North by North-East April/May 2015

C O U N T R Y L I F E I N N O R T H - E A S T V I C T O R I A

$5.95 incl GST

Vet advice on weaning

Buxton’s Geoff Olive

Meet the Mawsons

Handcrafted chocolate

VOL 5 ED

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PR

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Y 2015

Separating calves

Botanical man

Proud of Euroa

Northby NORTH-EAST

For Sale $280,000

(no stamp duty)

BeoliteVillageSecure retirement

Beolite Village Offers You:Quality, affordable independent

retirement living. Not-For-Profit Village. Pet Friendly

Social membership of the Mansfield Golf Club Close proximity to Mansfield’s town centre.

For further information contact Sharon or Natalie

at Beolite Village, Kidston Parade, Mansfield

03 5775 1925 or 0419 092 010 [email protected]

The Mackinnon Community Centre has:

Billiards and Table Tennis Indoor Bowls and Croquet

Library, Lounge with a Pianola Communal Vegetable Garden.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOWin our next stage - 4 brand new homesconstruction anticipated to commence Spring 2015

3 Bluff Court, Mansfield

AVAILABLE NOWEstablished home and gardens

Freshly painted throughout

2 bedrooms

1.5 bathrooms

Modern kitchen with dishwasher

Spacious north facing living/meals area

Quality fixtures and fittings throughout

RC heating/cooling

Solar hot water

Double remote lock up garage

Private courtyard

No steps

24hr emergency call system

For Sale $280,000

(no stamp duty)

BeoliteVillageSecure retirement

Beolite Village Offers You:Quality, affordable independent

retirement living. Not-For-Profit Village. Pet Friendly

Social membership of the Mansfield Golf Club Close proximity to Mansfield’s town centre.

For further information contact Sharon or Natalie

at Beolite Village, Kidston Parade, Mansfield

03 5775 1925 or 0419 092 010 [email protected]

The Mackinnon Community Centre has:

Billiards and Table Tennis Indoor Bowls and Croquet

Library, Lounge with a Pianola Communal Vegetable Garden.

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST NOWin our next stage - 4 brand new homesconstruction anticipated to commence Spring 2015

3 Bluff Court, Mansfield

AVAILABLE NOWEstablished home and gardens

Freshly painted throughout

2 bedrooms

1.5 bathrooms

Modern kitchen with dishwasher

Spacious north facing living/meals area

Quality fixtures and fittings throughout

RC heating/cooling

Solar hot water

Double remote lock up garage

Private courtyard

No steps

24hr emergency call system

Forget the last minute flowers or box of chocolates, make this year’s Mother’s Day extra special and let us spoil your Mum here at Holmesglen at Eildon.

On arrival she will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine followed by a spectacular 3 course lunch which includes some of the finest local produce our region has to offer. With stunning views, great wines and music by local vocalist Mallory Darragh, this is the perfect way to say thank you to your Mum. Reservations are essential as last year we booked out early!

Sunday 10th May 2015 12.30pm - 4.00pm $55.00 per adult - 3 courses $25.00 per child (6-12yrs) - 2 courses Children under 5yrs free of charge

Upcoming functions: Christmas in July Spring Degustation Dinner 18th July 2015 @ 6:30pm A leisurely dining experience not to be missed by lovers of fine food $65 per adult – 3 courses 17th October 2015 @ 6:30pm $30 per child (6-12 yrs) – 2 courses $80 per adult – 6 courses

We are fully licensed – drinks available from the bar (NO BYO) For bookings and enquiries: Phone: 03 5774 2631 Email: [email protected] 92 Moore Rd, Eildon VIC 3713

www.holmesglen.edu.au/eildon

Mother’s Day:“The one day of the year we try and pay our Mums back for a life time of giving.”

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Mansfield Office: 24a Highett StreetP: 03 5775 2334 F: 03 5775 1106

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PROFILE Developments

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ADVERTISING

Kelly Timms - Advertising Manager 0417 869 608 | [email protected]

Julie Fishlock 0427 710 133 | [email protected]

Property: Glen Rohan 0407 200 031 | [email protected]

Distribution, Subscriptions, Events: Nadine (03) 5779 1290 | [email protected]

Contact NNE: (03) 5779 1290 | 3 Eisners Lane, Mansfield Lynnda Heard 0407 103 035 | [email protected]

Published by Glen Rohan for RL Media Pty Ltd, ACN 081 735 891, of Mansfield Euroa Road, Merton 3715 Tel: (03) 5779 1290All material appearing in North by North-East is protected by Australian copyright laws. Any reproduction or adaption of any material in whole or part is not permitted without prior authorisation from the publisher. The publisher does not take responsibility for any statements or errors and omissions made by any editorial or advertising material published in this magazine. North by North-East invites contributions on subjects of interest to residents, businesses and visitors of the Murrindindi, Strathbogie, Mansfield, Wangaratta, Benalla, Indigo and Alpine districts. Please forward to [email protected]. Please be aware that North by North-East is unable to accept responsibility for the safe custody or return of any material whether typescripts, photographs, transparencies, artwork or computer discs.

ON THE COVERIn the right hands, great chocolate is crafted from these cacao beans. Colette Geier visited the Bright Chocolate Factory to visit the award-winning bean-to-bar makers. Story starts page 64.Picture: LYNNDA HEARD

Editor: Glen RohanArt Director: Lynnda HeardDesigner: Nicola TilburyContributors: John Larkin, Pat O’Bryan, Louise Munro, Joe Blake,Lynnda Heard, Dr Doug Norman, Ian Dunn, Cathy Olive, Brian Dixon,Colette Geier, Cass Jasper, Julia Foletta, Caroline KeenanPhotographers: Lynnda Heard, Nicola Tilbury

Contents

12 Jamieson Festival It’s autumn and it doesn’t get any better than the historic town of Jamieson with its tree-lined streets and parks changing colour.

13 Tolmie’s big day It was the 129th annual Sports day at Tolmie and once again a large crowd gathered to enjoy a terrific day. Pictures from Nicola Tilbury.

14 They came to play The Labour Day weekend attracted tennis players from across the state to Euroa for the town’s annual tournament. And fans are already booking for next year.

24 Meet the Mawsons Around Euroa, it’s hard not to bump into a Mawson. They’re involved in a number of community activities and a few businesses. Caroline Keenan met with them.

28 Queen of the parade Myrtleford celebrated its festival on the Labour Day weekend and on the Saturday staged the Grand Parade with its queen and princesses taking a bow.

30 Violet Town blooms Victoria’s earliest inland surveyed township is more than 170 years old and still full of optimism. Caroline Keenan reports.

NORTH BY NORTH-EAST 9

April&May 2015

36 Love of animals John Larkin looks at the special role animals play in our lives. The second part of John’s series, ‘Postcards from the Heart’.

46 Wine, food and Mansfield Saturday, April 25, commemorates ANZAC Day and it’s also the afternoon for celebrating the fine wine and food produced around Mansfield.

47 Catching Mynah birds The Yea Men’s Shed hosted a well-attended session recently on how to produce traps to capture the intrusive Indian Mynah bird.

48 Weaning calves Veterinarian Dr Denia Ford writes of the challenges of weaning spring calves from their mothers in autumn.

54 Hitched Pictures and reports of weddings across the area. In this issue we look at Molesworth, Yea and Howqua.

58 Michelini wine At Myrtleford, most people know of Michelini wines for their sponsorship of La Fiera Festival. Wine writer Ian Dunn samples some of their wine while on a fishing trip.

Gardening legend

Geoff Olive has had a lifetime working professionally in horticulture. Julia Foletta met with him among the trees at his Buxton home.

16

64 Chocolate success Craft chocolate is rare in Australia, but Colette Geier reports the Crawleys at the Bright Chocolate Factory are winning fans and awards for their efforts.

76 Happening There’s lots going on in the North-East over April and May. See the comprehensive list of markets, galleries and events in the area.

83 Country Property Some excellent properties are on the market this autumn. Among them, we visit the Holiday Park at Marysville, a beautiful farm at Strathbogie, a riverfront farm at Thornton and a lovely home on the river at Bright.

97 Who do you call? Go to the NNE Specialists pages to find that person or business you need to design, repair, maintain or build. And learn how to be a success while boring.

Dunn reviews wines from Michelini in Myrtleford, where they will be celebrating the festival known as La Fiera in May. Longwood chef Colette Geier visits the chocolate factory in Bright and comes away impressed with their ‘bean to bar’ way of production. Colette also can’t resist a great chocolate dessert and shares the recipe on page 71.

And in the Property section there are some beautiful farms and homes to drool over. Imagine having two kilometres of your own frontage to the Rubicon River; that’s what’s on offer at Thornton. Or, on a smaller scale, there’s a house on about five acres outside Bright with access to the Ovens River. Then again, if you want to combine business with pleasure there’s the Caravan and Holiday Park at Marysville, again on a river, this time the Steavenson. And while ‘Fernside’, the grazing property at Strathbogie doesn’t have its own stream, it does have the most splendid garden. Property starts this issue on page 83.

Welcome to the April/May edition of North by North-East; we hope you enjoy it.

Glen RohanEditor and Publisher

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AT A GLANCE25 Horseshoe Bend Lane, Kelvin ViewApprox 2 hectares, 4 bedroomsAuction: Date to be set in June if not sold prior.Agent: Ruralco Euroa, 5795 2240

[email protected] p. 5775 1550 m. 0424 534 695 Lot 1, Reardon Lane, Mansfield

Large Format Digital Printing Vehicle Graphics & Full Wraps Vinyl Signage Traditional Brushwork Logo Design

Our many types of native eucalptus trees in North-East Victoria add to the colour of autumn with their spectacular blooms.

Autumn is the favourite season of many a person and it’s easy to understand why. For a start the weather comes as a relief after

our normal long, hot summers; but then there’s the change in landscape.

The colours of the many exotic trees in our region transform over these months to something extraordinary. It’s the reason so many of our towns have celebratory festivals in the Autumn months.

In this issue, we look at the forthcoming Jamieson Festival, Beechworth’s unusually named Golden Horseshoe Festival, the Wandiligong Nut Festival and Mansfield’s vintage celebrations. Then there’s Bright’s Autumn Festival, Alexandra’s Easter Fair, Easter at Dinner Plain, Euroa’s Seven Creeks Estate Garden Party, the High Country Harvest – and apologies for the many I have, no doubt, missed.

The point is, it’s a great time of the year to be out and about.

In this issue, Julia Foletta spends some time with a man who has spent much of his life working outdoors; he’s the remarkable horticulturalist Geoff Olive who now lives at Buxton. Julia’s story starts on page 16.

Euroa’s Mawson family are also often described as ‘remarkable’. Joining NNE this issue is the former editor of the ‘Euroa Gazette’ and ex-ABC reporter Caroline Keenan who managed to coax Neville, Russell and David Mawson from their busy jobs to tell her a wee bit about their lives. Caroline’s report is on page 24.

A season to celebrate

Caroline also explores historic Violet Town in this issue on page 30.

John Larkin continues his ‘Postcards from the Heart’ series this edition with a heart-warming story on the role animals play in our lives. See John’s story starting on page 36.

Also in this issue we learn about the damage Indian Mynah birds are doing to our native birds and how to help control them (page 46); and veterinarian Dr Denia Ford helps us feel for those calves to be weaned from mothers (page 48).

In the Food and Wine section Ian

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015


Left to right: Betty Stinson, Graeme Green and David McEwan

Every conceivable object that can be found on a farming property can be found in one place at Molesworth at the

community’s annual fund raising Easter Bazaar Sale.Spread across the entire length and width of the local

Molesworth footy ground, are piles upon piles of the most extraordinary items. There is only enough space to just walk through the amassed items; luckily you don’t need much space to raise your arm to bid.

There is every type of spare part you need to build or repair that old tractor; and tools dating back to the dark ages are there in abundance.

It is the classic trash to treasure market on a truly grand country scale. The annual charity event goes all day and the organisers cater accordingly with refreshments on hand for those who choose not to bring a picnic lunch.

Whether you buy something or just visit to take a peek, the event is a fascinating glimpse of what people have found and are prepared to share.

If you don’t find that special treasure, which would be highly unlikely, attending this vast event is fun in itself.

Watching the people beam as they walk back to their cars with a box of things tucked under their arms, or observing the throng of people as they thrust their hands into the air anxious to have their bid taken by the auctioneers is well worth seeing.

Each year for the past 36 years the Molesworth Easter Bazaar Craft Sale and Auction has managed to raise more and more money for the local charities and to add that something to the small community. The locals are there in force with stalls of produce and a bazaar when a break from auctioning is needed.

This Easter Saturday don’t just drive through Molesworth; grab the family and make a bee line for the sale. Oh, and bring some cash with you. NNEEaster Saturday 4 April 4, from 9am.www.molesworth.infoLes Ridd 5797 6252 or 0427 310 213

Molesworth’s famous Easter Sale

Community centre is a Beolite asset

Betty moves tirelessly from one table to another as she takes her students, one on one, through the

steps involved in how to play Bridge. Laughter mixed with a sense of seriousness crosses the faces of the men and women holding cards in their hands. Tricks are listed and scores taken as players put into play their newly learned skills.

Next it’s Betty on the Beolite croquet lawn, again teaching with patience and care, and a firm hand as she takes a group of residents through the do’s and don’ts of crochet.

The Beolite Village in Mansfield is a not-for-profit independent living retirement community that as it grows is thinking about its residents. All too often as we build new housing communities, many forget to consider the importance of establishing centres that are local, that can be walked to easily. Places where people can meet, laugh and learn, and are not huge barns, but comfy, open and welcoming.

Beolite’s new Community Centre is such a place and with the help of wonderful people such as Betty, this centre is a true asset to the Beolite residents.

Might go and join in a round or two of Bridge. NNE


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It’s autumn and Jamieson is holding its 2nd Autumn Festival to take advantage of the beauty that only Jamieson can turn on in this season. Japanese Maples, old English Oaks and giant Redwoods line the streets adding glorious colour to the

heritage village.The Goulburn and Jamieson rivers meet at Jamieson and give the

perfect backdrop for this beautiful village.The day will be filled with everything from gold panning to black-

smithing, pottery to fine art, classic cars to whip-cracking, gold nugget throwing to a hay bale race. Buskers and live music will be present on street corners and on the stage

A demonstration of an electric Suzuki Jeep attempting to cross the Simpson Desert in July will be on display.

Highlighting the day will be blues guitarist Lloyd Spiegel playing the Cole-Clark Jamieson guitar made from a giant Redwood Sequoia tree, felled in the old Jamieson police paddock in 2011.

Entry to the Festival is free. Don’t miss it on Saturday 2nd May. www.jamieson.org.au. NNE

Don’t miss the JamiesonFestival


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Pictures: NICOLA TILBURY

Despite a bit of rain, the love was everywhere at the 129th Tolmie Sports Day in February. There was the love of the day

being a great day of sport and the love of everyone having a ball and to top it off, this year the sports day fell on Valentine’s Day.

Chunks of wood flew through the air as the Axemen chopped their way through tree trunks faster than a chainsaw; they appeared to love every minute especially when they won.

Lovers collected their loved ones in wheel-barrows and raced them down the track to the finish line trying desperately not to throw them out as they jostled past their competitors.

Volunteers loved giving up their time to spend the day in the canteen, baking, dish washing and laughing a lot while the masses were fed.

NNEPICTURED

A lot of love at Tolmie Sports Day

Out on the sports ground, women, men, kids and dogs raced up and down the grass tracks – most wanting to win, but some just in it for the fun, for the love of a day of country sports.

Horses and riders flew over jumps, and challenged each other at Barrel Racing, Flag Racing and the revived

Three Man Challenge. It was lovely under the trees for

those who just wanted to sit, watch and chuckle at the antics of competitors.

Next year is the 130th annual Tolmie Sports Day and will be a must attend event. NNE

Winners of the wheelbarrow race were Leeanne Sanderson and James Hardy from Melbourne

NNECOUNTRY

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Game, set and match toEuroa

Top left: Keily Jager (left) and Peter Lawrence from Euroa, both waiting to impress on the courts

Top right: Sally Hayes (left) was raised in Euroa and Felicity Burke has family in Euroa. Both came up from Melbourne for the tournament

Left: Trevor Hoare from Euroa

Below: Trevor Furphy, Laura Langmead,Nyall Langmead and Gayle Furphy (picture taken by Rod Andrews


More than 400 tennis players plus family and friends descended on the beautiful courts at Euroa over the Labour Day weekend for the town’s annual tournament of tennis.

This was a three-day event for anyone who loves a game of tennis – from the highly competitive to those who love a bash with the kids – and all organised down to the smallest detail.

This was the 85th Annual Labour Day Tournament of tennis at Euroa and the matches were organised by locals Gayle and Bob Furphy as they have done for the past 15 years.

The three days went off perfectly. The Furphys make use of a computer program which enables players to know what time they are scheduled to play.

“If you know you’re playing at 10 you can arrive just before hand,” Gayle said. This was especially important as accommodation in the area was all booked out and some of the Melbourne players had to commute. They were not deterred.

Among those from the ‘big smoke’ who played were husband and wife Laura and Nyall Langmead who took out the Women’s Open Singles and the Men’s Open Singles respectively. Nyall had competed in finals over the last years before winning, while Laura has now won the competition four times.

The tournament is a family affair where, in the graded events, parents can play with kids, nieces and nephews.

Over the weekend members of the Euroa Lawn Tennis Club helped in the kitchen with the club providing full bar facilities, breakfast, lunch and dinner to all those attending. Saturday night was a barbeque dinner and Sunday night a spit roast.

Gayle, a past secretary of the club and Bob, a past president, said it has been a wonderful weekend.

