walk is 2.1km each way and will take a little over 2 hours for the return trip allowing time for a rest at the top. It does include some water crossings and rock-hopping, so good sturdy shoes are essential.

The hike from Wonderland Car Park is slightly more

challenging and ascends via the impressive Grampians version of the Grand Canyon with its unique Australian rock formations. The walk continues through the Silent

Street before rising up to The Pinnacle. If you follow the

markings along the track, this walk is 2.1km and should take

approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to complete, make sure to take care on rocky areas that can be slippery when wet.

Starting at the Halls Gap Caravan Park is recommended for fit and experienced walkers.

This extended walk is 9.6km and will take around 5 hours

return. Follow the well-formed track to Venus Baths. The rocky track continues to Splitters Falls then to the Wonderland Car park.

Venus Baths Loop Walk An easy stroll, starting in the center of Halls Gap. Follow the

2.3km track and cross over Stony Creek at the small bridge

to the Botanic gardens. Take water and snacks and enjoy the

peace and quiet. A walking track follows the river up to several deeper rock pools. The track is flat with no obstacles makes for an enjoyable walk and great scenery for all ages.

During the warmer months the naturally formed rockpools

fill with fresh water, making Venus Baths the perfect place to splash around, have some fun and cool off in the naturally formed rockpools.

Reeds Lookout & The Balconies From the summit of Reeds Lookout you will be witness to

stunning views over the entire Victoria Valley, Victoria Range, Serra Range, Lake Wartook and the Mt Difficult Range.

The viewing platform is a popular spot to watch the sun set over the mountains and snap the perfect pink and purple

sunset sky. The path to the lookout is well maintained and fully wheelchair accessible.

The Balconies - From the same car park as Reeds Lookout, you can walk the relatively easy 2km on to the Balconies

for panoramic views of Victoria Valley and the surrounding ranges. The unusual rock formations that stick out of the

mountain make this spot particularly unique. The Balconies

are a great spot for fresh misty mornings and sunset views. Hollow Mountain Walk Hollow Mountain walk is suitable for fit and energetic walkers and can involve slippery track surfaces, rock hopping and

rock scrambling. From the Hollow Mountain car park, follow

the sign-posted gravel track as it climbs gradually through a wide open gully surrounded by rocky cliffs. Once on rock, the track climbs steeply over rocky ledges and past wind

scoured caverns to a rocky summit, which offers views over Mt Stapylton Amphitheatre and the Wimmera Plains. Return by the same route. This hike is 2.2km return and should take around 2 hours for experienced walkers. Mount Abrupt (Mud-Dadjug) Walk Mount Abrupt is a steep track that winds its way through

Grampians bushland and up sandstone rocks to the summit. Starting at the Mount Abrupt carpark, this challenging walk is around 3.2km each way. Once at the summit, take in the wonderful views of the Serra Range to the north and over Dunkeld in the south. Keep an eye open for wedge-tailed

eagles, nankeen kestrels and peregrine falcons. For the best walking experience explore Mount Abrupt in Spring to early Summer.

Call into a local Visitor Information Centre or Brambuk - The

National Park and Cultural Centre at 277 Grampians Rd, Halls Gap for more walk information.

And don’t forget – when you’re done with all the incredible

views, there are a myriad of amazing eateries, wineries (and a

brewery!) to whet your palate, and countless accommodation options to rest your weary feet. We know where we’re heading this Spring.

Local French Couture Words by Lucy Gilbert. Cecile’s Story by Eliesha Rae. Picture by Ange Hayward.

Doesn’t every woman dream of walking down the aisle in French Couture on their wedding day? I know I did. It did always seem like a bit of a pipe dream, come on, it wasn’t like I was about to jump a plane to Paris six to eight times for fittings in the lead up to my big day (even if I had the cash to burn, as proprietress of a small business, editor of a magazine and mum to an… energetic toddler, time is something I do not have to spare), but a girl can dream.

What I didn’t expect, was that I would find the French Couturier of my wildest fantasies in Waubra.

When the time came, after the question was popped, I

went through the motions of trying on dresses, without much hope that I was going to find “the one”, but nothing I tried ever felt like “me”.

I remembered meeting Cecile, 18-months ago, on a

bridal shoot we did for Ballarat Lifestyle Magazine, at the

So with a wish and a prayer, I bit the bullet and went

to Cecile with a vague idea that I wanted something

simple, elegant and comfortable, something that I could dance in all night and still look like a blushing bride after seven champagnes and fourteen hours on my feet.

Cecile had the difficult task – of trying to interpret my

thoughts. It turns out she probably has ESP. No changes required. She nailed it first go.

time, I wasn’t anything remotely resembling engaged,

The best part of all was the beautiful dress she created

(ok that’s a lie, I gave her at least twelve thoughts, but

have something from my wedding that I can wear over

so maybe I hadn’t really given her a second thought

shoved them all to that section of my brain, right at the back that files away the “some days”).

But now, it was like a fire had been ignited – I suddenly knew that I was never going to find the dress of my

dreams in a Melbourne Bridal store because it didn’t exist yet.

for Bobbi. And the beaded top to go over my dress. I now and over again!

The entire experience was a fairy tale from start to finish. Cecile is such a gentle spirit, and I loved her gorgeous studio out in the sticks. If I could do it all over again, I would not change a thing.

Cecile’s Story Lucy’s dress was designed and created by the incredibly

talented Cecile, of Cecile Michel Couture in Waubra, Victoria. We sat down with Cecile to chat all things bridal, from her

background in French Couture to her well-earned advice for brides to be…

First thing’s first, can you tell us a bit about Cecile Michel Couture?

Cecile Michel Couture is the result of a lot of learning and quite a few mistakes...

The business, in its baby stage, started soon after settling in Australia. I launched a small line of t-shirts and sold them

at markets. Living on a catamaran at the time, it was quite challenging to produce a clothing line with a hand-held

sewing machine in a 10m2 living/working space, and it didn’t

bring much profit. Getting frustrated with not finding the dress designs that I wanted to buy for myself, I started learning how to make my own clothes.

After doing an internship in Fitzroy and learning pattern

I studied Couture Design at the Melbourne Fashion Institute, as well as Fashion Design in London, and Fashion Business at the Melbourne School of Fashion. Studies are a great base, but

experience is priceless. Doing internships has taught me so much more than I could find in books.

And why Bridal?? It’s a notoriously tricky industry! Do you have any crazy stories or anecdotes you can share?

There are definitely crazy stories and anecdotes in the bridal industry, but they will stay our little secret...

Some surreal times that I have experienced have been things like working until 6 am to finish a dress which had to travel to another country for the big day, spending 300 hours on

one dress due to the intricate lacework, or even creating a

dress weighing close to 16kgs. It is a truly unique and magical environment!

How long does it take to make a Wedding Dress?

making, I began designing and producing my own range to

The recommended time to allow for your wedding dress to be

and learnt some phenomenal secrets and techniques

the dress, sourcing fabric and trims, creating a toile, and

have a go myself!

wedding preparation, finding the time for fittings becomes

sell online. I then interned for a bridal designer in Melbourne

handmade is around 6 to 12 months. It starts with designing

involved in the making of bridal gowns. I was hooked! I had to

adjusting the shape and fit. And as brides get busy with other

So, after some of my friends generously agreed to let me

quite important.

make their wedding dresses, and once the studio was

Some dresses might take a few months of actual sewing

officially launched.

involved. The base of the wedding gown is sewn by machine

completely (or mostly) set up, Cecile Michel Couture was And more importantly… How exactly did a French-born, Couture Designer end up in Waubra??

When I first came to Australia on a working holiday visa,

I had only heard of Sydney, so that’s where I landed. But

depending on the amount of hand beading or appliqué to give it strength, but everything else is made by hand.

I am currently making a one-off beading motif to go on the

front of a wedding gown, chosen by the bride to replicate her grandmother’s favourite bird.

evidently, there wasn’t much fruit-picking going on in Sydney

Amazing! So then, how far in advance should brides usually

(as required by my visa), so I moved to (the outskirts of

get in contact? And what can they expect at their first

Melbourne) as soon as cherry season started.

appointment?

Eventually, I ended up in Bourke Street in a lovely apartment

Brides often get in contact around 3 to 6 months prior to their

being from rural towns, missed the quiet life.

are pretty hectic here and appointments in full wedding

with a secure Visual Merchandising job, but my partner and I, Right now, I wouldn’t live anywhere else! The sunrises and

sunsets are amazing, the place is beautifully quiet and the

homegrown vegetables are delicious! It has been fantastic for the soul.

Where did you learn to sew? As a kid, I used to watch my mother sew and knit, and I was

completely in love with her old Singer sewing machine. I would fix ripped jeans and help her join together big patchwork blankets.

But it wasn’t until coming to Australia that I took lessons.

Learning the different stitches, buying a domestic sewing

machine, and following store-bought patterns were pivotal stages in learning to make clothes. After that, it was just

So, do you have a formal education in couture design?

practice, practice, practice.

wedding, which can be quite a short deadline. Some months season get booked quickly, so the earlier brides can get in

touch, the better! There are many last-minute enquiries about bridesmaids’ dresses, often to replace items bought online

which didn’t end up true to their description or are ill-fitting. When brides come to the studio, they will be welcomed with a glass of bubbles and can discuss the details of their wedding for as long as they want; there is no time restriction on the

appointment. The more photos they can show me about the

details they want, the easier it is for me to create a dress that they will love and which really shows their personality.

After that, I will take their measurements and create a calico toile as the base structure for their design. And once this all fits perfectly, the final fabric is cut and the delicate hand sewing starts.

You’ve obviously been around plenty of brides – if you could give them one piece of advice, what would it be?

My favourite part of the finished product was the final fitting; Lucy’s beaming smile was priceless.

There is an ongoing joke in the bridal industry that in the

process of making each dress, the designer will think: “that’s it, I’m never doing bridal again”, and then moves on to the next gown.

The one piece of advice I would give to brides is: Trust your

There is huge pressure in making a dress for such an

who mean well – will end up choosing your dress for you.

get into her gown for her final fitting before the big day, all

instincts, otherwise people around you – who love you and OK - tell us about Lucy’s gown! Give us some detail. How

was the process? What was your favourite thing about the finished product?

Lucy’s dress was completely her creation; I just put it together. The design took very little time, as Lucy knew exactly what she was after.

It is a simple and elegant dress, as well as a little playful.

Lucy wearing the beaded top Cecile created for her wedding. Pictures by Teagan Glenane Photography.

important and personal day. When you ask your bride to

the doubts and worries rush through your head: “Will she like it?” “Is it the right length?” “Will it move the right way?” “Did I

forget anything?” And then suddenly, the bride hugs you and

can’t stop smiling. And THAT is the moment, which makes it all worthwhile.

You can find Cecile Michel Couture online at www.

cecilemichel.com or at her studio at 1A Kimberly Drive, Waubra (but maybe get in contact first!)

Lucy in her wedding dress (and her bush sandals).

Fifteen Trees Words by Bianca Flint. Picture by Ange Hayward.

Did you know trees have their own language? Communicating with each other through their root system, sharing water and nutrients, and even alerting each other when under threat? It sounds like something out a fairytale right? Something make-believe and magical.

Colleen Filippa believes in magic, the

“Trees not only absorb carbon dioxide,

Her focus then turned to car

ability to help us reduce our carbon

habitat, create green corridors and

fifteen trees for every car sold. This, she

magic of trees and their incredible

footprint. Of course, the science backs her up, and for the past ten years,

Colleen has dedicated her time to

educating and inspiring people to plant more of them.

Upon hitting a milestone birthday (not telling!), and with her family all grown

up, Colleen had the desire to start her

own business. Right from the beginning, she knew it had to be environmentally focused and would offer a service of

some kind. It was with those thoughts

as a guide, and an existing connection with Landcare, that Colleen’s business idea came to light.

they also provide native wildlife with

help reverse the effects of soil erosion

and salinity”, outlines the Fifteen Trees website.

The trees chosen to plant, are native,

a selection of Eucalyptus and Wattle; planted predominately by Landcare groups and other volunteers. They

are sourced from independent, local

nurseries, in the area that they are to be

of the carbon emissions created via our careers and lifestyles, by planting trees.

as she remembers all the cold calling

that went hand in hand with starting a

business. Trying to get other businesses on board, by calling them out of the

blue and having to “sell them in just 3 minutes”.

be one tree for each hour in the air. As

endemic species and means the trees

have a really great strike rate”, explains Colleen.

for companies to buy into, fifteen trees

and the general public to reduce some

desk was a challenge”, She laughs,

in the area, so it brings in the indigenous

enterprise; a business with incredible connect and encourage businesses

trying to get past the lady on the front

Almost ten years on, Colleen now plants

been propagated from seeds collected

The name Fifteen Trees was very

purpose and intention. A way to

recalls, “was a real baptism of fire; just

planted. “Quite often those trees have

Fifteen Trees was born out of a

passion to do good, to create a social

dealerships, with the idea to plant

intentional, “I wanted to make it easy

for flights; which she has worked out to

well as adding Funeral Homes to the list; planting a more mature tree for every

funeral service that is held. “People ask me for different things, or come to me with different ideas, and I think, why not?”.

planted every year will reduce your

Growing up in country Victoria, Colleen’s

with fleets, if they’ve got ten cars, that’s

something that comes very naturally.

car’s carbon footprint. So, companies 150 trees”, explains Colleen.

connection to nature isn’t forced, it’s

Reflecting on her childhood; being

Without any previous business

This year Fifteen Trees will have a pretty

the grass. Something that has always

lessons, but none that dampened her

impressive 10 years! “We’ll also reach

outside a lot, riding bikes and playing in stayed with her and no doubt has had an impact on how she interacts with and values this earth.

determination to succeed, “I love being in business, networking, and meeting new people” asserts Colleen.

Colleen is also a veteran of the Franklin

Colleen’s background is in education,

circa 1978 – 1981, Colleen and her

day a week in the classroom teaching

River Campaign. Some 35 years ago, then boyfriend, now husband, Albert,

camped with the protesters at Strahan

(in Tasmania) for a month, to help save the Franklin River. It is one of the most

significant environmental campaigns in history.

For Colleen, the early stages in business provided many opportunities to learn and develop new skills.

experience, there were plenty of hard

although she now only spends one Science and Sustainability at ACU.

