Voice On Pako May 2015

free monthly MAY 2015

STOP! ESSENTIAL CAFE READING

Geelong West Newtown people places property fashion

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NEWS on pako

Bells surfers get a taste of Pako style

Guess who?

Now the owner and operator of a boutique real estate business in Newtown. See page 29 for the answer.

Jewel of the west Geelong West's unique individuals are being celebrated at Geelong West Town Hall on May 24 from 2pm-4pm.

Guests can hear from local Kristen Demetrious, an internationally awarded author, academic and community activist.

She will be in conversation with local resident, Jill Crompton.

Admission is by gold coin donation.

Kristin has lived in Geelong West since 1987 and in 2003 she received the Centenary Medal for her voluntary service.

Cover guy For the fifth year Pako cafe 63 Degrees was front and centre for the annual Rip Curl Bells surf event, providing catering for more than 700 surfers, staff and corporate guests per day, every day. Above is owner Simon Bryant with women's runner up Stephanie Gilmore.

Meet Kristian Ruggeri, head chef at Two Sugars. The Pakington Street restaurant is celebrating its first birthday. See story pages 8-9.

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Store revels in

BROWN’S Mensland has been in Pakington Street for almost 50 years and with good reason.

“There’s a sense of pride in the street,” said manager Peter Brown.

“City parking is an issue and we’ve got a great advantage with free car-parking here.”

The store’s been in the family for three generations.

Peter’s dad Geoff opened the store

more than half a century ago, while son Cameron has followed in his footsteps.

Peter and his staff will go the extra mile to help out a customer, even if they bought a suit from somewhere else.

Earlier this month they rescued a customer in a spot of bother.

The man had bought a suit online which didn’t fit and said to Peter

“help me! I’ve got a wedding in ten days time!”

The staff at Mensland sorted out the alterations in quick-time.

“You sort of come to the rescue with those guys,” Peter said.

“You feel like you’ve achieved something.”

While photos are being taken another man arrives - this time he needs a suit for 'today'.

Cameron's

approach is calm and collected and before long the customer has a perfectly fitting outfit for the afternoon event.

Cameron goes the extra mile offering to steam press the trousers for the man.

Brown’s Mensland was founded in North Geelong on Melbourne Road by former Geelong West Mayor Geoff Brown in 1958.

Back then it was known as Brown’s Drapery Center.

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PEOPLE of pako Brown's Mensland by LUKE VOOGT

street appeal The store moved to Packington Street in 1967, into the building that Geelong Fresh Foods currently occupies.

The family built the G.N Brown and Son’s Building in 1981 and moved the store soon after, where it still is today.

They founded Brown’s Corporate Uniforms in 1995 to provide uniforms for both men and women.

Peter said Geelong’s stores have gone

through some tough times recently and have had to adapt.

“We’ve had to introduce a lot of diversity to what we do,” he said.

“We’ve got a better quality than some of the basic stuff out there.”

Peter says one of Brown’s Mensland's draws is stocking size 9 to 10 extra large, which attracts customers from all over western Victoria.

“There was a

superman clothing store in Geelong but that closed,” he said.

“I bought a lot of his stock so customers don’t have to travel to Melbourne.”

The store stocks industrial work wear, shoes, suits, hats and general menswear and there’s no shortage of unique challenges for Peter and his staff.

“Every day you wake up you don’t know what to expect,” he said.

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HAPPY anniversary TWO SUGARS

Italian ambience at home on Pakington THE owners of Two Sugars have once again done a magnificent job in creating an Italian feel in their Pakington street café, bringing the earthy charm of Italian dining to Geelong.

Two Sugars started in Highton three years ago, and the owners are celebrating the first year anniversary of their Pakington Street venue next month.

You can’t miss the Italian flavour when you enter Two Sugars at either Pako or Highton with Italian food, Italian waiters and murals on the wall giving you that ambience and feel of Italy.

Italian music fills your ears and the texture and warmth of the décor creates a homely feel.

The authentic Italian menu showcases the best of Italian

food.

The menu offers flavours of traditional wood fired pizzas and uses the freshest of ingredients.

The wines have been carefully selected, both Italian and Australian, to best suit the menu, with some of the most exclusive wines from Italy.

Simon, front of house, has commented on how the business has grown and how much of a family all the staff have become.

He said they have lots of fun together and feel right at home.