“The best turn out for the women’s open for a long time,” said Gayle. “As people left, most said that they would see us next year. Some had even booked their accommodation.”

Euroa Lawn Tennis Club www.eltc.com.au NNE

Euroa’s Tennis TournamentLabour Day weekend20 tennis courts (14 grass, 6 synthetic) all filled430 players790 entries (singles, doubles and mixed doubles)150 local players280 players from Melbourne and other areasGreat statistics on a great event held on the Labour Day weekend in Euroa.

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When horticulturalist Geoff Olive and his wife Jill moved to Buxton they made certain they became involved in the community. JULIA FOLETTA reports Pictures: LYNNDA HEARD u


Geoff Olive’s life of horticulture


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Early every Monday morning for the past three years Geoff Olive has been leaving his home in Buxton headed for the Euroa

Arboretum. It’s a 210 kilometre round trip, the pay isn’t great, but Geoff says, “It’s been wonderful.”

It all began when Geoff’s daughter Cathy, the arboretum’s project manager, was left with thousands of trees to propagate, but no one to do it. The arboretum grows indigenous trees and shrubs to order for revegetation in a wide geographical region. Collected seeds are recorded and identified as belonging to a particular region.

“Cath asked if I could give her a hand. I said I couldn’t work two and half days per week like the other bloke had, but I can give one day a week to keep the show on the road, if you’ve got a crew to do the pricking out and the preparing of the boxes,” Geoff explains.

“I got things working and the arboretum committee decided that Geoff Olive wasn’t just another old bloke who was going to be a bloody nuisance.

“The system has been computerised. Plants are picked up at a time arranged between the customer and the arboretum like in one month’s time or two month’s time. I also know how many trees I have in stock and available to meet the orders.”

Geoff monitors the plants to ensure each is labelled, weed free, uniform and perfect. The arboretum also provides an advice service to ensure trees and shrubs ordered are appropriate for the customer’s environmental conditions.

This love of horticulture began in his early childhood. Geoff Olive grew up on a farm in the Lara – Little River district. His father was a farmer who was also dedicated to his community; his mother’s family had come from Warracknabeal, not far from the Little Desert and she had special friends with an interest in land conservation and saving the Mallee fowl.

“I guess the beginnings of my ecological and environmental interests were built on the farm.”

His first memory of gardening was when, at age five, he was given a packet of viscaria seeds which he planted and watered with bath water.

By 1966 Geoff had completed a Diploma in Horticulture at Burnley Horticultural College then, being “mad on the bush”, he applied to complete the required three month industry practice at the Forests Commission’s native nursery at Wail, near Dimboola and the Little Desert. There, native dry land trees suited to the harsh environment of the Mallee, Wimmera and parts of the Western District were grown for farms and roadsides. Soon Geoff was employed as the nursery’s official propagator.

“It was really interesting for me as a 20-year-old having to learn techniques of growing Australian native plants. I had no one to teach me so I had to use my resources. After all the desertification that had taken place through grazing and bulldozing, these nurseries were the absolute forerunner of Australian native plants being put back into the bush, onto farms and into the environment,” Geoff says.

One person keen to share knowledge with Geoff was Burnley’s propagator Jack Plumridge. Jack was the original ABC garden presenter in the days before Kevin Heinze. On Jack’s retirement, the 24-year-old Geoff Olive took over as propagator and ran Burnley’s new state-of-the-art plant science laboratory, a facility that Jack had planned.

“I ran the nursery, did a lot of teaching within that and also taught night classes in horticulture and floriculture at Burnley and met some wonderful people.”

Geoff was considering a career change into his other interest – landscape and design – when, in 1980, a new opportunity arose at Burnley.

“I just shifted my office and my interests – I had a new job, a new challenge, a new career and I still had all my workmates around me.

“I now had landscape, the gardens, staff to manage and a huge teaching commitment. Crazy, totally crazy nonsense! I completed

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additional teaching qualifications when promoted to field superintendent, a position that put me in charge of the four departments – landscape, arboriculture, nursery and amenity horticulture, also known as parks and gardens.”

Under Geoff’s leadership, the Burnley gardens saw some additions including a new rose garden, an Australian native plant garden and large new sections of landscaping.

He also had a strong association with the nursery industry and the Nurseryman’s Association of Victoria whose annual Garden Week, was running into a few financial problems. It had been held at the Exhibition Buildings then the Ringwood Town Hall and Geoff suggested that the event be held at Burnley. The wheels turned through the bureaucracy and Garden Week went to Burnley in 1985. It was a success, providing a great boost to the nursery industry and the Burnley College itself.

The regrettable demolition in 1980 of the historic principal’s residence at Burnley had created more grounds space. As gardens manager Geoff’s vision for what had been the back garden was a landscaped herb and sunken garden and lawnscapes to replace the driveway.

“The nursery industry supplied us with trees, shrubs and annuals to upgrade the gardens for their Garden Week in March. They also agreed to fund some of the structure,” says Geoff.

In recognition of his contribution, Geoff was awarded an honorary life membership to the nursery industry. In 1991, the year of the Burnley Centenary, he received the Centenary Medal for Service to the Horticultural Industry.

The early morning starts and late night finishes allowed little time to see his wife Jill and their three children, Cathy, Andrew and Peter.

“It was a huge job. It became too much and like in every situation, you can’t do your job well when you have so much to do.”

By 2000 Geoff had been employed at Burnley for 34 years and decided that was a “fair enough career”. Retirement just before he was 55 gave Geoff the opportunity to pursue other interests.

The community may have Geoff and Jill’s daughter Cathy to thank for bringing them to Buxton.

Cathy had left a career in nursing for outdoor education then completed a Graduate Diploma in Landcare Rehabilitation at Ballarat University.

Geoff and Jill, great lovers of bushwalking and hiking, often came up to stay with Cathy, their regular visits taking them through Buxton and the Cathedral Ranges.

“I thought it’s a damned nice environment to grow Australian native plants,” says Geoff.

So in 1998 they bought 30 acres at Buxton which Geoff describes as “a bare block with nothing on it but blackberries, a bit of Kunzea Ericifolia scrub, a few stag trees and a beautiful Peppermint near the front gate.

“I guess the beginnings of my ecological and

environmental interests were built on the farm”

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APRIL / MAY 2015 20

“In the first few years I probably put in 5000 trees and shrubs – boronias, correas, all different cultivars and cut flower stuff such as waratahs and different eucalypts for foliage, which I sold to the floristry industry in Melbourne.”

Planning for their house began in 2000. Rather than building towards the back of the property as planned, the architect Robert Marshall, who worked in line with Alastair Knox design principles, advised a more sheltered sloping site nearer the front of the block with lovely aspects in all directions.

Geoff was now retired and going back and forth to Buxton; Jill was nursing in Melbourne and their youngest, Pete, was still at school.

Retirement after a career that ‘ran at 120 miles an hour’ meant boredom began to creep in and Geoff jumped at the chance of an offer of three days work per week. The job involved overseeing landscaping works by contractors at a retirement village.

“It sounded good – three days a week there, three days and weekends living in a caravan and shed, huddled in front of fires and loving every minute of it.”

But Geoff’s enthusiasm was short lived. The workers and contractors worked to very different set of principles and standards than the university environment which he was familiar with.

Next came an offer of workplace training for council workers studying horticulture. This job too had also fallen short of Geoff’s expectations when salvation arrived with a call for help from Parliament House where the gardens had

fallen behind and needed new ideas.“The next six years were spent at

Parliament House where I was team leader. It was a lovely place to work and I made some wonderful friends.”

The Olive’s home in Buxton was finished by 2006, but they were still

living in Melbourne.When 2009 arrived, Geoff was

told that his heart was pumping at 18 per cent due to a heart complaint, cardiomyopathy. In Geoff’s case it was thought to be caused by a virus and could be controlled by medication. Then there were the fires.

“In 2009 I was still ok except for my heart. We were here at Buxton on the day. We watched the fire go past us and said ‘poor bastards down the road’. Then the wind changed and it came back to bite us.”

The garden on the whole south western side of the property was totally wiped out along with the foliage and flower stock.

In the next seven weeks Geoff replanted with $1 tube stock.

“I had to buy 14 minimum of each species so everywhere you’ll find things planted in groups, not just one of this, one of that.”

While spending a lot of time at Buxton, Geoff became aware of how easily he might become divorced from the wider community so he put his hand up to join the Alexandra and District Open Gardens committee.

“Obviously I’m interested in gardens; horticulture is my life.”

Geoff was invited to be guest speaker

at one of the annual garden dinners and in subsequent years has called on his former students and colleagues to speak. These included names familiar to many – Andrew Laidlaw (Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens and ABC radio), Greg Moore (Burnley Principal 1988 to 2007) and Richard Rowe (Melbourne Zoological Gardens).

“Other students included Paul Bangay and Rick Eckersley, lots in the landscaping world and in the nursery trade; I can remember them all. Many have gone on to wonderful careers in horticulture.”

One of Geoff’s significant public projects was the internal landscaping for the Butterfly House at the Melbourne Zoo.

He became secretary of the gardens committee and also opened his own garden in 2011. The replantings had established, trees had rebounded and the fruit trees and vegetable garden had recovered. It was time to show everyone what could be achieved in a relatively short period of time.

Funds raised through the Alexandra scheme go back into community projects. Of these projects Geoff has been instrumental in the labelling of significant trees in Leckie Park, a project which is ongoing. The committee has sponsored numerous garden related projects including Alexandra’s Dove Cottage, the Alexandra District Hospital garden and the Kellock Lodge garden. Plans are also underway to purchase new seats and tables for Alexandra’s Jack Shiel gardens.

“People just don’t realise the effort

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that goes on behind the scenes to best utilise the money people give. We have also just given $2000 to Alexandra Rural Fire Brigade,” Geoff says.

In 2013 his garden was opened again for both the Alexandra scheme and the National Open Gardens scheme.

“We had a slight altercation about that because the national scheme didn’t want me to open for the local one, but they had to wear it. They presented things very professionally, but it cost money and they got their funding wrong. There’s not a thing they did that Alexandra doesn’t do, except that all our money raised goes back into community projects. The effort and money that people put in to open their gardens needs to be recognised. I see a great future for the Alexandra scheme.”

In October 2015 the Alexandra and District Open Gardens weekend will celebrate 25 years. It is planned that a number of country gardens and town gardens will be on show.

In 2010 Geoff was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. “The end of a working life was

imminent so I finished at Parliament House. I’ve survived four and a half years of being, not actually well, but able to do things.”

And do things he did. He and Jill

joined the Murrindindi East chapter of U3A where Geoff ran a series called Four Seasons, a monthly class in gardening which included propagation and garden tours.

They were also members of the Friends of Cathedral Ranges who built a walking track at Cook’s Mill and put in a big effort to remove Tutsan weeds.

“I was also a member of Hot Pans for a while. I loved the pans, I love the sound, I loved the company and the people were delightful. I was playing baritone, nice sound. It’s a real commitment and you’ve got to take your hat off to people who do it.”

Geoff joined the Buxton Progress Association (BPA) committee, offered advice and initiated landscaping and native plantings at the Buxton Reserve and was BPA president for 2014.

Under the umbrella of BPA, the Buxton Reserve Committee works with council on projects.

“Everyone complains about the council, but they don’t realise just how nice that reserve now looks and how often it is used. People who take dogs for walks always meet more people with dogs in parks and they are always nice. Our dogs are great levellers.

“But I came home from England last November with a sore back. I thought I’d just strained myself carrying suitcases,

but tests showed that the cancer had spread to the pelvic bones and the liver.”

Sadly Geoff’s condition has necessitated scaling back his involvements. He’s still on the open gardens committee and gets to meetings when he can, but his family and friends, his garden and the Euroa Arboretum take priority.

“Predominantly my garden is native because I don’t water. But I always have a place for every plant, natives or exotics. Ninety percent of the garden has to survive without water other than one decent summer watering. I love all plants, but not all plants love the environment we have to offer, so my advice is to choose things that will survive; that’s part of the art of horticulture.

“I don’t use any sprays in my vegetable garden other than vegetable dust to keep the white butterfly down, and wire is dug into the ground and run out to keep out the rabbits.

“I grow for birds and habitat and on this site I’ve recorded a large number of birds. Any garden should make people feel welcome.”

And Geoff’s advice to gardeners is: “Plant whatever you like for its beauty; consider the environment in your choice and leave something for the next generation.” NNE

“Obviously I’m interested in gardens; horticulture is my life”

NNECOUNTRY

APRIL / MAY 2015 22


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More than 140 cars and many times more admirers gathered at Wangaratta’s Apex Park on Sunday, March 8, for the ‘GM Show and Shine Day’.

Organisers from Wangaratta’s Early Holden Car Club were delighted at the turnout, saying the numbers were “beyond our expectations”.

The cars featured a number of pre-1970 Holdens and extended to Chevrolets and Pontiacs. Some owners had driven long distances to the park and vigorously polished their vehicles before most of the crowd arrived.

Similarly, many in the crowd had travelled for some time for the event. They would have thought the effort was well worthwhile. NNE

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Just about everyone around Euroa will know a Mawson;

they’re involved in a number of

businesses and always seem to

be volunteering at community events.

CAROLINE KEENAN finds what makes

them run

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APRIL / MAY 2015 24


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The busy Mawsons


From left to right: Neville, Russell and David Mawson


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APRIL / MAY 2015 26

Everyone knows you can inherit a long nose, pale skin or worse still, a dodgy ticker from your parents.

But it seems a willingness to roll up one’s sleeves for the community is another familial trait that runs strongly through generations.

Sitting down with Euroa’s Mawson brothers, Neville, Russell and David, it becomes clear they’re all committed to civic duty.

It’s also obvious the trio is passionate about the development of Euroa and ensuring its prosperity into the future.

Neville Mawson, who manages the local post office and whose wife,

Lorraine, runs the town’s newsagency, says history shows his ancestors were as active in the community as his family remains today.

“Our family goes back six generations in this town and throughout we have been involved in local projects,” Neville says.

“It’s just in our genetic DNA. It’s the way we are.”

The desire to do good extends well beyond the town’s borders as well, evidenced by Neville and Lorraine’s ongoing commitment as foster parents.

“We lost a child to cot death when he

was five months old. Fostering children in need of a home has brought great joy to our lives,” Neville says.

There’s a saying in Euroa. “If you want something done, ask one of the Mawson brothers.”

Neville and David bookend the family of six children, who mostly all settled in Euroa.

The brothers are fixtures in the local business community with David and his wife Gayle at one of the town’s bakeries

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while Russell is the long serving branch manager at Landmark stores in Euroa and Seymour.

But while they are firmly entrenched in local business, it’s probably not what sets these brothers apart.

Between them, they sit on or are involved in well over 30 local committees and boards.

Their volunteerism ranges from helping to raise the money to get the new $1 million roof for the Euroa Saleyards to making sure the local agricultural society and annual Euroa Show remain vibrant and relevant.

You’ll seldom go to an event, whether it’s raising money for the hospital or the primary school, where you don’t see a Mawson in an apron selling sausages or trying to sell raffle tickets at the front gate.

The boys were raised by their stay-at-home mother Agnes and rail worker father, Keith on a 14 acre block on the outskirts of town, where the parents still live today.

Russell says the strong work ethic, which is common to all six children, came from their hard working parents.

“It was hugely important to them that

“We love the town and we want to be a part

of its future”

we were reliable people. If we said we were going to be somewhere to do a job, you better believe it, they’d make sure we were there.”

The brothers laugh at playful jibes that they’re garnering a stranglehold on local business.

“Well, you’ve got to put your money where your mouth is. We love the town and we want to be a part of its future,” Russell says.

“I’d like to think people believe we do a good job. That we’re not too dear and that we’re fair in business.

“We’ve got no desire to take over every business in town. It’s like a garden where you only plant one variety of rose. It makes for a pretty boring garden.”

Neville adds that their businesses provide another vehicle to support the district’s charities and sporting clubs.

“People come in all the time asking for sponsorship and donations and I’m happy to oblige because I know how hard it can be to raise money in a small community.”

At the core of what defines the Mawson family is a deep sense of faith.

The brothers are devoted members of the tiny Balmattum Presbyterian Church,

where the congregation is heavily made up of Mawsons and their offspring.

“We pretty much take up one side of the church and well, yeah, the other side can look pretty lonely sometimes. Let’s just say you’re always welcome and will get a seat,” Russell says.

It’s not part of their religious belief, but all three brothers, along with the rest of the family, are teetotallers.

“It was very important to our mother that we didn’t drink and to our father too. He saw a few people in his family drink too much and cause a few headaches.

“Some people are confused because we don’t drink. But I’m comfortable with it. I can wake up on a Sunday morning without a headache and that suits me,” Russell says.

“To us there’s no such thing as a sickie. In my 32 years at Landmark I’ve had two weeks off. One to have my tonsils out and the other because I had shingles.

“And it would be the same for the other boys. We’re workers. It’s just the way we are.” NNE

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NNEPICTURED

APRIL / MAY 2015 28


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Surrounded by a royalty of princesses was Sophie O’Sullivan the Queen of the

Myrtleford Festival over the Labour Day Weekend in March. On the Saturday the 7th, it was the Grand Parade through the streets of Myrtleford where the queen and the princesses were able to enjoy being the focus of the crowd.