But her passion for education underlies everything she does at Fifteen Trees. Colleen dedicates the remainder of

the week to her business, which also employees two part-timers; Sarah

Hart (Freelance Writer) and Kristen Hall (Educator/Project Manager).

significant birthday, celebrating a very

another pretty big milestone this year”, discloses Colleen, “we’ll have planted

150 000 trees across Australia and New Zealand”. Wow. Colleen has plans to plant the world’s

first love heart shaped tree form, and is excited for this upcoming project that has been in the works for some time.

Plan Your Grampians & Pyrenees Culinary Escape

Delightful twists

unexpected turns

Blue Pyrenees Estate. Image: Miranda Stokkel

With breathtaking beauty and amazing culinary experiences around every bend, the Grampians & Pyrenees wine regions promise an unforgettable weekend escape.

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a romantic getaway along quiet country roads or an indulgent 5-star gastronomic tour, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll discover natural wonders, breathtaking views and award-winning wineries laid out in all directions. Unearth more than 40 wineries rich with the heritage of pioneering winemakers who helped put the Grampians & Pyrenees wine regions on the map. With cellar doors set among picturesque towns and villages, the cool climate Shiraz on offer paired with culinary delights make this part of the world the perfect epicurean escape.

For a variety of culinary itineraries, accommodation options and further details about the Grampians & Pyrenees, head to: visitgrampians.com.au or visitpyrenees.com.au

Our Natural Springs Words by Francesca Carter. Pictures by Ange Hayward.

In 2005, Brylie Rankine was working as a maître d’ for an upmarket restaurant in her new hometown, Daylesford. Serving patrons who were mostly from Melbourne, Brylie noticed how many were requesting the local mineral water. Cue - lightbulb moment.

“At first it didn’t seem like an obvious thing,” says Brylie, “but

“The community was just amazing. They got behind us from

had Italian mineral water. It was just one those moments

product and we are a bit more expensive, it was a harder

after a while, I started getting embarrassed because we only when you sit back and think, okay there is something in this.” The Daylesford and Macedon region has the largest

the very beginning,” she says. “Because we are a premium

sell. But local businesses were prepared to pay that bit extra because I lived here, they knew me.”

concentration of natural mineral springs in Australia. Though

Brylie attributes a huge part of the success of her brand to

the late 20th century it was largely the preserve of migrants

These businesses became Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral

the area’s bottling of mineral water dates back to 1910, by and the natural springs were harnessed instead for their therapeutic properties, bathing and spas.

Observing her restaurant customers’ frequent requests for local mineral water, Brylie says she “felt ashamed that we were in the middle of the spa capital of Australia, and we weren’t utilising this natural resource’’.

her relationships with the local cafés, restaurants and shops. Spring Co’s first brand ambassadors.

“What has been really nice is that the community has a real

sense of ownership over the brand,” she says. “And that’s why it has been so important for us, as a business, to give back to our local community … When you’re taking something out of

the area, I really believe you need to put something back in.”

With this flash of inspiration, Brylie began fleshing out ideas.

No one could accuse Brylie of having taken an easy route.

some of Melbourne’s most iconic restaurants. She knew about

daycare, and then drive down to Melbourne, where she would

As a seasoned hospitality professional, she had worked in quality, stock, working under pressure, and how to meet a tight deadline. Through local contacts, Brylie was able to

negotiate access to a water source with a local landowner,

then found a small business to do the bottling. She worked on a logo and label and, within a couple of months, Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Co (DHMSCo) was born.

“We had no money. We put everything on the line,” she says. “We had one credit card, which had a $5000 limit and that’s how we paid for the first bottling.”

Brylie says if it weren’t for the support of her local community, DHMSCo would never have taken off.

In the early days, she would drop her eldest child, Arkie at

go from door to door spruiking her products. That night she

would return home, process and pack the orders and deliver them to her new customers the next day.

Her strong work ethic and ambition for the brand meant she

worked through holidays and weekends. Her spare bedroom became the office, her garage was the warehouse, and her car was the delivery truck.

“When you’re in it, you don’t think about how hard it is,” she says. “I personally wanted to start a movement of change. I couldn’t understand why people were paying for mineral

water that had been imported from Italy, when we had this natural resource.”

Perhaps it’s no surprise that Brylie is not afraid of the tough

Brylie says the business focus is on the artistry, not the

family with a single mother and two brothers, she watched

in gracing the shelves of chain supermarkets, but instead

slog. Hard work is very much in her DNA. Growing up in a

how hard her mum worked just to keep the family afloat.

“I remember my mum picking me up from school and taking

working with likeminded people and small businesses. It’s this desire that underpins the organisation as a whole.

me to her office. She was always the first one in there and

“From the start, it was always about supporting the little guys,”

older, it made me realise just how important it is to be able to

things in my business and we have been known to do

the last to leave. At the time I didn’t understand it, but as I got provide for your family.”

Once the mineral water business was up and running,

she says. “Customer service is one of the most important

deliveries on Christmas day, Easter … and because of this we have a very loyal following.”

Brylie was able to tap into contacts from her old Melbourne

“People who have been with us from day one, when they were

head start and instant credibility.

own businesses. They still choose to stock our product.”

restaurant days. She believes it gave the business a great

working as waiters and restaurant managers, now have their

“Many of those businesses I had worked for really understood

Today DHMSCo has anywhere between 10 and 15 staff. All the

consumer.”

to the transport – and this is another differentiator as most

what I was trying to do… they really helped us educate the

While those early days of DHMSCo may have been a logistical

production is done on-site – from the sales to the packing businesses contract out those jobs.

nightmare, within a year the business started gaining

“My team is everything,” says Brylie “In the beginning, one of

at the restaurant and focus on DHMSCo full-time.

everyone is heard. So, we have tastings, and everyone’s

momentum. Eighteen months in, Brylie was able to quit her job It didn’t take long for her decision to be validated. By the third year she had secured an office in Vincent Street (they would later move to a warehouse) and she had started adding more products to the range including still water and five natural flavours.

“There were so many challenges in the beginning,” recalls

Brylie. “Like the time our garage flooded and damaged all the stock. But I always learnt from my mistakes.”

Today DHMSCo has 34 products including juices, mixers, and an organics range comprising lemonade, cola and ginger beer. Last year they released a kombucha, which now has four flavours. It is one of the company’s bestsellers.

Despite its large geographical distribution, (DHMSCo is sold in every state of Australia except NT), the customers still tend to be a mix of small restaurants and cafés, as well as selected shops and independent food retailers.

volume of products produced each year. She’s not interested

the things I wanted to do was create an environment where involved. And they all refer to the water as “our” water, and

“our” business. And that’s how it should be … I wouldn’t have a business without these people.”

One of the cornerstones of DHMSCo is its sustainable footprint. The company only uses recycled materials and minimises

the use of packaging. They are always looking at new ways to embrace the latest sustainable innovations, as exemplified in their EcoKeg.

Teaming up with designer, horticulturist and artist Joost Bakker, the company developed a reusable, lightweight

plastic keg, which is provided to restaurants and cafes. The

mineral water is then sold to the customer by the glass or a

reusable bottle. This innovative design not only lowers costs and reduces environmental impacts, but it also reduces

travel and shipping. This idea, which is a world-first, went on to

become a finalist for the Premier’s Sustainability Award in 2015.

In another continued effort to support anything local and

When asked what she attributes DHMSCo success down to,

fledgling community wind farm project, Hepburn Wind. In

hard, and surrounding yourself with people who share the

good for the planet, DHMSCo has also invested in the region’s fact, DHMSCo’s warehouse is entirely offset by clean energy purchased through Hepburn Wind.

They have also teamed up with the not-for-profit organisation Greenfleet, which restores Australia’s forests in an effort to

fight climate change by planting native trees to offset carbon emissions.

Brylie says it’s about three key things - keeping it local, working passion and pride of the company.

And for all the budding entrepreneurs who may be sitting on the next brilliant business idea - Brylie is matter fact.

“Trust yourself and surround yourself with people that are likeminded and have the same values as you.” www.localmineralwater.com

Kombucha-tini Cocktail by Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs Co.

We know how good kombucha is for us, it just makes sense to create a delicious guilt free cocktail. For those who want a quick cocktail on a Friday afternoon, just add a shot of vodka to any DHMSCo kombucha varieties, with lots of ice. For those with a little more time on their hands try this kombuchatini, unlike Bond, we’ve chosen stirred over shaken. Enjoy!

Ingredients •

50 ml Vodka

•

10 ml Vermouth

•

1 tbsp Lime juice

•

300ml bottle of Daylesford Mineral Co

•

Lime rind - for garnish

•

Ice

Vanilla & Lime Kombucha

Method Place martini glasses in the freezer to chill Fill a cocktail shaker with ice Add vodka, vermouth and lime juice, gently stir using a swizzle stick

Using the lid of the cocktail shaker strain the liquid evenly between 2 glasses Top up with kombucha Slice a thin piece of lime rind and twist it over the

top of the glass to release the oils, then pop it in the glass as garnish

Mode Property Styling There is no question that the Ballarat residential property

market is bullish. With an increasing number of tree-changers and investors from Melbourne looking to enter the Ballarat

market, the competition to get their attention – and top dollar – is intense.

If you’re a homeowner looking to sell, how do you stand out? How do you ensure that you tap into that group of

purchasers? Well - regardless of the style or price range of

your property, Home Styling is proven to deliver outstanding results in terms of price and turnaround times.

Realestate.com.au research recently revealed that 40%

Kym & Claire’s Top Tips

professionally styled, who wouldn’t be attracted by those

Make sure the stylist you are using has stock that will suit the

that well-styled homes helped potential buyers envisage

they need to work with the features (or lack there of) in the

Research results also suggest that at least 10% can be added

in stock, but may not suit the home

more potential buyers inspected properties that had been stunning images? In addition to this, 77% of agents stated

style of your property. A stylist should not be a room filler –

themselves living in the home, as well as selling 73% faster.

property and not just throw in whatever furnishings they have

to the price of a home well styled.

To make potential purchasers fall in love with your home, you

The stats speak for themselves. So, where do you start when looking for a stylist? Kym Quick

need quality furnishings and finishes. Make sure that the items used will attract the right calibre of buyer

and Claire Warren from Mode Property Styling have some

It’s all about detail – if your potential purchaser is going to

while running her interior business, LaVita in Mair St Ballarat.

A stylist should make your property look like a really stylish

friend and ex-business colleague Claire Warren. Claire has

Lastly, like any professional relationship, you need to make

important tips. Kym has worked in property styling for years,

see themselves living there, they need to see a lived-in home.

Having a love of all things stylish, she partnered with close

family just walked out. It shouldn’t look conspicuously styled.

a background in Real Estate and has studied interior design and brings a strong focus on customer experience to the team.

Together Kym and Claire are passionate about bringing a new standard of styling to Ballarat.

sure you like and respect your stylist – make sure they are in it to get the best result for you!

If you’ve been convinced to hire a property stylist (and why

wouldn’t you??), Kym and Claire would love you to organise a visit to their warehouse in Delacombe.

Mode Property Styling provides stylish and timeless interiors for property owners to help them maximise the profit on the sale of real estate.

Kym Quick - 0429 192 718 Claire Warren - 0431 395 801 info@modestyling.com.au modepropertystyling.com.au

Re-Vitalise Physiotherapy and Pilates Maria Stephens is a local physiotherapist who returned home

Our team of experienced and dynamic physiotherapists seek

As Founding Director, she proudly opened the doors of Re-

or preconditions to ensure a quick and lasting recovery.

to Ballarat in 2013, after working in Melbourne and abroad.

Vitalise Physiotherapy & Pilates in October 2017, seeing her vision come to life.

The practice has continued to expand since its inception.

Starting out as a sole practitioner, she now leads a wonderful team of physiotherapists who make up Re-Vitalise and provide exceptional care for their clients.

How does Re-Vitalise differ from the standard offering? Ultimately, we love to empower our clients through

movement, using a holistic and proactive approach to Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates.

We treat a range of musculoskeletal and sports related

conditions, providing both hands-on treatment and active rehabilitation to assist our clients to get moving and keep moving at their best. Additionally, we assist many without specific injury to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle,

optimise their physical health, fitness or performance so that

they can keep doing the things they love. Our Ballarat studio is a nurturing, happy and friendly space welcoming for all ages.

a modern and charming studio for real people of all conditions and ages physiotherapy clinical pilates pregnancy & post natal care kids & teens programs women’s health re-vitalise.com.au 202 Pleasant Street South, Ballarat 03 5333 7815

Questions by Lisa Taylor. Pictures by Simone Conroy Photography.

to address not only symptoms but also any underlying causes We really pride ourselves on the wonderful community we have built at Re-Vitalise. We develop strong relationships

with our clients and have been part of so many remarkable

journeys. Walking through our doors, you’ll get a sense of the bonds we form and the family environment we’ve created. What is your favourite part of what you do? It’s so rewarding as a Physiotherapist to be able to positively impact someone’s quality of life and to be part of his or her wellness journey, whether it be relieving someone’s pain,

assisting through injury recovery, seeing them achieve their

optimum health and wellness goals or continue to live a life of independence.

I also love working in such a loyal and supportive community and really getting to know our clients on a personal basis.

Sharing many laughs and stories with our regular clients from

week to week, seeing patients walk in and out the door feeling empowered, and seeing others support and motivate each other within the studio, gives me a lot of satisfaction.

Who is Re-Vitalise Physiotherapy & Pilates for? Re-Vitalise is for everyone! We enjoy looking after clients from all walks of life, physical abilities, conditions and ages through Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates.

Every person who walks through our doors comes for a

different reason. Many have very specific goals, others come

for general maintenance, to assist with sport or performance, or to optimise their health, well-being and general function in everyday life; but how we achieve these goals is completely

They are suitable for children and teenagers of all abilities

and are aimed to improve strength, flexibility, co-ordination,

balance, posture, body awareness, confidence, mindfulness and performance, using pilates machines and floor based exercises.

Women’s Health Physiotherapy: We provide Women’s Health Physiotherapy, inclusive of pregnancy and postnatal care,

pelvic floor and continence (bladder and bowel) assessment and management.

Any top wellness tips to help us maintain our health?

different and tailored for everyone and we’re here to help you

Maintaining your optimal health is a non-negotiable,

What are some of the services we can find at Re-Vitalise?

1. Keep Moving: No matter what age or ability you have,

get there.

Physiotherapy: We provide physiotherapy for a broad range

of musculoskeletal and sports related injuries and conditions, from acute sprains and strains, to more complex, long-term conditions and movement disorders.

Clinical Pilates: We specialise in rehabilitative or clinical Pilates-based programs led by our highly qualified

physiotherapists. We use a variety of equipment and floor based exercises to create programs tailored to individual health needs.

