Issue 5 * 2011

community, c

ulture and e

nvironment

3MDR loud and clear* self nourish* DRERS spreads the

cheer!* He

idi hibberd and more

free

Summer

Market Dates 2011

Sat 26 March, Sat 11 JuneSat 10 Sept (Twilight market)Sun 20 Nov, Sat 10 DecAll markets are from 9am - 2pm except the Twilight market 4 - 8pm

Locally grown and made food, produce, art & craft, fashion & accessories, plants and live entertainment.

In and around the community halls, behind the shops in Upwey

Mary Tonkin: Home 2000 – 201019th November 2011 – 26th February 2012

Mary Tonkin paints and draws the lush forest near Kalorama in the Dandenong Ranges, where she was born and raised. Her work, colourfully exploring what it is to be present and pay attention in place, is produced through a plein-air process in the forest, and sings with vibrant colour and sensuous gestural paint.

Every Sunday afternoon there is free live music at Burrinja Café. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon with great food and coffee in a wonderful welcoming atmosphere. The Café also features a variety of music evenings including Burrinja Ranges Folk Club, Blues and Roots, Bluegrass, Open Mic Nights, plus many popular local performers. Full details of music nights can be found at burrinja.org.au.

Burrinja – Cnr Glenfern Road and Matson Drive, Upwey ph: 9754 8723 w: burrinja.org.au

what’s on this Summerburrinja~

building community through arts

Art

Music

Another eventful few months for the hillscene has just passed with lots of plans being put into action. Firstly Rachel Hickingbotham has joined the hillscene as a writer and advertising and media rep. To help find advertisers, supporters and the articles which we feature in the mag. It has been great having someone on board to bounce ideas off and to help with the busy pace of our little publication.

You can read her articles on Trees Adventure, the Rhododendron Gardens and DRERS, who are doing great work in the community this Christmas.

We also have some great artists featured. Heidi Hibberd who I have been meaning to meet up with for a year now to chat about her illustration and design work and Carli Wilson has provided some amazing photos of local vintage finds as well. If you want to relax and heal visit Nourish, a beautiful day spa in Sassafrass, you can read all about in this issue. Plus there’s a profile on local writer Sandi Sieger who has her own online magazine.

The online world is a bit of a theme in this issue as so many people are joining the online community with blogs and websites and we at the hillscene are no exception. Thanks to lots of help and guidance from Jacqui Christians, we now have a website which will feature the latest edition of the hillscene. That way people can see each issue even if they can’t get their hands on a copy. The site is pretty basic at the moment but as Paul Kelly once sang ‘from little things, big things grow’.

Go to www.hillscene.com.au to see this issue on line and share the site with all your friends to help spread the love. And make sure you like us on facebook as well to get updates on all the interesting things going on in the hills.

Finally here’s a photo of my two boys climbing a very gnarly tree we found on a local

bushwalk. Email me your favourite bushwalk in the area and I’ll put the best one up on the gallery page on the new website.

The silly season has begun and Christmas is just a few short weeks away. I hope you have a merry old time and a great summer enjoying all the wonderful things the hills have on offer.

Editor/Designer Adriana Alvarez

Writer/Advertising Rachel Hickinbotham

Cover Heidi Hibber

Contributers Rachel Hickinbotham , Carolyn Oates, Sarah O’Connor, Michelle Slater, Heidi Hibberd, Sandi Sieger, and Adriana Alvarez

facebook: The Hillscene For submission and advertising enquiries e: hillscene@westnet.com.au www.hillscene.com.au

Printed by Ferntree Print on Envirocare 100gsm recycled paper.© Copyright 2011

Editor’s rave

Heidi Hibberd is a woman of many talents. She’s an artist, illustrator, designer, musician and mum. I met with her at her Monbulk home/studio to discuss some of our passions illustration, magazines and all things creative.

When Heidi Hibberd finished high school she had a vision of what she wanted to study and was torn between doing graphic design, fine arts, film and illustration since she was equally interested in all of them. “But being the practical person that I am,” says Heidi “I chose graphic design because I could get a job at the end.” Although her heart sometimes wishes she had chosen fine arts, her head is glad she picked graphic design because now she has so many more skills that she wouldn’t have had before. “Graphic design allows you to have more control over the whole product, the layout, photography, illustration and typography”, she says “and I can often find a way to work my illustration into the design work.”