Who doesn’t love a Grand Parade? NNE

A right royal parade

Pictured clockwise from top left: Sally Botter, Sophie O’Sullivan, Hannah Norris, Shentara McPherson, Sarah Folan, Elise Zorzutti, Abbey Zamperoni and Brooke Rouse


Top: Lisa Collins and Shaun Jansz drove from Seaford to enjoy the dayBottom: Motobike couple: Sue and Mark McArdle travelled from Corowa

At the ‘Brighter Days Festival’ in Bright over the Labour Day

weekend in March, owners of wonderful classic cars and bikes and those who love music amassed for a three day gathering to raise funds for children’s charities.

The population of Bright seemed to double as people came from everywhere to admire the vehicles and enjoy the music. The setting was perfect, the weather was perfect and the music was perfect. It was little wonder that the crowd revelling in the atmosphere was also having a perfectly perfect time. NNE

A perfect Bright weekend

NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 2015 30


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Violet Town: a great community

In 1838, the land in the area then known as ‘Violet Creek’ between Port Phillip and Sydney was surveyed for a village. By 1840, the land was being sold for one pound an acre and the village was being developed. By 1846, its first hotel was open for business and in 1861, the village was proclaimed as a town – Violet Town.There have been some ups and downs since then, but these days the historic town just off the Hume Highway is looking up. The population stays around 1000, but it more than doubles that every second Saturday of month when its renowned market is on. CAROLINE KEENAN met with some residents who love the placePictures: LYNNDA HEARD

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NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 2015 32

Helen Keighery

One of Violet Town’s most recognisable residents, Helen Keighery, has one thing she’s determined to tick off her

bucket list.“I want to become a crazy old puppet lady.”The high school drama teacher is putting together a one-

woman puppet show using puppets she’s in the process of making.

“It’s been an ambition of mine for a long time. Last year a number of my friends received bad news about their health and I just thought I should do it while I’m still young; why not?”

It’s been almost 30 years since Helen packed up her family and left Melbourne to put down roots outside Violet Town.

Since then she’s has contributed significantly to the region’s colourful tapestry.

She is the mother of Ella and Jesse Hooper from the ‘90s band ‘Killing Heidi’ and she’s also the proprietor of a unique facility on the edge of town, known as The Parish.

The Parish, which she operates with her partner, former Strathbogie Shire Mayor Howard Myers, consists of two relocated churches.

The couple live in one of the structures, while the other is reserved for functions and use as a Bed and Breakfast.

The weatherboard former churches were relocated to the site 14 years ago. The one the couple calls home was the original Violet Town Anglican Church.

It’s used for functions, concerts, recitals, retreats, yoga and just about anything else you can imagine being suited to the high ceilings and well-worn timber floors of the church buildings.

Helen says her favourite use of the space is for gatherings of women.

“I love the idea of groups of girls getting away to enjoy good conversation and food. A little bit of pampering and sometimes some craft activity,” she says.

She laughs about being connected to one of the two things for which the tiny town is famous.

“Before the kids (Ella and Jesse) put ‘Killing Heidi’ together, Violet Town was only known for the dreadful train crash (in 1969, which claimed eight lives).

“It was an incredible time and thankfully Ella and Jesse kept their heads on and have gone on to forge careers for themselves.”

Ella has just released a new album and has regular spots on TV and radio while Jesse is teaching music.

“They’re great. They’re happy and doing what they love.”But of course the town has become renowned for other

reasons, including the monthly Violet Town market, which has

“It’s just that old way of family life that still

happens here”

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Helen at thome at the Parish

Helen with one of her favourite puppets Amy Winehouse

NNEPEOPLE

award winning pies & pastiesselection of breadscakes & slicessalad barcoffee & tearelaxed dining room

all day breakfast 7 days a weekoutdoor alfresco area with views of the lakeaward winning pies & pastiescakes & slicesspecialty breadscoffee & teafree wifi

opening hours mon-fri 6.30-5.30 sat-sun 6.30–3.30 refer to our facebook page for trading hours over the easter period

19 binney st, euroa 5795 2425

mawson’sbakery café

treat yourself

award winning

opening hours 7.00 - 4.00 7 days a week refer to our facebook page for trading hours over the easter period

317 high st, nagambie

now open


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NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 2015 34

more than 250 stalls and is recognised as the highest quality market in Victoria’s north-east.

Helen, who served as market coordinator for four years, says the event, held every second Saturday of the month, is hugely important to the town and the local economy.

“Every month it pumps revenue into the town, with the large crowd spending their money in the local shops as well as the market.

“And every year the steering committee raises about $40,000 which goes to local projects and we are often able to attract a dollar for dollar scheme from various organisations.”

The Violet Town of today is not so different from the one Helen and her family encountered when they made the move almost three decades ago.

“Even back then it had an active arts community. Sometimes I think it was even more vibrant in those days. There was a fantastic gallery in the main street where we held exhibitions every month.”

She’s pleased to note a recent surge in young families moving to the town.

“It has retained that country town charm of years gone by. It’s not uncommon to see teenage girls riding their horses around the streets and kids whizzing around on their bikes.

“It’s safe. Even if you’re not quite sure where your kids are, someone will have seen them and will know where they were headed.

“Kids can explore the town on their own, go to the creek and have adventures. It’s just that old way of family life that still happens here.

“Also, it’s affordable. You can have a lovely home here for a fraction of what it would cost in other centres.”

But she laments the buses filled with local children heading out of town to Euroa and Benalla every morning.

“It indicates that our local (primary) school might have lost some families, which is a shame because it’s crucial that our school is vibrant and that’s a challenge in a town our size.”

Helen plans to perform her puppet show at an upcoming market before maybe taking it on the road. And why not?

Sarah Bradley

To many it seems like a tiny hamlet where cars whizz through in a blur, en route to somewhere more

important. Certainly not a place to open a new home wares and fashion store.

But for Violet Town newcomer Sarah Bradley, the town seemed like the ideal spot to launch her Honeysuckle Store.

“I opened the store in July last year and thanks to the growing support of my customers, it’s proving to be a real success,” Sarah says.

“Violet Town was particularly attractive because it seemed really welcoming and had an obvious sense of community”

Sarah in her Honeysuckle Store

NNEPEOPLE


While The Honeysuckle Store, which takes its name from Violet Town’s Honeysuckle Creek, is one of only a handful of stores in the town, Sarah says she was struck by the number of people who pulled in off the highway to wander up and down the street.

“We find that Violet Town is a popular spot to stop for people travelling to and from Bendigo or from Melbourne up to Albury, Sydney and beyond.

“The locals have been really supportive of the store, but it’s also become a hit with the visitors to the town, especially the hundreds of people who come to town for the Violet Town market,” Sarah says.

Sarah and her husband Nick moved to Violet Town from Nick’s home in the East Kimberley region of Western Australian three years ago and are part of a mini-movement which has seen a steady stream of young families move to the area in recent years.

“When we moved to Victoria, we knew we wanted to live in this region (Sarah grew up on a property near Broadford), but Violet Town was particularly attractive because it seemed really welcoming and had an obvious sense of community.

“And with family living nearby, it was an easy decision to settle here. We’ve been made to feel very welcome. Both Nick and I, and the children as well, just really love it and we can see the town has a prosperous future.

Sarah’s Honeysuckle Store looks like it would be right at home in the main street of Sorrento or Portsea.

With her keen eye for fashion put to good use, Sarah has carefully selected a wide range of products to sell in the store.

“In Western Australia we were living on a remote cattle station so we were a long way from any shops. At night I used to dream about the sort of store I would open one day.”

Trish Delahey

When Trish Delahey ran the tiny grocery store in Violet Town, she knew when the farmers were doing it tough

because it was reflected in their shrinking orders.Conversely, a good season meant farmers caught up on their

bills and the slates were invariably wiped clean.“We were generous with our clients and we gave plenty of

credit. But the accounts were always paid in the end.“In our 30 years at the shop we saw the town go through good

times and hard years, but throughout, there’s always been a strong sense of community.”

Trish says she is constantly amazed by the generosity of people.

“Whenever disaster strikes there seems to be this army of cooks and cleaners and shoppers which magically arrives to help people through difficult periods of their lives.”

She said while Violet Town remains essentially a farming community, it is comprised of an eclectic and harmonious group of people.

“I think that’s one of the reasons that Violet Town is special. People who are involved in the arts and the environmental groups all try to work together.

“And the people from the farms appreciate the value all the different groups add to the town.

“We truly respect one another and the contribution by all the different elements of the community.” NNE

“People who are involved in the arts and the environmental groups all try to work together”

Trish relaxes at home

NNEBUCOLIC CHRONICLES

APRIL / MAY 2015 36


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They’re nothing but animals

Second of a two-part series, Postcards from the Heart, by JOHN LARKIN, on friendship

Name calling, as an integral part of life and death in the usual House of Representatives’ blood sports, took a new turn

one day in March 1971, which shook the place to its core.

The Prime Minister, John Gorton, was speaking in the midst of denying a statement he had reportedly made earlier to ‘Sydney Morning Herald’ journalist, Alan Ramsay, who printed it, when suddenly Ramsay, from the back of the Press Gallery, shouted down at him: “You liar!”

As it happened, I was standing beside Ramsay and the shock wave was palpable, as everyone processed what had just happened.

It was followed by a long silence, in which Gorton himself said nothing.

But then a familiar cracked voice came from across the floor of the Chamber: “Throw the animal out!”

It was not one of the PM’s Liberal colleagues who made the call, but the former Leader of the Labor Opposition, Arthur Calwell, by then the Father of the House.

Ramsay, who was still young then, stayed on reporting before he finally retired in 2008, keeping his passion and fearless crusading zeal right until the end. He later said, though, he regretted his behaviour that day, having gotten

‘carried away’, and making a ‘clown’ of himself.

But, the extra impact of that extraordinary event was not only Calwell’s attack, but his referring to Ramsay as a creature.

Ironically, Calwell himself carried the nickname ‘Cocky’, given to him by a vengeful Press during the war years when he was in charge of censorship, and ‘keeping cockatoo.’ To add to it, he had a prominent beakish nose and a raucous voice.

Calwell is long gone, but the use of animal words to describe people and events lingers on in our mainstream language.

A prime example of its assertive place was in a newspaper headline to describe William John O’Meally, the last man to be flogged in Victoria, and who served the longest prison term of 27 years until his final release in 1979 after being sentenced to hang for shooting a policeman in the early 1950’s, as well as being a serial prison escapist. By the time I interviewed him in Castlemaine Jail towards the end, O’Meally, who once was called the ‘King of Pentridge’, was nothing like the raging figure years before on the front page with the heading, ‘He Fought Like An Animal.’ He was pretty well broken, but he was still a man.

Occasionally animal references can be praiseful, as in ‘Tiger’ Woods, or poignant, such as in ‘swansong’, but often they range from uncomplimentary to downright denigrating.

Some random ones: a pig of a man; she’s a bitch; a cow of a day; the donkey vote; reptilian; mad as a cut snake; foxy; dingo’d on his mates; playing possum; went like a lamb; horsing around; acting the goat; chicken hearted; duck’s disease; out for a duck; something fishy; crabby; bullshit; horseshit; mousey; rat; beaver away; lion hearted; flat out like a lizard drinking; bats in the belfry; mad as a hornet; dogged; dog tired; crocodile tears; monkey around; make a galah of yourself; eagle eyed; wing it; stubborn as a mule ... and a ‘murder’ of crows.

The historic reasons for this habit are curious, and deep in our psyche. Perhaps the most plausible is that humans see themselves as the dominant species, as outlined in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, and seek to keep the Animal Kingdom subservient.

Down through the ages, as well as beasts of burden and sources of food, various species of animals have been caricatured as figures of entertainment, even fun, more as commodities than living beings. It is often when they are attributed with having faux human characteristics that causes the most


“The only thing I want to do is give peace to poor creatures, and reconcile

them to their existence here on Earth” – Vincent van Gogh writing to his brother,

Theo, April 1879

What puppy doesn’t appeal?


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NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 2015 38

enjoyment, even sometimes if it involves cruelty.

I shall never forget once seeing a monkey imprisoned in a small glass box in Las Vegas being made to jump every time a coin was put in a slot to activate an electrical charge.

Or the ‘experiment’, which found that when a baby chimpanzee was forcibly separated from its mother they both suffered deep grief.

The worst experience was to witness a whale’s terrible screaming when the harpoon exploded inside it when I was covering a hunt one dark day far away in the Southern Ocean, while the crew went into a frenzy, and the sea boiled with blood, and the sharks came, and then an albatross, and the sun went down early.

But then, one night, in Melbourne, when all the black bears in the Moscow Circus went on strike in the middle of their performance, by lying down and refusing to obey the increasingly vexed exhortations of their trainer, the entire

audience took up their side and cheered through the tears.

Gradually, there is a growing realisation that animals, including chickens, pigs, horses, cows, alpacas and sheep, birds and even fish, as well as wildlife, are sentient creatures with intelligence, feelings and social needs. One afternoon at the Glenelg seaside outside Adelaide, I saw a large octopus caught hauled up onto the jetty and left there. Until it finally died, its one eye never stopped zigzagging in terror.

Animals have many powerful forces on side, such as David Attenborough with his wondrous TV series celebrating their remarkable lives, while closer to home, a couple of old friends and colleagues of mine engage us in mainstream media with their terms of endearment: fearless broadcaster and commentator Phillip Adams in his national column, and cartoonist, poet and philosopher Michael Leunig, a resident of our region and classified as a

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Living National Treasure, who enchants us with his embracing assortment of beings who dwell beyond the limitations of the mind, such as his whimsical and wise ducks, goats and small birds who lift our spirits with their songs of praise on dark days. Going much further back, Walt Disney himself illustrated in his early pictures how it was always Humankind who harmed our little brothers and sisters, as animals were seen, rather than the other way around.

Just recently, I met a young man from Shepparton who used to go out shooting, for sport. One day, he brought down a kangaroo, but when he reached it, found it was still alive. “The look in its eyes as it lay there dying, did something to me I can never forget. It’s changed me completely. Now I won’t even walk on ants if I can help it.”

In parts of the European Union legislation is now being designed to establish the rights of animals as individuals.

When I relayed this to a senior primary industry executive in the North-East, he was so incredulous that he asked me to repeat it. Although he then processed the news in silence, it was so far beyond his experience that I was sure he thought I was at best mad.

Yet, Harvard scholar Jeffrey Masson, has written 20 books about the intimate worlds of animals, including ‘Dogs Never Lie About Love: Reflections on the Emotional World of Dogs’, and another book he shared with Susan McCarthy on animal emotions, called ‘When Elephants Weep’, which became a best-seller.

At the same time, some countries, including in the developing world, are realising the value of conservation, including of wildlife, for their economic benefit, to bring tourism as well as sustaining a traditional lifestyle. And there is also abroad now more a sense of humans being a species among other species, with serious responsibility towards the fate of the Earth. Part of

this awareness is the growing animal welfare movement and the crack down on cruelty.

Journalist Andrew Stephens has written in ‘The Age’ on American psychologist James Hillman reflecting that animals are so crucial to the emotional and psychological well-being of humans that “their extinction is also our own”.

“As we lose species, which we do with increasing rapidity, it is at our own great peril in many ways. Spiritually, we become impoverished.

“Writing in his book, ‘Dream Animals’ (1997), Hillman suggests we simply look into the eyes of a dog to understand this. There we can see a soul in the animal, ‘a soul of ancient sadness’, and we are at once connected with ourselves, the animal and our world.”

One of the greatest friendships is between people and their dogs.

Each dog’s passing always seems too soon, even in the case of my mother, when a little stray terrier came into her life and stayed with her for an amazing 23 years. “We grew old together,” she said.

One warm afternoon when visiting from Down South, I came upon them both asleep on their respective chairs in the lounge of the little seaside cottage. There was a gentle breeze in the gum trees outside, while inside there was a sense of peace which would have made angels weep.

Later, for a little while, Mum would have another little dog she rescued from a shelter, and even in her last days, when her face on the pillow was being clouded with changing consciousness, the mention of his name would rally her and her features suddenly would shine with love. “Oh, he’s a villain,” she would always say.

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APRIL / MAY 2015 40

Shepherd used to come and visit the various residents. Surprise, surprise, recent ‘research’ has revealed that older people, including those in care, respond remarkably when ‘allowed’ to have a pet for company.

On the day my mother was dying, the German Shepherd, who always went to her for a pat, baulked at the door and would go no further.

About a grief ago, as Shakespeare once wrote about the passing

of time, a local, authentic bushman, nicknamed Mudgee, one of the last of the breed, lost his best mate, Zac. Aged only eight, Zac had a wisdom and character far beyond his years. Like his custodian, he was a very old soul.

Again like Mudgee, who once travelled for 10 years around the back blocks in a horse drawn caravan, Zac was a bit of a loner. We would see him trotting along a track, taking in the morning, but mostly he would be looking for Mudgee. He would cry, with his sweet little sounds, whenever Mudgee returned home, as though the man had been away for months.

Zac came to Mudgee as a four-week-old puppy. Born up north at Yanco, near Leeton, he was a special breed, what is commonly called a Queensland stumpy-tailed cattle dog, with the more formal name of Smithfield. He had a strong body, large head, and the shortest of tails, with which he had been born naturally. Mudgee said he had come from half dingo lineage, and never barked until he was nine-months-old.

They had many adventures together, but most of all they shared devotion. Zac was very smart. He even had a special bark to warn of snakes. He kept his distance from horses, too, having been kicked a few times, by the various ones who have been in Mudgee’s care. If they came too close, Zac would make a snapping noise. But he never bit them. In fact, he was the most mild mannered

of creatures. He loved being loved and evoked great affection. He had a great sense of humour, and when you spoke fondly to him, he would roll his eyes back and bask in the moment.

Special flowers were collected for Zac’s grave. They included jasmine, climbing roses, lavender and bluebells. It is a fine shrine, fit for a prince. Mudgee said: “Everybody loved him.”