Pre & Post Natal Program: Our pre & post-natal program is

run by Belinda Matthews (physiotherapist) who has a wealth

of knowledge and expertise in Women’s Health. This program is inclusive of Pilates-based machine and floor exercises,

along with education components. It is tailored uniquely to

help women to stay strong and healthy, exercise safely and confidently, reduce pregnancy related aches and pains,

improve recovery, regain fitness and reduce long term risks in the postnatal period.

Kids & Teens Programs: Our kids & teens programs are lots of fun and designed for growing bodies, providing opportunity for exercise among peers.

whatever your age, stage or goals!

exercise is so important for optimal health and well-being,

both physically and mentally. The evidence has never been stronger in support of exercise for prevention of chronic

disease, maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and management of many conditions including osteoarthritis

2. Be Proactive: Address your injuries and niggles before

they turn into bigger ongoing issues. If you’ve had pain that is affecting your daily life for more than a week or two, take

the time to get it properly assessed and treated by a health

professional so that it doesn’t cause further secondary issues or dysfunction

3. Use your Core: A strong and well-functioning core is an

essential element in order to move well. We see many clients, including those very active, with weak core muscles and

altered movement patterns due to injury, poor posture and

disuse, back pain or after having children. Failing to learn how to activate correctly may actually cause more harm than

good and potentially increase your chance of future injury How can we get in touch? See our advert for details or drop into the studio to say hello, take a tour and find out more in person!

Change Table Heroics Words by Brigid Moloney.

I always had a change table. It’s where I changed 10,841 nappies, cooed and coddled my newborns, wrestled with my toddlers and incrementally morphed into my new role as ‘mama’. I recently came across a vocal crew that were adamant that new mums don’t need change tables – that the floor is where it all happens. 42

Part of me agrees, as the baby turns into a toddler, retiring your change table becomes a necessity due to

gravity. Sometimes your toddler simply steps off.

When they get even more adventurous on their wobbly legs, the change table becomes a launchpad for

uncoordinated superman dives. Add to this dive, a full nappy, when you’ve left it too long between changes and the

velcro on the tabs have lost their teeth

The grabber Mamas with long locks beware.

Newborns have a vice-like grip, and as

you bend down to give them a smooch on their belly, a grabber will twine their fingers through those locks and not

let go without serious and systematic

prying of little bitty fingers before you’re completely free. Extraction without serious hair loss is unlikely. The hose

and the result is hours of cleaning up

Mamas of boys, be wary of the hose.

Hopefully the former.

beautiful bath, lights are dimmed, the

the mess, or a quick trip to Emergency. But don’t let this deter you from the

purchase; it still has a use if you have a toddler. If you’re like us, it will become a

‘flat spot’, I mean storage, where all and sundry gets piled. And then back into rotation with the next baby.

For the newborn, it is a place to let

the hours just, tick, by. For me, I spent

You have just given your newborn a

room is toasty warm, there’s cooing

sounds made by all. You pop him on the change table ready to start with

the nappy and off shoots the fountain. Hopefully, this is not as you are trying

for that smooch on the belly that went horribly wrong last time. The eruption

hours just gazing at my newborn in

Always nappy up first. Don’t worry about

spent soaking up their precious antics

cap (or crap as you will definitely call it,

where you are not yelling for Betty next

professional’s advice) it’s the business

front of me on the change table. Time

the lotions and potions for the cradle

and glorious smell, all at a height level

probably when you are asking a health

door to come help you up. Perfect and

end you have to deal with first.

practical.

Get the nappy on pronto. It may

However, it comes with a caveat. You

happen that you’ve just got the nappy

of your snuggly, naked, warm newborn

happens. I have patted myself on the

stage, at least one of the following IS

got that nappy on”.

may be fooled at first by the trappings

securely in place and the eruption

lying on the change table. At some

back, many a time, thinking “good job I

If this is you, don’t be fooled. He is not finished yet. Thinking you are in the

clear, you take off the nappy and you

let him go fancy free for “just a sec”. You get the next nappy out but before you

can pull the tabs out ready, the eruption occurs again. Back to the bath you go. The naked feed This is when you have your baby on

the change table and their screams are making your heart bleed (not to mention your ears). You think you

will quickly pop them on the boob to

settle them down and then continue

changing after a quick top-up. Warning: when they are newborns, it’s a case of

simultaneous input and output. Mama you are going to get covered in poop. Back to the bath, this time for both of you.

See how that time sped by? Love your change table, in total you will spend days at its edge.

And when you are finally hanging up

your baby-making boots, hand it along to Eureka Mums or a friend or family

member, knowing that the memories of your change table heroics are infused into its very frame.

Oh, the stories it could tell as the silent witness of your metamorphosis into ‘Mama’.

going to happen:

Brigid Moloney is mum of four boys and co-founder with husband, Obstetrician Dr Patrick Moloney, of GrowMyBaby, an online pregnancy program helping women to have their best pregnancy. You can find more parenting stories plus a good dose of

expert-led pregnancy information on Instagram @grow_my_baby or have a listen to expert pregnancy advice on “The Kick Pregnancy Podcast”.

Wine + Chocolate = Please sir, can I have some more? By Charlotte D. Nay. Picture by Stefani Driscoll Photography.

Wine and chocolate matching has historically been a bit of a

contentious issue. There are a couple of distinct camps when it comes to recommending wine and food pairing but, rather than insist you just straight up pitch your tent in our camp,

sight unseen, we’re going to give you both sides of the story and let you make up your own mind…

The “classic” approach Classic wine and food pairing doctrine insists that when

matching a wine to a dessert, the wine must be sweeter than

the food it’s being paired with, or it can tend to emphasise the bitterness or acidity in the wine, and that the only reasonable match with chocolate is a true dessert wine.

But unless you’re still insisting that red and pink should never been seen together, or continuing to preach that a low fat

diet with lots of carbs is the key to weight loss, this is another adage that it might just be time to throw out the window. The “scientific” approach The second camp are those who don’t believe in wine and food pairing at all. *Gasp* - how dare they? They’ll tell you

that it’s “too subjective”, that our palates are so distinct that

attempting to create a match that’s more than just the sum of its parts is pseudoscience and we might as well just start drinking Shiraz with sour worms. But come on… do you really believe that?

It is science that certain flavour combinations just work. Salty and sweet for example, where do you think this crazy influx

Or if you’re looking for something a little… safer, the Kokomo is pure tropical sunshine on tap. Perfectly paired. Pour a 6ft6 Pinot Gris with… Hey Tiger Summer in the City or Best Mates. We’ve already

expounded the joys of salty and sweet, but throw in buttery

(whether it be the Summer’s Peanut Butter or the Caramelised Popcorn in the Best Mates) and the fragrant beauty of this Pinot Gris is a match made in heaven – that little hint of spiced candy is what’s gonna send you over the edge.

Or, take it up a notch with the Hello Officer, for a very Mars/ Venus pairing that you’re going to be dreaming about for days.

Drink your 6ft6 Rosé with…

of salted caramel or Lindt Sea Salt chocolate came from? I

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiched between delicious milk

my chocolate sundae sauce #science.

a perfect something in between… just like Rosé – not quite

always knew there was a reason I liked dipping my McFries in And how about butter and carbs? It’s not a coincidence that hot buttery mashed potato tastes so good, or toast loaded

and white chocolate. It’s not quite milk, it’s not quite white, but red, not quite white, pair it with Hey Tiger’s Morning Roar and you’ve got a winner every time.

with melted butter for that matter. And don’t even get me

The 6ft6 Rosé embodies fresh and vibrant scents of candied

classic for a reason.

Tiger’s Early Bird incorporates freeze-dried acai, raspberries,

started on wine and cheese. Heaven! Classic pairings are

In case you hadn’t guessed by now, we fall somewhere in the middle. That’s right, our camp is perched a little precariously, right on the boundary that separates those two schools of

thought, call us fence sitters all you like, we think we’re right.

summer berries with just a hint of freshly cut watermelon, Hey banana and dragon fruit wrapped in deep dark chocolate. A match made in heaven? We think so. Match your 6ft6 Pinot Noir with… Something rich and indulgent. 6ft6 Pinot Noir is a classic, with

So, we paired up with the incredible Hey Tiger Chocolate and

bright cherry and red plum flavours, just a hint of earth, a

and chocolate go together, but that coming up with pairings

palate. Is your mouth watering already?

the inestimable 6ft6 Wines, to prove that not only CAN wine that are better together than they are apart is an art unto itself.

If you love wine and you love chocolate (and who the hell

doesn’t?) – buckle in, because some of these pairings might just blow your mind.

Pair your 6ft6 Prosecco with…

nuance of vanilla and dark chocolate upon a silky-smooth Try pairing it with Hey Tiger’s The Lie In or Be Mine for perfectly complimentary strawberry and raspberry flavours. OR prove

that opposites attract with dark milk, a hint of caramel and the crunch of cracker crumb – The Weekend is where it’s at. Try your 6ft6 Shiraz with… Pop quiz: Strawberries splashed with balsamic in dark

Hey Tiger And Chill, crisp bubbles are a perfect match with

chocolate, then spiked with cocoa nibs. Are we describing

brie, OR dark salted cocoa crumb and roasted macadamia in

match made in heaven.

anything creamy and decadent – think Mac n’ Cheese, baked glorious white chocolate.

The Whip It - Deliciously crunchy cereal, set in creamy white chocolate – champagne breakfast anyone?

Or embrace your inner diva with Hey Tiger Glitter Kitten –

addictive birthday cake crumb and rainbow sprinkles. Bring on the balloons and party bags - this kitten wants to celebrate! And what’s a party without a glass of bubbles (or two)? Down a glass of 6ft6 Sauvignon Blanc with… The Hey Tiger Game Changer. This is one pairing that really

does change the game. Crisp tropical flavours slice through

this vegan masterpiece of whipped hazelnut butter and dark

6ft6’s Shiraz? Or Hey Tiger’s Ready for it? Either way – this is a Oh, and Hey Officer! Would you like a glass of Shiraz to go with

that dark chocolate, whiskey & smoke? Maybe snuggled by an open fire? On an old leather couch, in a dark reading room?

This pairing is guaranteed to warm you up when the mercury drops outside.

You can find 6ft6 Wine in over 2000 retail outlets throughout Australia, including Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Vintage Cellars,

Liquorland, IGA Liquor and all good independents. Or online at 6ft6wine.com.

Look for Hey Tiger Chocolate at Wilson’s Fruit & Vegetables, or online at heytiger.com.au.

chocolate. Just try it and thank us later #yourewelcome

Lucy & Ned A Buninyong love story and a destination wedding. 29.03.19 Photography: Teagan Glenane Photography Location: Trentham Cliffs, NSW Wedding party: Bonnie Coxall, Shari Thompson, Rachel Murphy, Taryn Coxall with Sam Turner, Alex Bomitali and Kenny Terry

How did you meet? How do any 16-year-olds get together in 2007? MSN Messenger. Am

I showing my age?? We were both in Year 11, Ned at Mt Clear College and me at Damascus. We had gone to Buninyong Primary together,

so we were both aware of each other’s existence, but hadn’t exactly… socialised in the intervening years.

One night, while chatting to friends on our ancient family PC, I saw a

message pop up, from Ned. “Hi” it said. Talk about smooth opening lines. Three weeks later he asked me to be his girlfriend and the rest is history.

Tell us about the proposal... I have always been a planner and knew I wanted something different for my engagement ring. I had a chat with Suzy from Gems & Jewels

and gave her a rough idea of what I was hoping for and then left it at that. Time went by, I had no idea if Ned had even contacted Gems &

Jewels, let alone started covertly planning an epic proposal, but I wasn’t in a rush.

One sunny winter’s day we headed down to Torquay beach, to give the dogs a run before heading back into Geelong for Ned’s sisters birthday lunch. Bobbi, our daughter, was playing in the sand with the dogs, the sun was shining and out of the blue, Ned asked me to marry him.

Okay, we want all the details. Tell us about your

Describe the elements of your day and how you

This wedding had been a long time in the making!

Photography: Teagan Glenane Photography

day.

As an event planner, I had a pretty good idea of

what I wanted. I just had to make it work logistically. My parents have a beautiful property on the

Murray River, in Trentham Cliffs, NSW. I had always

wanted to get married there but I also desperately

wanted to work with all of my friends and suppliers from Ballarat. Somehow I convinced them all to make the five and a half hour drive up. I can be very persuasive when I want to!

We had our ceremony right at the river’s edge with

a beautiful Hamptons Marquee from Tipi Tribe right beside us for a cocktail reception.

In the week leading up to the wedding, the weather was so spectacular! But on the day, we ended up

with a dust storm, which was far from ideal but did make for some beautiful lighting and gorgeous

photos. We honestly had the time of our lives and the recovery the next day was just as fun.

When did planning begin? What was the hardest thing to get organised? Any hiccups?

Planning in my head started about ten minutes

after that first MSN Messenger flirtation - kidding! It was about ten years later. But the real work

started a couple of weeks post getting engaged. The logistics of all the travel was definitely a

hurdle, but our suppliers were amazing and so accommodating. They made even my wildest dreams work.

Where did you draw inspiration from? Where would you direct future brides?

I had a pretty clear vision of the style in my head but Pinterest and Instagram definitely helped to bring it all together. My advice would be to pick one style and stick to it. Don’t try to blend styles together.

One piece of advice I didn’t take myself, was to

have an event co-ordinator. Even if you are set on

doing a DIY wedding, the last thing you want to be

worrying about is the little details on the day of the

went about it all

I have always had a bit of a creative crush on

Teagan. She is a Ballarat girl living in Melbourne

and I have had the pleasure of working with her on various shoots for the magazine. I was really conscious that I wanted someone who would make Ned and I feel really comfortable and I

definitely didn’t want to do any cheesy poses. Tegan was amazing. Really she felt just like a wedding guest.

Videographer: We used David from Josue Films for our wedding videography

To be honest I didn’t think I needed a videographer but my parents insisted. And I am so glad they did

because our wedding video is beautiful. It actually blew my mind, and David was a star on the day.

He made us feel totally comfortable and added to the fun.

Marquee: Tipi Tribe I first laid eyes on the Hamptons marquee years

ago and I knew I wanted one for my wedding! They are gorgeous and so much more stylish than a

regular event marquee. The team at Tipi Tribe went above and beyond getting it from near Bolac to

Trentham Cliffs and were on call for the day/night in case we needed anything.

