Voice on Pako March 2015

free monthly MARCH 2015

A latte, a seat in the sun & a Voice On Pako

Meet and greet the people and places of Geelong West & Newtown

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PAKO BRIEFS THERE’S plenty of star attraction in Pakington Street every Thursday mornings during term time.

Grandparents can be seen pressed up against the library windows watching as their grandkids enjoy the toddler entertainment by engaging staff member Kathryn.

Close to 50 kids and 50 parents squeeze in the library reading area and it’s not hard to tell why when you looks at the smiles on dials.

The Geelong West Library does toddler time between 10.30am and 11am on Thursdays as well as babies from 2.30pm to 2.50pm Wednesdays.

PAKO FESTA! To ensure we stick to our 'last Thursday of the month' delivery date, Voice On Pako will run a full wrap and pictures on our wonderful Pako Festa in the April edition. Look out for it on the streets!

Who?

Welcome to the March edition! We're heading into an exciting and festive time of the year for Geelong West and Newtown. With Pako Festa at the end of February and West Fest at the end of March, the area is alive with multiculturalism, food and entertainment.

In this month's edition you'll read a moving community piece on the ladies from Bravehearts, meet the guys from Geelong West Social Club, learn more about the majestic Sladen House and have all your automotive questions answered!

Summer smiles

This month’s cover girl is local Ellie Wassell. Ellie’s beaming smile will be well know at the Argentina Shop in Pakington Street.

info@barefootmedia.com.au l 0400 721185

corporate photography styled food photography lifestyle photography

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corporate pressphoto stock image

Who is this Pako personality?

Turn to page 29 to find out..

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PEOPLE OF PAKO story MADELIN BALDWIN

Turning heads in Yuille St PROBABLY one of the funniest couples I’ve ever had a chance to sit down with, Mia and Ross McDonald, had a chat with me about the opening of their new café the Geelong West Social Club. I say sat down, but Mia managed to pull a sly one on Ross and take a breather with me just in time for him to do the clean up.

"He’s a good boy," she said.

"For years and years, we always wanted to open a café – we did have our eye on this place

for about four years and just grabbed it when it came up for lease (last October)," said Mia. After deciding to get married in November, it’s a surprise these guys managed to get the café up and running, as they also have a one year old daughter together.

‘We just work really, really hard (juggling a baby and a café)."

In fact, at their wedding Mias dad said in his speech "we just keeping biting off more than we can chew, and then we chew like buggery".

Of managing a six-day trade café, and having Violet (their daughter) she said "She’s a pretty funny little kid, she just goes with the flow – it’s all she knows."

They opened the GWSC in January, with Ross coming up with the name.

"We just love Geelong West, it really is a good little community.

When you’re from Geelong West, you just love it – we wouldn’t live anywhere else."

Prior to the café Ross was

working as a machine tech for Coffee Supreme in Melbourne, and so this brand was an obvious choice for them to bring down here. It also means he knows his way around their 'big baby', the matte black La Marzocco that Mia admits is beautiful but probably costs the same as a small car.

With an ever changing sandwich menu, and baked eggs to come in the next few months, the GWSC is certainly turning heads down in Yuille

Street. Their West Side bagel is probably the most popular.

"It’s probably because we use a lot of mayo. It’s not exactly good for you, but everyone loves it."

And while the loved up duo might have stopped luxuries like music festivals and going to movies, they now we have 'a house, a café and a kid’, and things couldn’t be better!

The Geelong West Social Club is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 4pm and Saturday from 7.30am to 2pm.

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WORD ON PAKO Job losses but entrepreneurial spirit WHAT would you do if you suddenly found yourself out of a job? Do you have a back-up plan?

How long would your savings last?

These are the frightening questions hundreds of thousands of Australians are asking themselves, and the answers are often more terrifying than they questions themselves.

Recent unemployment figures have come in at 6.6 per cent or 800,000 people out of work, the worst since 2002. Look at Geelong, and those figures are even worse, above 7 per cent,

nudging up to 20 per cent for youth unemployment.

Contrasted against those numbers is a thriving scene of entrepreneurship on Pakington Street. Each day, and especially on weekends, the street is thriving with locally owned cafes, restaurants and stores, each and every one of them people who are making a life for themselves by pouring their heart and soul into every day, every sale, and every customer.

