free monthly JUNE 2015
STOP! ESSENTIAL CAFE READING
Geelong West Newtown people places property fashion
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NEWS on pako
ENCOURAGING ENTREPRENEURS: Mayor Darryn Lyons with St Joseph's students.
Testing ideas in the shark tank ST JOSEPH’S in Newtown was the launchpad for the daunting sounding – shark tank for kids. Loosely based on the popular TV series where up and coming entrepreneurs pitch
their ideas to hardnosed business types, the initiative – otherwise known as the Upstart Challenge - started at St Joey’s four years ago. It has since expanded across the Greater Geelong region and is
now an independent not for profit organisation with the aim of inspiring the next generation of global entrepreneurs. Last month Mayor and local businessman Darryn Lyons was at the
college to launch this year’s challenge which will see Geelong region high schools compete for cash and prizes. The free program, which aims to encourage youngsters to develop business ideas,
runs from May-August with events taking place outside of school hours and culminating in a business industry dinner on 13 August. It is open to students in Years 7-12 as well as school staff to form teams and enter
their Big Business Ideas. In 2015, there are already 12 high schools involved in the Upstart Challenge including six state schools. For more information visit www. upstartchallenge.com.au
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NEWS on pako Guess who?
Any ideas who this well travelled young fella is? Turn to page 29 to find out.
Pastor Kathy Downes with illustrator/ceramic artist Kara Dean and crochett and textile artist Cathy Slarks, who plan to put their work on sale at the Makers Market at the Geelong Vineyard Church.
Cover girl THIS month's cover girl is Geelong West's Nancy Zammit. A big fan of the styles found at Second Mode, Nancy tells us a bit more about herself on page 31.
Makers take a pew PAKO locals might have noticed that there has been lots of work being done to the beautiful old bluestone church opposite the Geelong West town hall. As well as a new
slate roof and stone restoration to the outside, the inside is being painted and will soon be carpeted and the pews have been removed, revealing a wonderful open space.
The Geelong Vineyard Church has the lease on the building and they are using it for their church gatherings and ministries. They are opening it up as a Makers Market on the
second Saturday of every month, from 9am to 2 pm. The f irst Market will be on Saturday June 13. For more information go to www.pakomarket. com.
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PEOPLE of pako Sharing the art of looking sharp THE Resident Barber has finally arrived – and he’s parked outside the King of the Castle in Pakington Street. The Resident Barber is the creation of Josiah Munday; a talented Geelong local who has been in the hairdressing industry for seven years. But it’s the interest he’s developed in good old fashioned barbering, specialising in mens cuts and styling, that
has got folk talking. After being inspired by the restoration of a retro caravan, Josiah decided to put his skills to work and launched into a new concept, a 1960’s caravan fitted out as a classic barbershop with a modern twist – the region’s barber shop caravan. Offering classic men’s cuts and shaves, The Resident Barber also educates guys about how to look sharp.
“I wanted to create a space where men could come and relax, bring a mate, have a beer and get their hair cut and styled. I want to encourage guys to look sharp and show them a few tricks along the way,” said Josiah. Book online in a few easy steps at www. theresidentbarber. com.au or stop past the van located at 24 Pakington Street, Geelong West.
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A science
FOR just shy of 30 years Oxygen Music, or Monea Music School as it was formerly known, has been thriving and jiving. Originally opened as a tuition school, Monea was founded by Dominic Monea and his three brothers. It wasn’t until 2010 when the College was born. Henceforth, the college, Monea music school and its retail outlet consolidated under the name Oxygen Music. I met with
Dominic to hear about the history and philosophy of the organisation. “We believe music and creativity to be a life source... and the college’s inception was to give the students who learnt with us the next step into transforming their skills into a career.” The transformation was a harmonious one and the addition of the College’s vocational training saw an influx of 400-500 students per year, yet controlling
the growth was the main concern during the expansion. “Reputation is everything, and it’s so easy to lose reputation when you don’t maintain quality. When you grow too quickly it’s difficult to maintain quality, we didn’t wanted to sacrifice this and we wanted to make sure we could preserve what we initially set out to do”. In 30 years however, the spectrum of interest in music has expanded, and O2’s largest growth
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LEARNING legends Oxygen College by Jack Cameron
out of art area, electronic music production, is what sets it apart from other colleges and music schools. Oxygen offers a specialised program through an accredited course in Ableton, a digital workstation and music sequencer, and has extensive computer labs to cater for it. Aside from the beat labs and the extra facilities established with the emergence of Oxygen’s college, the complex has preserved its composition since
its debut. “When we began we wanted to create a facility that was second to none, and a ratio of students to facilities that allowed studios to always be available for use to students. We still maintain what we set out to create”. A misconception however, would be to think that O2 is limited to sound. With the 2010 expansion came two of the college’s primarily subscribed courses, photography and art. “The classes are
very popular, mainly with adults who have had a passion but for work or family reasons haven’t been able pursue it”. Such courses were made possible with the creation of photography studios, art rooms and galleries to accompany them. It’s encouraging to see how much art and music resonates within our community, and curiosity remains as to what the next notes we hear from Oxygen will be.