Ninni the waiter, who is nicknamed “the clown”, has a talent of keeping diners amused with his witty and quirky personality.

Head chef Kristian Ruggeri has created a classic tasty Italian menu along with his

team including International Chef Carmelo Calabrese who was runner up last year in Hell’s Kitchen Italy.

Both Highton and Pako offer all day breakfast, a selection of unique cakes as well as an extensive lunch and dinner menu The owners of Two Sugars would like to take this opportunity to thank their customers for their loyalty and support throughout the year.

They would also like to thank all their staff at both venues for their on-going support and hard work.

With Mother’s Day around the corner it’s time to start thinking about what to do for your beloved mum so why not book a table at Two Sugars and we will gift your mum a beautiful tray of chocolate covered strawberries.

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PEOPLE of pako Pako Gents Hairdressers by LUKE VOOGT

A well groomed tradition EDDIE Persic runs one of the few truly “old fashioned” barbershops remaining in Geelong: Max Gents Hairdressers.

“We still use an old fashioned razor,” said Eddie.

After years in the job he and his colleague Max know how to run an old-school barbershop.

“We have worked for

nearly 60 years in this job,” said the 72-yearold in the Pakington Street shop.

At $15 a haircut, Eddie says “we’re the cheapest in Geelong.”

Eddie still remembers when he first came to Australia.

He immigrated in 1967 and it was not long before he landed a job with Joe Faranda in Yarra Street.

“I came here on Saturday and had a job on Monday! Two weeks later I had another job at the port.” he said.

“There were jobs everywhere – it’s not like today.”

He moved to a barber shop in Malop Street in 1972 and Max Gents Hairdressing in Geelong West in 1982, which he now owns.

Eddie grew up in Yugoslavia and started working as a barber at the age of 15 near the Italian border, 60km from Venice.

He took a three year apprenticeship working 14 hour days, and had to get a masters degree to open his own store.

“It was years of practice before you could buy a business,”

he said.

“Not three months at The Gordon.”

During his schooling in Europe, Eddie learnt all about how hair grows, skin sicknesses and the fine art of the cut-throat razor.

“They don’t learn all that nowadays,” she said.

Eddie can tell you how many hairs are

on your head based on your heritage to the nearest thousand or how many redheads there are in the world.

“Although there’s a lot more here in Australia,” he said.

The veteran hairdresser said he is a citizen of Italy, Slovenia and Australia.

“I would get three pensions.” he jokes.

“But I still work.”

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The Bake Stall.

Aisha's Loom Band.

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FAIR GO

DAZZLING: Dan the Magic Man.

All the fun of the fair at Chilwell CHILWELL Food Fair attracted record crowds with the community turning up in droves to support the local school fundraiser. ‘Chilwell Idol’ kick-started the entertainment on stage with some very eager students from Grade 1-6 showcasing their well-rehearsed dance moves and singing skills.

Parent and teacher band (Aisha’s Loom Band) rocked the stage belting out some old classics while the school ensemble bought a more refined flavour to the evenings musical line-up with some classical pieces.

Imogen Brough stole the hearts of many while Dazzling Dan the Magic Man dazzled

the young ones with his magical moves.

Food was aplenty with tasty curries from the curry stall (thanks to Wharf Shed), tandoori wraps and gourmet burgers from the barbecue. Hotdogs proved a popular stall throughout the night as did the cake stall, selling out early in the evening.

Rides, face painting, book stalls, show bags, coin-balancing-on-lemon-games all proved part of a great mix keeping both parents and kids entertained throughout the evening.

The organisers extended their thanks to the Chilwell community- staff, parents and students for turning on such a wonderful evening for the surrounding community.

Imogen Brough.

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ARTSabout

Domestic collaboration IN a new and exciting format for Boom’s exhibition calendar, three artists have chosen to present a collaborative show, collectively titled Fabric of the Domestic.

A survey of three eclectic practitioners exploring the interplay, the tangible and nostalgic that seek the current, this exhibition will feature work

by Mark Cuthbertson, Scott Andrews and Anna Reynolds.

For Fabric of the Domestic Mark Cuthbertson has created a series of artworks that encompass sculpture, painting, prints and assemblage. Mark’s art making process is about deconstructing an idea to its essence, in order to rebuild it into something that challenges our preconceptions of ideas and product. Using simplistic and

common aspects of the everyday - such as concrete, Mark manipulates these into work that is unexpected, evocative and surprising. He creates works that challenge his limits, exploring new mediums and ways of working to strengthen and push the boundaries of his artistic practice.