There are those who say that “You should live to work, not work to live.” Yet the most

successful businesses here seem to have twisted that credo to “Your life should be in your work.” Their lesson is that if you are passionate about something, and if you dedicate your life to achieving it, then you can and will make it. People will recognise you for it. Work will be worth living.

So, what can we learn from these people? And what should you do if you find yourself out of a job? Firstly, no matter how secure you feel in your current job, you should set up an exit strategy. Make sure that either via savings or a form of income

protection that you can fend for yourself for at least 3 months without a regular source of income.

Secondly, ask yourself “What would I do if money was no object?” Figure out what really drives you, and start implementing that in your life.

I’m not suggesting that everybody who is out of work goes out and starts up a business of their own, but when you are 1 out of 800,000 people looking for work, that passion in a job interview could be what sets you apart from the pack.

Now, don’t get me wrong, losing your job is one of the most distressing things that can happen to you, and I’m not trying to sugar coat it, but I think it’s important to look to those around you for inspiration.

Walking up and down Pakington Street and looking at all the buzzing small businesses there, it can’t be denied that a little bit of inspiration goes a long way towards success.

Mitch Grinter is a banking consultant

Always seek independant advice when making financial decisions

Bowlers farewell local greens ONE hundred and two years of history came to an end when Geelong West Bowls Club played its final home game in February.

The club is merging with Drumcondra and will share their facilities before both clubs form a new club at a new indoor centre at the old Geelong Golf Club in Ballarat Road.

On Sunday February 22 the club held a special farewell to past and present players (some of which are pictured right), many of which hope to stay together the new club or may side with one of the other nearby clubs.

The club land close to West Park will be developed into apartments.

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SCHOOLS

ON PAKO

Family event for the community THE annual Chilwell Primary School Food Fair is set to delight children and adults alike on Friday March 20.

Run by a volunteer committee of parents and teachers, the annual event raises significant funds for the Newtown based primary school to help maintain the school grounds and improve resources for the Prep-6 students.

A much anticipated event on the Newtown calendar, the Chilwell Primary School Food Fair offers a line-up of incredible entertainment, great food, a live auction, children’s rides and activities, a café and wine tent of award winning local wines.

The event brings together not only parents of students past and present, however also offers a great opportunity for the wider community to visit the school and get a sense of the fantastic spirit of this 350 student school.

Chilwell Primary School’s Principal Gavan Welsh said “we encourage and invite anyone in the extended community to attend our annual event. The more the merrier.”

The Chilwell Primary School Food Fair wouldn’t be a Food Fair without a delicious line-up of edible delights - Rogan Josh, Butter Chicken and vegetable

Students practicing for the Chilwell Recycled Fashion Challenge: Alinsa Shand, Stella Rose, Mia and Evie Kemp and Jolea Shand. curries by the Wharf Shed, sushi

by Sakura Tei, cevapi burgers, tandoori chicken wraps, hot dogs and baked savoury delights will get the taste buds working.

Sweet treats by La Madre Bakery and coffee provided by Muzz Buzz and Steampocket will sit alongside ice creams, pancakes and all the tasty treats you can pack into your basket from the parent ‘bake stall’.

Entertainment forms a

strong part of the Chilwell Primary School Food Fair with performances by local musicians Imogen Brough and Mark Blunt and the much anticipated ‘Aysha’s Loomband’ (a band made up of teachers and parents from the school community); the Dadbeats, kids entertainment includes Dazzling Dan the Magic Man and a circus act; performances from the school community include the

annual and much anticipated ‘Chilwell Idol Competition’, the Chilwell String Ensemble, Edwina Royce and ‘Not my arms crew’, a recycled fashion parade and a massive interactive bingo session.

While show rides, face painting, show bags and other games will keep the kids amused, parents, friends and family can keep busy in the Wine Tent with wine supplied

by local wineries Fratelli Wine Company, Clyde Park, D’Sas, Santa and D’Sas, Nine Yards and Leura Park.

The live auction will also keep the adult audience busy with fantastic items up for sale to raise additional funds.

Chilwell Primary School is a family orientated school that holds a strong partnership with the community.