Wedding gown: Cecile Michel Couture Where do I start? I did the traditional “dress

shopping in Melbourne with the bridesmaids” thing, but nothing even came close to what I

had imaged my dress to be like. I had met Cecile on a shoot for Ballarat Lifestyle Magazine about eighteen months prior to getting engaged, so

after having no luck finding a ready-made dress,

I made an appointment. Cecile is the most gentle, creative person and I just knew she would create

something perfect. Four months later I had my final fitting and just loved everything about the dress.

I was comfortable, felt beautiful and best of all, it was totally “me”.

wedding. I didn’t think I needed one, but looking

back it would have made everything a lot easier in the days leading up.

Music: Like this Corporate Band

Catering: Dele Foodstore

These guys are from Melbourne and I had used

Adele and her team travelled from Daylesford and

There was no question, I had to have them for the

and then some bigger eats to fill everyone up. I am

them before, for our Melbourne Cup Luncheon.

wedding. They really know how to get everyone up and about.

Flowers: Holly Spence from Flowerqueen Co I have had the pleasure of working with Holly a

number of times so I was very excited for her to

put on the best spread. We had canapés to start still dreaming about the gnocchi. There was also

a yummy dessert grazing table. Towards the end

of the night, they also did toasties and fries which were a massive hit!

Bar: Tipple Caravan

create our wedding flowers! I showed her one

We had a beautiful vintage-inspired caravan as

up to her. And boy did she deliver. My flowers were

sister’s wedding. We stocked it with all our favourite

picture that I loved and pretty much left the rest

perfect. In particular, the arbour she created for the ceremony.

Hair: Chelsea from Eve Salon Chels has been doing my hair for years and she

our wedding bar that was built by Ned’s dad for his local wines including Blue Pyrenees Midnight

Cuvée, Summerfield Shiraz, Mitchell Harris Rosé and Pinot Noir and Musk Lane Fiano. Signage: E & I Custom Designs

was invited to the wedding so I am very lucky she

These guys were amazing! I was having trouble

gets the perfect curl even though the wind stripped

lot of notice, oops! They turned it around so quickly

was there to do the bridal party’s hair. She always them out pretty quickly!

Makeup: Bonnie and Coby at Yellow Rose Beauty Studio

I probably shouldn’t have made my maid of

honour work at the wedding, but she is the only one who has ever done my makeup and I really wanted something natural and I know Bon nails it every

time. We also had Maddy from My Makeup Chair to help out doing the in-laws’ makeup. It was a lot of fun all getting ready together. Rings: Gems & Jewels I mentioned above that I had a sit-down with Suzy from Gems & Jewels before I even got

engaged, but when I saw the ring, I could not even believe how incredible it was. Gems & Jewels also designed and made our wedding bands and my

eternity ring (I wasn’t waiting another ten years or

for another child!) as well as my wedding earrings. I wanted something that wouldn’t date and that I could wear again and again. Suzy is incredible

and the bespoke experience made it all the more meaningful.

deciding on my signage so they weren’t given a and it was perfect.

Celebrant: Zena Lythgo Celebrant I was so particular when it came to our celebrant. I really wanted the ceremony to be completely

personalised. Zena nailed our 12-year story and

created the most beautiful ceremony. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough.

What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?

It’s impossible to pick just one thing, the day has already blurred into one long, incredible love

fest. I loved saying our vows, our band sang a

really paired back version of The Wonder of You which was beautiful, putting on my dress and

walking down the aisle in front of my family and bridesmaids, Bobbi in her custom Cecile dress,

seeing Ned waiting for me at the end of the aisle,

the food, the cocktails, dancing all night. There’s no way I could pick just one thing!

If you could, would you change anything about your day?

I mean, no dust storm would have been great, but other than that? Nothing.

Bright Futures Scholarship Words by Damascus College. Bright Futures Scholarship

Please purchase your $25 ticket today, at www.trybooking.

Damascus College is excited to launch the Bright Futures

Scholarship, which supports students and families who are experiencing ﬁnancial or personal disadvantage, and who demonstrate a strong commitment to social justice and

their community, but may not otherwise be able to afford a

Catholic education. This new scholarship is awarded to one

incoming Year 7 student for 50% tuition relief, and is awarded for the duration of a student’s enrolment at Damascus

com/BDIUX or call the College on 03 5337 2222, and enjoy: •

Listening to our special guest speaker Mary Darcy

•

Connecting with alumni and Damascus community

•

Learning more about the new Bright Futures scholarship

•

Eating a sumptuous full buffet breakfast

members

College (6 years).

A bit about our special guest speaker – Mary Darcy…

Primary School Principals must support/endorse one Grade

Mary is a valued member of the Damascus College Alumni,

scholarship. Applications open on 7 October 2019 and close

year old boarder. Mary, as a Sister of Mercy, was involved in

5 student for 2021 commencement, to be considered for this

she enrolled at Sacred Heart College in 1951 as a seven

on 14 February 2020, for 2021 commencement.

Mercy education for many years. She spent eight years at St

Further info can be found at: www.damascus.vic.edu.au/ prospective-scholarships

Martin’s in the Pines in the 70s and 80s as Student Counsellor/

Careers Advisor/ Transition Co-ordinator and Boarding School Supervisor.

Bright Futures Breakfast

Along the way, she studied for a B.A at UNE, a Grad Dip.

We wish to invite Ballarat community members to attend the

in Applied Social Psychology at Swinburne and a M.Ed. in

7am – 8.45am, at the Ballarat Golf Club.

Mary became a Registered Psychologist in 1984 and ran a

inaugural Bright Futures Breakfast on Thursday 19 September, In holding this fundraising breakfast, the College seeks to

Counselling and Consulting Psychology at Harvard University. Private Practice from 1987 until 2012.

extend this Bright Futures scholarship opportunity to be able

Mary has had an on-going involvement with issues relating to

raised will support this worthy scholarship fund, in order to

illness. Mary says “as a member of the Board of Centacare

to offer it to more than one Year 7 student per year. Proceeds

community-based services for people experiencing mental

extend its reach to multiple students each year.

for 25 years, I have had the privilege of being involved with

the delivery of programmes providing assistance to the most

vulnerable members of the communities of Western Victoria”. Come and join us.

You are invited to attend the inaugural

Thursday 19 September 2019 from 7am - 8.45am Special guest speaker Mary Darcy • Ballarat Golf Club

Your generosity in attending or by giving supports a child in receiving a Catholic education.

For more details and to book visit damascus.vic.edu.au

DAMASCUS COLLEGE LTD ACN 609066775

BRIGHT FUTURES FUNDRAISING BREAKFAST

Getting Higher

Questions by Lisa Taylor. Pictures by Chip Shots Photography.

We’re struggling to keep up with the pure volume of Ballarat

The two owners, Lachlain Ramsay & Rhys Jeffrey (that’s us!).

but if Higher Society’s social media is anything to go by, we’re

Ballarat Food Scene.

eateries that have been rolling out over the course of 2019, pretty sure we’re not the only ones “addicted to the high”… We spoke to co-owners, Lachie Ramsay and Rhys Jeffrey about their new Sturt Street café.

Who are the faces behind Higher Society? There are three main players behind the day to day of Higher Society…

We’re just two local boys brining a touch of Melbourne to the We collaborated with Rob Buenen (Head Chef) to create a

modern and seasonal menu to launch the café at the start of June after a big refurbishment and renovation.

We are three perfection driven individuals with a passion for the quality offerings of our local suppliers.

We could tell you more about the team here as well but they are much better in person!

How would you describe Higher Society in five words?

Words to live by…

Local, fresh, laid back, consistent and inspired

Lach - Don’t sweat the small stuff - Growing up, it’s something my Dad would always say. Having grown up now, I have

Top pick from the breakfast menu?? Lach’s top pick - The Clean Green Breakfast - for all of those

watching what they eat this is a delectable option but not too naughty!

Rhys’ top pick - Pressed Lamb - When I had the pressed lamb for the first time I thought, modern take on a classic lamb

realised the importance of rolling with the punches and

focussing on what’s really important in life. Family, friends, love and moments you cant get back!

Rhys - She’ll Be Right - Life is too short to stew on the little

things that don’t matter. Focus on the things that DO matter. Ideal Sunday in Ballarat?

souvlaki. Yum! And let’s be honest, we eat with our eyes and this dish is easy on the eyes *insert wink here*

Our usual Sundays are spent hustling; it’s our busiest day

Rob’s top pick - Black Breaky Brioche – it’s simple but so am I... We have taken the old egg and bacon toastie and given

it a facelift and a punch of flavour and from this the BBB has become one of our top sellers!

at the café! But if we were to sneak a day off it would start at the local gym, D2E, for some morning cardio, followed

by breakfast at a local café (other than our own), maybe

a sneaky movie at the Regent and then dinner at Moon & Mountain.

Currently reading (or watching)? As busy men that rarely have time to relax we can be caught getting our wholesome Netflix intake on the treadmill in the

With our next menu launch just around the corner we are

excited to bring you some new and fresh offerings, as well as

mornings!

Lach - Always something light hearted, reading Amy Schumer – The Girl with the lower back tattoo… guilty pleasure, Geordie Shore!

Rhys - Reading puts me to sleep, so that’s not helpful, on the treadmill so I go for: TV - The Black List or Orange Is The New

What can we expect next from Higher Society?

some of the classics from the winter launch.

We have a selection of Hot Chocolates coming out that are delicious and will be something Ballarat has never seen!

There are also some awesome collaborations in the works with Tim Bone from Masterchef.

Black. Movie: Oceans 8

N OV E M BE R SUN

SATURDAY 9 NOVEM BER 2019

BLUE PYRENEES ESTATE BLUE PYRENEES ESTATE With special guests . . .

THE BLACK SORROWS Libby Steel

Loose Tooth Blue Pyrenees Estate, Vinoca Road, Avoca, Victoria Buses from Ballarat & Maryborough •

Tickets $70 plus booking fee

• •

•

Gates open 1pm

•

Free Shuttle from Avoca Children under 16 free

•

www.bluepyrenees.com.au/sun

Clarendon Inspiring the Next Generation of Educators Words by Ballarat Clarendon College. L-R: Ruby Parry, Tessa Armstrong, Caiti Wade Over 40 Old Collegians are on staff at Clarendon, supporting,

Ruby, who also teaches Mathematics, says she valued her

boarding houses, within the co-curricular program, in our

the community. “Clarendon knows how to progress students

guiding and caring for our students in classrooms, in the

health centre, IT department and administrative areas of the school. This extraordinary number reflects what the school means to these past students.

Old Collegian and English teacher, Tessa Armstrong, was

motivated to pursue teaching as a career and then return

to her old school by those who taught her. “The relationships

experiences as a student and this encouraged her to rejoin

and support them to ensure that wherever their future path leads them, they have choices and can confidently pursue their goals. The idea that you can always get better is

something I loved as a student and continue to love as a staff member. I knew that by returning I would continue to grow both personally and professionally.”

I forged with teachers and the way they influenced my life

All three Old Collegians stress the importance of community

to learn from them as colleagues and friends is incredibly

the sporting fields, during excursions, at performances. “The

are things I will always be grateful for,” she says. “Continuing rewarding.”

These sentiments are echoed by past students, Ruby Parry and Caiti Wade, who completed Year 12 in 2013 alongside

Tessa. Each of these women are teachers, pastoral carers and coaches.

“The fact that three of us from 2013 have all come back to work as teachers at Clarendon is a testament to our

wonderful student experience,” says Caiti, who teaches

Mathematics. “I returned to Clarendon, after teaching in

Queensland, because my experience at the school was so

– students, parents and staff, in the boarding houses, on community is definitely the most rewarding part about

working here. The school has fostered an amazing culture where students and staff are encouraged to learn and to

follow their passions, which makes it an incredible place to work,” offered Caiti.

It is rewarding and humbling to watch these Old Collegians

as they make a difference in the lives of the next generation. Their time as students, the encouragement they received,

the passion fostered and the values instilled are now being reinforced and shared with their own students.

positive. I was inspired to become a teacher by my teachers

and wanted the opportunity to work in an environment where I would be encouraged to continually develop my practice.”

Learning Through Experience: Grammar Sleep Out Raises Awareness Words by Ballarat Grammar.

The Weather app said it ‘felt like’ minus nine degrees on the

This important context lent an extra layer of learning to the

the school’s annual ‘Kurt Hahn Sleep Out Challenge’ in August.

experience of homelessness.

night when forty Ballarat Grammar students participated in

challenge, and helped the students more easily imagine the

The challenge, first held six years ago, was the brainchild

The sleep out challenge at Grammar is named after Kurt

a popular annual activity ever since. It involves spending

only really understand issues by putting themselves in the

of the school’s Round Square committee, and has been the night at the school in unheated areas such as the

school gym, with sleeping mats and sleeping bags, trying

to experience a night of sleeping rough, as many homeless people do in Ballarat each night.

During the night, students have a homeless shelter style

dinner of soup and a piece of bread. They aren’t allowed

to use their mobiles and are moved three times during the

Hahn, a German educator who believed students could

shoes of others. As headmaster of Salem School in Germany during the rise of Hitler, Hahn was forced to leave Germany for Britain where he founded Gordonstoun school with Sir

Lawrence Holt. He also founded an international organisation

of schools called Round Square, of which Ballarat Grammar is a member school, and was also involved in the foundation of the Outward Bound organisation.

night to attempt to replicate the experiences of those who

"There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to

purchase supplies and bedding which are then donated to

settle for less." - Kurt Hahn

are homeless. The students also visit Stockland Wendouree to UnitingCare the following day.

This year the challenge began with a talk and Q&A session with Warrick Davison and Kate Dharumasena from

UnitingCare Ballarat. Warrick and Kate spoke about some of the experiences of people in their programs. Kate manages

UnitingCare’s ‘Street to Home’ program and was able to share some of the ways people find themselves in a homeless situation.

see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to Grammar students find the challenge an excellent way

to learn more and consider the experiences of those less

fortunate, igniting their creativity and imagination about what can be done to assist. Additionally, the challenge helps to

embed a service ethic within Grammar students so they can learn to make ongoing contributions to their communities. UnitingCare Ballarat appreciates all donations – any item

donated is passed on and utilised by someone in need.