The exhibition is a playful commentary on society, turning the fabric of the day-to-day monotony into something far more engaging, challenging and inspiring. Mark’s artwork explores concepts of colonisation and domestication within a broad national context. The works are playful and whimsical in nature, yet confront some underlying social question we are yet to come to terms with.

Scott Andrews' recent body of work using acrylics explores fond memories of his past, during the 70s in Australia. Scott looks back at the simplicity of day-to-day life and the comparison to today's increasingly busy existence.

Distinctive, streamlined design of bikes and cars also features in Scott's work, bright pops of colour and whimsical scenes of childhood memories.

"Depending on the day or the weather I could be constructing a dry stone wall, building a wood fired oven, exploring wet plate photography or painting an image of my past.

All of these creative pursuits have a deep history and this is the reason for my attraction to these forms of expression. I choose to look back in time with respect

and admiration to find ways to move forward creatively in my own life."

The work by Anna Reynolds crosses medium and material fusing painting, printing, textile, collage, montage and bricolage into 2 dimensional textural landscape and seascape intended for wall hanging.

Acknowledging the pixel in painting, printmaking, sewing, stitching, travelling and photography, the work binds, consumes and advocates digital engagement while simultaneously questioning it.

It aims to render conversation between the computer and more established forms of art making by locating it in dreamlike terrains. Technology becomes the tether and the surface, a tactile

interface sparking transmission between the two. Collaging the digital economy to material and message Reynolds creates dense flora like montages layered between warning and homage.

In the past Reynolds explored visual tension between destruction and development found on Darwin’s waterfront, a mangrove frontier where human and nature collide.

Having now returned to the southwest of Victoria this exhibition showcases old and new work, both large and small works on paper, canvas and cloth to a new audience.

The exhibition runs from April 16 to May 9 at the Boom Gallery, 11 Rutland Street, Newtown.

For more information see www. boomgallery.com.au.

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Speaks BIKE man Greg Allerton lives and breathes spokes, sprockets and greasy chains.

The owner of The Bicycle Factory in Shannon Avenue has been in business for more than 30 years and has never owned a car, always preferring to peddle to work, in all weathers.

The steady stream of mixed customers

on a weekday is testament that other bike riders appreciate his passion and experience when it comes to all things people powered and two wheels.

When he first started cycling, long before Cadel and lycra became common parlance, Greg who is a proud life member of Geelong Touring Cyclists, knew just

about every racing cyclist in Geelong. It was a tiny sport.

“When I started I joined Geelong Amateur Cycling Club and the other one was Geelong West Cycling Club.

That was 1977. Then you were either an amateur who could ride in the Olympics or you were a professional who could ride in the Melbourne to

Warrnambool and Herald Sun Tour.

There was a clear distinction between the two. It was a totally different world in those days.”

He still owns his first ever bike, which was his grandfather’s bike, a big red 28inch wheeled unit that is now about 60 years old. He regularly rides a 30 year old touring bike.

“If you buy a good

bike it can last a lifetime,” he said.

His first shop was in La Trobe Terrace and being a one man band holidays are hard.

But if he gets time off then it’s riding time.

Over Easter he closed the shop and was doing 100kms a day each day.

Through all of this Greg was self-taught.

“When you ride a bike and it’s your only form of

transport you got to learn how to keep it going,” A former teacher at Norlane High, he paid off his studentship, but a spell teaching in Lorne was a highlight giving him a ‘magical’ 45km round trip ride to work from his parents’ home in Apollo Bay. “In those days the traffic on the Great Ocean Road was

minute.”

Never got into mountain bikes as he explains, you need a car to get you to the place you will ride.

With other bikes the bike is the transport to and during the ride.

“To me a mountain bike, might be fun to ride, but it’s not very much fun riding it around town until you get to the You Yangs or the back of

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LOCALlegends

on spokes Anglesea. That’s at least an hour’s riding.

So for me, what’s the point?”

Mention old early road bikes, choppers and dragsters to Greg and his eyes light up.

He’s clearly enjoyed seeing the revival on interest in any bikes.

“It’s been fascinating with the resurgence of interest in retro bikes and dragsters mainly, it tends to be

teenage boys that are particularly interested in them. For a while I got complete bikes in and then it was ‘no, no’, can I buy just the seat and the handlebars. Rather than buy a complete bike they wanted to get an old frame and repaint it. That was something that I hadn’t seen done for a while.”