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NEW on pako
Plea for Pix venue MORE than 3,500 people have signed a petition calling on Village Cinemas to allow Pivotonian Cinema to use the old Pix cinema for showing documentaries, foreign films and arthouse movies. Currently a covenant is stopping Pivotonian from running the Pix in Elizabeth Street as a cinema. Pivotonian needs to move after it quickly outgrew its Geelong West Ukranian Hall venue. So far the organisers say they have been unable to get a response from Village which has the power over the covenant. Local lawyer Andrew Senia
Pivotonian have had big succcess using the Ukranian Hall in Pakington Street but now they need more space.
has been working Pro Bono for The Pivotonian in an attempt to broker a deal with Village. Mr Senia’s tireless work
follows attempts by Bernadette Uzelac, CEO of the GeelongChamber of Commerce to arrange meetings
with Village's upper management in Geelong Meanwhile the Pivotonian has launched a Pozible
crowd‐sourcing campaign in an attempt to raise $30k to contribute to a new fit out, wherever that happens.
“Whether we ultimately end up having clearance to renovate and reopen the Pix, or if we have to fit out one of three
other short‐listed sites for us to move into permanently, the build is still going to cost anywhere between $60‐$150k and therefore, our Pozible campaign is crucial in establishing a permanent cinema for Geelong regardless of the venue,” said a spokesperson. A Pivotonian is an old name for the people of Geelong – known in the Gold Rush era as Pivot City. You can pledge to the campaign online at http://pozi.be/ pivot For more information on Pivotonian shows at the Ukranian Hall, see www. pivotcinema.com.au.
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NEW on pako Surfcoast Wholefoods at the Shed by Jack Cameron
On the organic wave JUST two months ago Tim and Annabel Reiter surfed the wave of organic demand all the way from Torquay to Geelong. “Pako is a really nice area, quieter and slower pace than Torquay. So once the ideal location became free, we jumped at the opportunity”. The ideal location, of course, being directly
next to Box Office Cafe which happens to be run by friends of Tim. Though it wasn’t only the renowned childhood dream to post up next to your pals that enticed Surfcoast Wholefood’s expansion of a second store from the primary in Torquay Central. Tim set to out to cater to the tide of healthy
dieting and organic consumption sweeping over our city, and noted “the second store reduced travelling time for existing customers allowing them to come in every day rather than once a week”. Tim and Annabel cater to the idiosyncratic consumers and organic hipsters by staying ahead of the game.
“With a couple of exceptions, if a supermarket ever gets our produce in, we will get rid of it, we’re always phasing out products and getting new ones”. The ambitious duo, and their two kids, hope to invoke a sense of respect for our environment whilst promoting healthy eating. The tight
philosophy is symbiotic with their goal of education. “People always want to know more about specific products or nutrients and what they can do differently if they have certain needs”. It’s for this reason that the Surfcoast staff are those studying nutrition or naturopathy, or
have a passion thereof, facilitating the store’s ability to incorporate and distribute innovative produce. What does the future hold for SCWF other than the perpetual cycle of new foodstuffs? I don’t know.. I can’t tell you guys… Maybe something juicy
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PEOPLE on pako A love of sharing design inspiration FAMILY is at the centre of one of Newtown's home renovation supplier successes. Although starting in Smythe Street Geelong tiles and Bathware is now firmly at home at West Fyans Street on the edge of Newtown. Amazingly the business has only been going for eight years but in that time it has grown from a team of two into a team of eight. The founders were Joe and Trish Flanjak and Goran and Melinda Skoko. Trish and Melinda are first cousins. Each of the team has brought special skills to the organisation. Joe is a builder, Trish
ran commercial construction projects, Goran was an engineer at Ford and Melinda is a graphic designer. Melinda explained how this Geelong family owned and operated business began. “While we renovated our first homes we came across a business in Melbourne that offered everything we needed in one spot. This inspired us to bring this business model to the people of Geelong, as there wasn’t anything like that eight years ago when we started. “We all had careers in the building and design industry when we first opened our store in Smythe Street.