She studied graphic design at the Queensland College of Art and won the top student of the year award so she was in demand as soon as she graduated. She fell into magazine work by chance when she was offered a 6 month job whilst waiting for her dream job at a top design studio to become available. When the 6 months was up she decided she was heading in a direction she enjoyed and couldn’t leave. Unfortunately a few months later the magazine was shut down and everyone lost their jobs. That was when she and Peter (her husband) decided to come to Melbourne.

“When we came down to Melbourne we didn’t even say goodbye to our friends since we had planned to return,” says Heidi “but I was offered a really good job within a day of getting here so we decided to stay.” As art director of ‘The Big Issue’ magazine she was asked to redesign the look and

started adding more illustration which the editor was really keen on. Then she did more magazines and illustration as people began to notice her work. This led to other editorial illustration work, then book covers and kids books until she and her husband started their own studio called “The Bird Collective”

A self confessed ‘jack of all trades’ because she likes to try anything, she has worked as a rock climbing instructor, musician and had corporate jobs to name a few. “If there’s anything out there I’ll try it, film making, photography – I’ll give that a go. It’s hard to define yourself” states Heidi. “I think part of the creative process is experimenting and testing out your skills. So once you get to the stage where you’re good at something and happy with it you can move onto something else.” She’s looking forward to a stage in her 30’s when she’s tried everything and hopes that maybe by her 50’s she’ll be really good at them all.

Another of her talents is music. She began playing when she was 13 and a cousin taught her how to play some ‘Nirvana’ and ‘Smashing Pumpkin’

Heidi hibberd

Self portrait for music promotion

artist profile

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WILL THE TITLE AND BONUS PRIZE MONEY EVER GO TO A NON-PAPUAN? NOT THIS YEAR.

IS THE KOKODA CHALLENGE THE TOUGHEST (CLOSE ENOUGH TO)

100KM TRAIL RACE IN THE WORLD? WE VOTE YES.

ED.01 > wintEr /Spring 2011 > au/nzR R P AU $ 2 0 + P/ H

riffs. She played guitar in a high school band, writing songs and doing gigs but put it on hold while studying. It wasn’t until a few years later when she had a health breakdown that she started writing songs again as a form of therapy. She began gigging again and entered a song writing competition at the Maldon Folk Festival and was shocked to win it. Eventually with the help of a producer friend this led to her recording her self titled EP.

She recorded it at home in between the waking hours as she had by then two small children. The EP has had some radio play and good reviews so Heidi plans to do more gigs and another album for next year.

Life sounds very busy between setting up the studio, doing graphics, illustration, music and looking after the kids I wonder what this creative ‘jack of all trades ‘ will try to master next.

To see more of Heidi’s work go to www.thebirdcollective.com.au

Illustration for new children’s magazine ‘Lotta’ Children’s book illustration for Surf Lifesaving QLD

‘Trail Run’ photography and magazine design

Activity characters for ‘Lotta’ magazine

NourishWords by Adriana Alvarez

In a side street off the main road in Sassafras close by the bustling cafes and antique shops is a beautiful building harbouring a blissful experience. Nourish is a day spa owned by Miranda Long and managed by Renee Lee Hallet. It is the product of their two dreams meeting and becoming a reality. As I walk into the gorgeous and peaceful interiors with it’s intoxicating scents all the cares of my day, including my headache, seem to melt away.

Their dream was to have a luxurious day spa in the hills that provided and escape designed to nourish and restore. A place that is about the individual in a relaxed atmosphere with no upsell. “You won’t find any products at reception’ says Miranda who is passionate about nourishing locals. “We want to provide an affordable experience that will touch people. A space that has a genuine feeling for people and their needs.”

Their services include massages from remedial to relaxation to Lomi Lomi, facials and body treatments, pedicures and foot soaks, couples packages and even hen’s parties, bridal parties or special occasions can be catered for.

Nourish was created as a unique space not just for tourists, where locals can get quality and luxury without having to go off the hill. There is a healing focus as well, using crystals auras which can be more in line with the local feeling and spirit.

The values are an important part of Nourish for Miranda who’s father passed away recently from a skeletal illness. Miranda looked after him so healing is part of her nature. “My dad’s poetry is celebrated in the stairwell in tribute to his memory”, says Miranda.