As that first night closed around us, it suddenly turned chilly. But Mudgee seemed to feel nothing on the outside. He kept his hat on, low, and sat on a chair outside.

“I reckon I’ll stay here for another two or three hours,” he murmured, more to himself, and his lost dog. I left them alone.

As I walked past a foal which Mudgee was parenting because its mother had rejected it, the creature whinnied at me softly in the half light. I consoled myself that Mudgee still had someone to love.

From down the lane has come the remarkable story of a tiny

water creature who remembered the kind hearted Starkey family who

rescued him as a lost infant, with such enduring attention to detail of which compassionate humans are capable towards all creatures great and small.

The saga began in 2009, when a daughter, Kim, while out cycling, found him, as a tiny hatchling about the size of a 20 cent piece, in the middle of a busy road. He was identified as an Australian freshwater turtle, an ancient species known as ‘living fossils’, having evolved from the Cretaceous Period, some 135 million years ago.

Kim’s mother, Bronwyn, who with her local historian husband, Jeff, used to teach at the Euroa Secondary College, says: “We think he must have taken a wrong turn after hatching from eggs buried on the bank of a creek, and headed inland rather than toward water.” They named him ‘Squirty’, after the Pokemon character ‘Squirtle Turtle’.

“It was only intended that Squirty would stay with us until he grew to a size that made him less vulnerable in the wild and until we found him a suitable habitat for him as the creek where we think he came from had dried up.

“But, as often happens, we grew

Bridget and her friend

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attached to this endearing little creature. He outgrew two, then three, indoor tanks, and also the fenced off garden pond where he would spend his days in warmer weather. After five years, his shell length was 17cm. My research had informed me that he was of an age and size (in relation to body fat) to be able to be kept outside permanently. This means that as the weather and water temperature cools, he would naturally reduce his food intake, as his metabolism slowed and would go into hibernation in the colder months. I also learned that he could very well outlive us, with a life span of 30-75 years! I would have to consider what would happen to him on our demise!”

As Bronwyn began seriously to consider the idea of releasing Squirty back into the wild, she learned from experience that he was quite capable of caring for himself, provided he was put in the right place. She checked out several possible sites before the colder weather came, away from traffic and human activity, and with a good source of food.

Finally she found a dam on a neighbouring friend’s property which

seemed to suit the purpose. “I sat on the sandy bank to take in the beautiful vista of the large and lovely clear body of water, sheltered to the North and West by large reeds, perfect cover for timid turtles, and sandy floor and banks perfect for egg laying, if so inclined (I was never sure about Squirt’s gender). In the warm shallows seemed tadpoles, midges and dragon fly larvae.

“As the idea dawned that this might be it, as if to answer my uncertainty, I saw the unmistakeable sight of a periscope on a long neck and, to distinguish it from a snake, the dark oval shape of shell under the water, before it disappeared from view to reappear a little further away. Clear evidence that it was indeed turtle territory! After searching in a two hour vicinity, I had found the perfect place literally just around the corner.

“On Australia Day, we took Squirty to his new home. Walking down the slope, we again spied the other turtle, of similar size, which we took as a good omen. Feeling both sadness and joy, my daughter and I placed him in the sheltered shadows of the dam. He did not swim off immediately, so we were able to give him a last feed of

grasshoppers, then, as if to show us that he knew what to do, he chased after and ate some larvae, then had a nibble on the underside of some reeds floating on the surface, even now and then popping his head up from underneath the shelter of the reeds to look up at us. Slowly he ventured further away until he disappeared from sight, and we left him to spend his first night not in captivity.”

While Bronwyn was as certain as she could be that they had chosen the best habitat, there were some lingering doubts how well Squirty would adapt to his new life. For the next few days, she went back to the dam, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. She had several sightings of turtles, but could not be sure it was him.

Then, four days after Squirty’s release, when she returned, she first saw on the far bank a wombat named Benny, who had been rescued as a baby from the Black Saturday fires, given much healing and affection while he grew, and finally released into the bush. At the same time, circling high above was a pair of eagles with their young, calling to each other. Bronwyn, who is much attuned to Nature, took both sightings as good omens.

“Feeling hopeful, I walked around the dam then back to the spot where we had released Squirty. I looked down and, to my amazement and joy, there was a familiar head poking out of the water. When I spoke to him, he didn’t pull his head in and take off like the others, so I knew it was him. He snacked on a few insects I had brought with me for old time’s sake, and stayed around the shallows near me for nearly three quarters of an hour, again displaying his prowess in catching various insects.

“I left feeling elated, knowing that the gamble had paid off. Squirty was coping very well in his new and natural life and I felt confident that he has every chance of living the way he was meant to in this beautiful sanctuary.

“Of course, in Nature there are always risks. But even a short, free, natural

True friendship doesn’t worry about size

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So give us a call now, and find out how we can help you.


sus. quatur, asimi,


sus. quatur, asimi,

NNEPEOPLE


life must be a better option than a long, unnatural, confined one. This is true of all living things.

“Since then, I have returned to the dam on several occasions and Squirty has swum up to say hello again. There is nothing else like the feeling of honour and privilege when a wild animal returns to you of their own free will. “

Love is still love, in whatever form it takes, including between animals,

where it can be no less palpable for being perhaps more mysterious.

Who among us has not seen a pair of galahs along the road, one mashed to death and the other, staying nearby, bewildered, but loyal? Elephants and whales are reportedly capable of great grief, and deep sea perch, like swans, mate for life, which can last up to 120 years.

There are various books about the most unusual, often protective, love between various animals of vastly different species. ‘Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom’, (Workman Publishing, New York) by Jennifer S. Holland, a science and nature journalist, working as a senior writer at ‘National Geographic’, has extraordinary accounts, with photographs, of all kinds of affection. They include a leopard lying down with a cow, an elephant cuddling a sheep, a house cat curling up with an iguana, and a gorilla caring for a kitten.

And recently back in Euroa, Mudgee the down-to-earth man of the bush who lost his beloved dog, Zac, told me how the orphan foal at his place, who Zac used to protect, goes across to Zac’s grave site, and puts a front hoof gently down among the flowers.

The tale

reminded me of a little dog who suddenly one day turned up alone at the Euroa Cemetery, and ran across the grounds with such purpose before coming to rest on a grave, where he lay, and stayed. The grave belonged to the man with whom he had lived.

In this series, the writer has

sought simply to tell stories, all drawn from real life experience, many of them in the country, around the Strathbogie region. Speaking in love’s universal language, they have needed no embellishment, only the respect of being retold for their own

sake, each leading us through chambers of the heart.

All through the years, whenever I see an act of compassion which makes Life even more worthwhile, I am often reminded of an image which has lingered since long ago, and said it all.

It happened at what used to be the Kew Children’s Cottages, which housed many hundreds of residents with all manner of disabilities, many of them most severe. It was a Dickensian place of misery, out of sight and out of mind, and my newspaper, ‘The Age’, was campaigning to make it better.

One day in a ward I was visiting, where the residents’ many impairments were profound, the sun began streaming into the room, and soon directly onto a boy lying in a heap on the floor.

Suddenly, but slowly, another child who was blind, sensed the heat, crawled across, and covered his friend’s body with his own, as a shield.

They both lay there, in a silent embrace which was beyond time and space, and words. So simple, yet so sublime.

It’s what friends do. NNE

“As we lose species, which we do with increasing

rapidity, it is at our own great peril in many ways”

John Larkin has received a Humane Society award for his writings about animals. He was also shortlisted for its national print media prize with Voiceless, the prestigious Australian animal protection institute, with an article on ‘Horses for Hope’, the Shepparton and Kinglake rehabilitation service for humans and horses damaged in the Black Saturday bushfires. Among the Voiceless patrons are Michael Kirby, former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Jane Goodall, the world authority on gorillas and J. M. Coetzee, the South African recipient of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Literature who relocated to Australia in 2002, lives in Adelaide, and is a staunch advocate of animal rights.


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Why Griffiths Goodall?We are regionally based insurance

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We live in the community, with many members of our team having

rural backgrounds.

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We are general insurance brokers with 30 members of staff, and we are able to assist with any form of

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All of our senior people have spent multiple decades in the industry.

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We know insurance. It’s been our business for a very long time, and we are one of the largest privately owned insurance brokers in the nation. Our directors and key staff have more than 100 years of continuous experience in all facets of insurance and our account executives are specialists in

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Griffiths Goodall Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd (ABN 52858454162)(AFSL 237533) are licensed to apply for, acquire, vary or dispose of a general insurance product on behalf of a retail or wholesale client. Any advice given on this advertisement is general only and may not be right for you. To decide if an insurance product is right for you please carefully read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and our Financial Services Guide. These are available on request from our office.

Call or email us today for a no cost indication on this comprehensive and competitive policy option.

the field. It’s this depth of experience that makes such a big difference to you.

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So give us a call now, and find out how we can help you.

NNECOUNTRY

APRIL / MAY 2015 46


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NNEPEOPLE


Taste the best

Mansfield’s annual Vintage Celebrations hits the street again in autumn on ANZAC Day, April 25, when wine

makers from the region team up with food producers to display their wares, offer tastings and, hopefully, sell some.

The afternoon of indulgence will be held slap-bang in the middle of Mansfield on the wide grassed, tree covered medium strip in High Street, so ensuring that you cannot miss the displays.

“We decided to move the event into the town for the car clubs as they love to attend the day, but hate the dust,” said Susan Kinloch one of the organisers of the vintage day for the Upper Goulburn Wine Growers Association (UGWA).

“This year we are so excited about the new wine releases. We want to showcase

our wines and to get the message out that we have great wines in the Mansfield Shire,” said Susan.

UGWA also encompasses Murrindindi Shire, but because the area is so vast the group has decided to run individual shire events.

“This vintage celebration is aimed more at the Mansfield growers and makers and there will be stallholders from across the whole group,” said Susan.

“The live entertainment this year is Jo Jo Smith as well as The Lex Pistols.”

The way the day works is that the public can purchase a tasting glass and then sample wines at no cost. Those same wines will also be available for sale. The event commences at noon and wraps up by 5pm. NNE

of Mansfield The perfect combination; a selection of wines from High Country Cellars and a platter from

the Mansfield Produce Store


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It was a day for the birds – well, indigenous birds that is – as a number of people took instruction on how to catch what has been identified as our native

birds’ number one enemy after cats, the imported Indian Mynah bird.

At the Men’s Shed in Yea on the last Saturday of February, the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network (UGLN) had organised for Mynah expert Max Caithness from the Yarra Indian Mynah Action Group to demonstrate how to make traps for the birds so they can be destroyed.

Max told the group how Mynahs are particularly aggressive towards our native birds. According to Max, the Mynahs destroy native birds’ eggs and chicks so restricting the chances of breeding. They also show little respect for bigger birds and animals, often challenging kookaburras for their nesting hollows and even evicting sugar gliders from their tree hollows.

Visitors to the Men’s Shed came from

Skilled in hunting Mynah birds

as far as Merton, Flowerdale and Ferntree Gully with a few from Max’s home turf of Eltham.

Having spent the morning making the traps and hearing from Max, members of the group were looking forward to setting

up the traps at home and playing their part in making their patch friendlier to native birds.

The Yarra Indian Mynah Action Group can be contacted via its web site: www.yimag.org.au NNE

Robert Artini from Flowerdale constructs his trap

Autumn is with us and for cattle breeders, that can mean it’s time to wean spring drop calves from their mothers. Veterinarian Dr DENIA FORD has some experience in understanding some of the challenges involved

NNEFARMING

APRIL / MAY 2015 48


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Take precautions when weaning

u


This year is rapidly slipping by and the time I have left to prepare myself for the process of ‘skype weaning’ is also rapidly dwindling. Unlike our cattle counterparts, I’ve been gradually weaning

my parents from me with short distance time away for university and then my graduate job in Alexandra. I gave them false hope over the past 18 months returning home for work, only to plan a 12 month work and travel adventure in Alaska (the opposite end of the earth). As I consider the logistics of weaning social interactions with my Aussie family and friends to a computer screen, many of our local north-east producers are in the process of weaning, or have already weaned, their spring drop calves with some repercussions worth discussing in this issue.

For those not familiar, weaning is the process of separating offspring from their mother. This eliminates milk as a source of nutrition for the calf and makes them dependent on grazing and supplementary feed for weight gain and development. The main production benefits of weaning calves revolve around grazing being a more efficient source of energy than milk; dry cows can be maintained on poorer quality pastures than lactating cows and; the fertility of cows at the next joining period will be improved if they are given a sufficient dry period.

Beef calves are usually weaned between five to seven months of age (April – May from spring drop calves) depending on the condition of stock, pasture availability and preference of the farmer. Ideally calves should be approximately 50 per cent of the weight of their mother at the time of weaning.

There are many methods of weaning calves depending on facilities, time commitment from the producer and available markets. Through the north-east this autumn you will see mobs of calves held in yards who are being weaned with supplementary hay or silage – that’s called yard-weaning. It is important overcrowding is minimised and that they are supplied with ample feed and fresh water. Some producers simply separate the calves and cows and then relocate them to different, distant areas of the farm. This can be more stressful for both cow and calf than yard-weaning and determined calves will go through many a fence to get back to their mum.

Regardless of the method used, a few health considerations need to be made when weaning. Calves should be introduced to supplementary hay/silage (and pellets if preferred) approximately two weeks prior to being weaned in order to ensure their rumen is developed suitably

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NNEFARMING

NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 2015 50

to make the best use of these feedstuffs. All weaners should have received two injections of 5 in 1 vaccine prior to weaning and if being weaned onto lush feed should receive a booster at weaning to reduce the risk of pulpy kidney and other Clostridial diseases. If the pasture they have been grazing in the months prior to weaning has been dry an A, D and E vitamin injection at weaning may also be beneficial.

Immune suppression as a result of stress at the time of weaning predisposes weaner calves to be affected by diseases that may not cause problems in older groups of cattle. Weaner ill thrift, pinkeye and respiratory infections are common problems seen around the time of weaning.

Weaner ill thrift is poor weight gain or weight loss of weaner calves often associated with nutrition, parasite burden and trace mineral deficiencies. Ensuring calves are gradually introduced to supplementary feeds prior to weaning allows the rumen microflora to adapt to best utilise these feeds. Excessive exposure to carbohydrate rich feeds such as pellets and grain can result in clinical grain overload, but also in subclinical changes that reduce appetite and alter the balance of gut flora to reduce digestion efficiency.

Lack of quality and quantity of feed supplied is a big contributor to weaner ill thrift. Intestinal parasitism (worms) is a significant cause of poor growth in young cattle – immune suppression in weaners predisposes them to worm burdens and therefore inefficient use of the nutrition they are supplied. Weaners should be drenched and then grazed on a ‘safe’ (spelled over summer or grazed by dry cows/steers) pasture. Faecal egg counts will provide information on further drenching requirements.

Poor growth rates in weaner cattle are often associated with deficiencies in copper and selenium depending on the local soil type and pasture growth/quality. Testing a number of animals in a mob may be beneficial to determine whether trace element supplementation is necessary on your property.

Pinkeye is a highly contagious ocular disease that is caused by flies spreading the bacteria Moraxella bovis. Dry, dusty conditions and close proximity of animals associated with yard weaning exacerbate this disease. One or both eyes can be affected – watery discharge, squinting, increased light sensitivity and pink/white discolouration of the cornea are common signs associated with pinkeye. Eye ulceration is very painful, reducing appetite and therefore weight gain, hence this it is important to manage this condition from a welfare and production perspective. Untreated pinkeye can result in rupture of the eyeball and permanent blindness.

Treatment involves topical antibiotics and covering the affected eye with a patch (or suturing the eyelids closed) to reduce further damage from dust, flies and sunlight. Some simple management techniques can reduce the risk of pinkeye: application of insecticides when in yards to reduce fly numbers and therefore transmission; avoid grazing on long pastures that may irritate the eye surface; avoid overcrowding to reduce rate of spread and; remove affected animals from the remainder of the mob. A vaccination is available; however, must be administered three to six weeks prior to the onset of pinkeye season.

Stress, immunosuppression and crowding also play a role in the development of respiratory disease in weaners. Often viral infection initiates changes in the respiratory tract that are

then secondarily infected by bacteria causing severe illness (pneumonia) in affected animals. Clinical signs of respiratory disease include depression, laboured breathing, coughing and nasal discharge. Early veterinary intervention is necessary to provide supportive care, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Affected animals should be removed from the mob to reduce the spread of infectious agents. Vaccines such as Bovilis MH and Bovilis MH-IBR are now available to reduce the incidence of respiratory disease in weaners and feedlot cattle.

Although not specifically associated with weaning, we are often called to examine infected castration wounds when calves are brought in for weaning. The use of old/perished elastrator rings or inadequate drainage of surgical castration wounds are implicated in the development of infection. Some cases respond to systemic antibiotics while others can only be rectified surgically. Bull calves that have been missed at marking and are over six months old must be castrated by a veterinarian using suitable anaesthesia and pain relief.

If you’re about to wean, you should now understand that weaner management is more than just separating calves from their mothers. For more information, the Department of Environment and Primary Industries has many useful fact sheets covering weaning calves or, of course, contact your local veterinarian. NNE

No doubt the next article I write for NNE will cover conditions of reindeer, sled dogs and how to avoid bears and mother moose. Looking forward to the adventure that awaits in between…yeehah!

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NNEFAMILY MATTERS

APRIL / MAY 2015 52


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NNEPEOPLE


Over the years, ‘The old boy’ and I seem to have an innate sense of attracting interesting people and/or situations.