The shop grew in momentum and we all happily left our careers and haven’t looked back. We have grown consistently over the years and are very passionate about what we do.” Melinda said they wanted to create an environment that was easy for people to choose the latest trends in tiles and tapware. “We love being inspired and passing on that inspiration to others.” The business has grown year on year, mainly by their customers’ word of mouth. “We have catered our business to suit the needs of many different markets.
From a budget home renovation, commercial building to a luxury dream home. Our showroom displays thousands of samples of tiles, tapware, vanities, sinks, mixers, mosaics and natural stone for each of these budgets.” Outside of business the team share a passion for family, fashion, design, sport and building and support many local businesses and charities in Geelong. “Our aim is to make the building process as simple as possible. We offer all services through our business to complete their project. Our name Geelong Tiles and Bathware is who we are and what we do.”
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Gallery 'Best of Boom'
BOOM Gallery has three upcoming exhibitions, all running from May 14 to June 6. The opening took place in the middle of May. The gallery will be working with local wineries in 2015 to offer complimentary drinks at all of its openings.
Above: Group Show work by Ngaio Lenz.
Philip Cordingly / Disparate Companions / Are we there yet? Colour, tone, line and object intersect in Philip Cordingley's work to entice the viewer into a dream
space. Colour becomes a psychic signpost, line leads you away from the plane of limited potential into the forest of possibility, while words interrupt well-trodden paths and objects delight in their confusion. After 35 years as a designer, graphics producer and head of graphics at ABC, Philip is now a fulltime artist. Philip creates paintings and works on paper, thematically based on his sense of place, the effects of isolation,
contradiction and change. "Overall, my work makes reference to the ambiguity of language, social history, the graphic purity of symbolism and that of mark making. I often incorporate text, typography and cartographic elements and am interested in the interplay of bold colour and geometric forms, interchangeable positive and negative space in combination with textural and linear contrast." Summary: Bold colourful paintings
with geometric forms, interchangeable positive and negative space in combination with textural and linear contrast. Meredith Earls / Moonscape Island After a successful solo exhibition in 2013, Meredith Earls returns to Boom with her whimsical collaged landscapes. A Graphic Designer by trade, Meredith's artwork allows for a more personal artistic exploration, her works on paper are dreamy and beautiful.
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ARTSabout
hosts a show series "My recent work explores imagined landscapes. I use collage to create dreamscapes that burst with colour and strange plant life. They are calm, utopian places that possess an odd perfection, sometimes giving them a sinister undertone. I like to think of these landscapes as a magic eye view to places that exist but cannot be seen. The places in-between moments. The views we might encounter if we knew where to look. I scour
op-shops and second hand stores to source my materials. I love the qualities of old print processes, with their over saturated inks, thick paper and grainy printed images. I also love the discovery that this process creates- as though the landscapes come together serendipitously." Summary: recent works using collage to create dreamscapes that burst with colour and strange plant life. Boom Group Show / Recent work from popular Boom
Artists Boom has invited Gallery favourites Glen Smith, Emily Besser, Shelley McKenzie, Shane Drinkwater and Ngaio Lenz to exhibit new work as part of this curated group exhibition. Each artist in their own way explores representation through abstraction, using colour, line and form. Summary: Boom Group Show - A dynamic selection of recent paintings and mixed media work from popular Boom Artists.
Above: Group Show works by Emily Besser and Shane Drinkwater. Below: En Bloc by Philip Cordingley and Group show work by Glen Smith.