The team at Nourish believe that you have only one chance to touch someone, there is no pressure to purchase product or have a number of treatments its purely about the opportunity to escape with respect and peace.

For their special introductory offer or to find out more about their other services visit www.nourishatsassafras.com.au

Nourish – 1 Prince St, Sassafras ph: 9755 2101

A time for givingWords by Rachel Hickingbotham

We all need help from time to time. Many of us have friends and family to turn to, but for some the challenge is too great or the support too little. This is where the amazing people at the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) happily step in. DRERS is a non-profit charitable organisation that assists those in the local hills community facing family difficulties, financial hardship and times of crisis.

Christmas can be an especially difficult time so each year DRERS gather donations of gifts and food from the community, delivered under The Giving Tree at Belgrave Library. They then set up a Christmas shop and offer special invitations to registered locals to come and “shop” for their families at no charge. Gifts are lovingly wrapped by volunteers ready to be opened on Christmas morning. Last year local schools, churches and businesses made the shop the biggest ever and allowed more than 200 extra special food hampers to be made up and passed onto families helping their tables become a little more festive.

This year the DRERS Christmas team are once again asking the community for help. Giving Tree co-ordinator, Marie Paterson says “Donations in the form of unwrapped toys and gifts for the whole family, toiletries and non-perishable food are gratefully welcomed. The focus is on small children but also on the older ones. Gifts for teenagers aged 12-17 are most needed as unlike the little ones, they notice when they are missing out”. Good ideas are movie passes, iTunes vouchers or any vouchers from department stores, JB Hi-fi and EB Entertainment. Makeup, nail polish and hair colour are always welcomed by the girls. Sporting equipment especially balls and Razor scooters are highly coveted on “shopping “day.

“Gifts that help people feel good about themselves are really important”, says Marie. Vouchers for haircuts, new clothes and toiletry packs (such as Linx) are all thoughtful donations. These are the things people end up having to sacrifice once they have spent their money on the essentials on their shopping list. It is also important not to forget Mum and Dad at this time too. “It was heart-warming to see children “shopping” for their parents at the Christmas shop last year”, said one volunteer.

Few people realise that gifts left under trees at major department stores are not distributed within our community. With this in mind, consider making a gift donation for a local child, teenager, mum or dad and leave your unwrapped present under the Giving Tree at Belgrave Library. Donations of food (including pet food) can be left at Foodworks supermarket in Upwey. Both food and gifts will be accepted until December 15th.

Tax deductible cash donations can be made by calling DRERS on 9754-7777. Local businesses such as Foodworks, Voski Von Muller Fashion Emporium and Café Have Ya Bean in Upwey and ANZ Upper Ferntree Gully are regular generous supporters as are many schools and churches. To get your own business or school involved call Marie Paterson on 0407 975 452 or email drers@optusnet.com.au.

DRERS christmas shop day

What’s Luck Got To Do With It?Today, over lunch, someone said to me, “You know, you’re very lucky to do a job that you love so much.”

“I suppose I am,” I replied.

I love what I do, but on reflecting, I’m not sure luck has anything to do with it.

Luck doesn’t get you out of bed at 5am. Luck doesn’t help you meet your deadline. Luck doesn’t plan and organise. Luck doesn’t get you in your car, to meetings, to coffee dates and out of your comfort zone.

I’m not sure that anything I’ve ever done has come down to luck. I am sure, however, that it has come down to hard work. Doing, not dreaming. Being proactive, not reactive.

And I’m pretty sure a lot of it has come down to love.

I don’t get the Sunday night dreads. I don’t roll over in the morning and snooze the alarm. I don’t dream and pine for the weekend. I don’t bitch and moan my way through the working week.

I genuinely love what I do.

I can’t think of an aspect of my job that irritates me.

I wish there were 48 hours in a day.

Work, to me, so often doesn’t feel like work. Even though I do feel challenged, and pressed for time, and occasionally overwhelmed, it’s not boring, or draining, or annoying.

I cannot imagine working so passionately, or happily, in a job I didn’t love so much. I can’t imagine doing anything else as a job.

Doing what you love has very little to do with luck; it involves a stack of self-belief. You can do anything in life, but not without spades of self-belief. I believe it’s belief itself that’s the biggest hurdle – if you believe in yourself, and what you do, then you can’t go wrong.