OPEN MORNING 9-11am, Friday 8 November 2019 (Ballarat Show Day) All campuses open, including Centre for Early Education, Junior and Senior Schools and our Mt Rowan Farm Campus Registration is not required. More information: bgs.vic.edu.au, or contact Admissions on (03) 5338 0830 or admissions@bgs.vic.edu.au

bgs.vic.edu.au

BALLARAT AND QUEEN’S A N G L I C A N G R A MMA R S C H O O L

Music at the Gallery It’s a season of music at the Art Gallery of Ballarat this spring with seven ticketed concerts during the months of October and November. Styles range from the traditional,

Internationally renowned 10-string

Haydn and Mozart, to the jazz of the

has toured with The Buena Vista Social

with the Seraphim Trio performing

Ben Winkelman Trio. The Ballarat Arts Foundation will be presenting an

evening with opera legends Peter

Coleman-Wright and Cheryl Barker,

while Matthew Fagan performs tango and flamenco on guitar. Full details and tickets at the Gallery website artgalleryofballarat.com.au.

Read on for a full list of events. ELISABETTA GHEBBIONI AND FRIENDS 15 October 2019, 7.30 pm Italian harpist Elisabetta Ghebbioni is a Professor of Harp at the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory of Music in Venice.

The glorious sounds of Ghebbioni on

harp combine with the sweet tones of

violinist Nicci Della, violist Lawrie Jacks,

and cellist Miriam Kriss as they present

virtuoso guitarist Matthew Fagan, who

9 November 2019, 7.30 pm

Club and Billy Connolly, and flamenco

On this special Australian National

with Opera Australia, Vic Opera and

the Seraphims will be collaborating with

Theatre Company. The two combine

Alexander.

dancer Laura Uhe who has danced

Academy of Music (ANAM) Artists tour,

The Antonio Vargas Flamenco Dance

a superb next-generation violist, Martin

musical passion and dance in an

exciting innovative new performance. Tickets: Adult $30, Concession $25, AGB Member $25, FT Student $20, Family

(2A&2Ch) $60 – available at the Gallery website.

THE SONG COMPANY: NINETEEN TO THE DOZEN

31 October 2019, 7.30 pm

Adult $42, Concession $38, Member

$36, FT Student $25, Child (U15) $10 – available at the Gallery website.

PETER COLEMAN WRIGHT AND CHERYL BARKER IN CONCERT

22 November 2019, 7.30 pm Enjoy a joyous and uplifting evening

with international opera stars Cheryl

Barker AO and Peter Coleman-Wright

A tapestry of nineteen compact

AO as they are joined by their friend and

composers playlisted against

a concert of love, lust and heartache to

commissions from Australian

colleague, pianist Wendy Rechenberg, in

fragmented miniatures from each of the

support the Ballarat Arts Foundation.

last twelve centuries.

Tickets $120, Concession $108, AGB

a romantic program including works

Adult $42, Concession $38, Member $36,

Member $108, BAF Member $108 Tickets

Nikolaus Moritz Mostler and Heitor Villa-

by Edward Elgar, Camille Saint-Saëns, Lobos.

Tickets: Adult $30, Concession $28,

Member $25, FT Student $15, Child (U15) $8. Tickets available at the Gallery website.

MATTHEW FAGAN: ESPAÑA EL VITO: GUITAR AND FLAMENCO DANCER 19 October 2019, 7.30 pm Experience the romance and passion of tango and flamenco.

FT Student $25, Child (U15) $10. Tickets

available at the Ballarat Arts Foundation

available at the Gallery website.

website or at the Gallery front desk.

NEW YORK JAZZ: BEN WINKELMAN TRIO

LATITUDE 37: THE APOTHEOSIS OF

2 November 2019, 1.30 pm Ben Winkelman is a Melbourne-born

CORELLI

30 November 2019, 7.30 pm

jazz pianist and composer based in

LATITUDE 37 is an exciting baroque trio

described by Downbeat as “one big,

by their passion for historically informed

New York City whose music has been

whose members were drawn together

interconnected thing of beauty”.

performance of 17th and 18th-century

Adult $25, Concession $20, AGB Member

music.

$20, Jazz Club Member $20. Tickets

Adult $39, Concession $29, AGB Member

jazzseries.com.au or at the door if not

website.

available from Ballarat Events at www. sold out.

SERAPHIM TRIO WITH MARTIN ALEXANDER

$27. Tickets available at the Gallery

Ben Winkelman

Elisabetta Ghebbioni

Latitude 27

EUGENIA LIM: YELLOW PERIL JANE — BURTON: THE SUNKEN GARDEN 24 August–27 October 2019 Presented by the Art Gallery of Ballarat as part of the Ballarat International Foto Biennale 2019 Image: Eugenia Lim New Australians (Yellow peril 1980/1950) 2015, screen print on mylar emergency blanket. © Eugenia Lim

Loreto College Open Days Wednesday 16 October 2019 9.00am - 12.00pm Tuesday 4 February 2020 9.00am-12.00pm

Applications for Year 7 2021 enrolments close on Thursday 6 February, 2020 at 4:00pm

www.loreto.vic.edu.au 62

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nothing makes me prouder than telling people, I go to Loreto.â&#x20AC;? -Current student

Batch’s Design Consultations By Jules from Batch's Furniture.

“Buy once and buy well” certainly rings true when it comes to

furniture and interior design products. While it may sometimes seem a little extreme to factor in the pricier high-quality items, in the long run you will find that it makes sense to invest in the best you can afford.

Our trained stylists at Batch's Furniture can visit you at home,

or work from photographs and floor plans. They'll offer expert

advice and guidance, providing you with mood boards, colour palettes, furniture recommendations and a final proposal that

These services can range from styling a complete interior for you, or simply freshening up targeted zones within the home.

At the end of the day, your home should be your sanctuary, a place to unwind, escape and recharge. It should reflect you and all that is important to you.

To book an in-home consultation or to simply chat to one of our design team, call Batch’s Furniture on (03) 5339 9023 or email sales@batchs.com.au

will bring your dream home to life.

As experts in the field, the Batch’s team can guide you through all the important design decisions for your home helping

to reflect both your style and practical needs. From helping

you select the correct sofa fabric to leading you through the

To see more styling tips visit the Batch's Instagram page @batchsfurniture or website www.batchs.com.au

styling process, we understand the challenges associated with decorating and renovating your home.

Advanced Cabinetry Celebrating 20 Years in Business Questions by Lisa Taylor. Pictures by Ange Hayward.

From where did Advanced Cabinetry come? What’s your origin story?

Advanced Cabinetry was born in October 1999 from Clint’s

passion for the cabinet making industry and desire to create a professional cabinet making business. Since completing

his apprenticeship crafting fine furniture and honing his craft

across a number of business and projects, it became evident that starting up our own business was something we needed to do and, just like that, Advanced Cabinetry was formed.

For the first couple of years, Advanced Cabinetry operated out of a small garage that consisted of second-hand machinery,

a drafting board and one dog, but before we knew it, demand increased and all of a sudden, we were employing our first apprentice. Since these humble beginnings, we’ve now

moved into a purpose-built factory to support the ongoing

growth and our focus to become a truly professional designled kitchen company became clear.

We currently employee 30 skilled staff and work out of

a modern 2000m2 manufacturing facility with a kitchen

showroom. We service Western Victoria & Western Melbourne

these skills, however ongoing Business Management and

Personal Development training is key in running the business operations now.

It definitely took time and we always learnt from our mistakes, thankfully none of them were too big!

Establishing a reputable name within the Ballarat community, that already had a lot of choice in terms of the number of

Cabinet Making businesses, was certainly a challenge, but

our offering has always remained the same. We are all about the customer experience, and over time, word has spread throughout the Ballarat community.

Twenty years in business is an impressive feat! What are your hot tips for this kind of longevity?

Be surrounded by good people, provide opportunities for

them to grow and always look to improve. Over the years we have dealt with lots of different people, be that staff, clients, suppliers, and probably unbeknownst to them, every one of them has put their mark on Advanced Cabinetry.

and earlier this year we opened a Showroom in Geelong to

But also - be prepared to ride the highs and the lows, take

service the greater Geelong region.

lessons from the lows and celebrate the highs!

Along the way, we have always focused on small steps

Are there any trends you have been (or will be) glad to see

to grow the business and nurture our people. From the

unpretentious origins of one person doing everything by hand and using second-hand machines, to working with a great

team of people with all the latest software and machinery is

something we don’t really reflect on as often as we should, to be honest.

What were some of the challenges you faced in the early days of doing business?

General Business Management, with no previous experience, was a steep learning curve.

Completing an apprenticeship does not set you up with

the end of?

Trends in kitchen colours are no different from trends in fashion, everything does a full circle. As kitchens are so

personal and we customise to our clients’ needs, no two kitchens are the same and what you may love, the next

person may want something completely different. But our

main focus remains on design & functionality. Obviously, a lot has changed over the 20 years we’ve been in business and

we are looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for the kitchen.

Owners Tanya & Clint

Manufacturing plant

What have been some highlights from the last twenty years?

How are you planning to celebrate your twentieth year?

There’s no way I can list them all! There’s honestly been too

Most likely an extended lunch break and share in some cake

Watching staff grow is so rewarding and seeing their potential

What does the future hold for Advanced Cabinetry?

many to mention, but I’ll try to give you a few...

before they can. Becoming the professional, design-led

business we set out to be. Employing apprentices and having them develop into tradespeople and then move into other

roles within the business. Winning industry awards and being

then get back to what we do.

Our motivation comes from designing and making beautiful kitchens, we intend providing our offering to as many customers as possible.

recognised for the work that we do has certainly been a

And finally, what services do you provide & how can our

highlight.

readers get in touch?

And being able to give back to the community that has

We design and manufacture custom cabinetry for our clients

involvement with the Ballarat Foundation with the Advanced

sectors. Specialising in Kitchens and all your cabinetry needs.

supported Advanced Cabinetry is a big thing for us. Our

Cabinetry Fund has sponsored several local community projects over the years and we will continue to do so.

in the Retail (renovation/new build), Trade and Commercial You can contact our office on 5332 7040, pop into either of our Showrooms at 134 Fussell Street Ballarat or 19 Church Street Geelong or log onto our website www.advancedcabinetry.com.au

Connect with Carly Tell us a little about yourself… I’m a Ballarat born and bred gal, who spent 15 years of my

life as a Chartered Accountant before making the switch to

concentrate solely on Yoga and Meditation teaching. Behind the scenes, my husband and I are raising two incredibly exuberant boys who love all things motorbikes, football and dirt!

Most surprising fact about you? People often perceive a meditation and yoga teacher to live a life full of rainbows and unicorns, where days are simple

and carefree. It was, in fact, the stark opposite that lead me to this lifestyle. Looking back I’ve always lived with anxiety but it

came to a crushing reality several times in my early adult life. I experienced some debilitating breakdowns and for many

years, my days were hindered by anxiety. I became a student of yoga in an attempt to relieve that and it certainly helped, but it wasn’t until I delved deeper into meditation that the

torments of anxiety sustainably ceased and life became a lot more consistently joyous.

So that was the impetus to switch career paths? Once I entered the realm of yoga and meditation I just felt

really misaligned in my corporate work. It was a sense that

was hard to articulate in words, but I knew I wanted to be of greater service to people.

I wanted to share the practices that so immeasurably

changed my life. But I also had this desire to merge the two

worlds. There is still such a perception that meditation is only for hippies and spiritual folk, but I believe that meditation

has never been more worthy of consideration for all of us.

My mission is to make meditation mainstream; offering the practice to any and all - the stressed corporates, those grappling like I was with ill mental health, children and

adolescents to help them navigate this fast-paced world, anyone really who wants a calmer and more fulfilled life. So, what exactly is meditation? Meditation is a form of brain-training. It’s a mental process

that induces the relaxation response in our nervous system. The relaxation response is what triggers rest and recovery, enabling us to recover from fatigue, release stress, and

positively impact our brain, immune system, and overall

wellbeing, it is the physiological opposite of the ‘fight or flight’ response.

phone 0424 397 720 website www.connectwithcarly.com email hello@connectwithcarly.com

Fight or flight is supposed to be our survival mode, but where, unfortunately, a lot of us are living our day-to-day lives.

From the state where we are hyper-aroused and always on; to the fact that we are constantly pushing through our days with no time to stop, rest, recover and simply be.

Meditation equips us to better meet the demands of life with greater vitality, resilience and adaptability.

What are some of the benefits we could expect from practising meditation?

Meditation triggers rest and recovery and develops a

protective mechanism within us against the negative impacts of stress. We can also experience enhanced self-awareness, attention, memory, self-control and capacity to learn. And find ourselves with increased positive emotions, reduced

anxiety and depression and heightened present moment awareness.

And can meditation completely transform our wellbeing? I liken meditation to taking us back to the effervescent

flourishing humans we were born as; reacquainting with those qualities and enabling us to thrive rather than merely survive in this life. Meditation infuses every single aspect of our lives. Our relationships with others can become more meaningful and connected, we can experience less fear and worry, and

What are your favourite things to do around Ballarat

and surrounds that invoke a sense of calm or contribute positively to your wellbeing? In a word? Nature! Getting outside and tapping into that sense of belonging

to something much greater than myself always leaves me feeling lighter in the mind and fuller in the heart. Plus, did I mention those young vivacious boys we have? They love being outdoors and I absolutely encourage that for their

wellbeing. So we spend a lot of time at footy ovals kicking the ball, riding mountain bike trails or walking through the bush around Mt Helen, where we live.

I leave the husband to do the motorbike riding with them,

although there is talk of me getting a motorbike too... I’m just not quite sure yet if I’m ready to fully embrace the dirt and mud as much as they are!

Carly offers Learn to Meditate courses where, in just 3 short

sessions, you learn a simple meditation technique that can elicit rapid and profound benefits. These courses can be

conducted privately or in small groups. After the course you will be a self-sufficient meditator but with lifetime support and guidance from Carly, and perhaps a little community will spring up along the way...

life just feels like it flows more.

@grow_my_baby

Personal Care. Beautiful Babies. Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist www.drmoloney.com.au P: 03 5332 9940

Wholefood Simply Recipe and photography by Bianca Slade. Bianca Slade originally hails from Penshurst, a quaint

country town in Victoria’s Western District. However, for several years now, Bianca and her family have called beautiful Ballarat home.

Bianca has become well known online for her

simple and delicious recipes and under the guise

of ‘Wholefood Simply’ has had ten books published. In addition to Wholefood Simply, Bianca is also a passionate Food Photographer and Food Stylist.

You can view her recipes, photography gallery and cookbooks at www.wholefoodsimply.com and her

Facebook and Instagram under the name Wholefood Simply.