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GRUBguide FABRETTO BROTHERS, 14 Pakington street Geelong West
Follow @grub_guide_geelong on Instagram
Bros oozing coolness HELLO again fellow foodies. It's been a little while since I've been on these pages, but hopefully you have been following my whereabouts on Instagram @grub_guide_ geelong. I have been enjoying the warm weather overseas and eating my way around Thailand. But enough about me, let’s talk about Geelong. I’ve noticed a lot of new and great cafes and restaurants popping up. One in particular has caught my eye, that being Fabretto Brothers, located on the west end of Pakington Street. Fabretto Brothers is an Italian inspired espresso bar that is also a boutique roaster and retailer. The espresso bar is small, quaint and oozes cool for all those hipsters who love a decent coffee. On a particularly cold day we headed down
there to warm up with a hot drink. We ordered a beautiful Italian hot chocolate which was of a thick consistency that would make anyones mouth water. Their coffee is exceptional, made by Francesco an Italian born man who thrives on making delicious coffee. The menu is small and simple serving boutique coffee, imported Italian hot chocolate , tea , cold drinks, and there is no extra charge for soy or almond.
Fabretto Brothers serves a small amount of food, such as soup, during winter, tasty Italian style Panini’s, Italian biscuits and healthy treats. They stock local tea company Leaf Tea Geelong as well as sweet , healthy treats from Earth Angel Pantry. The team here is small and tight knit , which is what I love about local businesses. We got to meet Ben Fabretto who is the owner of Fabretto Brothers, he told us all about how,
when and where the beans were roasted which is done weekly and locally. Bags of beans are located within the espresso bar and they vary in price depending on how much you want to buy. They currently have a mobile coffee van to cater for corporate events, private functions and social gatherings. At the moment Fabretto Brothers is open from 6am-2pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 7-2pm, perfect for the early morning riser
wanting coffee. If you haven’t been there yet, I cannot tell you how much you to head down there. You will not be disappointed. The décor is simple and quaint with pops of colour in the building, a unique bench sits at the front of the shop where you can people watch and check out what’s happening on Pakington Street. Until we meet again foodies , have fun indulging around Geelong.
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info@barefootmedia.com.au l 0400 721185
corporate photography styled food photography lifestyle photography
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PROPERTY BOARD Family home in the heart of Geelong West
74 Albert Street, Geelong West $840,000 Selling agent: Colin Tucker 0412 432 452 Jodie Bliss Real Estate
FULLY renovated, extended and manicured from the front door to the rear boundary, there is nothing left to do but move in. Beautifully appointed throughout with high quality f ixtures and f ittings this is a home that is truly a property that any young family can grow with and enjoy for a lifetime.
Leave the car at home as schooling, sports amenities, public transport and the cafĂŠ lifestyle is right at your front door. Generous in proportions the front end of this stunning home comprises four excellent sized bedrooms (master with huge walk-inrobe and ensuite), second living/study
area, well-appointed family bathroom and separate WC (one of three). The rear extension to the home is a glorious sun-f illed open plan kitchen, dining and lounge that spill out on to the north facing rear entertaining deck which overlooks a magnif icent inground swimming pool.
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OUT&about By Montana Griffiths-White
Left: BrianVeysey on his plot.
Hidden garden offers an oasis HAVE you ever dreamed of a sweet, spacious garden, but had neither the skills nor the backyard to produce one? Well you’re not alone. Luckily a local initiative has been answering peoples’ calls, with a not-for-profit community garden right around the corner. Tucked in the back of the bustling city, the Geelong West Community Garden (GWCG) offers 34 plots for members of the community, in an effort to promote sustainable, healthy living and bridge
the multigenerational gap. Established in 1985, the initiative offers local workshops to members, who pay a small fee of $35 per annum, as well as a minimum of 10 hours “active support” in working bees and gardenbased projects. There is a working outdoor kitchen and a pizza oven, chicken coops (shared amongst plot owners) and a tranquil corner to sit down after a long day of hard work. And situated right down the road from Pakington Street, this garden is
gaining popularity as each year progresses. Meeting the coordinator David Hoey, I was given an inside look into the successful garden, just up from West Park on Autumn Street. Spreading over a generous estate, the plots housed flowers, vegetables and fruit trees for local residents, with lush green leaves proof of the members’ dedication and hard work. Decorated with local mosaics by Helen Miller, Hoey, proudly exclaimed that it was the “oldest community garden in
Geelong.” And with 30 years already under its belt, the project has no plans of slowing down. Speaking also with Brian Voysey, 3-year member of GWCG, I was surprised by his great enthusiasm, eagerly shoving his hand into his homemade compost to show me his precious worms and soil. Having been on the list for 3 years before being accepted, Voysey knows how lucky he is to be a part of this initiative, and urges more people to become sustainable and garden, especially young
people. “There are not really many families here.” Voysey says, “Right now it’s mainly older people. There’s a bloke who’s 85, but I’m 66 and there’s a man who’s 35.” Having already been “at the other one in Grovedale”, the gardener thinks “there should be more (community gardens) around Geelong.” And he’s not wrong. At the moment, there are only six gardens within the Geelong region, with GWCG’s waiting list outweighing
the amount of members at present. The Geelong West Community Garden has both paved the way for healthy, sustainable living and fuelled a popular hobby for 30 years. Providing an oasis among the hustle and bustle of Geelong city life, this garden is set to continue to inspire generations of Geelongians. Contact David Hoey at geelong westcommunitygarden@ hotmail.com to get yourself on the waiting list.