I know of some very brave people that have left day jobs in search of their dream career. They’ve taken salary cuts, moved homes, cities, countries and have adopted new lifestyles in the pursuit of happiness.

My parents always told me that it doesn’t matter what you do for a job in life – all that matters is that you love what you do.

And as long as I do what I love in life, I’ll be happy.

The thing I’ve realised is you make your own happy in life. You make your own luck. Fluke and chance and fortune are for fools. If you want something, go get it. If you love something, do it. All you need is to believe it.

A Good Daily Reminder…

in the thick of itlog life

Blog entries by Sandi Sieger @ inthethickofit.wordpress.com/

writer profile

Sandi Sieger

Words by Adriana Alvarez

The blog entries opposite are by Sandi Sieger, a freelance writer living in Selby who’s ‘ridiculously‘ busy. Not only does she have a blog “to do something just for me” says Sandi, but she is also director and editor-in-chief of online magazine Onya and founder of the Melboure Writers’ Club.

Onya launched on June 1st 2009 and is growing in success. It’s always being updated with new content every week as things happen. It’s a magazine which celebrates all things Australian. “There are lots of magazines out there which have all this really great stuff but a lot of it is things happening overseas when there are lots of people in Australia also doing amazing things that sometimes get overlooked” says Sandi. “It’s a way of showcasing things made in Australia and supporting local business.”

Before Onya she was the editor of online magazine ‘Mink’ for nearly two years which was all about up and coming ‘stuff’. She left there with the intention of starting up her own thing, wanting to do something she was passionate about and came up with the concept of Onya. “There’s nothing like this out there, a lot of magazines are about the latest gossip, fashion and make-up which is fine,” states Sandi. “But I wanted something that I would enjoy reading with cafe, theatre and film reviews and opinion pieces on topical news and I needed something that would bring it all together, so that was the Australian angle.” She has writers around Australia who write about what’s going on and is planning a printed publication, if finances allow it, to complement the online version.

Sandi is also the General Manager at ‘White Echo’, a digital social media company based in the Gold Coast. She works from home and goes into the city office one day a week. Working from home means she can have several projects going at the same time and allows her the time to continue Onya and blogging as things come up.

Her current blog ‘inthethickofit’ is a fun personal outlet for her writing. “If I want a rant or a personal piece that doesn’t fit with Onya or any other publications you can just put it on your blog and click and publish it, then it’s out there and people can comment on it. It’s an outlet to keep me writing” says Sandi.

Sandi originally started blogging as a way to get freelance writing work and to give editors easy access to her work, then people started commenting on her work and it became fun. This is her second blog, she shut the last one down because it became too structured and began to feel like a chore. Now she just blogs when she feels like it to keep things fresh.

Another of her projects is the Melbourne Writers’ Club which is held on the first Monday of every month in South Melbourne. It’s a place where writers can come together to network. It’s very informal, people can talk about writing, get encouragement, have a drink and dinner. “You don’t have to be a serious writer to join there’s people who are bloggers or work in PR who are interested in writing, some magazine writers and journalists. Every second month I get a guest speaker who’s a writer to come in and talk about writing or how they started in their career” says Sandi who’s interested in being collaborative. It’s about sharing ideas, helping each other out and bringing people who love writing together.

To check out Onya magazine go to www.onyamagazine.com/

Waste-free lunches made easy!

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Use coupon code HILLSJAN at checkout.

Local pick-up by arrangement.

Order online at www.littlegreentable.com.au

Words by Michelle Slater.

Community radio 3MDR 97.1, has an exciting brand-new website which showcases state-of-the-art design with unique listener interaction.

The professionally designed website features a special “listen-again” service, where people can access audio archives of their favourite programs anytime. This places MDR on a par with Australia’s best community radio.

Station president, Dale Blair, said that website brings an entirely new dimension to the station. “I’m really excited about the interactive capacity with the public and community participation,” he said.

MDR’s varied and interesting programs will still be broadcast on the usual 97.1fm frequency. The new website offers something for everyone, across a range of audiences.

Listeners can now communicate with their favourite announcer through a comments field on individual program blogs. Each presenter can up-load play-lists of artist’s tracks as well as news from their show.

Other services include a gig guide of all the live music and local arts in the mountain-district.