76A Mair Street East, Ballarat 03 5331 5684

Some of our brands:

Almost Instant Caramel Popcorn Ingredients:

Method:

•

¼ cup raw weight popcorn, popped

While your popcorn is popping add the

•

3 tbsp peanut butter

•

2 tbsp maple syrup

•

1 tbsp coconut oil, melted

•

1 tsp vanilla extract

•

¼ tsp salt

peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla and salt to a bowl and stir until the mixture is smooth, runny and well combined.

Pour the mixture over the popped popcorn and stir to combine. Eat and enjoy!

Introducing Hot Temple

Ten years ago, I was training for the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon,

Sessions are 30 minutes, and calories burned can be

parts of the course. In the lead-up, I was introduced to Hot

challenging, but we encourage beginners to go at their own

known for its brutally hot conditions, reaching up to 50ºC on Yoga and indoor training, with my heater pumped to max

temperature, to begin to acclimatise to the kind of conditions I would be facing. Outdoor training in Ballarat winter - not exactly setting the scene.

I was amazed to see the results I was getting from this kind of training. Since then I have been studying the effects of

anywhere up to 900 per session. Yes, our classes are pace - no need to be intimidated!

We currently offer hot cycle, hot kettlebell warrior cycle, hot

pilates cycle, hot flow cycle, hot hiit pilates, hot pilates, hot hiit sessions, personal training, mum and bub warm classes and hot yoga is coming soon!

training in the heat and purchased a home exercise sauna four years ago. It’s incredible how a minimal amount of

training in the sauna can achieve results that would take so

much longer outside. This kind of training maximises athletic performance, burns extra stubborn fat fast, charges up your metabolism and creates total focus in the mind.

Soon I was thinking… How can I share this? How can I offer

these kinds of results in my fitness studio? And I came up with the idea of turning the room into a giant sauna. Reaching

42ºC from infrared heat, creating an environment that gives

clients the mix of benefits from a sauna session and exercise session combined.

The idea quickly became a reality, and with the help of my

brother, Matt, Hot Fitness Temple was born. The first heated indoor training studio in Australia. And by introducing the cycle bike to our hot room, we have created the most effective and efficient group workout available.

Visit www.hottemple.com.au to learn more, see timetables or to book your class!

Our So Soft Rocky Road Ingredients ***

Method

•

So Soft Jumbo Marshmallows

Cut the jumbo marshmallows in half

•

100g Turkish Delight

and Turkish Delight side-by-side* in a

Cut into bars to serve.

lined with non-stick baking paper.

marshmallows and Turkish Delight aren't

• • • •

(one packet)

15g freeze-dried strawberries ** 80g pistachios

50g dried cranberries

800g cooking chocolate (your choice of milk or dark)

Sprinkle with the remaining pistachio and freeze dried strawberries.

horinzontaly. Arrange the marshmallows

Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.

lightly greased 20cm x 30cm slice tin

*Make sure the gaps between the

Sprinkle over the cranberries, some of

too big so the chocolate isn't too thick.

dried strawberries (retain some to

gourmet food stores.

the pistachios and some of the freeze

** Find freeze-dried strawberries in

sprinkle over the top).

*** This recipe can be changed to suit

Melt chocolate in a bowl over boiling water. Pour the chocolate over the

marshmallows mixture and gently tap the tin.

your taste! You do not need to add the exact amount specified.

Note: You can store rocky road in a cool, dark place for up to one week.

Road Tripping Great Britain As far as iconic landmarks go, can you go past the British Isles?

Cindy from the Holiday and Cruise Centre recently returned from an epic three-week jaunt around the UK. Starting in

London, Cindy’s trip was a veritable who’s who of bucket list encounters from get to go.

Top of the list was Buckingham Palace, the changing of the

guard, the Tower of London with the Crown Jewels, Kensington Palace and the surrounding gardens.

A visit to the capital wouldn’t be complete without a ride on the London Eye. While the giant ferris wheel is a now-

familiar sight in major cities around the world, the Eye offers spectacular views over London and surrounds and is highly recommended as a first stop to get your bearings and see some of those magnificent buildings from the air.

Next up - Westminster Abbey. Stepping inside the Abbey, you can feel the centuries of history; Poets’ Corner is where you

will find the graves of Kipling, Chaucer and Browning; Charles

Dickens and Isaac Newton are also entombed at Westminster. London is the home of live theatre and any number of

musicals, plays and pantomimes can be found in the West

End. Why not check out the Mouse Trap by Agaatha Christie?

Did you know it’s the longest-running play in London with over 27,000 performances to date?

Words by Holiday and Cruise Centre.

Heading north out of London, Cindy embarked on a relaxing train ride up to Edinburgh. The UK has a very extensive rail network, allowing you to see the countryside without the

hassle of dealing with the traffic. Rail Passes are the best way to go and are a very economical mode of travel.

Majestic Edinburgh Castle towers over the city of Edinburgh

and is home to the famous Edinburgh Tattoo held every year in August. Cindy recommends a wander along the Royal Mile in the historic heart of Edinburgh, which is packed with things to see and do, from museums to shopping to eating and drinking.

Car hire is an easy option in the UK, as they drive on the same side of the road as us and all the signs are in English, making navigation a breeze. Cindy collected a car in Edinburgh to embark on a Scottish and English countryside adventure, taking in Inverness and the mysterious Loch Ness (no

monsters, alas!) along with some rugged Highland villages. Scotland is the home of shortbread and whisky, and with

distilleries dotted all over the north, you’ll never be too far from

a “wee dram”. For lovers of Walker’s Shortbread, Aberlour is the place to go!

Harry Potter fans from around the world flock to the “Harry Potter Railway”, which is in fact a real train travelling from

Fort William to Mallaig. The official name of the train is “The

Jacobite” and is one of the most recognised and spectacular train journeys in Britain. A ride on the iconic train was one of Cindy’s absolute highlights.

Heading south, one must-see is Loch Lomond and the

picturesque village of Luss, which is located on the west bank of the Loch. Back into England and down to the Lake District, famous for, well, lakes, you can visit Wordsworth’s grave in

Grasmere and try some of the tasty Grasmere Gingerbread. Take a boat ride on Lake Windermere and ferry across to the

other side of the lake to go to Hawkshead and Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop House. The wonderful Beatrix Potter lived in this area

and wrote “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” over 100 years ago. A visit to her home at Hilltop Farm will transport you back to your childhood.

Wanting to see some ruins? Then the spectacular Fountains Abbey is a must-see. Built in the 12th century, it is one of the

largest and best-preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in

England. Located in North Yorkshire, plan to spend a few hours wandering around the ruins and water garden.

Next up, Yorkshire and the Dales. Stop in the spa town of

Harrogate to “take the waters” and refresh yourself after all

that driving! Drive through the North York Moors to Whitby and

climb the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey, cited as an inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Check out the Captain Cook Memorial Museum and learn about his life in Whitby.

Travel tips Independent touring: Car hire, rail, accommodation & day touring can all be pre-booked and pre-paid in Australian

dollars which can help with budgeting and save money. If

driving, be sure to leave the motorways behind and discover the beautiful backroads and countrysides of the United Kingdom.

If you prefer to have everything taken care of, then a coach tour is an easy option. Touring has changed, with a great

range of small group touring options now available. Albatross Tours offers the “Best of Britain” small group 16-day tour.

With a maximum 28 passengers, lots of included extras plus

leisurely 2 and 3 night stays, it’s a lovely relaxed way of seeing the sights of Britain

When to visit the UK: An umbrella is a must anytime of the year, with the days

warming up nicely May to September. Tourist numbers are

generally bearable year-round, making both summer and the off-peak months pleasant to visit. Best time to book: They say the early bird gets the worm. Spring is the perfect

Last but certainly not least, the pretty villages of the

time to start planning your 2020 adventure with early booking

churches and stately homes. This picturesque part of England

Holiday and Cruise Centre.

Cotswolds. See the rolling hills and thatched medieval villages,

offers being released now. For more information contact the

has been the backdrop for many a TV show and movie set.

About Town

Shots from our launch of Uncover Magazine! With a delicious grazing table from

Workshop Cafe, donuts from Vegas and Rose and kombucha-tini from Daylesford and Hepburn Mineral Springs co we launched our new look mag in style!

Our latest kitchens on display SHOWROOM

WINNER 2018 HIA Western Victoria Kitchen of the year

WINNER 2018 HIA Western Victoria Renovated Kitchen $30,001 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $50,000

134 Fussell Street Ballarat East Weekdays 9-5, Saturday 9-3 T. 03 5332 7040 advancedcabinetry.com.au CDB-L 27264

Helping Ballarat's Vulnerable Kids Many kids in the Ballarat community are faced with

One charity that is making an enormous difference in our

recent data has found that 1 in 5 children in the Ballarat

nursery equipment, clothing and other essential items for

challenges that make their start to life a real struggle. Sadly, area start school developmentally vulnerable, which

profoundly affects their education and lifelong learning. It is a disheartening fact that so many kids in Ballarat aren’t getting the basic things they need to ensure a decent start in life.

Luckily, Ballarat is filled with amazing and wonderful people who are committed to making a change and there are so

many people in our community willing to make a difference to these young kids’ lives. The Ballarat Foundation is working

hard to connect these people, who want to make a difference, to the people who need help the most. This November, the

Ballarat Foundation will once again host Run For A Cause, with the emphasis this year on raising funds and awareness for

charities supporting early childhood; to help young children start school ready to prosper.

The Ballarat Foundation will partner with several charities

and community groups to help direct funds and awareness straight into the homes of children who need it the most.

Words by Ricci McGreevy.. Pictures by The Courier, Ballarat.

community is Eureka Mums. Eureka Mums sort and redistribute babies and school-age children experiencing hardship in the

Ballarat region. Last financial year, they supported just short of 2,000 babies and children in our community.

Operations manager of Eureka Mums, Trinsa Lewis, comments on some of the problems families with young children are

facing, “The cost of safe nursery equipment is often an issue

for families struggling financially. Brand new, these items can cost at a minimum $950 just for a cot with a mattress, pram, and car seat. These are three essential items that enable a

child to safely sleep and be transported to mothers’ groups,

playgroups/kinder and Maternal Health nurse appointments. It allows them and their parents to engage in their community.” Eureka Mums also run an essential program to assist young children to prepare for school, which is called the Tools for Schools campaign.

This was started in 2016 to help ease some of the financial

The paediatric programs will ensure disadvantaged children

comments, “The cost to set up a child for their first day of

therapy and counselling. While the toy library, kindergartens

burden that comes with the start of the school year. Trinsa school can be quite expensive. By providing our Tools for

schools bundles we are able to eliminate some of the cost. But these bundles do not just remove the cost of starting school but also place these children on an equal footing

with their peers. They have new items to take to school, a

matching lunch box is a great conversation starter for a new child and will enable them to establish friendships.”

Having appropriate baby equipment and school gear is

obviously imperative for young children to thrive but being

engaged in the community is another important factor. The

Australian Early Development Census taken in 2018 found that 20% of children aged 5-6 were developmentally vulnerable in several key areas. Those developmental domains were

physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills and communication and general knowledge. Involving young children in

playgroups and social play opportunities and ensuring that they attend key health check-ups is crucial. As a result, the

Ballarat Foundation has also partnered with other key early childhood programs to directly support young Ballarat children with funds from Run For a Cause.

Along with Eureka Mums, Eureka Community Kindergarten

have access to health services such as oral health, speech and playgroups are essential programs to deliver effective

learning and play environments to increase the confidence and skills of children to help school transition and school readiness.

Ensuring the success of young children in our community is

such a complex issue and seems like an impossible task. But for most people in Ballarat, its as simple as putting on your

running shoes. Run For a Cause 2019 will be held on Sunday 17th November at Victoria Park and will have the fun and

vibe of a local community event while, at the same time, will have a course designed by world-class marathon runner

Julian Spence. This year, Julian has included a half marathon to complement the 10km, 5km and the kids’ events, to run

through the iconic green spaces of Victoria Park and Lake Wendouree.

Run For A Cause 2019 offers something for everyone including runners, walkers, families and those starting out on their

fitness journey. And, of course, its all for a great cause! Get out

running or walking and help young children in Ballarat prosper at the same time.

For more information head to run4ac.org

Association (ECKA), Uniting Ballarat Paediatric Clinic, Ballarat Toy Library, Ballarat Community Health Paediatric Clinic and Playgroup Victoria will all benefit from funds and awareness raised from Run For a Cause 2019.

Cutters Chair now offers a specialised b a r b e r i n g s e rv i c e CALL NOW TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BARBER, HARRY LAMB

P: 5332 6638 A: 173a Victoria Street, Ballarat W: www.thecutterschair.com.au

BARBER SHOP OPENING HOURS: W TH F S

10 10 10 10

TO TO TO TO

7 8 6 3

The

cutters chair BARBERING + HAIRDRESSING

The Art of Restoring Smiles By Face and Smile.

For people with troublesome dentures, or who have lost, or

are losing teeth, a well-established dental innovation exists

to restore your smile. Called ‘All-on-4’ for short, the All-on-4® treatment protocol is an advanced, minimally invasive technique.

As the name suggests, four supporting dental implants are placed in the jaw, then a complete arch of strong naturallooking teeth are attached. An entire smile restoration of

upper and lower teeth can be achieved in as little as one day. This patented All-on-4® treatment was invented by

Portuguese dentist, Professor Paulo Malo, in conjunction with dental implant company, Nobel Biocare.

Internationally acclaimed for decades of pioneering implant research, and determined to improve traditional oral

rehabilitation methods, Professor Malo is truly one of a kind. His world-renowned MALO CLINIC, established in 1995, has

since expanded to 22 countries. Today, more than 60 certified

treatment teams perform All-on-4® surgery to Professor Malo’s strict excellence and quality standards.

Since personally learning the All-on-4® protocol under

Professor Malo’s expert tutelage, Dr Brian Johnston of Face &

Smile in Ballarat has performed this ground-breaking surgery for six years with a high success rate.

Indeed, Dr Johnston knows all too well the life-changing

impact of such restorative dental procedures: “The patients I

see for All-on-4® are usually at the end of their tether. They’ve struggled with deteriorating teeth and low self-esteem for a

long time. As a result, they suffer poor health and that affects their quality of life.”

As MALO CLINIC expands operations into Australia, Face

& Smile are honoured to be the Western District exclusive

Victorian branch; treating patients from Ballarat, Geelong, Bendigo and Western Victoria.

On a recent trip to Portugal, Dr Johnston had the pleasure of

reconnecting with his respected mentor, colleague and friend. “My family and I had the wonderful opportunity to tour Paulo’s expansive vineyard and wine-making business, Malo Tojo;

another industry where he’s applying his unstoppable intellect and making a mark.”