And that's how he treats his customer,

he gives them the time they deserve, tells them how long the work will take and takes care to make sure their wheels get plenty more service.

It fits with Greg's philosophy, borrowed from Mahatma Gandhi: "There is more to life than increasing at speed."

Greg said: “I think it’s getting more and more relevant today."

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PROPERTY BOARD

Newtown charm HAVE you ever wanted to live in that unique property unlike any other? Here old world charm meets modern living in this stunning home, formerly the Percy St Anglican Church.

Meticulously restored and renovated to the highest of standards situated Percy Street, just off Pakington Streets Newtown end, this home offers spacious modern living close to cafes, restaurants, shops and the city.

Built in 1855, the two-storey house/ church was for 140 years the spiritual home for this Geelong suburb’s Church of England adherents.

But in 1995 the current owner, a local mechanical engineer, bought the ivy-covered building and converted it into residential accommodation the following year.

While it retains the bluestone brick exterior of the old Anglican house of worship, inside it has all the trappings of a contemporary home including a gleaming kitchen and features such as ducted gas heating.

Step inside to find split level living, downstairs featuring stunning polished hardwood floors, massive open plan living area featuring stained timber ceilings, large bedroom/

second living room, spacious bathroom, laundry and smart modern kitchen with marble benches and stainless steel appliances.

Follow the suspended Jarrah staircase lead up to discover two large mezzanine bedrooms with concealed wardrobes and stylish second bathroom and a view overlooking the living area. Features such as gas ducted heated, spacious two car carport, tidy low maintenance yards and a quiet street with a large park across the road complement this unique property.

The property is being handled by Fletchers Bellarine.

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TOP LEFT: Ken 'Stretch' Jannes and Ross Wilson.

TOP CENTRE: Nathan Porter and Tessa Worland.

TOP RIGHT: Fyansford Social Club President David Sims.

LEFT: The Fyansford Social Club event at the Fyansford Hotel attracted 360 adults plus kids for the event.

RIGHT: Good Friday collectors Lauren Murphy and Louise Galle at the junction of Pakington and Aberdeen streets.

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LOCALShelpingout

Big effort for the kids' ward A MASSIVE effort by locals has helped raise more than $15,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.

What was the 50th year that the Fyansford Social Club has run an event, volunteers and supporters helped smash the previous $11,000 record.

Social Club president David Sims said big thanks were due all round.

“Thanks to my committee, the volunteers, the sponsors – of which there are too many to name and the (Fyansford) hotel for being so helpful.

David said the numbers of paying adults was up from 200 last year to 360.

“It was a really good day. We sold more food than we anticipated.”

The social club has raised more than

$120,000 for the appeal in a little over ten years.

MEANWHILE other organisations and businesses did their bit and locals were generous to the hardworking street collectors taking donations at the junction of Pakington and Aberdeen streets.

So far the appeal has netted more than $17m across the state.

ABOVE: Erin Lee gets her face painted at the Fyansford Good Friday Appeal event, thanks to facepainter Angela Lee. LEFT: Roseanne, Isabelle and Bob Bartlett at the Fyansford event.

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& SERVICES

TRADES

WHERE to head for our family holiday last year? Fiji of course.

Only a short flight from Melbourne leaving the winter behind we found ourselves in warm, friendly Fiji. Our first stay was an old favourite of ours the Shangri-La Fijian Resort on the Coral Coast. Located about an hour from Nadi airport we were greeted warmly upon arrival with the usual singing and cool refreshing drink. A loud BULA is

Automotive

a familiar sound to us to hear from the locals after travelling to Fiji 6 times over the years.

The Shangri-La resort is located on its own private island linked to the mainland by road. It is a large resort with over 400 rooms throughout. Even at it’s busiest of times it seems spread out and relaxed.

We spent our days lazing by the pool, snorkelling, canoeing, banana boat rides and various activities by the pool for the

Building & Contruction

children. We stayed in a Deluxe Ocean Family room on the coral side which is quite peaceful with a beautiful view over the sea. They had various activities for the children each night from frog racing, disco nights and movie nights.