A “What’s on” page can now enable non-profit organisations to enter their own community service announcements and list all the news of local events. MDR continues its commitment to promoting community engagement.

CFA emergency bushfire information can be also be accessed from the new website.

Log on to www.3mdr.com to experience a new dynamic in community media. MDR provides a voice for the community - to the community!

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New 3MDR website comingThe existing website is a little old school now but brace yourselves for an updated, functional and user-friendly new website. The new website is due to launch later in the year.

THE GROOVE IS ON Janette Connell Tuesdays 9am - 11am.

The Groove Is On focuses on the mix of music, - Uplifting music with verve and attitude and always groovy. More info

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3MDR 97.1 fm Radiothon! November 2011Hey radio lovers, the annual membership drive is on now. All funds raised go into enhancing the station for listening pleasure, producing alternative media and good ol’ fashioned community spirit. Special bonus beni�ts for band subscriptions this month.

Sunday 20th November 2011behind the Upwey shops9 - 2pmUpwey

Gospel with Stew - Now Tuesday's 5-7pm hosted by Stew MacQueenJust Say Yeah - Now 9:00pm Tuesday'sClassically Saturday - hosted by Martin Kelly 2pm till 4pmItalian Show - with Angelo now Sundays 7pm till 9pm

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Grassroots Community Market has been going from strength to strength this year thanks to the support of the local community. The market for 20 November is SOLD OUT. We are expecting 90 stalls and a great market in Upwey this November.

Don’t forget the Christmas market on Saturday 10 December, our last hurrah for 2011 - Here is just a sample of the stalls which will be selling their wares at the next Markets. Don’t miss them!

Sun 20 Nov and Sat 10 Dec, 9-2pm Behind the shops in Upwey

Christina’s CraftsCards for all occasions, journals, jewellery, canvas art and mini canvases that sit on little easels. Mixed media is my passion so there is always something new to view.

“each thing...contains a little piece of me”

www.christinascrafts.com.au

www.victorianstrawberryfields.com.au

Victorian Strawberry FieldsAll our berries, figs, jams and sauces are home grown and bottled super fresh. Taste the difference!

GrowMe - Plantable Paper ProductsHandmade paper products recycled from 100% post-consumer waste, that grow flowers, herbs or salad. Give gifts that are friendly to the environment this Christmas! • Greeting Cards • Invitations • Calendars • Gift Bows and Tags • Party Favours • Growfetti Mention this ad at the Upwey Market in November or December to receive a free Growfetti sample when you spend $10 or more!

www.GrowMe.net.au

Magpie CafeWe’re open 8 - 5 Mon to Sat and 8 - 3 Sun. Address 48 Main St, Upwey Phone 9754 2124 Web www.themagpiecafe.com

“make the perfect mix”

resonantaromatics@gmail.com

Resonant AromaticsHave your senses enlightened as you choose which incense blends best suit your needs and purposes; selecting by sight, scent and inner guidance.

Crafts4KidsWant to occupy the kids? Looking for an alternative to lolly bags? What about an innovative fund-raising initiative? Then try our specially designed craft packs for kids! Each pack contains everything you need to complete an artwork they will love.

www.craftpacks4kids.com

hillscene sponsor

Out and About

KIDS IN THE GARDEN

Sandwiches packed and walking shoes on, my little boys were curious by a day planned at a garden. “Do you mean a park Mummy? Do they have swings there?” my eldest insisted to know, dubious of the entertainment factor. The incredibly tall trees instantly mesmerised them and once through the gates of the National Rhododendron Gardens, the boys were off and running. They ran along the pathways and secret little trails leading the way into new worlds hidden under branches of ferns, maples and azaleas and before long, the children were giggling, skipping and best of all, discovering.

We discovered the best ever climbing tree, cheerful old red phone boxes to talk to each other from afar and a carved stone table for games of noughts and crosses. Before long we arrived at a shimmering lake complete with gazebo just waiting for us to stop awhile and unpack our sandwiches.

We were soon visited by a mother duck and her babies and a nesting bird feeding her young in the rafters above us.