Chilwell creates a learning environment for all students and staff in which the principles of care, courtesy and respect are valued. Classroom programs focus on developing a positive and cooperative learning environment in which children can achieve their potential in all curriculum areas. The school provides a sequential and inclusive curriculum based on VELS, enhanced by Learning Technologies and guided by Early Years and Middle Years philosophies.

The Chilwell Primary School Food Fair is a highlight on the social calendar and the school’s one and only annual fundraiser.

The Chilwell Primary School Food Fair is held on Friday 20 March from 4pm-9pm.

Chilwell Primary School is located at 313a Pakington Street, Newtown.

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COMMUNITY ON PAKO

As told to Madelin Baldwin by Mandy Berry, Chris Schultz and Meryl Friend

IF I told you that one in five children are sexually assaulted by the time they turn 18 would you be horrified? I certainly was when I met with the inspirational women who are the Bravehearts Education Team in Geelong , to find out a little more about the children's charity.

It started when Hetty Johnston, who co incidentally grew up in Ocean Grove, and was recently nominated for Australian on the Year in Queensland, had her world turned upside down when her daughter disclosed to her that she was being sexually assaulted by a family member. Finding a lack of support and counselling available at the time, she started up Bravehearts, now a national childrens charity with education, counselling and training programs in most states of Australia.

When Hetty came and gave a talk in Geelong about Bravehearts at a business dinner, local Ross Synot, got up at the end and said he would lead a group to raise the funds needed to start the charity in Geelong with an Education Team– he left with 35 business cards and raised the needed $300,000 in 18 months. He became their first chairman and was just awarded Order of Australia Medal at the Australia Day awards.

Our own Frank Costa OAM is a patron and great supporter of Bravehearts.

The brave hearts of Geelong

The group have their office in the Noble Street Uniting Church hall in Saffron Street Newtown. “We’re very lucky to be given this space in the church hall and we really appreciate the ongoing support of the church community. We really rely on community funding, fundraisers and business sponsorship” Since starting just over three years ago, the Geelong Education Team has implemented the Ditto’s Keep Safe Adventure program “a personal safety program, with a focus on protecting children from sexual assault”. This preventative program is taught to

children in kindergarten through to grade 2.This age group was targeted after a survey taken in the early days, when Bravehearts was just a counselling service in Queensland, revealing that 60 per cent of the children being counselled were between the ages of three and eight.

“The kids have a good time with lots of singing and actions, but they also walk away with some really important personal safety messages. We give them a simple language to use as well – we talk to the kids about their feelings, we call them yes and no feelings, and the warning signs from the body that usually go

with these. They need to know that these are normal and that it’s OK to say no to anyone if they ever feel unsafe or unsure in any situation and that they need to tell someone who they trust.

The program also covers the identification of private parts and helps them to identify language and feelings associated with secrets.”

“We also provide an information session with the parents and teachers so we are all on the same page in terms of language we use and consistency with the messages that we share with the children.

"We provide training on how to deal with any disclosures and how to give support to a child at risk. Sometimes teachers might be worried about where it fits into the school program, but really this is about the program of life”.

In just three years, the Bravehearts team has already seen over 23,000 children, with the aim of going back two to three years in a row as the children take a little more on board each time.

The Ditto show comes complete with Ditto, the brave lion cub mascot, who helps educate the kids in a fun, non threatening manner and sends all the school children home with an activity book to work through. They are encouraged to share this with their family members and friends as well as any adults who may visit their

homes. 90 per cent of sexual assaults on children are by someone who is known to the child.

“If perpetrators can now see that children, their parents and teachers are being educated and empowered to take action, then hopefully that might make a difference to their behaviour and make them realise that they can no longer confidently operate under the cone of silence that has surrounded them over generations in the past. At no time does the show ever use the word ‘sex’ or ‘sexual assault’, and is all about prevention, empowering children to speak up if they feel unsafe and educating them with personal safety skills.”

“It is a full on work environment, but we sometimes hear stories about kids who have disclosed because of the show, and if we can make a difference to one child then that’s encouraging. For many others, hopefully we can prevent this insidious crime happening to the most vulnerable members of our community.

"It’s sort of exciting that we are part of something that hopefully is making a difference. That’s the upside”.

Bravehearts located in Victoria are the only ones in the nation to receive no State government funding.