We then set off for Denarau to board our three night Captain Cook Cruise of the Southern Yasawa Island Cruise. It was quite a special day as it was my daughter’s 7th birthday and what a way to celebrate

her day. We boarded the Reef Endeavour with such a warm welcome by the crew and shown to our two cabins. That night we had a welcome dinner then the whole crew danced and sang around our table and presented our daughter with a huge birthday cake. How memorable for us all!

We then spent the next three days visiting a local school, snorkelling at various islands, a church service one evening at a local island and a beautiful traditional

Electritian

Commercial Cleaning & Gardening

Excavation & Landscaping

Plumbing

Roofing Solutions

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ONvacation Fiji Family Holiday by Tegan Shaw Senior Travel Consultant at HelloWorld Newtown

Private island paradise Lovo meal and Kava ceremony on our last night at an island. The food on board was delicious and plenty of variety for us all.

We got to know most people on board as it is only a small ship but caters so well to all ages.

Next, and our last stop, was Musket Cove Island Resort in the Mamanuca Islands. We headed out by launch boat which took about one hour. Upon arrival we were whisked off by buggy to

reception then taken to our own private villa located on the water with our own private jetty. The Armstrong Villa is extremely spacious with a beautiful garden setting and white shutters throughout, two separate bedrooms and two ensuite bathrooms which are both quite roomy. Daily fruit and water included with a full kitchen if you felt like cooking. (I did not. I was on holiday after all!) Our room was located a few minutes

walk to the main restaurant and pool area.

You can even hire bikes to ride around the island if you’re keen to explore.

There is a small supermarket called The Trader where we stocked up on all the essentials which are reasonably priced and even sell meat packs for your own barbeques at your villa or by the pool. We walked around most nights to the main restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner which are located next to the main pool.

We also enjoyed grabbing our lunch from Gloria’s van which sold rolls, and various hot food and milkshakes. Each night we would take a walk to the ‘Rustic’ Sunset Bar which is the best vantage point for the Sunset. They can even cook your fish or meat as the sunsets for you there. We took advantage of their free snorkelling trips out to the sandbar which we all loved.

Fiji is such a great option for families and couples we can’t wait to go back.

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Striking some A cut above PAKO is well known as a hotspot for the best hair salons.

Salon Eve continued their tradition of awards scooping the Best of the Bay award for the second year in a row – as well as netting the K-Rock best hair salon in Geelong gong.

The salon, which turns three this year, has three senior senior hairdressers and an apprentice.

“We are absolutely over the moon with the response from K-Rock and BayFm’s competition for best hair salon in Geelong,"

said owner Barbara Ferrant.

"Winning the both of them just proves to us that what we do every day for our clients is appreciated and the loyalty is outstanding by the amount of support from the votes.

“Hairdressing is not a job to us - it’s a job that we enjoy every day that doesn't feel like work at all.

“Thank you to all our clients and the support that you all have given us in the time the salon has been opened.

WHEN Aleisha Victoria isn’t working for the Cotton On Foundation, or riding her traditional 1970s Italian styled Wasp scooter up and down Pako, she’s teaching Yoga at The Loft Studio Space in

Newtown.

It’s fitting such a potentially stressful yet rewarding lifestyle is held by a disciplined instructor of meditation and relaxation. Yet to really flex her freedoms, Aleisha plans to take

to the Dolomite mountain ranges of North-East Italy in the coming month of July for an admirable European crusade lasting up to nine months.

I spoke to Aleisha while she was up in Townsville managing

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OUT&about Aleisha Victoria with JACK CAMERON

work life balance Run Australia, a charitable event operating in six locations around Australia for healthcare benefits of young regional Australians.

Managing to steal some of her valuable time, Aleisha let me in on the secrets of inner peace, which I’m regretfully forbidden from divulging.

But in addition she revealed to me the inherent benefits in practising yoga, one of which for herself being the ability to ‘switch off ’, a valuable skill especially for someone with onerous passions for events and charities.

Aleisha began cultivating her self-watering garden of mindful and physical serenity when she planted the yoga seeds five years ago, whose roots have since spread to her family, friends and evidently the wider community.

Though her passion started to flower a year and a half ago when she began instructing

Hatha yoga, it was admitted, “ever since I started, I think I knew I wanted to teach”.

Ha and Tha are denotations in Sanskrit of Sun and Moon respectively. This specific path of Yoga focusses on body alignment, creating balance and unifying opposites of strength and flexibility.