Sometimes these circumstances have tested our patience, but usually we come out smiling or have a good, hearty laugh, as ‘the old boy’ tends to put an optimistic spin on most things.

“Life is too short not to,” he is known for saying. Allow me to give you some examples.

A few years back we attended a show in Melbourne. It’s a rare treat for

Attitude is everything

us to get away for a night, so we were really looking forward to it. I had our accommodation booked close by, so we could walk there and back at our leisure, enjoying the sights of this beautiful city. As it turned out we had pre-dinner drinks with a lovely, friendly deaf man and during the show we were seated next to an equally friendly blind man. You can’t make this stuff up!

‘The old boy’ is quite practised at lip reading due to having a deaf friend so, over drinks, he didn’t have a problem chatting to our new-found friend. But

This article falls on LOUISE MUNRO’S third anniversary of writing this column. As regular readers will know, Louise’s husband (better known as ‘the old boy’) has copped a bit of flak from her in past issues, but this story is different.


“I then declared that he was a wicked, but very clever man”

*No ‘old boy’ was harmed in the writing of this article. I just had to stick a pin in his inflated head after he read this story.

However, this didn’t dampen ‘the old boy’s’ spirits. Sure, we were wet and cold, but he was going to have a good time regardless. We danced, sang, cheered and clapped (with water spraying everywhere) and had a great time; well, as good as you could under those circumstances.

People around us were complaining and some even left, which totally bewildered ‘the old boy’. We caught up with friends after the concert, who had also attended and we then enjoyed some much needed warming of our inner fluids. But our friends whinged and grumbled about supposedly having the worst night ever! ‘The old boy’ with his positive attitude proclaimed, “I had a ball; worse things have happened at sea.” I proudly admired him, while they all looked at him like he had two heads.

When a girl is married to a man who almost always, no matter what the situation, has a glass half full kind of attitude, this ideal approach does eventually rub off. So I would officially like to announce to readers (in an almost sickly sweet, but extremely positive manner) that I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to a wonderful man who has, no matter what, the bestest, most optimistic attitude ever! Love ya ‘old boy’. NNE

other; I am happy to be the rude bitch and ‘the old boy’ is content for me to do so.

But I have learnt ‘the old boy’ can be rude if the mood takes him; he just does it in an indirect, cunning way.

Many years back we were touring The Great Ocean Road and at each viewing point we came across bus load after bus load of international tourists. After being asked many times to “take photo please”, ‘the old boy’ came up with a plan. He pointed out to a group that there would be a pod of whales approaching in approximately 15 minutes. He was very descriptive and waved his arms around a lot, talking in half-sign language – I told you he can communicate to anyone! They all nodded, smiled, thanked him and then got busy telling their friends what he had announced.

‘The old boy’ then grabbed my hand and whispered that we promptly walk back to the car. “But,” I asked, “What about these whales that are coming?” He gave me a wink and a cheeky grin. I then declared that he was a wicked, but very clever man. As a result, we went on to quietly enjoy the next several viewing points blissfully alone.

More recently I surprised ‘the old boy’ with tickets to a band that he has loved and listened to over decades past. It was held late summer in an open, outdoor venue. We were both excited as this was a once in a lifetime concert. All things being well it would have been brilliant, except the skies opened up and we spent almost two hours getting wet – not just a little soggy, but sopping and cold right down to the bone.

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being on a time frame, we had to leave this man’s company and the men parted ways with a hearty handshake and much back-slapping.

Now ‘the old boy’ possesses the typical country farmer qualities of being able to communicate to anyone. He doesn’t judge, but takes everyone on face value. Occasionally, however, these assets are, shall we say, taken for a ride.

The blind man was seated next to me at the show and introduced himself as Richard. ‘The old boy’ has the Aussie habit of shortening everyone’s name and quickly called him Dick; to be told just as promptly, “Excuse me, my name is Richard.”

I quietly sat back and observed Richard, while he and ‘the old boy’ animatedly chatted before the show commenced. Richard had learnt more about ‘the old boy’ in five minutes than some people learn in a life time.

At interval Richard asked ‘the old boy’ to escort him to the bathroom (which we had a giggle about later) and at the end of the show we left with Richard on ‘the old boy’s’ elbow. Now by this time I was getting a little peeved (and maybe even a little jealous). I felt a bit like the third wheel. Certainly, our much anticipated weekend away was not going as I had planned.

When Richard invited us all to have a drink at a nearby bar, I stepped in and firmly stressed to Richard that we would love his company, but I explained my husband and I didn’t get to spend a lot of quality time together and we would have to decline his invitation. This is where ‘the old boy’ and I complement each

APRIL / MAY 201554

NNEHITCHED

catanachs ad - NBNE mag.indd 1 11/03/15 9:11 AM

It is often said ‘All roads lead to Rome’, but in the case of bride Candice Lazaro and groom Kristian Russell during a recent unplanned

road trip this wasn’t quite right. Candice is from Geelong and Kristian from Alma near Maryborough and their journey led them to the ideal destination for their October wedding celebrations – the whimsical country Christ Church in Molesworth and the beautiful Beaufort Manor in the delightful town of Yea.

The bride’s sister Madeline Hovey played double duty of hairdresser and Maid of Honour, Tiana Thorpe, Kristen Convery-Ware and Leanne White were the other bridesmaids together with groomsmen – Kenneth Russell (Best

Found their ideal wedding setting

Found their ideal wedding setting

& Candice Kristian

Man), Brenton Thorpe, Michael Hovey and Christopher Bonney.

Flowers were carefully selected by Avonlea Flowers, Murchison and beautifully arranged by Lynette Russell – the groom’s mother. Father Thomas Lesley officiated at the proceedings after vocalists James Saunders and Louisa Rankin sang ‘At Last’ as the bride walked down the aisle. Later, the singers gave their rendition of ‘Signed, sealed, delivered’ as the bride and groom signed themselves over to each other.

In a continued theme of driving and wandering, the bride and groom headed off for their honeymoon to the Woodlands Rainforest Retreat at Narbethong in a maroon 1967 Mustang convertible. NNE

Pictures courtesy Ashley Cotter and Rhiannon Russell


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NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 201556

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They were also lucky in another way in that it had poured rain on the wedding day – about 100ml – but a hasty hire of a large marquee from Mansfield Party Hire meant the event was covered if necessary. However, the sun came out to shine on all about 30 minutes before the couple said “I do”.

No rain on their paradeA whimsical Disney themed wedding

may not be to everyone’s liking, but with Alex’s nickname ‘Pumba’ and Chiara and Pumba both being beloved characters of the well known ‘Lion King’, there was no avoiding it. ‘Can you feel the love tonight’ accompanied the bride down the aisle having just been delivered to the ceremony Cinderella style in her very own replica western stagecoach with two beautiful Clydesdales courtesy of Matt Leggett, manager of Mansfield Holiday Park. The cake continued the Disney theme with a Mickey and Minnie cake topper balanced atop 100 handmade cupcakes of various flavours lovingly baked by Travis and Tracie from Magnolia Restaurant.

Andrea Dolling of Davons Hair room, Michelle from beautif-Eye, Lisa of Edith and May flowers, celebrant Robyn Baddeley,

Dave of Bowens Entertainment and a very generous and exceptionally talented brother and sister-in-law Cate and Tim banded together as the support crew ensuring this wedding was a box office smash.

Add to that the bride’s connections with Barwite wines, catering also by Magnolia Restaurant, as well as a large cast in supporting roles – including Stacey Van-Taarling (maid of honour), Tahnne Fisher and Renee Groves, Gus Svenson (best man), groomsmen Thomas Robinson and Richard Jones – an enviable and relaxing north-east Victorian backdrop and a honeymoon to, of course, Disneyland and we’d say these guys have a hit on their hands! NNE

Pictures courtesy Nea Leydon Photography

NNEFOOD AND WINE

APRIL / MAY 2015 58


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NNEPEOPLE


Michelini wines are the major sponsor of ‘La Fiera Festival’ around Myrtleford in May so it was suggested I taste some of their

offerings. I recognised the name through the very stylish premises at Myrtleford, but was otherwise unfamiliar with the wines.

The problem/challenge, however, was a lack of time for the tasting. Ultimately it was decided that the evenings of a trip to the Snowy Mountains would be appropriate. In turn this led to a different squad of tasters. In addition to the Deft Palate we had The Fisherman and his wife Ms Pinko (so named by the Plodding Quaffer who made up the panel and who was suspicious of Ms Pinko’s politics). The wines were consumed with good food after strenuous activity, before a good fire. Pretty ideal really.

En route to the Snowys, we stopped at Beechworth. What a fortunate, beautiful place it is, for many reasons, not the least being its food and wine offerings. We called in at Provender, a cafe offering lovely light food, but also the biggest collection of local wines. It was there that I saw a Michelini Merlot. I knew this was regarded as the flagship of their wines so I bought a bottle to complement the Teroldego, Marzemino and Sangiovese that were travelling with us.

And we ate at Ox and Hound, a restaurant already well reviewed in NNE (October/November edition). I won’t discuss the absolutely beautiful food, but what interested the Deft Palate and me was the extraordinary wine list. It comprised, overwhelmingly, local wines ranging from offerings of the smaller and cheaper wineries to some of the big stars charging quite a lot. In addition there were a number of French and Italian wines chosen to complement the locals. So, for example, a local Sangiovese was followed on the list by a couple from Tuscany, and the group of Pinot Noirs were accompanied by Pinots from Burgundy. A brilliant juxtaposition!

I’ve had other local restaurateurs and publicans especially around Yea and Alexandra explaining that they want to make money by sale of cheap wine by the glass. Let me assure them that at Ox and Hound, the overflow customers were being turned away and almost every table was buying wine by the bottle,

An Italian/AussieWine writer IAN DUNN combines a trip to the Snowy Mountains with a tasting of Michelini wines from Myrtleford

Michelini Wines213 Great Alpine Road

Myrtleford Tel: 5751 1990

www.micheliniwines.com.au

story


H A N D C R A F T E D

C o n ta c t } B R Y A N H O R SK IN S

0 4 1 3 1 3 5 4 3 3 1974 Long Lane } Barwite Victoria

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helped by waiting staff both familiar with, and interested in, good local wine. And the patrons were not holding back! Plenty of tables into the second bottle. (It helps when one’s bed is but a short walk away.)

Anyway, now accompanied by the Merlot, we got up to our destination in the mountains. Over three excellent evening meals the Michelini reds were digested and discussed at length. While Ms Pinko and the Fisherman had no idea they would be used as guinea pigs, they warmed to their work. And as they hail from Myrtleford, and are partial to a drop or more, they are very familiar with the wines of the region. In fact Ms Pinko once won a trophy at a blind tasting at which she scored more correct answers than any other competitor, but the judges refused to believe a woman had won it, and gave the trophy to the Fisherman instead.

As for the Plodding Quaffer, his comments were at least consistent. When asked for his assessment of, for example, the Merlot, his response was similar to that of Oliver Twist – he asked for more. A good deal more of each was necessary in order that he could provide any comment at all and then it was, in every case, “bloody lovely”.

As to the two better known varieties, the Sangiovese and Merlot, there was furious agreement. The Merlot was as good as many of the Merlots I’ve reviewed recently. In fact the Fisherman and Deft Palate said it was outstanding, the best of the wines by far. Ms Pinko and I were very taken by the Sangiovese, which has better ripe fruit characteristics than many local Sangioveses and indeed quite a few of the imported models. At the price ($22 the Sangiovese and $25 the Merlot), they are a real bargain.

Perhaps of more interest were the two lesser known varieties. The patriarch of the Michelini family, Emo arrived in Australia after WWII and once he found his way to the Buckland Valley, first lived in a tobacco kiln with his wife Olga and then took up tobacco growing before grapes were planted in the 1980s. Mr Michelini’s roots were in the Trentino region of Northern Italy and it is from this region that the Teroldego ($24) and Marzemino ($22), which I’d not previously encountered, were generated. They are each grown by several hundred growers in Italy. In the UK, Sainsbury sell a good deal of Marzemino, whilst there are some plantings of Teroldego in California.

We all found them interesting though a couple of us felt that the flavour of the Teroldego tended to vanish on the palate. The Fisherman suggested that the Marzemino would be best drunk during a leisurely Sunday lunch, and at this point the Plodding Quaffer cheered up, being under the impression that the wines would be on offer again the following lunchtime!

The Michelini family is to be commended for offering these unfashionable varieties. They are part of a huge range of wines including those offered under second and third labels Devils Creek and Demon Ridge respectively. The premium wines under the Michelini label are very good and, better still, extremely interesting.NNE

[email protected]


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NNEFOOD AND WINE

NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 2015 60

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Up in the mountains just out of Bright the teams of pickers are readying themselves for the annual Wandiligong Nut Festival on Sunday, April 26.

Walnut, chestnut and hazelnut trees line the roads, fill the front and backyards of the houses and spread through the orchards of Wandiligong.

The population of this beautiful rural village is only small, but they are nutty about their nuts. What started as a local ‘let’s get together and eat nuts’, has grown into an annual festival of markets, arts and crafts, live music and, of course, all things to do with nuts.

There are jams, cakes, soups made from nuts and this year cooking demonstrations by Anthony Simone from Simone’s restaurant in Bright and Hamish Nugent from Tani and Drink.

Festival president and local nut grower Anthea Markowiak says she trialled four different recipes before settling on the following for her nut soup recipe.

“The use of rum rather than sherry comes from Stefano Manfredi when he served chestnut soup in a degustation dinner at Simone’s a few years ago,” Anthea said. NNE

Nuts at Wandi

Chestnut Soup 1 chopped onion2 chopped carrots3 sticks of celery, chopped500gm peeled chestnuts1 bay leaf1 litre chicken or vegetable stock1/4 cup rum or sherryFresh nutmeg

Fry the onion, carrot and celery over a gentle heat for 10 minutes. Add the chestnuts, bay leaf and stock. Simmer for 45 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and puree mixture. Add the sherry or rum and grate over some fresh nutmeg.

Anthea in her backyard bursting with nut trees

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Join as a club member in April and receive a 16 month membership starting from only

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NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 2015 62

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Top: 5 members of the Maygar’s MobFront: Michael Collins (left) from Melbourne, Rob Martin (centre) from Longwood and Jason Eveleigh from Merton.Back are Mark Collins (left) from Box Hill and David Fowles from Longwood.

Ruffy Cricket

It was the annual cricket match between the Wilderness Wanderers and the Maygar’s Mob at Ruffy on Saturday, March 7. Whites were dusted off and picnics packed.

For some the game was slightly serious, but for most it was about a fun day. Certainly some fine wine (Maygars, of course) and beer was consumed and the fans became noisier as the game went on.

Who won you may ask? In a nail-biting finish, it was Maygars by three runs and their Michael Collins (the Australian version) was named Man of the Match. Stand by for the re-match in 2016. NNE

Below left: The Wilderness WanderersBack: Scott McKay (left) from Highlands, Hamish McAlpine from Caveat, Tom McCooey from Caveat and Cameron Warne from Culgoa.Front: Umpire Duncan Ferguson (left) now from Melbourne but a former Ruffy resident, Don Cook from Ruffy, Fraser Welch from Melbourne (ex-Caveat) and Jim McCooey from Caveat.

Below: 3 of the Maygar’s Mob. Left: Dave Dobroszcza (left), Billy Mills from Wonga Park and Greg Palmer from Healesville


Fish For dinner... Guaranteed!

Located in the picturesque Goulburn Valley, Eildon Trout Farm has fishing for everyone. You can choose from five ponds, with different challenge levels and sized fish in each pond.

A great day out and an excellent opportunity for team building, celebrations, birthdays and more.

Recreational fishing for beginners to the expert fly fisher

A natural relaxing atmosphere to catch a couple of fish, you can also take home some gourmet goodies from the excellent selection of regional foods, wine, cheese, smoked trout and salmon, including famous Smoked Trout Pâté.

With prior notice a sample platter for groups visiting the farm can be arranged for your enjoyment.

Contact us for competitively priced wholesale and bulk ordering.

P: 03 5773 2377460 Back Eildon Road, Thornton (Look for the green flags and the big trout!)

E: [email protected] our website for specials and fresh recipes www.eildontroutfarm.com.au

Quality Bulls and Females Available

Lease Options, Semen and Embryos Available

For more information contact: Caitlin Williams 0419 007 489

The Alpine Shire has long been a mecca for avid foodies, but now there’s a new artisan producer in town and a trip to Bright just got a whole lot sweeter. COLETTE GEIER reports

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Bright future forcraft chocolate


53 Longwood Mansfield Road,Longwood East 3665 Victoria AustraliaTel 61 3 5798 5417 M 0402 136 448

vineyard@strathbogieboutiquewines.comwww.strathbogieboutiquewines.com

MAYGARS HILL

Trophy Winning Red Wines

Mob 0402 136 448

53 Longwood Mansfield RoadLongwood East 3665 Victoria

[email protected]

Lunch and dinner 7 days a weekLive music last Sunday afternoon of the month

Beer garden • AccommodationBottleshop • Ice cold beer • Open fireplace

Buxton Hotel - Maroondah Highway BuxtonPhone 03 5774 7381

[email protected]

Ros Ritchie WinesPO Box 210 MansfieldVictoria 3724 Australia

www.rosritchiewines.com

Carefully crafted wines

Handpicked from individual vineyards in the cool climate

high country of Victoria

Made with skill and passion

Ros Ritchie WinesPO Box 210 MansfieldVictoria 3724 Australia





Made with skill and passion

Made by Ros Ritchiewith passion and skill

Take home the essence of The High Country




Available at:Marks IGA & Foodworks Supermarket

Restaurants throughout the region

Phone Ros 0448 900 541PO Box 210 Mansfield,Vic 3724


Available at IGA supermarkets -Euroa and Nagambie and selectedrestaurants and pubs throughoutthe region.