“What Paulo has achieved with MALO CLINIC for oral

rehabilitation research and innovation has improved the

lives of countless people worldwide. He’s an icon of modern dentistry and we’re extremely proud that Face & Smile has been chosen as a certified MALO CLINIC partner”

Dr Johnston presents regular All-on-4® Information Evenings in Western Victoria for anyone interested to learn more.

The sessions are free; simply book via Face & Smile’s website: www.faceandsmile.com.au

Pico Laser

By Australian Skin Face Body.

Pigmentation and uneven skin tone are a challenge for many

PICO is one of the most popular facial rejuvenation

treatments. But, this clever technology does not only offer skin

you’ve always wished for.

people. That’s why our patients are raving about PICO laser rejuvenation, it is also a superior tattoo removal system. PICO skin rejuvenation. PICO Enlighten III™ is remarkable break-through laser technology that targets uneven skin texture, hyper-

pigmentation, brown spots, age spots and minimises open pores. It’s an entirely new approach to skin revitalisation. Everyone’s skin contains a substance called melanin. It’s

what gives our skin its colour. When melanin occurs in high

concentrations, it can result in brown spots. PICO technology

uses laser light to selectively shatter unwanted pigmentation and remodel the upper layer of the skin to return balance, clearance and radiance to your skin.

In an exciting development, PICO is also used to treat

melasma, which is traditionally difficult to treat. Common during pregnancy, it is often referred to as the mask of

pregnancy (chloasma). While the patches of pigmentation

sometimes fade after pregnancy, for some women melasma remains an issue. Birth-control pills, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and UV light from the sun can also trigger

melasma. While some women cover melasma patches with make-up, PICO now offers effective management of the condition.

treatments and may be the answer to the vibrant, healthy skin PICO tattoo removal. PICO Genesis Enlighten III™ is also a superior tattoo removal system.

The system efficiently breaks down ink particles, removing

tattoos more efficiently and effectively than traditional tattoo removal methods. It has the power to clear all ink colours,

variable ink particle sizes and densities. It may be used on any skin type, including darker and Asian skin tones.

Treatments take 20 to 30 minutes. No skin preparation is needed and it’s a relatively painless procedure. There’s

generally no downtime. Your dermal clinician will discuss with

you desired results and how many treatments will be required. PICO‘s unique ultra-short laser pulses, picosecond and

nanosecond, deliver photomechanical shockwaves that shatter pigment and stimulate remodelling of the upper layers of the skin to achieve visible improvements. The technology targets pigment without causing thermal damage to the tissue that surrounds it.

PICO is designed to give patients, who may have had poor experiences with other lasers, the results they want.

Australian Skin Face Body is one of the very few Skin and Laser

The treatment is suitable for ALL skin types and can be used

on the face, décolletage, hands and other areas of the body.

Clinics in Australia to offer PICO Enlighten III™.

Visit asfb.com.au for details or contact the Skin & Laser Clinic tel: 5339 9099 *individual results may vary

WE ACT FOR YOU AND NOT FOR THE INSURER

Garden State Insurance Brokers is a locally owned insurance brokerage company that has been established in Ballarat since 1991.

About Garden State Insurance Brokers We work closely with our clients and their core business partners, which includes accountants, financial advisers and solicitors, to provide insurance programs that meet our clients needs. Through our extensive experience and connections, we provide our clients with access to a wide range of insurance products, specialist resources, and competitive prices. As a committed partner, you can rely on us to deliver outstanding service, competitive pricing and expert assistance in the event of a claim.

Why should you use us as your insurance broker? In a climate where society is becoming more litigious, financial products more complex, regulation and statutory obligations more onerous, and threats to your wellbeing and livelihood more prevalent (for example, theft and cyber attacks), it is more important than ever to ensure your insurance is adequate for your business and lifestyle. With Garden State Insurance Brokers, you will receive the knowledge, expertise, representation and service that sets insurance brokers apart from the direct insurance companies.

AS YOUR INSURANCE BROKER, WE WILL Act in your best interests and not the insurance company's

Help you to arrange, acquire and maintain your insurance for all kinds of personal and business risks

Help you to assess and manage your risks and provide advice on insurance products and solutions appropriate for your needs

Act as your advocate in the settlement of any claim made under your insurance policies.

21 Lydiard Street South, Ballarat

Phone: 03 5331 8059 www.gsib.com.au

What We Know About Endometriosis

By Dr Michael Bardsley.

In 2018 the Federal Government released a National Action Plan for Endometriosis, highlighting the current problems we face in dealing with this condition and laying down a

5-year strategy to try to improve awareness, treatment, and research.

It’s incredible to think that for a condition which affects 1 in 10 Australian women (and 176 million women worldwide),

that we still don’t have a clear idea of its cause. The original

theory (that menstruation spills backwards through the tubes, and the cells can then implant on the surfaces of the pelvis to cause endometriosis) was proposed in 1927! Ongoing

research suggests that there is some truth in this but there

are multiple other factors, which explain why the cells implant only in some individuals. There is a lot of work still to be

There is a great deal of surgical expertise required to treat

done, but hopefully, with the renewed focus provided by the National Action Plan, progress will be made.

deep invasive endometriosis – surgery can take many hours

The OGB approach to endometriosis comes from years of

preparation is vital to achieve the outcomes needed. Often

on occasions, and a meticulous approach in planning and

experience dealing with the condition, and reflects best

the surgery is done to assist with infertility treatment, and

practice around the world. Whilst advanced laparoscopic

our specialist doctors and nurses in this field have many

surgery is an extremely important part of our treatment there

options available for treatment following the initial surgery.

are many other issues to consider – these include age, fertility,

OGB patients will always be thoroughly assessed prior to all

associated symptoms, previous surgeries, and multiple

treatment being undertaken, and this includes discussion,

individual factors as well.

detailed examination, and a detailed ultrasound, which in our hands can help to predict the extent and location of disease.

We have developed a collaborative approach to treatment

with colorectal surgeons, urologic surgeons, pain specialists,

Beyond initial surgery and fertility treatment, women with

pelvic floor physiotherapists, psychologists and alternative

endometriosis require ongoing help and support and this is

medicine practitioners all contributing when necessary

also an important part of our approach.

in an effort to help our patients as best as we can. This

We are proud of the OGB expertise in treating endometriosis,

multidisciplinary approach is now seen to be the gold

and continue to work hard to offer world-class care.

standard for care.

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Ballarat is the Largest Obstetrics Practice In Western Victoria. Under the care of our specialists and practice midwives, we offer both Obstetrics and Gynaecology services to the Western District. We welcome patients to our modern clinic located in Howitt Street, Wendouree.

Dr Russell Dalton Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Dr Michael Bardsley Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Dr Michael Carter Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Dr Katrina Guerin Gynaecologist

Dr Chantelle Stubna Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

p 03 5339 8100 • www.ogballarat.com.au

info@ogballarat.com.au • 1105 Howitt Street, Wendouree, Victoria 3355, Australia

Obstetrics Gynaecology Ballarat

Must Reads Too Much Lip by Melissa Lucashenko Too Much Lip is a dark comedy, revolving

But too quickly, Kerry discovers that

in the fictional community of Durrongo, on

holding onto people. Old family wounds

around an ordinary Aboriginal family living the mid north coast of NSW.

Protagonist, wise-cracking Kerry Salter

has spent a lifetime avoiding two things – her hometown and prison. However,

Kerry is fleeing from a string of warrants

and a lover who she abandoned during a botched robbery. On a stolen Harley,

she returns to her old home, where her

Bundjalung country has a funny way of open as the Salters fight to stop the

development of their beloved river. And more trouble brews for Kerry with the

unexpected arrival of a good-looking

dugai fella - trouble tends to follow Kerry. Too Much Lip is gritty and darkly hilarious,

an excellent read and a total page-turner.

Pop, Owen, is dying. Her family are up to their necks in domestic violence, anger,

alcoholism and... family secrets. She only plans to stay for twenty-four hours, tops.

Taking Tom Murray Home by Tim Slee Taking Tom Murray Home is based around

Dawn will take his body via horse and

that raises awareness regarding the

to Melbourne, where he was born, but

the ingenious premise of a funeral-protest pressures facing dairy farmers from banks, supermarkets and the cult of cheap milk.

Bankrupt dairy farmer Tom Murray decides he’d rather sell off his herd and burn down

his own house than hand them over to the

bank. But something goes tragically wrong and Tom is accidentally killed in the fire. His wife, Dawn, doesn’t want him to die

for nothing, so decides to hold a funeral procession for Tom as a protest.

cart on a five-day journey from Heywood on the night of their departure, someone

burns down the local bank. As the funeral procession passes through Victoria there

are more mysterious arson attacks. Dawn

has five days to get to Melbourne before the police can impound the coffin and force her to bury her husband.

Along the way, the entourage attracts

wanted and unwanted attention, a colourful medley of characters and a sizeable

following. Tom’s twin children, Jack and

Jenny, are united in the belief that their dad is still alive.

Let your mind wander... Mon - Thrs Friday Saturday Sunday

9:00am - 5:30pm 9:00am - 8:00pm 9:00am - 5:00pm 10:00am - 5:00pm

22 Lydiard Street, Ballarat, Vic 3350 Ph: 03 5331 7411 82

On Lydiard

On the Big Screen

Ride Like A Girl

Judy

Charlie’ Angels

Frozen II

RELEASED 26 SEPTEMBER

RELEASED 10 OCTOBER

RELEASED 14 NOVEMBER

RELEASED 28 NOVEMBER

Directed by Rachel Griffiths

Starring: Renee Zellweger,

Directed by Elizabeth Banks

Starring the Voices of –

Starring – Teresa Palmer, Sam Neill

Ride Like A Girl follows the

true like story of the first ever female jockey to win the

world famous “Melbourne

Cup”, Michelle Payne. Born and bred in the Ballarat region Michelle story is

brought to the world in this fantastic film, showcasing Ballarat and it’s riding

heritage. This is a MUST

SEE film for every Ballarat

Jessie Buckley, Rufus Sewell & Michael Gambon

Legendary performer Judy

Garland arrives in London in

the winter of 1968 to perform

a series of sold-out concerts.

Starring: Namoi Scott, Kristen Stewart, Elizabeth Banks,

Sam Claflin, Patrick Stewart & Djimon Hounsou

Reboot of the 2000 action comedy based on the

1970s television series. A

new generation of private detectives working for the mysterious Charlie.

Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel,

Josh Gad & Jonathan Groff Disney follow up one of their most successful animated film with a sequel – Frozen II. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf

and Sven leave Arendelle to travel to an ancient,

autumn-bound forest of an enchanted land. They set

out to find the origin of Elsa's

powers in order to save their kingdom.

resident.

Wastewater Systems Words by Heather Armstrong. Picture by Ange Hayward.

While recycled water is a product of waste, it is certainly not a waste product. It is a highly valuable resource that is a key to sustaining water resources into the future.

Wastewater is the generic term for all the effluent and grey

The business provides a service for anyone building,

toilets, laundries, bathrooms and kitchens.

treatment plant. A domestic/commercial treatment plant

water produced inside your home. It includes the outflow from The average household uses 100-150 litres per person every day.

The Main Sewer Drain leads away from the house, with a gradient so the wastewater and solids flow through it by

gravity. If you live in a city or township, the Main Sewer Drain will usually connect to a municipal sewer running past your property.

However, if your home is in a non-sewered area, the drain will usually end at one of the following: •

wastewater treatment system

•

septic tank/soakage trenches

How could we save water, save the environment and save money?

Wastewater Systems Pty Ltd, based in Ballan, has the solution. Wastewater Systems is a family owned and operated

business. Kevin Nolan, founder and director of Wastewater

Systems, has lived most of his life in Ballan with close ties to

the community with over 4 decades of experience, beginning with Kevin Nolan Plumbing, before establishing Wastewater Systems Pty Ltd. He is now the largest Fuji Clean distributor

in Victoria and works closely with all shires to fulfil customer requirements.

Kevin has been involved in the installation of commercial and domestic units throughout Victoria specialising in the design and construction for EPA approval for over 20 years.

renovating or looking to upgrade their current septic tank or is an ideal option for customers not connected to the local sewer or their previous septic/tank or treatment plant has failed.

Wastewater Systems Pty Ltd holds an integral part in

the history of wastewater recycling with over 20 years of experience in the treatment of wastewater. The Aerobic Wastewater Treatment System (AWTS) unit digests all

wastewater and sewage within the household and allows it to be redistributed within the boundaries of your property.

This system allows for the clean disinfected wastewater to

be recycled below ground throughout your garden or lawn area. The water is disinfected to international health and environmental standards.

Installing a wastewater treatment plant allows water to be used twice--initially inside the house and then outside in

your garden area—therefore protecting and conserving the environment.

Kevin Nolan brought Biocycle into Victoria and has been

continually researching the latest wastewater technology to ensure he is installing the most reliable system available.

The system uses accelerated natural biological processes to purify all wastewater passing through it, which is then

pumped out through garden irrigation. This clean, odourless, disinfected water is recycled through garden drippers or sprinklers or through sub surface irrigation systems.

Installing a Fuji Clean treatment plant means that the

The Rhizopod System is an up and coming wastewater

through a 6-stage process, allowing the treated water to be

where there is heavy clay soils present, high water tables,

household sewage is treated onsite by bacteria and aeration recycled to garden or lawn areas.

The system has three focal points: Recycle. Retain. Reset. The water is recycled by recirculating the water through a

filter medium where aerobic bacteria is cultured. Pumping

oxygen into the chambers and circulating the effluent around and through the filter medium stimulates the bacteria, making it safe to use on gardens.

All water that passes through the filter is retained in the tank long enough for the filtration process to take place.

As the water is pumped out it passes through a chlorine unit where bacteria that is present is destroyed. The irrigation

process is carried out by a pump which is activated by a flow

system. This system is designed specifically for difficult sites bores and waterways nearby or your block is too small to fit a house and wastewater treatment system on.

All Wastewater Systems are sold directly to tradespeople at

a wholesale cost. Currently over 600 customers are assisted with their treatment plant services as far away as Torquay, Stawell and the Western Regions of Melbourne. Service

technicians carry pumps and materials on board for the convenience of customers.