The mysterious twists and turns delighted us all. The boys particularly loved seeking out the hidden painted ladybugs along the way. When I spoke to garden manager, Maureen Irvin, she was proud to say that “the gardens are the sort of place children can run on the grass, roll down the slopes, run and skip to their heart’s content and make lots of noise”. Each school holidays, children can join in activities at many local parks and gardens on the Junior Ranger Program which takes them on some fascinating adventures of discovery www.juniorrangers.com.au. These summer school holidays why not pack a picnic and the let the kids loose to explore the gardens. In the height of summer the cool of Olinda will be a welcome relief from the heat and the garden has plenty of lush spots under shady trees. Best of all entry is free.

Find the National Rhododendron Gardens down The Georgian Road off the Olinda-Monbulk Road in Olinda.

HIGH ADVENTURE IN THE BRANCHES

Trees Adventure is a fresh new phenomenon in Belgrave that has everyone talking. The intricate web of ropes, bridges, nets, climbs and flying foxes artfully woven throughout the sublime canopy of the forest has to be seen to be believed. At the centre of it all is the Home Tree, where all the adventure begins. This enormous 150 year old Algerian oak, one the oldest of its kind in the world, holds all the rigging and seems to exude an air of guardianship over the forest and her tree climbing adventurers.

Trees Adventure is passionate about the forest, the local environment as well as the hills community. The team of skilled riggers creating the course were led by rock climber, Nic Dansin and worked closely with an arborist to ensure the trees were well treated. The staff are constantly excited to see the abundance of wildlife, such as owls, kookaburras and possums happily co-existing and undisturbed by the heart-pumping action going on amongst the branches of their homes.

No one misses out on the action with platforms ranging from 2m to 12m. Littlies aged

5 to 9 and adults with height aversions can test out their barrel crawling, monkey bridge balancing and jump on an “aerial skateboard” on courses called “Butterfly Attack” and “Eat Your Weeties”.

For adults, what starts out moderately challenging ramps up a notch or three with courses testing even the toughest commando on “Suck it Up”, “Ou La La” and topped off with the “Kingmaker”, a 100m flying fox if the staff think you can hack it.

Many visitors have said that manoeuvring through the trees releases an adrenalin pumping mixture of exhilaration and fear. But rest assured, for those a little nervous on the day, the staff are amazingly helpful, kind and professional with safety at top of mind. Self belief is certainly tested out but for many, especially the younger ones, self esteem gets a giant boost. So go on, unleash your inner monkey and see how high you can climb.

Trees Adventure can be found on Old Monbulk Road, in the Glen Harrow Gardens not far from Puffing Billy Station. It is very important that you book in advance as there is limited space in the trees. Read up on www.treesadventure.com.au for the low down on all the courses, child-adult supervisory ratio and waiver forms that are best signed before you leave home.

Call 9754-5354 for bookings and more information.

Rachel HickingbothamRachel is local mother of two rowdy boys and firefighter’s wife who loves to write. She is a writer and newsletter creator for Travelscene Monbulk and other local businesses. Rachel is firmly imbedded in the hills and is addicted to her laptop, pots of tea, forest walks and puddle jumping. Her email address is rachel@swiftsupport.com.au.

vintage love

Recently I had the blissful opportunity to soak up the spring sunshine, jump in the car, pump up the tunes and explore some of my favourite places in the Dandenong ranges – anything vintage.

We all know Fitzroy, Collingwood, St.Kilda and Brunswick (to name a few) have a huge selection of vintage wares. But the Hills also has some seriously cool retro and 2nd hand shopping, complete with inspiring venues to view them in. I met some wonderful people who all seemed to have a passion and genuine excitement for what they do. As a photographer, it was so hard to choose specific subject matter, I was in a frenzy of textures and I’m someone who has a creative meltdown over the sight of peeling paint.

I began my little road trip in Tecoma popping in for a taste of rockabilly at Sandra V then to the gorgeous Piccaninny recycled kids store. Belgrave spoilt me with a visit to the funky Walk in Wardrobe, Through the looking glass second hand books, Kat Emporium and The Silver Compacq.

After a stunning drive through forest I arrive in Kallista to peruse Vintage Cookbooks, Venita’s Vintage Collectables and Kallista Books. By this time, my camera was in overdrive and it seemed an act of cruelty that I was out of time. So much more vintage inspiration is in the hills to discover… I guess it will have to wait until the next sunny Saturday.