Longwood East 3666

Open 7 days by appointment;phone 0410 649 030

craft chocolateProduce/CaféWeddings - Events

Accommodation - Conferences

0429 699 [email protected]

1188 Maroondah Hwy, Narbethong VIC 3778


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Wine Tasting & SalesExclusively Upper Goulburn Region wines plus local beers and Tin Shed Cider

... a wine tour without the busWine by the glass now available! Friday & Saturday noon to 9pmSunday & Public Holidays noon to 6pm

Trading Hours - Wednesday To sunday from 11am & Public Holidays oTHer days by aPPoinTmenT 60 HigH sT, mansfield 0437 117 693 [email protected] HigHcounTryWinecellars.com.au

BYO food

Shannon and Simone Crawly at the chocolate factory


Tucked away from Bright’s main street, close to the bank of the Ovens River, an old derelict building has been given a new

lease of life and the transformation is astounding.

The old brick barn, originally built as the stables for Sharps Bakery had sat empty for years before Simeon and Shannon Crawley recognised its potential as the perfect home for their dreams of an artisan chocolate factory.

Months and months of scrubbing and painting paid off and on December 27, 2013, The Bright Chocolate Factory was open for business.

Step inside the Victorian brick façade and you’re met with a heady mix of sights and aromas sure to send the average chocoholic into an exquisite sensory overload.

The Bright Chocolate Factory has one large point of difference from most chocolatiers in Australia, they don’t just melt and mould chocolate, they make it from scratch.

Of the hundreds of chocolate shops around the country, Bright Chocolate is one of only a dozen ‘bean to bar’ producers in the nation.

The Crawleys moved to Bright 12

years ago after buying The Ovens Valley Motor Inn, never dreaming they’d end up running their very own chocolate factory.

The journey from motelier (and standard chocoholic) to chocolate maker began while the couple was on holidays.

“We went to visit a famous chocolate factory in Western Australia only to discover they didn’t actually ‘make’ the chocolate at all, they just melted and moulded it.”

They discovered the average chocolatier started out with buttons of preprocessed chocolate and had no connection with the original cacao beans.

Provenance has become synonymous with quality produce and whether it’s wine, coffee, meat, olive oil or even chocolate, we now know a product is only as good as its back story.

Even boutique chocolatiers have little knowledge of where and how their product is grown, cultivated and processed due to the string of wholesalers and processors involved.

The Crawleys discovered a chocolate movement in the USA called bean to bar that was sweeping the nation and which answered many of their questions.

This new breed of artisan chocolate

makers are cutting out the middleman and sourcing beans of exceptional quality to create single origin chocolate bars much like a winemaker produces wine from a single vineyard and grape variety.

Simeon suddenly realised his true calling was to become an artisan chocolate maker, but the issue was where to start. How does a full-time businessman and father of three young children learn a trade that is practiced by less than a handful of people in the country, all of whom are a long way from north-east Victoria?

Simeon found he was able to study chocolate making via the web through a college – Ecole Chocolat – based in Canada. Passion is a strong motivator and he managed to complete the course whilst working fulltime and wrangling three small children (with more than a little help and encouragement from Shannon).

Once Simeon’s course was complete, it was time to start experimenting, sourcing beans from different plantations around the world.

All cacao beans are produced within 20 degrees latitude of the equator, the vast majority of it within 10 degrees,

HOW TO ORDER: Order by the day before (3 or more platters require 2 days notice)

Pick up at 64 Cambridge Drive Mansfield Free delivery in Mansfield township

for purchases of $50 or more No minimum order Personalise your platter

Salmon available from Wed - Sat Phone or SMS 0429 467 881

[email protected] Fax 03 5775 1260 download our menu from:

www.sushifield.com.au

SUSHI FIELD SUSHI PLATTER perfect for any occasion

“We’ve been so lucky and we’re really blown away by all the support

we’ve received”

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with 60 to 70 per cent humidity and a minimum annual rain fall of 1000ml, giving Simeon clear parameters with which to search.

Although native to South America, the vast majority of cacao is produced in West Africa, most notably in the Ivory Coast. Cacao farming in this area is rife with atrocities of slavery and child labour and due to plant hybridisation, poor farming practices and bulk wholesalers, sourcing ethically produced, quality beans is very difficult.

Simeon started contacting individual farmers from Africa to South America and it wasn’t long before he was making trial batches of his very own bean to bar chocolate.

Terroir is a term used in winemaking to describe growing conditions and environmental factors that have a major impact on the resulting wine. Terroir has exactly the same importance when growing cacao; it’s just a different set of variables.

What is also crucial is how the pods are processed once they are picked and this varies from farm to farm and country to country. The methods may vary, but like wine making, the different steps have a marked impact on the flavour of the resulting chocolate. The ripeness at which the beans are picked, how long they are left in the pod after

picking, the bacteria present in the fermentation (not to mention how hot the beans get and how long complete fermentation takes) all add to the end result and flavour.

Just how imperative the precise production and processing of premium single source beans is most obvious in their cost. Standard quality cacao beans from West Africa and Indonesia wholesale for as little as $3000 a tonne, but the fine flavoured, single sourced beans sell for up to four times as much.

The price difference is not due so much to demand, but to the higher wages and better working conditions of farmers as well as the much lower yields resulting from heirloom variety cacao trees used.

Along with South America and the West Indies, Madagascar is also a major producer of quality cacao. The isolation of the small island nation means hybridisation has been kept to a minimum and good farming and production practice ensures a quality product.

Organic is a buzzword in all type of farming, but with cacao the term can be overstated to demand a premium price unnecessarily.

Cacao is grown in remote areas of old growth forests. As the trees require the protection of a higher tree canopy they

• No minimum nights • Sleeps 14+ people• In middle of town • Right on Rail Trail• Within a stone’s throw of eateries• Supplied meals to cottage available1 Wrights Road, Yarck VictoriaPhone: Sonja 0409 004 887 or Andrew 0408 599 677

THE GIDDY GOATLicensed Café

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B&B. Overnight & Holiday Accommodation

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YarckCottageHomemade MealsLazy Breakfasts Relaxed Lunches

cannot be planted too close together and as such they do not suffer the same disease and pests threats as intensely farmed crops.

Not only is the use of herbicides and pesticides generally non-viable, proper maintenance of trees including pruning and mulching makes chemical application unnecessary.

Once the beans have been fermented and dried to six per cent moisture content, they are then stable and require no additives to avoid spoilage or infestation during storage and transport.

This all makes quality-produced cacao organic by its very nature.

The beans then make their way to the factory and this is where Simeon weaves his magic.

First the beans are sorted and roasted, then cracked and winnowed to remove the husk and separate the bean pieces, known as nibs. The temperature and duration of roasting are one of the many well-kept secrets possessed by a master chocolate maker.

The cacao nibs, along with sugar, are added to a machine called a conch.

Conching refines, blends and heats the ingredients together to form chocolate and can take anywhere from an hour up to three days.

Conching appears to involve a degree of alchemy rather than straight science


but, as well as mixing everything together, it helps remove bitterness and creates the velvety texture we expect from good chocolate.

The chocolate is then tempered, which involves more heating and cooling to create a fine, shiny product that remains solid at temperatures up to 30 degrees Centigrade.

The finished chocolate is then ready to be moulded, packaged, labelled and finally eaten.

The Bright Chocolate factory currently produces four single origin dark chocolate bars; two are from the Caribbean (Trinidad and the Dominican Republic), one from Ecuador in South America and the other from much further west in Madagascar.

2118 Maroondah HWY Buxton VIC 3711T: 03 5774 7370 E: [email protected]

BUXTON TROUT

& salmon farm

EST. 1958

Each variety is sourced from a single plantation in their country of origin and at present consists of between 68 per cent and 72 per cent cacao. They are then packaged, each variety in a unique box beautifully illustrated with an animal indigenous to its county of origin.

Always on the lookout for new sources, the Crawley’s are currently working with farmers in other countries to secure new varieties of fine flavoured cacao.

Sampling bean to bar chocolate is very similar to tasting wine though you won’t see a spittoon nearby. The difference in variety is astounding when tasted back to back and the flavour palate is intense and very wide. The spiced fruity notes of the Trinidad u

chocolate are vastly different from the smooth vanilla and cinnamon tones in the Ecuadorian variety.

The different coloured packaging represents a cacao pod at a different stage of ripening and the milk chocolate bars are made using locally produced milk.

They say ‘behind every great man is a great woman’ and this is no

exception. Shannon is responsible for the styling, marketing, logistics and overall vibrancy of the business as well as being Simeon’s biggest supporter and harshest critic.

Apart from their signature bean to bar range, the Crawleys also produce a large


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range of chocolate products to suit everybody. From raw cacao beans to giant chocolate freckle pops, the myriad of chocolate products is seemingly endless.

Cocoa tea is produced from the cacao husks and produces a subtle velvety brew packed with antioxidants and perfect with a little honey and lemon.

There is a range of dried fruits dipped in dark chocolate such as orange and mango and chocolate eggs, which are available all year round.

As an alternative to the standard egg, the Crawleys produce a dark chocolate ‘pod’ made using a mould shaped like an actual cacao pod.

A range of truffles utilising local produce are definitely show stoppers including Alpine honey, Mt Buffalo hazelnuts and green tea from the Kiewa Valley.

The Bright Chocolate Factory has now survived its first year in business and while their product has been well received by the public, they are forever grateful for the support and encouragement they have received from other local businesses and restaurateurs.

“We’ve been so lucky and we’re really blown away by all the support we’ve received,” says Shannon.

Along with being stocked by numerous retailers throughout the region, the region’s most acclaimed chefs have embraced the local craft chocolate. They include Michael Ryan from Provenance Restaurant in Beechworth and Anthony Simone from Simone’s Restaurant in Bright.

This year Bright Chocolate received four silver Medals from the Sydney Royal chocolate competition and three gold, one silver and one bronze in the Royal Melbourne fine food awards.

Running a small business is no picnic especially when producing a boutique product with which most people are unfamiliar, but the Crawleys have made the leap and not only survived it, they are flourishing. The region is much richer for the Crawleys new artisan products and their three children are not complaining about the career change either.

Their youngest son Archie (aged three) may well be the youngest dark chocolate connoisseur in the country.

Go to http://www.brightchocolate.com.au for details of stockists. NNE

11am till late every day - 16 Cowslip St, Violet Town - Ph: 5798 1264 - www.violettownhotel.com.au

A short stroll off the highway, over the railway line and you will find yourself at Violet Town Hotel. Stop for lunch, dinner, a quick drink or stay in one of our self contained rooms.

Also offering TAB and function room.

Stop and enjoy the Violet Town Hotel experience when you are next travelling through.

A stop without the hassle of a detour

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Think Global,eat local.

43-45 Binney Street, Euroa Ph 0427 905 227 [email protected] www.theweekendlocal.com.au

Euroa’s quirky local gourmet speciality store

Open 7 days 9.00am to 5.00pm

Relax over coffee, lunch, morning and afternoon tea. Browse our impressive range of produce & homewares from the Strathbogie Ranges and surrounds. Our ever expanding stock reflects the diversity of produce from our region created by passionate & committed people.

NNEHOME ON THE RANGE

Autumnal Chocolate MarquiseAlways looking for an excuse to whip up a dessert, Easter and a timely trip to The Bright Chocolate Factory has local chef Colette Geier in a chocolate coated frenzy


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3 Nicholson St, Porepunkah

Licensed Providore Café

Supporting Local ProduceTrout - Cheeses - Olives

Pasta - Mustards - Sauces

Gifts

Beer - Wine - Cider

Fresh Toasties - Platters Coffee - Baguettes and more

0411 705 [email protected]

Open from 8.30am

No, I’m not drink typing again; I’m referring to the ancient pagan festival celebrating Ēostre – Saxon goddess of

fertility.Eosturmonath was traditionally

celebrated starting at the equinox and lasted throughout the whole month of April.

Coinciding with the beginning of spring in the Northern hemisphere, Eosturmonath was symbolised by fluffy bunnies, eggs, baby chicks and other symbols of fertility – is this all sounding a bit familiar?

Could ‘Eosturmonath’ really be a forerunner for ‘Easter month’ and could it explain exactly what bunnies and eggs have to do with the resurrection of Christ?

Well let’s not cast aspersions, but if we’re happy to decorate pine trees with fake snow in the middle of summer around here, I’m more than happy to celebrate fertility and the beginning of spring in the Northern hemisphere as we bunker down for the winter.

Whether you celebrate Easter as the end of Lent or the festival of Ēostre, the common link with chocolate is simple. Everybody loves chocolate, it’s as basic as that and therefore it is appropriate whatever you’re celebrating.

In for a penny, in for a pound I say; so if I’m going to do a chocolate recipe I’m going the whole hog.

A chocolate marquise is about as seriously chocolatey as a dessert can get, but while I’m talking pigs and metaphors, remember – you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.

If you want to make a really good, jaw dropping dessert (or any dish for that matter) you’ve got to start with quality ingredients.

I’m going to sound like I’m being sponsored by Tourism Victoria here, but where we’re sitting is in the purple patch. We’ve got the best local fruits, nuts, dairy foods and now with the opening of the Bright Chocolate Factory, we’ve got top quality ethically sourced chocolate right on our doorstep.

Seriously, their single source Madagascan dark chocolate is like angels cavorting on your tongue.

This recipe calls for a large quantity

of cocoa and I implore you, get a good quality one. There’s no point using good butter, chocolate and cream if your cocoa is rubbish.

The history of the chocolate marquise is also a bit sketchy, but basically what you’re dealing with is a semi-solid slab of seriously smooth, chocolatey richness; like a dark chocolate mousse you can cut.

A good dessert is all about the contrasts and this is where the other accoutrements come in.

The almond tuile supply a gorgeous nutty crispness and the fruit and sauce add the tartness and zing. Plus the tuile biscuits have the added benefit of using up the egg whites left over from the marquise.

Berry season is long gone and considering recent events you might want to skip the frozen variety but really, there’s no need; figs and pomegranate are the perfect accompaniment or even a poached pear would be delish.

The sauce in the photo is a simple mix of quince jelly heated in the microwave and whisked with balsamic vinegar, but if you’ve got some pomegranate molasses on hand, use that, it’s fabulous.

I’m inclined to agree with the Chinese who suggest a good dish involves all the taste buds and to complete this one it definitely needs salt.

I think most people have seen the light with chocolate and salt, but in case you’re still dubious don’t be put off. I’m not suggesting you make your marquise salty, It’s about adding enough to activate the taste buds in your mouth that only respond to saltiness.

It makes a world of difference to the intensity and complexity and ensures you’re getting the most out of your quality ingredients.

If you’ve got good fine salt flakes, I’d suggest a light sprinkle on top of the finished dessert, but if not, a pinch or two of normal old table salt in the mix will do the job nicely.

Bon appétit all and if you think it looks just a bit too fattening, remember it’s getting cold out there and you’re going to need a bit of extra padding to keep warm. NNE

Happy Eosturmonath!


JUMPING JUMBUCK

ALL DAY MEALS

RESTAURANT

AVAILABLE

Tuesday - Sunday9am till Late

Light Meals & Snacks Coffee & Cake

Lunch & DinnerLicensed Restaurant

24 Tarcombe Street, Euroa

Ph: 5795 1181

Chocolate MarquiseThis recipe does contain uncooked egg yolks so be sure to use fresh clean eggs and perhaps don’t serve it to pregnant woman (regardless of how much they beg)

7 egg yolks1 cup caster sugarLarge pinch of salt350g butter (a touch under 1½

blocks)200g dark choc1 cup dark cocoa600 ml cream1-2 nips of liqueur (optional)

The marquise can be made in a small loaf tin or even a plastic tub, but be sure to line it in cling wrap baking paper for easy removal.Heat the chocolate and butter together in a microwave on 70 per cent power. Once the butter is completely melted and warm, remove and the residual heat will complete the melting of the chocolate. Set aside.Whisk the cream to stiff peaks and set aside.Combine the egg yolks, sugar and salt and whisk until pale.Add the chocolate and butter mixture and continue to whisk.Next add the cocoa and liqueur (if you are adding any) and whisk again till smooth.Finally fold through the cream until completely combined and pour into the mould. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, preferably overnight.

Almond Tuile Biscuits

1 ¼ cups flaked almonds½ cup egg white¾ cup caster sugar1 tea vanillaPinch of salt1/3 cup plain flour¼ block of butter (75g) melted.

Spread the almonds on a cookie sheet and toast under a grill or in a hot oven, but watch them closely; they go from golden to black in a very short space of time.Once they are golden, remove them and let cool.Mix the egg whites, sugar, vanilla and salt then add the flour and then finally the butter. When the mixture is smooth, fold through the toasted almonds.Drop small spoons of mixture onto a cookie sheet lined with baking paper and spread the mixture out till they are the size of a cricket ball and all the almonds are not overlapped. You’ll only get 6-8 to a tray and be sure to use proper baking paper or oil it well or they will stick like crazy.Bake in a hot oven (200°c) for 5-10 minutes or until the biscuits are golden brown. Like the almonds, these puppies burn easily, but undercook them and they will be too soft.Immediately upon removing them from the oven, slide them off the sheet with a spatula and lay them over something curved like a rolling pin or a tall thin bottle to cool. If that all sounds too hard, just let them cool on a flat rack, they will still taste the same, they just won’t be curvy.Tuiles are best made the day they are to be used as they do go soft if left too long.

Happy Eosturmonath!