Geelong Aquatic Centre Family Owned & Operated
INFANT & PRE SCHOOL AQUATICS Child studies at Griffith University QLD prove that infants and preschoolers who participate in learn to swim programs from an early age are physically and cognitively ahead of their peers. Our Infant classes offer the first initial and vital step in your child’s learn to swim journey A fun, explorative and special time for infants, the classes are 30 minutes long in the comfort of a heated, saltchlorinated pool For a limited time we are offering a FREE trial class for new infant & pre school children If you would like to accept the offer and would like more information please contact the centre 3 Bridge Street, Newtown Ph: (03) 5222 5530 admin@geelongaquaticcentre.com.au www.geelongaquaticcentre.com.au
FREE CLASS TRIAL
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A lifetime of travel BORN and Educated in Pakistan, I started my travel career in the 1960’s with Pakistan International Airlines at Lahore International Airport as a ground hostess, looking after all the world’s dignitaries on their arrival into the country. Being in charge of all the VIP handlings, I met the head of the countries and states, as well as the rich and famous from all walks of fame such as Queen Elizabeth, Jackie Kennedy and Shah of Iran. In the late sixties I moved to London and worked for Air India as a sales agent. Being in the heart of London you can’t help bumping into people like Sean Connery, the 007 James Bond at the time, The Royal family and The Beatles, just to name a few. In the late seventies, for the love of family I moved to Geelong. Whoa, what a culture shock to the
Rashida at the Geelong West fashion parade in 1978.
Working on the airlines in the 1960s. system. Everyone would agree that Geelong was known as a sleepy hollow back then. Fortunately for me, Qantas Airways opened an office in Moorabool St
in 1978, and I got a job as a passenger sales agent. This gave me a chance to know the people and the organisation well, doing what I always loved, being a “people person”. My
love and passion for travel made life very interesting. I moved to Newtown with my loving family and late husband, George, who was also well known in Geelong and on ‘Pako’.In
1982, I was asked to go to the Melbourne office with Qantas which I declined to stay in Geelong. I joined Dalma Travel which was the only travel agency in Pakington St at
the time. In 1985 I became the Owner-Manager of the business. I have enjoyed the challenge of dealing with some less travelled places around the world to ensure my clients receive my personal guidance. Besides travel, in 1983 I participated in the first ‘Pako Festa’ parade when the Premiere of Victoria Joan Kirner did the opening. In 1978 I did the Fashion Parade at Geelong West Town Hall to raise funds for charity when Coral Matthews was the Mayoress of Geelong West. Why book with us? “Experience and Expertise. We know the best places to go. We tailor your holiday for a Unique Experience”. Dalma Travel is a privately local family owned business and personally operated Australian Travel Agency located on ‘pako’ since 1968. Owned and
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ONvacation Rashida - part of the journey to Pako By Rashida Przastek
but Geelong West is home Managed by Rashida Przastek, the “Personality on ‘Pako’”, and Legend of the Travel Industry with the help and support of a very experienced, friendly and loyal team, Dalma Travel provides the community with a friendly smile, professional and expert service. We continue to enhance our training to keep up to date with changes and technology to have the travel knowledge and expertise to support the needs of our local community. Being a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), and also an associate member of Helloworld, we have access to great travel deals and specials all year round. Dalma Travel’s team together, have over 100 years of Travel Experience. We have travelled every nook and cranny of the world, gaining valuable
Above: the shop in Pakington Street, and left, the team. at Dalma Travel. Rashida Przastek hand on experience of the Myriad of facets of International and domestic travel. Our years of dealing with airlines, hotels and tour operators have generated a wide
range of contacts to call upon to give superior service and advice to our clients. At Dalma Travel, you are in good hands with our multi cultured staff
who speak many other languages. Having a wealth of knowledge and experience of all continents, whether it’s your own backyard Australia, travelling
north to Alaska, cruising the European Rivers, Adventures of Africa, South America and Antarctica, experiencing the Mystical Middle East or shopping until
you drop in Asian SubContinent India. You can count on us for top service, expert advice with competitive cost to make your dream holiday come true.