Need to talk to someone?

Bravehearts is here to help – 1800 272831

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RECIPES

ON PAKO

Creative & flavoursome STICKS and Grace cafe owner Nathan Lightfoot promises to keep his menu creative and flavoursome and prices affordable as he embarks on a game-changing year.

He says the menu will remain "Pako friendly" but the price point for all day breakfast options will still remain affordable. With two new chefs Josh Armstrong and Jessica Alright on board and a commitment to using fresh local produce, Nathan says his menu will be "funky and yummy" moving with the seasons, starting this autumn.

Ingredients 2 Large zucchini's 2 red capsicums half butternut pumpkin 6 asparagus stalks 100gm rocket 100grams spinach 12 eggs 1 cup of tasty cheese 1 cup cooking cream 1 cup parmesan Method Slice up pumpkin, zucchini and red capsicum. Season with salt, pepper and

olive oil and roast in a pre-heated oven for 2030 mins or until soft. In a round baking tin, line the inside with cooking spray.

Lay the rocket on the bottom, then pumpkin, zucchini and red capsicum.

Sprinkle parmesan over roasted vegies and then layer the spinach.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the cream and again season with salt

and pepper.

Add the egg mixture to the tin slowly so its absorbed into the base.

Trim the asparagus spears to remove any woody ends and lay them onto the egg mixture.

Top with tasty cheese and bake in a pre-heated oven at 180째 for 45mins to an hour until the top is golden.

A good way to make little

but good change is adding goats cheese or crumbled fetta with the parmesan.

Also the vegies can be changed or added to create a more personal recipe that is different and unique.

Serve with a side salad of loose leaf greens, thinly sliced radish and orange segments with a seeded mustard vinaigrette.

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PAKO TRADERS

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story MADELIN BALDWIN A HUGE thanks to all of the guys down at Jovic Accounting, Mojo Insurance Services, CWJA and Chapman Welsh Financial Services for hosting the ‘Pako Traders’ event. It was fantastic to see lots of local traders enjoying some pizza and a drink together and we hope there are many more of these events in the future.

LEFT: Chris Stones, Madelin Baldwin and Ross Hultgren.

RIGHT: Renee Jovic, Ross Hultgren, Brock Bouch and Adam Lamont.

LEFT: Leslie Nugent, Frank O’Neill, Gina Tobolov.

RIGHT: Josh Hanneysee, Simon Jarman and Karin Vanner.

Felicity Magher, Ross Hultgren and Michelle Hultgren.

LEFT: Elise Hultgren, Christie Little, Cathy Korbut and Rhys Hultgren.

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COFFEE NOTES

with ROBBIE LECCHINO OF KING OF THE CASTLE CAFE THIS month we decided to finally have a chat about coffee – So far we’ve avoided focussing on coffee in the area, since we all know how spoilt for choice we are anyway, and focus on other fantastic elements that Pako has to offer. We spoke to Robbie Lecchino from King of the Castle and here is what he had to say:

I chose Padre coffee simply because it was and is my favoUrite coffee.

Working in Melbourne I was lucky enough to work with some great coffee beans and with the multitude of cafés available to me on days off, I was exposed to a massive choice. A smorgasbord of great coffee.

There were times I would think I had found a new favourite but within weeks I would return to Padre Seasonal coffee.

Padre’s Seasonal Espresso Blend is so versatile for all types of coffee including Espresso coffee and of course milk base.

It's a great combination of South American and African beans. It's rich and at times you get a hint of toffee and cocoa. This blend has turned some people into coffee snobs and I totally get why. Love this blend.

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PROPERTY

TRAIL

Solid classic, ripe for reno OWNED by the same family, and now offered for the first time in 70 years is this classic solid brick Edwardian home.

Set amongst quality renovated/ extended homes it is conveniently located within walking distance to Latrobe Terrace walk bridge, the CBD, train station and Pakington Street’s shops, cafes and restaurants.

The appealing home retains many original classic features of its era and offers immense potential for renovation/ extension (STCA).

•Bluestone foundations, decorative timber lacework, ornate ridge capping, terrazzo verandah, totally re-wired

surround •Three good size bedrooms, one with open fire-place •Good size kitchen & casual dining •Full bathroom, separate w/c, •Bungalow, covered rear porch, separate laundry & 2nd w/c •Double garage with workshop, storage shed, •Generous size block of approx 556 sqm.