The lightweight design allows for easy installation and servicing and blends effortlessly into any backyard. Visit www.wastewater.aus.com.au or contact

info@wastewater.com.au for more information

switch. This resets constantly ready for the next surge of water from the clarification chamber.

latinu Sales Enquiries

Main OďŹ&#x192;ce

More Information

Nick Gornalle Sales Consultant Mobile 0417 036 366

Telephone (03) 5333 3881

mcmasterhomes.com.au info@mcmasterhomes.com.au

714 Sturt Street Ballarat VIC 3350

Build Your Dream Home Pictures by Gregory Karslake - Inside Look Photography.

McMaster Homes is a family-owned, Ballarat based building company established in 1986 by Tony McMaster. Today, Tonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two sons Simon and Emerson join him; sharing his passion for creating contemporary homes inspired by a love for relaxation and entertaining. Every home we build is the result of countless hours by our Design and Building Team, with a single goal in mind, to deliver a home featuring innovative design, high-quality specifications and finishes at a competitive price.

Over the years we have adapted the style and finishes of our homes and pushed the

boundaries to create homes that our clients will be proud of. Many of our clients build

their first, second and third homes with us and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing we love more than when the next generation comes and builds their first home with us too. Where is this house located? 16 Shortridge Drive, Lucas. What colours and furnishings have been selected for the interior of this home? Together with our Interior Designer, Cindy Jones, we created a space that is both relaxed and sophisticated. The use of modern materials, clean lines and a cool monochrome

palette is cleverly contrasted with an array of features, such as the spotted gum panelling to the entry and Dulux Maiko feature walls to the Master Bedroom.

We are also delighted to showcase artworks through the

The Platinum family is available in various sizes and layouts.

have created stunning pieces which complement our home

and adding new products. We have a smaller 25-square

home, by local Artists Corina and Jack of Wyatt Art. They

beautifully. We love their work and they love hearing from you, so please do say hello at their studio in Grenville Street.

Keep checking our website, as we are continually updating version of the Platinum and a Hamptons inspired façade coming soon.

Where did you source the inspiration for this design?

What is your favourite feature of the house? And why is this?

Our goal with the Platinum was to strike a balance between

The minute you step inside the home and through the

compromising on the look and feel of a sophisticated home.

into each other. Varying ceiling heights play tricks on the mind,

offering a home suitable for modern-day living without

Incorporating the media into the living area and a servery window to the outdoor entertaining area encourages interaction with the family regardless of the activity!

We are inspired by architectural movements, interior

designers, the fashion industry and new trends. We enjoy the

L-shape entry there is a seamless bond as the spaces flow

adding drama and character to the home while contributing

to the open airy feel. What really impresses is the central living space, presenting a spacious lounge and kitchen with servery window connecting to the outdoor entertaining space, it is truly an entertainer’s dream!

challenge of incorporating these new looks and ideas into our designs, creating an architectural feel at an affordable price.

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Let’s partner today, so you can grow tomorrow. Busin e ss Par tn er s i n Accounti n g an d Busin e ss Ad vis or y. Your success i s our busi n ess.

Applications are only limited by your imagination! The enormous rise in popularity of DecoGlazeTM Glass Splashbacks and Coloued Glass Wall Panels comes as no surprise. Architects, Designers, Developers, Builders, Joiners, Office Fitters and Home Renovators are incorporating DecoGlazeTM Glass Products into their projects as: • • • • •

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All products are measured, manufactured and installed only by the DecoGlazeTM Team! Craig Geddes

Rob Martin

p: 0422 109 595

p: 0481 178 919

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Victoria Office www.decoglaze.com.au

What is the best thing about building your own home through McMaster Designer Homes?

The benefits of choosing a local builder may not be obvious at first, but having built homes in the local area for over 30

years, our tradespeople are trusted locals, ensuring quality workmanship and peace of mind. Being local means there

is direct communication, local knowledge, local trades and shorter build times.

Our homes and packages are clearly priced and loaded with extensive inclusions all bundled into a fixed price contract. Building a new home is exciting and we want you to enjoy the experience, so our team will make it stress-free and

What’s your top tip to people building their first home? The process of building your first home doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

A vital part of the journey is arranging for pre-approval of a

loan. Once you know your borrowing capacity you can work out what is the right block of land and house for you.

We specialise in turnkey home packages for first home buyers, including all the essential home inclusions, coupled with

eye-catching facades. When you choose to build with us, you

can rest assured, knowing that you will receive a great quality home at a great price.

rewarding.

TREATMENT PLANT SPECIALISTS SALES | INSTALL | SERVICE | MAINTENANCE of all domestic and commercial wastewater systems

155 Inglis Street, Ballan 3342 1800 020 093 - info@wastewateraus.com.au

From Sheep to Showbiz By Leigh Edward from Ferndale Confectionery. Picture by Ange Hayward.

After 18 years working with MARS Confectionery, my father

With the urbanisation of Delacombe, the lonely Ferndale

The year was 1994.

major farming precinct is now boxed in on three sides, with

decided to build a factory to manufacture sugar-free treats. With little money, but a very clear idea of what he wanted to build, Bruce needed to find a plot of land that was flat,

residential homes up against our back fence. Who would have thought?

serviced and away from the hustle and bustle of the town

I laughed when I heard Cherry Flat Road was going to be

noise, but more importantly, Bruce needed a piece of land

including Woolworths, Bunnings and Dan Murphy’s. This part

centre. As with any factory there would be trucks, possibly that would never prohibit expansion.

A local earthmoving contractor, Paddy Kennedy was doing a

subdivision on some farming land that he owned at the back end of Delacombe. Paddy and Bruce agreed on the terms of the sale and with that, Bruce built Ferndale Confectionery’s home in 1995 at 5 Paddy’s Drive Delacombe. The site was

perfect, no traffic, no houses and thousands of acres of clear farmland on all sides for future growth.

I enjoyed spending time at Ferndale during my school

holidays, firstly, because I loved working in a lolly factory, but

the new home for some of Australia’s biggest retailers,

of Delacombe was still the Delacombe of old; sheep and

cattle, and every winter the road would be submerged as all the water from the surrounding valleys drained to the

lowest point. This used to provide hours of entertainment as we watched the cars try to tackle the floods, many coming

to grief. While this still does occur, today’s kids prefer to keep warm in the state-of-the-art Showbiz Cinemas.

The local council and planning department often get a whack for their lack of vision or foresight into the future, but rarely do they get commended on a job well done.

secondly, I could walk outside and scratch the horse's nose

I was one of the critics that thought the Delacombe Town

the 2000 head of sheep that surrounded the factory.

data showing the Woolworths at DTC is in the Top 20 stores

over the back fence or feed my leftover sandwich to any of

I would often ride my pushbike up to the BP Diner on Latrobe Street to get one of the biggest ‘small’ pizzas known to

man. I remember watching one of the Elders stock agents

(nicknamed Whitey, from memory) drive a herd of fat lambs

Centre would struggle to survive. Recently, I saw some sales in the nation. The carpark is nearly always at capacity and

the centre continues to grow as the vacancies are fast filling

up. Having one of Australia’s largest Bunnings stores recently open certainly helps the cause.

down Carngham Road, straight into the yards for the sales

The amount of development that sleepy old Delacombe has

yards were only 4kms from the farm where these lambs were

on effects to the wider Ballarat community are immense,

later that day. There was no need for a truck, after all, the

raised, and with only the odd farm ute on the road, it was

easier to rely on the trusty Kelpie to get the flock to the yards. The year was 2001, and I was 16.

I clearly remember a horse stud on the left-hand side of

Wiltshire Land between Whitelaw Avenue and Greenhalghs

seen in the last 20 years cannot be underestimated. The flow particularly around job creation, improved infrastructure

and public transport. The area is showing no signs of slowing down, with three major housing projects currently under

construction and numerous big retailers wanting their piece of the pie, many with plans already approved.

Road. The owners were always so proud of the white post

I believe development and progress is essential for the

remember the bulldozers moving in and flattening the whole

of 20 short years is a testament to that. The year is 2019, and I

and rail fencing that lined each of the paddocks. I also clearly place. As avid horse lovers, Dad and I thought the world had gone mad.

Over the years that followed we witnessed hundreds of

houses pop up on either side of Wiltshire Lane, often in record time.

factory that was once a solitary structure in the middle of a

economy, and what Delacombe has witnessed in the space suspect we are only are only at the beginning.

With a solid vision, strong plan and appropriate resourcing,

anything is possible. We should all be very proud of what has already been achieved in a sleepy corner of our great city.

Exploring Creative Industries Words by Sofia Fiusco.

I am sure, as teenagers, many of you spent many hours with

However, Virtual Reality is not just used in video games, but

to squeezing objects into tight spaces as “tetris-ing”. And

experiences for their customers or clients. Students at BTS

those pesky plumbers, the Mario Bros, or maybe you still refer maybe this love of digital gaming is a big part of your life, and now you’re part of that tribe who calls themselves “gamers”.

Or maybe, just maybe, you no longer have any idea what all the fuss is about.

Gaming, virtual reality and E-sports are all changing the

way in which we interact, create online communities and

experience multi-million dollar events. Did you smile, or shake your head when you heard about Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf

winning millions of dollars at the Fortnite World Cup this year? Do you even know what Fortnite is?

it is changing the way in which businesses create immersive enjoy exploring space, venturing inside the bloodstream and fixing cars virtually.

Casey facilitates the VR Scene Maker Program, providing students with hands on experience in creating and

customising their own game levels which can then be

played using the Oculus VR headset. Students learn how

game engines are used to produce games, how to navigate through UE4, create new projects, import new assets from

the marketplace and how to use those assets to design their levels.

Just in case you have no idea what we’re talking about…

Feedback from students has been outstanding, reiterating

and released in 2017. Fortnite Battle Royale became a

they’ve only ever played in is fantastic,” with many never even

Fortnite is an online video game developed by Epic Games resounding success, drawing in more than 125 million players

in less than a year and earning hundreds of millions of dollars

per month, and has since become a cultural phenomenon. So - the Fortnite World Cup is... yep, you guessed it, a competitive video game tournament - or what the kids call “E-sports”.

Students who undertake game design and virtual reality (VR)

that “being able to develop new skills in an industry that

thinking about how a game works or that they could make a

career in it. This program is often the first opportunity students have to explore the vastness of the gaming industry and

learn about career pathways encouraging them to push the

boundaries with today’s technology and opening their minds to potential opportunities available through games.

programs at the Ballarat Tech School have the opportunity to

We recently held our 2nd E-sports competition with our local

who has more than 5 years experience in developing video

with students competing in teams over a series of rounds to

work alongside Casey Thomas, CEO of Dark Shadow Studios, games and has designed a VR compatible drone racing

game for E-sports called Drone Legion. Her entrepreneurial

nature has seen Drone Legion showcased at Marvel Stadium and Rod Laver Arena, and at the 2018 Melbourne E-sport

Open, attended by more than 12,000 people who had the

opportunity to play Drone Legion and race against the Chiefs

E-sports Club, an internationally recognised Oceanic E-Sports team.

partner schools, the interschool comp running after school, get to the final. This comp was live streamed on Twitch, the world’s leading live streaming platform for gamers.

In 2016, Ballarat’s creative economy was valued at $747 million and employed almost 2,000 people. What possibilities does the future hold?

To learn more about Dark Shadow Studios - DSS visit them on Facebook

To connect to the Ballarat Tech School contact

Sofia Fiusco Director on 0417469768 or via email s.fiusco@federation.edu.au

EXPLORE THE GOLDFIELDS REGION

Bees with Backpacks What was the first thing that popped into your head when you

The sensors are 2.5mm x 2.5mm in size and weigh around 5

in a giant bee costume complete with backpack (or is that

ant!

read that headline? OK, now remove the image of a person just us?) and imagine an actual bee, with a teeny-weeny technology sensor (aka backpack) instead.

At the Ballarat Tech School, we have partnered with Backyard

Beekeeping Ballarat and the CSIRO to develop an exciting new learning program – all about bees!

Local Beekeepers Scott Denno and Amanda Collins, who

milligrams each, about the same amount as a large worker Each backpack is a tiny sensor, which records the honeybees’ activity as they enter and exit the hive. Figuring out where the bees spend their time, how far they travel and what they are

doing has traditionally been almost impossible, but this global project allows us to contribute data to a worldwide research project and monitor their movements and the environment.

manage both backyard beehives and a small number of

Typically, honeybees are social insects that return to the

backyard Beekeeping Ballarat in 2015. Backyard Beekeeping

Any change in their behaviour indicates a change in their

migratory hives throughout Central Victoria, established Ballarat is an integral partner in this program, as their

involvement allows us access to a local beehive and industry locals.

Honeybees have been on the Tech School agenda since we

same point and operate on a very predictable schedule.

environment. If we can model their movements through the data we will be able to recognise activity change. Students will be able to interpret the data, track local bee data and

recognise variations in activity and respond to data change.

commenced operation, as much of the food we all enjoy

The opportunity to work with real-world data deepens

without apples or chocolate. Miserable right? Now you’re

Bryla, an APAC Technology Evangelist, reports, “Data literacy is

wouldn’t be possible without pollinators. Imagine a world interested!

Honey Bees are our most important pollinators, a key part of the food chain and essential to food security. They are

the world’s most prolific pollinators of food crops, with bees contributing billions every year to the global economy.

Healthy bees are a sign of a healthy agricultural industry, not just locally, but nationally and globally.

In December 2018 we commenced placing “backpacks”

on honey bees in Amanda and Scott’s backyard hive using beehive “gateway” and sensor technology provided by the CSIRO.

Words by Sofia Fiusco.

students’ level of inquiry and scientific communication. Mac

a new language, and we all need to be fluent in it. With data everywhere, it will become the means of communication

between IT and business, between the citizen data scientists and the domain experts.” Learning how to critically evaluate, review and interpret data is an essential skill for students as they progress into their future pathways.

Visit backyardbeesballarat.com.au to learn more about our local beekeepers. To connect to the Ballarat Tech School contact Sofia Fiusco Director on 0417469768 or via email s.fiusco@federation.edu.au

BTS, in collaboration with local industry, is proud to be investing in shifting the perception of STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics by providing students with access to mentors, experiences and skill development that enables them to explore STEM experiences which will go on to inform their future subject and career choices. Lucy Waddington, FYA* reports that “women make up only 16% of Australia’s STEM fields and that’s a problem.” Research shows that role models have a positive impact on girls’ perception of STEM subjects and their capabilities. In 2019 our Girls in STEM theme is… “you can’t be what you can’t see”. *The Foundation For Young Australians

03 5327 8080 Visit: ballarattechschool.vic.edu.au Ballarat Tech School Building K – SMB Campus 136 Albert Street Ballarat Central

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