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ONsport Local footy round up by MARK HEENAN
Geelong West claim bragging rights after floodlit derby GEELONG West St Peters claimed bragging rights against fierce neighbours Newtown and Chilwell in their round three Geelong Football League clash under lights earlier this month. The Roosters won a tight game by nine points under lights at West Oval on Saturday May 2. Final scores were GWSP 10.9.69 to Newtown & Chilwell 8.12.60. Injured Newtown player Luke Forbes said the Roosters deserved their win in a low scoring contest. The 32-year-old who has been sidelined with a chronic foot injury plantar fasciitis and not played a GFL
match in 2015, is hopeful of returning for the last six matches this season with the Eagles. Forbes was Newtown and Chilwell’s leading goal kicker with 71 goals from 19 matches in 2014. “Yes I think the West supporters were pretty happy to see Newtown lose,” Forbes told the Voice on Pako. “They just had a crack (GWSP) they wanted it more…. Chris Moreland played well for West.” Along with Moreland, who was a popular contestant on the Foxtel AFL reality series called The Recruit last year, Daniel Smith and Jackson Brown, who kicked three
goals, were standout players for the home side. For the Eagles, Dane McFarlane kicked four goals. THE Roosters will be hoping to continue their winning theme this Saturday when they meet Grovedale at home at West Oval. Game starts at 2:10pm IN other games Newtown will face Bell Park at the Eagles home surrounds at Elderslie Reserve, while nearby rival GFL club and undefeated ladder leader St Joseph’s takes on North Shore at Drew Reserve. The Roosters and Eagles sit in seventh and eighth position respectively on the GFL ladder after five rounds.
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INSIDEout By Shamus O'Reilly of SO'R Construction
Insulate yourself from the highs and lows THE importance of insulating any home is very relevant in our climate, Geelong and all Victorians know that they must be prepared for all temperatures every day. No matter what the forecast says we can go from sunshine to hail before lunch. The process of heating and cooling our homes can become a constant battle as preparing for what is to come can be guess work at best. The best way to keep your home at a constant and comfortable temperature through any weather condition is to insulate. All insulation sold in Australia must be tested to Australian standards, even if it is produced overseas, this gives us the ability to compare many different types of insulation and their effectiveness easily. Insulation
is rated by its R-Value, being the ability to reflect heat, either heat gain or heat loss from your home. The higher the R-Value the better the product will insulate, it is important however to ensure the product you are looking at is appropriate for the application you want it for. There are two main types of insulation, reflective and bulk. Reflective insulation consists of at least one foil layer that reflects heat away from entering a home. Bulk insulation is generally a lot thicker and relies on pockets of air trapped inside the product to prevent the transfer of heat. While insulation is very important to the thermal performance of any home it is equally as important to ensure that the insulation is installed correctly and the
house is free from air leakage. Reflective insulation usually comes in the form of a roll that can both reflect the heat from entering the home and also seal up the home from potential drafts and air leakage while also being a form of moisture control. It is essential however to make sure that your reflective foil is as airtight as possible, this is done by taping the foil around any penetrations, windows and doors. Unfortunately this is something that many builders fail to do. Along with the foil insulation should be a healthy amount of bulk insulation, the amount of insulation required is determined by doing an energy rating on the house before construction. The minimum insulation for a new home in the Melbourne region, including
Geelong will have insulation to the R-value of R2.8 in the external walls and R4.1 to the roof space. This is made up of a combination of insulation and the insulation values of the building materials used. It is highly recommended to upgrade your insulation beyond standard to achieve a more comfortable living environment. By using multiple layers of bulk insulation or by the use of an air gap you can increase your total R-values easily. Straw is by far the best insulator I have come across, in comparison a straw bale house has R-value of around R8.0 making it a viable choice of construction. Also being a natural product that is sustainably grown makes it a great choice when designing your next home.