Aleisha interweaves this into her sessions with Vinyasa flow, which uses breathing focussed movements as part of a sun salutation sequence of asanas. ‘Al Sole’, Italian for ‘In the Sun’ is what Aleisha has aptly named her class.

Prospectively carrying this sun based philosophy through to the adventure she is seeking out around the world, Aleisha hopes to bring back to Geelong a wealth of knowledge and culture once the circle meets its end.

In an ideology I couldn’t have worded better myself, Aleisha believes “if we keep

Chris, Madii and Evie Louise.

passionate about where we’re from and where we’re raised, then the heart of Geelong can start to thrive”.

To all the yogis and yoginis, you can catch Aleisha in the Loft Studio at 7 Rutland Street in the Newtown area of Pakington street on Wednesdays and Saturdays until she departs in July.

And to Aleisha, Buona Fortuna.

Baby on board CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Madeline and Chris on the birth of their daughter Evie Louise on April 14.

Officially crowned the “cutest baby in the world”, by Voice on Pako’s Madii, Evie weighed in at 7lbs and 3oz.

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Q and A with jodie bliss Jodie Bliss is owner and operator of a small boutique real estate business located in Pakington Street Newtown.

Jodie lives in central Newtown with her husband and son and is a proud supporter of local children’s charities including the Cotton On Foundation, Bravehearts and Geelong Hospital Special Care Nursery.

If you could choose three people, dead or alive to come to a dinner party, who would they be?

That is an easy one. Dr Chris Brown, Hugh Jackman and “Thor” A.K.A. Chris Hemsworth, what’s not to love about all three.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

I would definitely love to be my 15 year old cat Oscar. Although he is a strange looking one-eyed pirate with very few useable teeth left, he does however enjoy a full and happy life basking in the sunshine

with no stress, no dramas, life is one big holiday.

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

I would like to have the power to make people tell the truth. Sadly too many people today think they need to bend the truth, honesty is always the best policy.

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

I would be in serious trouble if I

didn’t say my husband and my son.

The third item would have to be my phone. Anybody who knows me, knows it is constantly attached to my ear.

If you won $20 million lottery what would you do with it? $5 Million to Geelong Hospital Special Care Nursery, $5 Million to Geelong Animal Welfare, $5 Million to the Salvation Army and the rest I would share with my husband and son (maybe buy a holiday home in Barwon Heads).

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A SOUNDcraft

Calm from the hands of the harpist THE heavenly sound of a harp heralds every baby born at St John of God Hospital. The man behind those angelic sounds is Geelong West local Peter Roberts.

Although Peter can’t be on birth suite to strum the strings of Brahm’s Lullaby on every occasion, a recording suffices, but that symbolic event has become a treasured tradition at the hospital.

The music thanatologist is called upon to bring calm and serenity to lives in all stages – birth, sickness, healing, hope and during the last ebbs.

He also runs a harp shop in slightly Bohemian Pakington Arcade.

And while he may have always played music, the

comforting skills came later in life. For many years he ran a furniture business.

That was until a midlife change took him to the US to learn more profound ways of using music.

“I was really drawn to the way music affects people and the way it affected me. I got to 48 and I had a successful furniture business and we had a couple of shops but I lost interest in it. I was looking for something more meaningful and the only thing that I ever found was to do with music. I’d always had this deep love for music all along.

“I’d played guitars, flutes and bangos. So it was a fascination for musical instruments, a knack for

them. I’m not saying I’m good, I just had a knack for playing them.

“The reason for the harp connection was the fact that I went America to do training, I took my family, I went back to school for a couple of years to do training in music in a therapeutic manner.

The required musical instrument was the harp.

I’d never played it until I got there.”

Asked if he was immediately attracted to learning the harp he said: “Not really.

“We had to write in the application ‘how does the harp speak to you?’ I had to be very creative because it hadn’t spoken to me at that stage.

“Then I got to love it. It

makes a beautiful sound and I haven’t veered off it in 20 years.”

Peter and his wife Jeanette also team up to manufacture reverie harps, which are made for all to play. It was inspired by an encounter Peter had with a patient who wanted to play.

The egg shaped instrument is now being used in hospitals, aged care facilities, hospices, schools and health studios in Australia, Europe, Japan, Canada and the USA. Sometimes those sitting by the bedside of friends and family will pick one up and play and this can be as comforting to the well as the unwell.

For more information see www.robertsmusic.net.

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