Photos and text by Carli Wilson from Barnaby&Wilson Photography www.barnabyandwilson.com

Sweet sensation confectory.tH

If you haven’t noticed yet (which I imagine would be hard, due to it’s dominating presence), a new character has arrived in Belgrave, going by the name ‘The Confectory’. Another exciting addition to the burgeoning presence of high quality stores in the Belgrave main st, The Confectory is capturing our hearts and our taste buds… This gourmet sweet store specialises in Australian boutique lollies, chocolates, jams & preserves, sweet wines (very shortly) and an impressive range of Gluten Free, Vegan and Sugar Free options.

Paul Dakis, the man behind The Confectory, has had a lifelong love affair with sweets and is now opening his first store to share

his passion with us all. Sourcing as many Australian boutique suppliers as he can, Paul’s space really respects what these crafts-people’s produce. Although there is plenty to appeal to the kids, there is a clear absence of ‘supermarket basics’ enticing you to spend time exploring the unique and exciting products available, and to walk out the door having had ‘an experience.’ It’s not just about satisfying your own sweet tooth either, the array of gifts available gives us all an excuse to enter The Confectory world more often than we probably should!

Whilst the focus of the store is on Australian boutique sweets, some international items have been carefully

chosen to supplement the range of Gluten free, Vegan and sugar free options, providing some products that have may not have been previously available in Australia. It would be impossible to name them all, but a few exciting products are Vegan marshmallows, honey alternatives & truffles and Gluten free gummy bears, jams, preserves and gourmet plum & hazelnut logs.

The Dakis family are no strangers to the hills community, Paul’s son and daughter-in-law run Limerence boutique (only a quick walk down the street) and you can certainly recognize their influence in the unique shop fit-out and overall feeling of the space. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’ll just have to get down there and experience it for yourself!

The Confectory - 1670 Burwood Hwy Belgrave. Open from 10am to 5pm Tuesday - Saturday with extended trading hours leading up to Christmas.

music

Why learn an instrument?

My dad used to tell me about how much he hated his piano lessons. His revenge was to throw stones at the chickens in the piano teacher’s yard as he left each lesson. There are many an adult with a similar hatred of their childhood instrument lessons. The question here is why are you wanting your child to learn an instrument? If the word “enjoyment” doesn’t come up in the list of reasons, you might want to reconsider your decision.

You need to start by putting a few things in perspective: 1. Most people (by most, I mean 98% of us)

won’t turn out to be the next Beethoven. 2. There are only so many hours in the day,

with competing priorities. Most people won’t prioritise learning an instrument to the level required to become the next Beethoven.

3. I guess what I’m trying to say here is, if you think your child is the next Beethoven, it will be pretty obvious because you won’t be able to drag them away from the piano, to eat or sleep! The natural talent will shine through.

For the rest of us music is a creative outlet that will most likely not lead to a career.

Some of the benefits to learning music include improved language skills (mathematical and linguistic), co-ordination, and there’s the confidence boost. Individualised attention for 30

minutes a week can do wonders to confidence, and let’s face it, this kind of attention is just not something you get in the class room.

Some outward signs of your child enjoying music are listening to music, or playing the piano/guitar/flute longer than their allotted practice time. This kind of enjoyment is the doorway to a much more fruitful experience with learning music.

If this is not the case, try and get to the reasons why. They might not enjoy the style of teaching, classical music doesn’t always suit. Sometimes popular/rock music would be a better choice. Often a mix of the two styles is a good combination. This way there is a healthy balance of music theory that is applicable to both worlds. Or trying a different instrument can sometimes do the trick.

Having music lessons can be a wonderful thing and it can inspire all sorts of creativity in other areas of a child’s life, if there is an element of enjoyment to what they are learning. One of the things I aspire to as a teacher is to ensure there are no stones thrown at my chickens!

Carolyn OatesCarolyn is a singer/songwriter who loves her time at home in the Dandenongs. To listen to her current single and for more information go to: www.myspace.com/carolynoates

confectory.tH

Holding her darling grandmother Wilga in her heart, Kristin Sutcliffe, mother of Tamarind Croft (founder of Wilga the boutique) retells the family tale that sees Wilga taking down one of their mother’s regal style curtains and niftily cutting and phenomenally hand-stitching a stunning gown for her sister to wear to the town ball that evening, early in the 1900s.