* Always get quotes from more than one source
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NEW on pako Foodie float drawn to river end RIGHT now it seems any inch of space on Pako is being utilised by a entrepreneur tapping into the strip's popularity. One of the recent arrivals is the Daily Food Co pop up eatery operating out of a horse float in Newtown. The Daily Food Co. is the brainchild of Liz Gant and Stuart Irwin, two avid foodies, passionate chefs and entrepreneurs. Liz and Stu have been
friends and colleagues for the past 20 years and recently making the move back to Geelong and Torquay respectively after a number of years in Europe, America and Asia working in the hospitality industry. "We saw a gap in the market in Geelong and the Surf Coast for innovative, yet affordable catering for large groups of people. Our aim is for our clients
to be able to have their party, event, wedding, concert wherever they please without needing to hire and assemble a commercial kitchen or being limited to a specific venue." Daily Food Co has converted a Horse Float into ‘Lola’ the food truck and set up residence on the vacant lot next to Brax and The Cremorne. Their aim is to promote
the catering side of the business whilst also offering people some delicious and nutritious take-away lunches. Liz and Stu have a passion for everything local and have been sourcing and growing some fantastic produce. Most of the bread comes from Pane di Matteo in Highton. The fruit and veg is local and the meat is sourced from Siketa Meats in Bell Post
Hill. You can check the Daily Food Co. Instagram or Facebook Pages each week for the menu which may include dishes like ‘The Pete’ Paleo Salad, Fish Taco’s, Sliders, Green Juices or Smoothies and Cheesecake Cups. Whilst Daily Food Co is not doing coffee yet there are some great places nearby for you to grab a coffee if you feel like sitting
down with your lunch on some of the outdoor space at the site. There are plans underway to install a heated undercover area for the colder winter months. Opening hours at The Pakington Street store may vary slightly due to catering commitments however will usually be open WedSat 10.30am–3.30pm with the occasional Sunday thrown in if the weather is great or the football is on.
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www.voiceonpako.com.au
29 Dave Ellis got started in travel with a nine-month backpacking trip around Europe in 2006. He started working at a local travel agency in Highton at the start of 2007 and has enjoyed being a part of all his clients' travels since. He opened the first Cruiseabout office in Belmont about five years ago and moved across to open the new Pakington Street office in September last year.
If you could choose 3 people, dead or alive to come to a dinner party, who would they be? Robin Williams, I loved his humour and he would always make me laugh, Michael Jordan, he was my hero growing up, and Jessica Alba, WOW If you could dress up as anyone for a fancy dress party, who would you choose? Jack Sparrow, who doesn't like dressing up as a Pirate If you were on a
desert island and could bring 3 things, what would you bring? Fishing rod, Flint for fire and my sunglasses If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children? Spend more time travelling the world, you only live once! If you could be a superhero, what would your super power be? Would have to be Superman, he has all the good powers and is still anonymous.
Q and A
with Dave Ellis
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SOFT Landing is a series of short dance and performance works presented by local company, Blink Dance Theatre and guest artists. The 60 minute work offers audiences a distinctive and unique local theatre experience, performed in multiple spaces,
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with the audience guided from one experience to another in maximum groups of 20. Artistic Director, Lyndel Quick says, “This project invites artists to take a side step out of the traditional theatre space and into new territory. Soft Landing aims to provide
a platform for professional artists to make and present work locally, encouraging creative risk in a supported environment.” Presented over two nights – Friday June 19 and Saturday June 20, the journey begins in Boom Gallery in Newtown.
INstep
Audiences are advised that they will need to negotiate stairs and uneven ground. Artists include company members as well as selection of guest artists from Geelong, the Surfcoast, Melbourne and Sydney. Performance times: 7pm,
7:20pm, 7:40pm and 8pm Boom Gallery is at11 Rutland Street, Newtown. Tickets are priced at $29. Bookings through: www. trybooking.com/HTQU For further information on the company, please visit www. blinkdancetheatre.com.au
BOOKreview Book Reviews by John Allan, Paton Books
‘The Book With No Pictures’ by B.J. Novak WHAT could be fun about a book with no pictures? With nothing but words on the page, words that might make you say silly things in silly voices and make silly sounds.
’The Book With No Pictures’ will have children laughing every time it is read. And they will learn that words alone can be fun and mischievous. Ages two and up.
‘The Tainted Trial Of Farah Jama’ by Julie Szego. FROM the very beginning this book will capture your attention and take you on a journey that could so easily happen to anyone. With only DNA evidence, a young
man is locked up for a crime of which he is innocent. Due to errors made by the police, the prosecution and even his own defence lawyers he was sentenced to six years in prison.