The property is being auctioned by Graeme Taylor Real Estate Agends, 319 Pakington Street.

For more details contact Graeme Taylor at Graeme Taylor Real Estate on 5223 1677 or 0418 387 262.

•12 foot ceilings, decorative cornice work, ceiling roses,

open fireplaces, timber flooring, high skirting boards

•Spacious proportions, versatile floorplan

•Wide passage, large formal lounge with open fireplace

•Large second living room has gas heating with ornate

AUCTION – Saturday March 7 at 2pm.

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BUSINESS

ON PAKO

Family business fully charged to power geelong IT’S a trifecta that is hard to beat – an award-winning business, run by a family and committed to community engagement, so it is easy to see why Geelong Battery World is the country’s best specialist battery retailer.

The store run by Roger Langham and his daughter Vivian Langham not only holds a Battery World Australian Franchise of the Year award (beating 82 other stores) but has also been nationally recognised by the company for operational excellence.

Mr Langham says what that translates to for customers is a well-stocked store with service you just don’t see in many retail outlets today.

“It is not just consumers who are tired of poor service: we have had guest speakers talk at our conferences from Ita Buttrose to Mick Doohan who all say they have personally found customer service in Australia seems to really be lacking,” he said.

“It is not enough that we sell batteries – others can do that. When customers have a battery related problem, they don’t need to be the

experts – we are. We are the trusted problem solvers for everything from car batteries to mobile phones; caravans, marine; even golf buggies.”

With over 8,000 batteries and accessories for all the above and more: the Langham team really does offer expert products and advice that are continually evolving. The range includes dual battery systems, marine and motor cycle batteries and even extends to advice on solar applications. Battery World Geelong can help you fit out your 4WD, caravan or camper with batteries to maximise your safety and enjoyment of holidays.

“Many people don’t realise the average person uses 45 different types of batteries in their home – from computers and TV remotes to other gadgets: the average household with children uses 109 batteries,” Mr Langham said. “That’s an awful lot of batteries that we can help with. When something like your car or phone stops working, your whole world grinds to a halt “Battery and device technology is increasingly

specialised. Our customers tell us what they value above all else is for us to demystify things, help them work out exactly what they need, and what they don’t to let them get back on with their lives.

“This is not always reactive.

We provide free regular battery health checks as a community service so you don’t have to wait until you’re caught out along with our 24/7 Emergency Car Battery Replacement service.

You would be surprised at how often we hear people say they had no idea we offer this service. They can call us and often or not, we can be there within minutes.”

Geelong Battery World has a strong commitment to their local community from previously supporting Camp Quality to this year adding Bravehearts and Autism CRC to their annual charity appeal: along with taking on challenges to help local schools – even fundraising to save a local dog through vet bills.

Call in and discuss your battery needs – they would love to help.

Geelong Battery World Manager Roger Langham

West Fest is the best THERE’S something in the air in Geelong West. Is it the lilting sounds of a local musician, or the aroma of a freshly brewed coffee?

Or is it the freshly prepared food from one of the area’s local provedores?

Best you pack a picnic rug and head on down to WestFEST, the community arts festival with a difference, to experience it all.

Bring your family – there are loads of ‘kid friendly’ activities,

your friends and neighbours, and don’t leave Fido at home as WestFEST has a special treat in store for your loved family member.

And if you really want to get into the moment then contact the WestFEST organisers to include your handcrafted stall in the day, or put up your hand to volunteer please contact Jo Brown on jo.brown@gwnh.org.au www.facebook.com/westfest2015

WestFEST is proudly brought to you by the Geelong West Neighbourhood House, and generously supported through the Community Festival Grants Program, City of Greater Geelong. Local music business Spinning Half will take care of artist programming and production for our main stage.

WestFest is on March 22 from 1pm to 6pm at the corner of Autumn and Pakington streets.

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HISTORY

NOTES

story MADELIN BALDWIN

Stately Sladen EVER wondered about the history of the beautiful manor like house at the very river end of Pakington Street? Well don’t worry, because so did I so I went down to meet with the current tenants from Scotts Chartered Accountants to find out exactly what the old Sladen House was all about.