Wilga’s spirit of creativity and perseverance has been inherited by Croft, who opened Wilga’s doors two months before the birth of her son, and nearly eight years on mans the store with her baby daughter. Originally offering a very eclectic range of items including full circle dance skirts, exotic coin belts, and the beloved wide leg fold-top pants, Wilga has hosted a continuing dialogue with local customers which has seen

the range evolve to a point where customers will often find what they seek. For example Mavi Jeans which don’t gape at the back. Or a Wilga tailored dress that can be made-to-measure.

Chatting about fashion is what is happening on the surface, but underneath is a detailed web connecting a whole community of vibrant women. Conversations strike up about all things from the care of children to politics to cottage industry. Customers have become staff and suppliers of delectable hand-made accessories. The unique and inspiring range of brooches, rings, necklaces and hair pins created using vintage fabrics, glass and wood are created by local designers all working around their children. They include Carolyn Rose & Alia Kennedy from Button Blush (Ferny Creek), Natalie Latham from

The Wilga family

Sophie Jeans in Light Montreal by Mavi $169 Tie Dye Tee by Sass $49

Jossi Dress in Rust by Pol $169 Jodie’s Hat in Beige Wool $55 Wilga boutique

Tickety-Tock (Belgrave) and Nadya Jeffrey from Kooky Green Owl (Emerald). Sylvia Kranawetvogl of Zacharey & Lila (Menzies Creek) lovingly prints her designs onto vintage fabric and transforms it into quirky soft dolls and animals.

As new pieces arrive on the racks each week, regular and new customers pop in to touch base and join the discussion. Of these women, most are juggling motherhood, work and everything else. The little basket of toys is a huge asset to the store.

It’s comforting to know that Tamarind has devoted her store to local people. As a

hills resident herself, Tam says “I love living amongst the trees and am often reminded how spectacular the forest I live and work in really is.”

The magic of Kallista Village with its friendly, forward-thinking and savvy residents, is the perfect town for Wilga.

83 Monbulk Rd, Kallista VIC 3791 Ph: (03) 9755 3855 www.wilgaboutique.com.au

Wilga boutiqueAccessories Tam’s daughter Padma

High Neck Lace Top by Stella & Minx $149 Gathered Skirt by Wilga $165

Cloudehill Restaurant – Olinda

I do art class on a Friday so the girls I art with decided to check out Cloudehill in Olinda one day. It’s set in beautiful gardens and has a nursery on the premises so we chose a sunny day and off we went.

It’s a lovely looking place. The menu had limited options and not many ‘lunchy’ types of foods such as sandwiches or lite fare but it all sounded delish. My fellow tarts for the day were Tiff (my art teacher), Amanda and Liesl. Amanda and I chose the Lamb Kofta with salad, dips and Turkish breads, Tiff chose the Soup of the day with garlic bread and Liesl had the grilled seasonal vegetable stack on polenta. The meals ranged from $8.00 for an entrée soup to $28.00 for a main meal. My kofta meal was $18.00 and the grilled vegetable stack was $22.00 so it was on the pricier side for lunch.

The service was very slow after we had ordered but once the food came it was lovely. Amanda and I both agreed that our food was excellent and all elements worked well together. The dips were tziki, and babaganoush which were devine with the koftas and bread. Liesl loved the polenta but found it a tad oily, she did say though that the flavours together were beautiful. Tiff said the

soup was very tasty as was the homemade garlic bread though the soup could have been hotter.

Of course we had to sample the desserts for the sake of my article. Tiff gave the chocolate almond torte an 11/10, high praise indeed as Tiff likes to bake a lot! Liesl loved the bakewell tart with cream and berries, saying it was light, fresh and the best she had ever eaten. I can’t go past a crumble and this one didn’t disappoint, it was heavenly.

We were disappointed to realise that to view the gardens we would have to pay, something that we thought would be free with dining. It was a gorgeous place with lovely food, somewhere I would recommend for a special occasion.

89 Olinda Monbulk Road, Olinda www.cloudehill.com.au

Sarah O’Connor

I keep thinking “what do I want to be when I grow up?” and I always come up with the answer “a writer.” I’ve started two blogs www.autisticchildren.com.au about life with my special girl and www.skinnydreams.com. I now have the opportunity to write a food review column which combines both my love of writing and my love of food!

cafe tarts

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