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Sensitive crimeGun Control, by Peter Corris, Allen & Unwin, $29.99

Reviewed by Joe Blake

Around the middle of last century, your 10-year-old reviewer-to-be had a couple of major life developments. The

first, getting into long trousers, was no big deal, but the second was a critical transition: moving from reading comics to a daily diet of paperbacks of the Wild West in places like Arizona and Texas.

Although some people now say they were written to a formula, just like Mills and Boon are today, I’m not so sure. Just because all the action takes place after page 93, and the book always finishes exactly half-way down page 112, doesn’t mean anything, does it? After Westerns, it was just a short step to Larry Kent detective novels, set in New York, and Carter Browns, also set in the US. The ironic thing about these books, and there

were thousands of them, is that they were all written by Australians, but used American locations and lingo because that’s what Australian readers wanted.

Peter Corris is a bit different to those earlier Aussie writers about crime, guns, violence and attractive available women. He’s just as prolific (this is his 40th Cliff Hardy novel), but he’s proudly Australian and happy to write about this country.

Like Larry Kent, Cliff Hardy is a private investigator, but he lives and operates in Sydney. Similarly again, he’s a tough character – ex-army, ex-boxer, ex-cop – but he’s getting long in the tooth, with a multiple bypass and daily medication which he manfully washes down with whatever alcohol comes to hand. He’s also a bit of a conundrum, with a set of progressive social values that don’t usually fit with the criminal world, and the ability to recognise a Yeats poem from a casually-dropped first line.

Hardy is approached by a man whose son has committed suicide. He shot himself in the head, and the father asks our Cliff to find out who sold the gun, so that person can be dragged through the courts.

Of course, nothing is that simple, and it turns out the son was in fact murdered and the father knew it all along. In the meantime, Hardy follows a lot of trails that lead him in all sorts of directions. One of these, inevitably, is to the door of the murdered man’s beautiful partner, who reworks Graham Greene’s old line about grief and lust. That distraction aside, it’s all man-on-man action, with a tough gang headed by a thinking man’s bikie, corrupt cops, sophisticated barristers and a meticulously planned and executed operation to catch the baddies.

This terrific book has many really enjoyable aspects, not least being Corris’s ability to drop in topical references to current events. He’s also a very astute observer of human nature, with many deft one-liners that paint a vivid picture with effortless ease.

There are plenty of detective/crime novels out there these days, including those very violent ones from Scandinavia. The Hardy books are gentler than those; they have a sensitivity that’s absent elsewhere. If you like reading about crime, I guarantee you’ll love this book. NNE


34 High Street, Yea Weds to Sun and Public Holidays 9-4, Monday 10-4

Ph 03 5797 3222 [email protected] | www.gallery34.com.au

April is –

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at 5pm

May is – “ON THE SURFACE” HELEN HILL, JOAN MULLARVEY, AURORA TONINI, BÄRBEL ULLRICH

1 May - 4 June

RenniesAT ACHERON

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132 Breakaway Road, Acheron Vic 3714

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OPEN SATURDAY DINNER, SUNDAY LUNCHOR BY RESERVATION

The response to the Yea Water Discovery Centre’s photographic competition to celebrate World Wetlands

Day on February 7 was incredible. Photographers of all ages enthusiastically set about showing the beauty and wonder of wetlands throughout the region.

The competition was a joint event with the Yea Wetlands, Yea Carnivale and the Upper Goulburn Landcare Network.

Categories included Birds and Insects and Wetlands Landscapes at Junior and Senior levels. The competition will be happening again in 2016 so start taking your photos. NNE

A Wetlands photography winner

Above: Toby from Buxton won the Wetlands Landscape Junior Prize with the ‘Pirate’s Ship’

MarketsEvery SaturdayMansfield Produce Swap 10am –12pm. Free, registration required at event. Bring excess produce grown or made at home or reserves to swap. Fruit, vegetables, herbs, seeds, baked and preserved goods. 120 High St

Myrtleford Central Market 9am – 2pm. Farmer’s produce and local artisans. Promoting local and regional produce and products. 10 Clyde St (rear entrance from Myrtle St also) 0427 272 777

Every SundayWangaratta Market 8am – 1pm. Pick up a bargain at the local trash and treasure market.Lots of fresh fruit and vegetables are also available. Avian Park Raceway, Newman St 0427 215 258

First SaturdayRotary Craft Market Beechworth (April) 9am – 3pm. Food, refreshments and music. Great variety of hand made products. Enjoy our lovely park setting. Queen Victoria Gardens. 5728 2968

Dinner Plain Car Boot Sale (April) CFA vehicle display and BBQ fundraiser from 10am. Lots of kids activities from 11am all at the Dinner Plain Community Centre. Gold coin donations appreciated. 0458 530 269

Mansfield Bush Market (April) 8am – 2.30pm. Local produce, arts and craft, knick-knacks, delicious food plus much more 0417 118 103 Highett St Mansfield (Curia St to Hunter St)

Taggerty 4 Seasons Market (April) 9am – 1pm Fabulous local produce including olive products, jams, chutneys, honey, wine, fruit and vegetables, soap, crafts, bric-a-brac and spit roast and bbq meats at the Taggerty Hall. Stall Holders welcome. Taggerty-Thornton Road 0421 351 571

Eildon Lions Easter Market (April) 8am – 2pm Huge variety of goods. Handcrafts, woodcrafts, leatherwork, wine tasting, hot and cold food, sweets, potatoes, honey, paintings, bric-a-brac, children’s amusements, jewellery, T&T and much more. 5774 2931 or 5774 2773

Rutherglen Garage Sale (April) 9am. Behind the Anglican Hall, you can rummage and purchase recycled and pre-loved bits and pieces, furniture, clothes, tools and much more. Enjoy a yummy sausage sandwich or perhaps sit down and relax with a Devonshire tea. All proceeds assist with ministry activities within the Anglican Parish of Rutherglen Chiltern. St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 160 High Street Rutherglen.

Yea Country Market 9am – 1pm. Local producers, growers and makers and eclectic trash and treasure. Live entertainers, delicious food. Yea Railway Park, Station St. [email protected] 0411 433 702Tatong Village Market 8am – 1pm. Make it, bake it and grow it. Rain, hail, frost or shine. Strictly no dogs. In the picturesque grounds of the English–style Tatong Tavern. [email protected] 5767 2192 www.tatongvillagemarket.comNagambie Lakes Community Market 8.30am – 1pm. With a make, bake, sew and grow theme that insists on a level of Australian content and local produce. [email protected] 0475 885 047 www.nagambiemarket.com.au Jacobsons Outlook & Blayney Reserve Central Victoria’s only absolute water-front market.Mount Beauty Community Markets 9am – 2pm. Features variety of homegrown fresh produce, new and used goods, household items, craft stalls, sausage sizzle and more! Hollands St and Kiewa Cres. 5754 4097Beechworth Farmers Market 9am – 12pm. Church Grounds Cnr Ford and Church Sts. 0408 859 282Glenrowan Community Market & Craft Day (May) 9am – 2pm. Lions Park, Gladstone St. 0417 332 471 or 0427 682 689

First SundayBonnie Doon Country Market (April) Held on the grounds of the Community Centre in Arnot Street, the market guarantees a unique experience, whether buying or selling. Always time for a chat and a smile, some yummy food and that special bargain. 5778 7722 or 0438 787 238 [email protected]

Harrietville Historical Society Bush Market & Harrietville Primary School Duck Race (April) A range of hot food, great coffee and performances by local musicians. Fun and informative demonstrations by CFA and the local school will hold a river duck race. A good variety of stalls, a festive atmosphere. Come and enjoy a day by the Ovens River in picturesque Harrietville. Only 500 ducks will be available. $5 per duck. 5759 2699. Great Alpine Road

Tallarook Farmers’ Market 9am – 1pm. Mechanics Institute, Main Rd, Tallarook [email protected] Cotters Market 9am – 2pm. Presented by Myrtleford Festival Committee focusing on locally grown, made and produced items and goods. Jubilee Park. 0438 420 806 (after 6pm). www.themyrtlefordfestival.com.au

Freeburgh Hall Bush Market 9am – 1pm. Situated in the Ovens Valley. Enjoy a variety of stalls including jewellery, cards, paintings, handmade garments, plants, pickles and jams, trash and treasure and more. Community Centre, Great Alpine Rd. 5755 1625 [email protected] Market 9am – 3.30pm. Queen Victoria Park 5728 2968 / 0428 282 968Milawa Producers Market 9am – 2pm. Live music, crafts, fresh food, meet the producers. Crossroads. 5727 3507Chiltern Markets 10am – 2pm. Woodfired pizza, local coffee, fine foods, produce, arts, craft and handmade items. Jumping castle, face painting and balloons. 62 Main St. 0431 821 347

First MondayWooragee Easter Monday Market 10am - 2pm. Craft, plants, cakes, books Devonshire tea, BBQ and kids activities. Wooragee Community Centre, Wooragee Primary School, 1011 Beechworth Rd.

Second SaturdayViolet Town Community Market 8.30am – 1pm. Handmade and homemade goods, community group stalls, buskers, organic veggies, coffee, original clothing, plants. No dogs. Recreation Reserve, Tulip St. [email protected] Market 9am. Stalls, refreshments and train rides Alexandra Timber Tramway. 7 Station St. [email protected] 0427 509 988CWA Craft & Produce Market 10am – 2pm. Purchase some great locally homemade goodies. CWA Hall, High St, MansfieldMyrtleford Flea Market 8.30am – noon. Held at the Old School Museum, wide range of cakes, preserves, trash and treasure, plants, second hand books, clothing and jewellery, fruit and vegetables. Elgin St. 5727 1417 / 5752 1963

Second SundayMarysville Community Market 9am – 1pm. Murchison St. www.marysvilletourism.comAvenel Produce and Craft Market 10am – 2pm. Grow it, sew it, bake it and make it. Live music and kids’ art and pony rides. Jubilee Park Queen St. 0468 586 069Maindample Trash and Treasure 8am – 2pm. Featuring fresh produce, plants, new and preloved treasures and BBQ. Under the trees at the community park, Main St. (opposite the CFA shed). 0401 712 810

HappeningsApril&May

APRIL / MAY 201576


Rutherglen Farmers Market 9am – 12.30pm. Over 25 local and regional producers offering fresh local produce inc. fruit and vegetables, olive oils, free range eggs, nashi juice and much more. 1800 622 871 [email protected] Lions Club Carboot Sale 9am – 12noon. Bring your goods to the Fawkner Drv carpark on the 2nd Sunday of each month to sell or come along to browse and find a bargain. Cost $5 per site, buyers free. Sausage sizzle available. [email protected]

Third SaturdayEuroa Village Farmers Market 9am – 1pm. Fresh vegetables and fruits, olive oils, honey, eggs, meats and more. Farmer directly to you. Rotary Park, Kirkland Ave. 0456 723 331 www.euroavillagefarmersmarket.orgYarck Country Market 9am – 1.30pm. Local produce, jams, craft, plants and wines. Yarck Hall, Maroondah Hwy. 5773 4304Moyhu Farmers & Community Market 8am – noon. Charming market held in the Lions’ Park, Moyhu, in the heart of the King Valley. Showcasing local produce and plants, supporting local groups and artisans. www.moyhufarmersmarket.com.au www.facebook.com/moyhufarmersmarketBright Markets – Make It, Bake It, Grow It. 9am – 1pm. Something original, handmade, special, organic, recycled, ethical. Artworks, woodwork, home wares and skincare, as well fashion and jewellery. Howitt Park. 0457 953 586 [email protected] www.brightchamber.com.auYackandandah Monthly Produce Swap 9.30am. A wide range including seasonal fruits, preserves, seeds and seedlings – even the occasional rooster, chicken and duck! Yackandandah Community Garden (William St, next to the pool). 0477 417 445Tolmie Craft & Farmers Market 8.30am – 1pm. Provides great opportunity for stallholders to market their wares and the community to get-together. Stalls may include fresh produce, craft, plants, books plus many other varieties. Tolmie Sports Ground, Old Tolmie Rd. Free entry. 5776 2231

Third SundayFlowerdale Community Market 9am – 1pm. Country market stalls, arts, crafts, veggies, plants, trash and treasure. Flowerdale Community Hall, Yea–Whittlesea Rd. 5780 1223 [email protected] Lions Craft Market 8am – 1pm. High St. Delightful market held in the median strip opposite the Mansfield Post Office. 5777 3760Lions Club Market Yackandandah 9am – 1pm. Craft and local produce market. Entry by gold coin donation. 0418 122 921.Harrietville Historical Society Bush Market 8am – 1pm. Come and enjoy a day by the Ovens River. Tavare Park 5759 2699 Fourth SaturdayBenalla Lakeside Quality Craft & Produce Market 9am – 2pm. Produce plus quality goods. Fawkner Drive, Lake Benalla Foreshore. [email protected] Wandiligong Public Hall Autumn Craft & Produce Market (April) In the historic Wandiligong Public Hall. Sample freshly roasted chestnuts and hazelnuts, taste the new seasons apples, marvel at the abundance of homemade jams and preserves. Fill up your basket with cakes, biscuits and other wickedly indulgent treats. Also rare plants and bulbs to choose from. Handmade cards, jewellery and exquisite hand dyed scarfs, shawls and other knitted goods for all ages. Colourful blankets, cushions, tailor made items and other novelty gifts. Morses Creek Rd. [email protected] www.go.alpinelink.com.auMansfield Farmers Market 8.30am – 1pm. Traditional farmers market – meat, eggs, honey olives, bread, cakes and more! (No dogs). 0417 319 879

Fabulous array of stalls on offer by local producers, growers and makers, as well as eclectic trash and treasure stalls, all enhanced by

local entertainers and delicious food and snacks.

For more information contact Barb 0411 433 702

9.00am - 1.00pm

Bush MarketEaster Saturday 4th April 8am to 2:30pm

Queens Birthday Weekend 6th June 8am to 2:30pm

Highett St Mansfield (Curia St - Hunter St)

Local produce, Arts and craft, Knick knacks, Delicious food and much more ...

Enquiries - 0417 118 103


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APRIL / MAY 201578

Markets (cont)...Fourth SaturdayWhorouly Village Fair 9.30am - 3pm at Whorouly Community Centre. Offering diverse stalls, entertainment and displays to showcase Whorouly to the wider region. 5727 1424 [email protected] Fourth SundayMarysville Community Market 9am – 1pm. Murchison St. marysvilletourism.comKinglake Produce & Artisan Market 9am – 2pm. The something for everybody market. [email protected] 5786 1976 Fifth Sunday (May)Milawa Producers Market 9am – 2pm. Enjoy all that the Milawa Gourmet Region has to offer. Meet the producers whilst enjoying live music. Crossroads Milawa. 5727 3507

Cinemas & Performing ArtsMansfield Armchair Cinema 1 Chenery St 5775 2049 the–mac.com.auSwanpool Cinema 2386 Midland Hwy 5768 2415 swanpoolcinema.com.auEuroa Community Cinema Shire Building, Bury St 5795 0000Benalla Performing Arts & Convention Centre 57 Samaria Rd 5762 5515Violet Town St Dunstan’s Hall High StStrathbogie Memorial Hall Main StChiltern Star Theatre Main St 5726 1395Wangaratta Players Rooms 4D Evans St, 0427 522 318Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre (Memorial Hall) 33 – 37 Ford St.Wangaratta Cinema Centre 1st Floor, The Co Store Complex Corner of Ovens St and Reid St 5721 5555Yackandandah Memorial Hall Complex High St 02 6027 1077 0427 271 017

Galleries & MuseumsBanksia Gallery King Parrot Valley Country Retreat 26 – 66 Wentworth Rd, Strath Creek 0457 590 222 except Wed.Kerrisdale Mountain Railway & Museum 7523 Goulburn Valley Highway, Kerrisdalewww.kerrisdalemtnrailway.com.au [email protected] 0407 823 739 Old Courthouse Gallery Corner of Emily St and Tallarook St, Seymour www.seymourartsociety.org.auChambers Gallery 113 High Street, Broadford 5734 6200 [email protected] www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.auBruno’s Art & Sculpture Garden Marysville 7 days 5963 3513 brunosart.com The Sheila Inc Design Centre 52 – 54 Binney St, Euroa 0400 753 715Rustic Simplicity @ The Shear ‘N’ shedS 7 Days 10am – 4pm, 74 Grant St, Alexandra rusticsimplicityblog.wordpress.com 0419 517 045Marian Rennie Gallery 132 Breakaway Rd, Acheron [email protected] 5772 1701 / 0412 109 129Bob Bateup Photography & Framing 8am till 8pm, 7 days In the Foodworks complex, Mansfield. bobbateup.com.au 0457 752 434Mansfield Historical Society 5779 1094 Mansfield Railway Station 175 High St

Gallery 34 10am – 4pm Thurs – Mon 34 High St, Yea gallery34.com.au 5797 3222Highlands Hillcrest Gallery & Studio Hillcrest, RMB 6020 Old Highlands Rd, Highlands [email protected] 5796 9373The Farmers’ Arms Hotel Museum 25 Kirkland Ave Euroa 5798 9548Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum alexandratramway.org.au 0427 509 988

Great Alpine Gallery Great Alpine Rd, Swifts Creek. swiftscreek.net/scgallery/ 5159 4445Bright Art Gallery Mountbatten Ave, Bright [email protected] 5750 1074John Dermer Gallery Ph: 02 6027 1416 [email protected] Kirbys Flat Pottery, 225 Kirbys Flat Rd, YackandandahSpiritus Art Gallery 2 High St, Yackandandah [email protected] 02 6027 1797Benalla Art Gallery Bridge St 5762 3027North East Artisans Community Gallery 88 – 90 Bridge St, Benalla www.facebook.com/NE.ArtisansBenalla Migrant Camp BARC Hut 11, Samaria Road. Drive into Gliding Club entrance, follow the road past the Benalla Aviation Museum. BARC Hut 11 is the last hut on your right. 5762 6678 (AH) [email protected] benallamigrantcampexhibition.blogspot.com.au Benalla Art Gallery Botanic Gardens Bridge St, Benalla [email protected] benallaartgallery.com 5760 2619Benalla Costume & Pioneer Museum 14 Mair St, Benalla. [email protected] home.vicnet.net.au/~benmus/ 5762 6039Wangaratta Art Gallery 56 Ovens St 5722 0865 0419 322 086 [email protected] O’Hara Burke Museum Loch St, Beechworth 5728 8067 burkemuseum.com.au/burke_museumWangaratta Historical Society Ford St, Wangaratta [email protected] wanghistsoc.org.au 5721 3222El Dorado Museum 136 Main St, Eldorado [email protected] eldoradomuseum.com 5725 1542

It all started, so they say, on a polling day back in 1855. The story goes that Daniel Cameron shod his horse with horseshoes of gold, obviously

to look flashy. And it’s said that crowds gathered in the centre of Beechworth to see the show pony, enjoy the brass bands, drink the free beer supplied by Daniel and to vote, of course.