Originally built in 1849 by Charles Sladen, it was one of the first houses in Geelong to be constructed from stone off the Barwon River at Newtown. Originally from England, Sladen became a prominent member of the Geelong community, contributing both politically and financially. The building was at one time demolished and mostly rebuilt, but with the main exterior remaining.

More recently Sladen house has been a conference centre, mainly used for weddings, private functions, seminars and luncheons.

Six to seven years ago it became a financial office, and then four and a half years ago Scotts Chartered Accountants purchased the building and have remained there since. Client manager Jessica took me for a brief

walk through.

“It is a little bit hidden where we are," said Jessica.

"There are stables next door that used to be a part of this building, but got separated along the way – they are now apartments, with one selling just last year.”

The office space is incredible with the old bar and dance floor still intact.

“Looks can be deceiving, people think it’s actually a lot bigger than it is, but the people who had this prior renovated it fully into big office spaces”.

They even have the old commercial kitchen, which is pretty fancy for an accounting firm! Complete with chandeliers, and an incredible façade and gardens right down on the river, these guys have an absolutely amazing workspace.

Scotts Chartered Accountants specialise in business and personal accounting including Business Profitability Improvement, Taxation Planning, Wealth Creation, Succession Planning, Risk Management and Compliance Services.

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PAKO

story MADELIN BALDWIN

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TRADERS

Pop Up Plants IF you’ve popped down to King of the Castle café recently, you might have noticed that it’s turned into a total jungle oasis.

That’s because local girls Katie Heane and Ria Stewart of Pop Up Plants have moved in, and taken over the big warehouse with their gorgeous and vast array of pot plants, succulents and hanging beauties.

“We really started being friends when we were pregnant, we met through our partners” says Katie of their obvious fun loving friendship.

“Pop Up Plants started from our plant obsession, we were pretty told we couldn’t buy

any more plants for our own houses from our partners, and so this way we could continue to keep buying plants without our partners being mad. We could get away with bringing plants home again. It’s an extension of our own houses.”

Luck was on their side when they decided to create the business and venture out with Ria’s family owning a block of land down Pakington Street, where the girls first set up shop.

“The first day our tent ripped. We probably only had one day in the two months we were there with good weather, it was really hard work. We certainly wouldn’t change it

but the situation just made things too temperamental”.

Setting up anywhere apart from Pako was never an option for the girls, who absolutely love the area. “We wanted to be in this area because everyone around is into plants, and decorating their houses – it’s perfect for us”.

A meeting down at King of the Castle with some event planners led to them having a chat with owner Robbie, who Ria previously knew.

Coincidentally resident florist Alice from She’s a Wildflower had only that day told Robbie she would no longer be setting up her stall inside, and so that turned out to be a ‘crazy, crazy

day’ when Robbie offered the girls a permanent spot at the café to showcase their work.

“It was all just meant to be”.

Pop Up Plants don’t just sell the plants – they source them from all over the place, as far as Queensland.

The girls also use a local company who supply them with their trademark ceramic pots, and then they pot everything themselves.

“People are saying to us that they don’t just want flowers anymore, they want living arrangements. We do all the potting ourselves, all of the succulents - We offer potted solutions, so people can walk in and just buy a pot, buy a

plant and take it as a gift to a party that night, instead of having to go and get all of the different things."

Whilst the girls love the new environment, coming from hospitality and being able to be back doing something else that they love, the only downfall was that ‘we miss working together now – we set this up so we could share a full time job between us because we both have kids”.

Moving forward Pop Up Plants are extending into events, like weddings and other functions, and while ‘we’re not trying to be experts or a nursery, we just wanted to offer people what we love”.

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BUILDING

ON PAKO

by SHAMUS O'REILLY OF SO'R CONSTRUCTION

Passive design

SUMMER SUN

GOOD INSULATION IN CEILING AND ROOF SPACES CAPTURE COOL BREEZES

WINTER SUN

DECIDOUS TREES ARE GOOD FOR SUMMER SHADING

WELL INSULATED EXTERNAL WALLS

IN my attempt to better myself as a sustainable builder I learnt about “passive design”.

It is something simple yet rare in mainstream building practices. I believe that by implementing some basic principles into the homes we build we can largely eliminate the need for costly heating and cooling.