If it wasn’t for a sharp-eyed appeals prosecutor he would in all likelihood still be there. This is an eye-opening account of how DNA evidence can get it wrong. Well worth reading.
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AFTERthought
Real life F I b r o m y a l g I a……..the word sounded foreign, what did this mean? I looked at the specialist waiting for the definition to come out of her mouth. Severe muscle and joint pain, teamed with chronic fatigue, brain fog, and nerve pain. How could I have this, along with just a year ago been diagnosed with Graves Disease, a condition of the thyroid (overactive). This too causes muscle and joint pain along with hair loss and many other symptoms. The specialist continued to go on to advise that Fibromyalgia had similar symptoms to Multiple Sclerosis My pain is unbearable and now I was being told I had another disease to deal with. As I researched the disease further, I found an article by Emma Gymer, a Rheumatologist and Head of the Fibromyalgia Clinic at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne. The article contained a check list of all the areas of the body that ached, I ticked all the boxes, every single one. Having Graves Disease to go along with the Fibromyalgia my
hair was falling out in chunks… ..I have always had long hair. The medication I’m on also caused my hair to dry out and become very brittle on the ends. I became so depressed about it. I always had lovely thick, shiny hair before I was diagnosed. Now it had become so thin, brittle and dry. I decided I needed to have a change and rang Sam Battenally at Rixons’ on Packington Street. After a consultation with him, I booked in and after a few hours he transformed my hair into a lovely easy style and completely changed the way I looked at my hair. It looked so healthy, shiny and it made me feel so much better about myself. Sam understood how I felt and made me feel at ease with the dramatic change. I have kept the style and regularly see Sam who always makes me feel great walking out confidently with healthy shiny hair. A complete new hairstyle, with so many beautiful compliments, thank you Sam Battenally. I was diagnosed two and a half years ago, and I worked to the point that the chronic fatigue, muscle aches and unsteadiness
Popular girl about town Nancy Zammit was kind enough to grace this month’s cover of Voice on Pako. Locals know her as a confident and always stylishly dressed local businesswoman. What a lot of locals would know is Nancy also lives with a choric fatigue condition. One that
took its toll and I collapsed a number of times. Working 11.5 years in a Packington Street retail store and being on my feet all day took a toll. And also being in an industry where lifting and bending was a large proportion of the role, I finally had to resign. Giving up my employment was very hard for me. I had worked there for so long. There were also other factors that contributed to my decision. I’m hoping my words can raise some public awareness about invisible illnesses and how we deal with chronic pain everyday. I wake up every morning and wish that I could feel normal again. I actually have forgotten how it feels to live without chronic pain. My days are spent at doctors, specialists, pain clinics, physio, therapy and believe me I have tried so many different therapies to try and help with the chronic pain and fatigue. I realize there are people suffering with terminal illnesses, I understand this. But living in chronic pain every single day is sometimes unbearable. I won’t give into the diseases.
can make the most ordinary things feel tiresome and something that can sap all your self esteem. It’s something Nancy feels is important for people to know about and understand and offers encouragement to others living with similar conditions.
I educate myself, research therapies and push myself to keep going. Through my contact with doctors and specialists I have heard that many people with Fibromyalgia lock themselves away and not go out and be part of the community. I know the pain is extruciating at times, though I make the effort to groom and dress well (I’ve always loved fashion). Styling your hair, a little makeup and feeling good about yourself will lift your selfesteem. Even when I sit at a café and have a coffee for an hour and look around at all the different people, it’s people contact and not locking yourself away from the world.
Do something nice for yourself, a new hairstyle, pedicure, massage buy a new item of clothing and enjoy every minute of enjoyment. I realize the pain is there, though that feeling of pleasure feels so much better than the constant pain. I’ve written this article to help people like myself - who live with invisible pain - sometimes people just need to stop and listen to anyone with chronic pain. We don’t need spots all over us or horns coming out of our heads. Sit down and listen - it will mean so much to that person. It’s all about life’s balance – I won’t let chronic pain and fatigue be the largest part of my life.
WHO CAN HELP Arthritis Victoria (03) 8531-8046 Arthritis Support Group – Geelong people with all types of arthritis….. Highton Recreational Hall Cnr Montague Street and Barrabool Road Highton Contact: Melissa 0481 154 644 “MSK Helpline” – Please call the nurses on 180 263 265 Mon-Fri 10am – 4pm
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