Passive design means to design a house to take advantage of the climate. It utilises the climate to maintain a comfortable home throughout the year. By using the sun to heat your home and allowing cross ventilation to cool your home, you can save on auxiliary heating and cooling, which accounts for about 40 per cent of the energy use in the average Australian home.

The first thing I look at in a set of house plans is the orientation of the house. The sun is a key player in passive design. We want our home to allow the sun in to heat it during winter so we place our living areas and lots of glass on the north side.

This will allow the sun to shine in and warm our house in the most natural way possible. Once inside we must trap the heat, the best way to do that is with the use of thermal mass. Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store energy. High density materials like concrete and bricks will take more energy to heat, but once warmed will maintain that warmth. Once the heat is trapped in the thermal mass, it will release when the ambient temperature drops.

A simple way to engage this process is by having concrete floors

or an internal brick wall.

Allowing all that great sun inside your house is perfect for winter, but come summer you may need to take a different approach.

To achieve a good passive design we must install some sort of shading to block out that hot summer sun.

During the summer, the sun is a lot higher in the sky so by installing eaves or a veranda at the correct angle, distance and height we can block the summer sun.

It is very important to get this correct as too little eave will not do much and too big an eave will destroy the winter advantage.

Another idea is to plant deciduous trees or vines on the north side as they will block the hot summer sun but allow the winter sun to heat your home.

Once you have the sun inside your home, heating up your thermal mass and then releasing the heat when the sun sets, you need to keep the heat inside. The key to keeping your home at a constant and comfortable level throughout the year is to insulate. This will make a huge difference to heat loss. The more insulation in your walls the slower the temperature extremes change in your home, meaning that you get a more comfortable range of temperatures. Good passive design is crucial to achieving a lifetime of thermal comfort, low energy bills and low greenhouse gas emissions.

Shamus O’Reilly SO’R Construction “Sustainable homes, Building for the future”

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TRAVEL

Multi currency cash passports HEADING to England anytime soon? No doubt you'll have been crying into your socks about the exchange rate, because frankly it's horrid.

We're basically halving our money, and how are we seriously supposed to afford all of the Guinness and Steak and Ale pies with that amount of money! (Hint- head north, its so much cheaper than London!).

When you're traveling abroad it can be one of the last things you think about organising, after the flights and things you're going to do, so I'm here to give you the low down.

HOW I TAKE MONEY WITH ME ABROAD Easy - the same way I always have actually, and it's using the

Cash Passport Multi Currency Card. When I first started traveling, they had a different card for different currencies, but have now combined them all onto one card which is awesome - so if you're traveling around the word, you can load pounds, euros and dollars onto one card in one go. Not only do you get the rate of the day (so make sure to follow the exchange rate and choose a good time to load on), but it stays as this loaded rate, even if the currency falls tomorrow.

Another benefit is there are no charges to use the card as an eftpos card when you're out, or at an ATM. The only ATM charges you'll received are the ones that come from the particular ATM itself, which basically means you'll always

story MADELIN BALDWIN

have some small charge but the difference in using this to you're normal bank card, is your only being charged the one fee and not from your bank as well.

TIPS OF THE TRADE •

Try loading a big sum at once - you get charged around a 1 per cent oading fee so the more transactions you do, the more you'll end up paying.

•

Follow the exchange rate. You can use websites like Travelex to track them and received email updates.

• Don't take out a lot of small sums at ATM's and get charged every

time - take out larger sums, but obviously keep your money safe, whether it be in a safe in your hotel room or in a money wallet on your body.

WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THESE CURRENCY CARDS? You can buy these cards at your local travel agents, including the Geelong West and Newtown helloworlds.

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ASK THE EXPERTS...

E V I T O M O AUT e! everything cars and mor

Q and A

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WITH PEGGY KNOWLES FROM THE HAPPY SHOE SHOP If you could choose three people, dead or alive to come to a dinner party, who would they be?

Florence Nightingale, Richard Branson and Dolly Parton If you could sing one song on Australian Idol, what song would it be?

Love Shack Baaabbeeeee….

If you were on a desert island and could bring three things, what would you bring?

My ipad kindle, music and my crazy family If you were 80 years old, what would you tell your children?

Be kind, considerate and caring… always! And happiness will follow.

What was the last gift you gave someone?

Ruby earrings!

If you could be a superhero, what would your super power be?

To speak every single language. Flying would be pretty cool too.

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BEAUTY

ON PAKO

story MADELIN BALDWIN

The beauty of Baroq

& SERVICES

TRADES

“BAROQ House was a nightclub in Melbourne I went to when I was only about 18 and I loved the name.

I think they pronounce it differently but it just stuck and when I opened this in 2012 I had to name it that”.

And there you have it, in case you were ever wondering! Baroq (pronounced Bar-ock, not Baroque) is a funky hair salon on the Pakington St Hill up from Gordon Ave. Owner Colby Bruno opened three years and ‘never wanted to go anywhere other than Pako because I worked here my whole life.’.

Starting at only 15, Colby gained her apprenticeship after only one week of work experience, so clearly had the talent needed to become a successful hair stylist. ‘I like all aspects of hairdressing, but my ‘thing’ is probably colour. I enjoy being able to make up the colours, and knowing I’m getting it right every time.’

She stayed in her position at her first salon until she opened her own, a beautiful space, with a unique balcony for clients and employees alike, overlooking the vibrant Pako St – ‘It’s pretty awesome but I don’t get to enjoy it

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much!’

Colby runs with just a team of three including Demi who is an incredible hair up specialist, “I find it more intimate having a smaller salon, I think the clients enjoy it more as well, it’s not a production line”.

A combination of using leading brands like Goldwell and Kevin Murphy, and a real love for customer service is what keep this salon running so successfully.

‘I don’t find it hard with the multitude of salons around the area.

We’ve built relationships with our clients, it’s not just a job for us, we have fun with our clients and after 10 years they become a massive part of your life.

The support base from clients is the reason we are still running – when you open a salon at 22, without that level of support from them, it wouldn’t have been possible to be where we are today.’

As for the age old hairdresser quirk of changing their own style weekly, “I do go through phases with changing my own hair – a lot more when I was younger but now I’m older and own my own salon, I like to keep it pretty normal now.”.

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CHARITY ON PAKO story MADELIN BALDWIN

World's Greatest Shave FOUR ladies, all from different walks of life, different ages and different reasons behind on big decision. Kyla Fields, Katherine Anderson, Ainsley Soffe, Dani Netherclift sat with me to talk about why they are shaving their heads to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation and each has an equally important but different for reason.

“For me, I think of it as every year I try and do something for someone else – pay it forward as such. I’ve always been lucky with my health and I think sometimes we sit in our bubbles and its nice to stop and reflect and be grateful for what I have’ says Kyla, owner of Endota Spa Geelong.

When Kyla told her staff member Katherine what she wanted to do, she was quick to sign up as well saying ‘it was something I had wanted to do for such a long time. I have really long

hair, I can tuck it into my pants now and although my dad wasn’t pleased at first, it’s such a good cause”.

Through mothers group Kyla became friends with Dani who was neighbours with Ainsley. Ainsley and Kyla coincidently met at a local park and when Ainsley mentioned to Dani she was going to participate in the World's Greatest Shave, she said they already had a team ready to go. Ainsley has a nephew with a debilitating disease, and Dani’s cousins both have children with cancer, so this topic hits home hard to both ladies.

On March 17 from 6.30pm, Endota Spa will welcome friends, family and strangers inside for a VIP night, in which the $10 entry fee is donated to the Worlds Greatest Shave. There is 20 per cent off products and services booked and paid for on the night, and Saint Regis (Katherine's new restaurant opening in Geelong) is

doing wine tasting.

Because the girls, who all have dramatically different hair, from pixy crops to dreadlocks, don’t want to make a huge fuss, they’ll take off one or two at a time across to Deegees, who have kindly lent their services for the shave off.

“Because it could be an emotional thing for us, to take it off site would be a good idea – that way we are right opposite the salon, and we can disappear afterwards if need be. They (Deegees) were more than happy to support it” says Kyla. Kyla's husband is also participating, and as Kyla says “There are some really, really strong people out there who are dealing with these diseases every day”.

If you would like to contribute prior to the night, you can go to www. worldsgreatestshave.com, and choose ‘sponsor’ and type in ‘Kyla’.

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