Whether it was the fancy horseshoes or the free beer, Daniel won the vote and the legend of the Golden Horseshoe Festival was born.

Beechworth’s biggest festival

Keeping the spirit alive of having a good time, Beechworth celebrates what is now its biggest annual festival over the four days of Easter and this year’s golden theme is the golden Age of Rock.

Over the four days, there will be so much happening including a golf putting championship with proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital Appeal, the market on Saturday, live music, buskers, exhibitions, classic car show ‘n shine, and the Grand Parade through Beechworth (Saturday afternoon).

Sunday will see a Dawn Service and an Easter Egg hunt, while on Monday there will be a market at nearby Wooragee.

The Beechworth community has taken full advantage of a golden legend and come up with a great celebratory Easter break. www.beechworthgoldenhorseshoes.com.auNNE


Arnot Street, Bonnie DoonPhone: 03 5778 7254

info@bonniedooncaravanpark.com.auwww.bonniedooncaravanpark.com.au

Bonnie Doon is kick-back central!Bonnie Doon has a proven ability to provide

genuine stress relief for jaded city people. The small town is situated in North East Victoria

on the edge of Lake Eildon. It is best known as a holiday/weekend destination for water-skiers,

fisherman and boat enthusiasts.YOUR HOSTSCARMEL and BRIAN DIXONInvite you to a gourmet stay at

JAMIESON B and B 38 Nash Street, JAMIESON

t (03) 5777 0601m 0400 570 600e [email protected]

www.jamiesonbandb.com.auJ

Alexandra Veterinary Clinic

Clinic Hours by appointment

Phone. 5772 1600

Mobile. 0408 576 45649 Bayley Street, Alexandra 3714

Dr Doug Norman B Sc (Hons), B.V.Sc (Hons)

Dr Jacinta Kelly

B.V.Bio, B.V.Sc (Hons)

NEW IN 2015 • MINI MOKE DISPLAY

• VINTAGE MOTORBIKES • MARKET STALLS

VICTORIAN

TRUCK DRIVERS

MEMORIAL

SERVICE 2PM

SATURDAY 6 JUNE

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND 2015

• Children’s Amusements• Shops Open

• Exhibitions &

Trade Displays

• Major Quilt

Display

HELD ON BITUMEN IN THE MAIN STREET

CONTACT 0409 577 212 OR 0418 266 038


sus. quatur, asimi,


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NNEPEOPLE

APRIL / MAY 201580

Shire LibrariesMansfield Collopy St 5775 2176

Euroa Binney St 1300 374 765

Alexandra Grant St 5772 0349

Yea The Semi Circle 5797 2209

Benalla Nunn St 5762 2069

Kinglake Kinglake–Whittlesea Rd 5786 1522Flowerdale/Eildon/Marysville/Strath Creek 5772 0349

Violet Town Cowslip St 1300 374 765

Nagambie High St 1300 374 765

Wangaratta Docker St 5772 4211

Bright Ireland St 5755 1540

Beechworth Cnr Albert Rd and Harper Ave 1300 365 003

Myrtleford Cnr Standish St and O’Donnell Ave 5752 2038

Gig GuideBuxton Hotel Motel Live Music Last Sunday of each month [email protected] 5774 7381

MannaFest Open Sundays 2.30pm Playing every Sunday is Corey Leslie, vocalist and acoustic musician 32 High St, Yea

Open Mic 1st Sunday Every month from 5pm to 9pm. Hotel Nicholas Beechworth

Bracket and Jam Mansfield’s most popular live music night featuring best musicians from around the region. 3rd Friday of the month, a great night out! $10pp. Dinner from 6.30pm, music from 7.30pm. Bookings/Performers 5779 1404 Mansfield Regional Produce Store.

The Flowerdale Hotel 2pm(ish) in the bar. First Sunday every month. Come and have a pluck or just enjoy the tunes 5780 1230Live Music at Bright Brewery Every Sunday 2pm start. Open Mic Afternoon First Sunday of the month. To join the line–up, call 0417 133 293 / 5755 1301 brightbrewery.com.auMusic on the Deck @ Gapsted Wines Free entry to all. Lunch bookings essential [email protected] 5751 1383Everton Open Mic Session 2nd Sunday of each month 2pm. If you can sing, play an instrument, recite poetry or tell a good yarn come along to the Everton Hotel for fun family friendly activity 5727 0232

April EventsThursday 2nd

Art 4 CFA Tallarook CFA with local artists art show. Proceeds -Tallarook CFA brigade. Gold coin donation. CFA Fire Station Main Street. [email protected] 0407 727 355 Good Friday 3rd

Beechworth Golden Horseshoes Festival Grand Parade, Golden Putter Competition, Carnival, Rides, Easter Egg Hunt, Markets, Vintage Vehicle, Live music over the Easter Weekend. beechworthgoldenhorseshoes.com.au.Good Friday Lunch Ruffy CFA Good Friday Lunch – all welcome. Lunch 12:30 - 2pm, $12 adult, $5 Kids. All proceeds to the Ruffy CFA. Myrtleford Lawn Tennis Easter Tournament Family tennis tournament on nine grass courts. Lewis Avenue, Myrtleford 0438 522 141 [email protected] Community Easter Egg Hunt Island Reserve High Street Broadford. Easter Egg Hunt for 2-12yo and over. Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. 5784 2043Mount Beauty Art Exhibition Displays of art works in various mediums and styles. Framed and unframed by local artists. Hollands Street, Mt Beauty. 5754 1945Easter in Dinner Plain Family Weekend. Fri: Food and wine. Sat: Car Boot Sale. BBQ fundraiser at 10am. Sun: Easter Egg Hunt toddlers to 12yo 9am. Dinner Plain Geebung Polo. Mon: Inaugural Alpine Challenge! Kids movie nights $5 each. 0458 530 269 visitdinnerplain.com

Easter Weekend Alexandra Easter Art Show Art exhibition and sale. Demonstrating artists Ern Trembath and Ruth Selover. Main prize $2000 Opening 7pm Friday April 3, $15 per head. Saturday, Sunday and Monday $5 per head. Alexandra Leisure Centre, Maroondah Hwy, Alexandra, www.rotaryalexandra.org.au [email protected] Easter Saturday 4th Molesworth’s 37th Charity Easter Bazaar & Clearing Sale 9am. Items for sale by auction: Motor vehicles, household goods, leisure, machinery & workshop, antiques, equestrian, poultry. Auction and stall sites available. Food & refreshments available. Proceeds to local charities & amenities. At the Molesworth Recreation Reserve (not hall). 5797 6252 / 0427 310 213 www.molesworth.infoBeechworth Easter Fun Run or Walk 10km and 3 km events at Beechworth. www.beechworthfunrun.com.au 5728 1264 Broadford Bike Bonanza Strictly non-competitive event open to any rider on a pre-1990 bike. State Motorcycle Sport Complex, Strath Creek Rd. www.ma.org.au [email protected] 0422 299 003Hemp, Health & Handcrafts with the School of Self-Sufficiency A four day workshop and farm camp-out on the Easter weekend. 59 Murray St, Violet Town. [email protected] 0411 865 563 www.creativecollectives.org/easterweekend

Easter Sunday 5th Alexandra Easter Fair Market, stalls, live music, children’s amusements. Rotary Park 10am-3pm 0409 965 329 www.alexandratourism.comDinner Plain Geebung Polo Australian sportsmanship and rivalry between city and country. Bands; Tug of war; Chook throwing; Helicopter Easter Egg Drop; Polo Match at 10am. Cobungra Station, off the Great Alpine Road, 20 kms from Dinner Plain. BYO chair. www.visitdinnerplain.com.au Easter Monday 6th Molyullah Easter 115th Sports Sports for all. Kilfeera Road from Benalla or Greta Road from Wangaratta follow signs. Molyullah Recreation Reserve. [email protected] Tuesday 7th RadRecreation Outdoor youth rec with a twist! One day a week plus camps. The Outdoor Education Group. [email protected] Friday 10th

Buffalo Stampede - Bright Accredited SkyRuns, steepest, roughest, highest mountain runs there are. Howitt Street. Mount Buffalo from Bright. 0409 047 714. [email protected] www.buffalostampede.com.au

10th to 19th April: ‘It starts with us’ Saturday 11th

A Day on the Green – All Saints Estate, Wahgunyah 6 artists - The Angels, Baby Animals, Jon Stevens, Richard Clapton, Dragon and Boom Crash Opera. Food and wine. No BYO alcohol. 136 100 or ticketmaster.com.au or 02 6033 6306.Go! Glenrowan Community Fun Day 10am Footy Glenrowan v Whorouly. 2.45pm Kids Footy match. BBQ Dinner, 6pm under 12s Disco, 8pm Under 16s Disco. Glenrowan Recreation Reserve, Daniel Lane.Chiltern Fashion Parade Fashions from the 50’s! Raffles, auctions and fun activities with funds going towards the Albury-Wodonga Cancer Foundation. $30 per person, refreshments and drinks at bar prices. 7pm, Chiltern Memorial Hall, Conness St, Chiltern. Sunday 12th Fasttrack – Australias Biggest Talent Showcase is coming to Euroa. Apply now to be a part of Strathbogies largest talent competition with industry judges and guest performers. All forms of performance encouraged.. Huge prizes to be won. Heats start at 12pm with grand final at 7pm. To enter email your name, age, number and a brief description of your act to [email protected] or call 1300 327 801.


Charity Open Garden Birchwood, Benalla 10am - 5pm. Cancer Council Victoria fundrasier. 5766 6275 [email protected]. birchwoodnearbenalla.com.auChiltern Cancer Cruise, Car & Bike Show DIsplays on the bank of Lake Anderson. $5 per vehicle. Martin Park, Alliance St, Chiltern

Saturday 18th Flowerdale Community Dinner Speaker Tim Fischer $20. Proceeds to Flowerdale Men’s Shed 5780 1343 or 0412 334 521Community Gold Cups Race Day Benalla Races. Benalla Racecourse, Shepparton Road. 1300 139 402 www.countryracing.com.auAdventure Kids Festival Lake Mountain Nature-based adventure activities for children from 4 - 12. Day trip facilities. Lake Mountain Alpine Resort. 1071 Lake Mountain Rd, Marysville. www.adventurekids.com.au/locations [email protected]. 0423 223 175Antique Collectors’ Fair Weekend Tolmie Browse Antique and Collectables. Tolmie Sports Ground, Old Tolmie Rd. 5776 2360 or 0400 256 2035Wool Day North East Yarns and Wangaratta Hand Weavers and Spinners. Our Lady’s Primary School Hall, White Street, Wangaratta. 5725 3259 or 5753 5321Giant Pumpkin Competition & Harvest Festival Prettiest pumpkin, best Pumpkin Pie 10am.Entries before 9am. Bowmans Murmungee Hall, Murmungee. 0417 428 487 or 0429 967 620

Sunday 19th The Milk Run Kiewa/Tangambalanga family fun run and walk. 5km or 10km course. Huon Reserve to the Murray Valley Highway (02) 6071 8609Rutherglen Autumn Flower Show & Expo Rutherglen & District Garden Club, Memorial Hall, High St. 12noon - 4pm (02) 6033 3525 - [email protected] 02 6032 7448 or 0427 540 830. [email protected] East Veterans Tennis Tournament Tennis players 35 and over. Entry $25 includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea. Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Courts, Merriwa Park. 5727 3308 or 0407 298 309 www.wanglawntennis.com.auAutumn Garden Party Seven Creeks Estate Party at ‘Seven Creeks Estate’ 12 acre 150yo heritage garden. Food, wine, BBQ, live music Entry $10, children under 15 free. Funds to Euroa Health. Seven Creeks Estate Rd, Euroa. www.euroa.org.au or 0417 392 880. Friday 24th

Bright Autumn Festival 10 day celebration of autumn and produce of Victoria’s Alpine High Country. From the end of April to early May. Gala Weekend. 1800 111 885 [email protected]. www.brightautumnfestival.org.au. Mount Beauty Music Festival 3 days of music, poetry and dance. Market on Saturday and Sunday. Hollonds St. Mt Beauty. 0407 093 054. [email protected]. www.musicfestival.org.au. Saturday 25th ANZAC DAYAnzac Day Services - Check with your local RSL or shire offices as to times and locations.

Wangaratta Speedway Open at 2pm, racing starts at 4pm. Shanley Street, Wangaratta. 0427 308 976

A Day on High Vintage Celebration Mansfield Wines from the Upper Goulburn Wine Region, with food and produce. Meet the makers. Live music. High St, Mansfield 12-5pm. 1800 039 049 5777 3141. [email protected] 0418 595 878. www.uppergoulburnwine.org.au

Sunday 26th

Ride the Ranges - Euroa 3 distance rides at the foothills of the Strathbogies. BBQ and refreshments at the finish. Seven Creeks Park, Kirkland Ave, Euroa. 0428 574 165 [email protected] ridetherangeseuroa.org.au

Wandiligong Nut Festival Only nut festival in Australia. Market, food and crafts, cooking demonstrations, music. White Star Rd, Wandiligong. 5750 1440. www.brightvic.com

Bright Fun Run Cobden Street, Bright. 5750 1777 0448 525 482 [email protected] brightfunrun.com.au

May Events Aussie Wine Month Saturday 2nd Drive Back in Time Beechworth Displays of Vintage, Veteran, Classic and Modified Car and Motorbikes. 1pm Old railway goods shed, Railway Ave, Beechworth. Street Cruise - 4.30pm - 6pm. Ford St, Beechworth

Over the past few years Ross and Rachel Carrington have opened up their magnificent Seven Creeks Estate to

many to help raise funds for the Euroa Hospital. Those funds have proven to be invaluable not only in the keeping of the hospital, but also to help it to develop. With the dedicated help of some hard-working volunteers and a lot of luck with the weather, the events at Seven Creeks Estate have been wonderful days of picnics, live music, garden meanderings, family fun and relaxed enjoyment.

Another garden party is organised this year for Sunday, April 19. Organisers will have locally grown and superbly prepared food available that can be complemented with wines from the

Picnic will help the hospital

region on sale. There will also be barbeques and delicious ice cream from Gundowring in the Kiewa Valley, so visitors can have terrific picnics under the glorious trees throughout the garden.

Along the way, of course, there will be people jumping out of planes (with parachutes) and landing on dots on the ground for the entertainment of party goers.

This 12 acre, 150-year-old heritage garden is glorious and a tribute to Ross and Rachel who have made sure that the garden will be at it autumnal best.

Entry is $10 per head with children under 15 years free and there is parking available. Seven Creeks Estate is about 14 kilometres from Euroa just off the Euroa –Mansfield Road from Euroa. Turn left 200 metres after passing over the freeway, then right into Seven Creeks Estate Road. Or fly in and land at the estate’s private airfield, but make arrangements first.

www.euroa.org.au/events/ NNE

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More than

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Northby NORTH-EAST

VOL 5 ED

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Model citizens

Skincare passion

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NNEPEOPLE

May Events (cont)...AdventurePro Video Festival Sat 4pm, Sun 11am. Open to any video between 2 - 15 mins featuring Aus &/or NZ outdoor adventure. Entries close 5pm April 3rd. Mansfield Armchair Cinema (MAC), 1 Chenery St, Mansfield 0408 727 293. [email protected] www.adventurepro.com.au/videofestival

Jamieson Autumn Festival Displays and workshops in art, pottery, blacksmithing and gold panning. Perkins Street. 0451 113 717 [email protected] www.jamieson.org.au

Benalla Heavy Horse Driving Day Big horses or ponies in long reins driven through a series of obstacles in a safe and friendly environment. Master Class by Mr Max Marriott. Benalla Pony Club Grounds, Shepparton Road, Benalla. 5762 6212

Sunday 3rd

Benalla Airport Fly-in / Aviation Swap Meet Fly-in of private modern, vintage and historic aircraft Benalla Airport. Benalla Aviation Museum Inc. [email protected]

Saturday 9th

Bright Body & Soul Expo For your mind, body and soul. Saturday and Sunday. 5750 1001. 1A Railway Ave, Bright.

Sunday 10th Mother’s Day Mother’s Day Lunch - Holmesglen Eildon 3-course lunch includes fine local produce. Views, wines and music. 12.30pm - 4pm. Fully licensed, no BYO. 5774 2631. 92 Moore Rd, Eildon. www.holmesglen.edu.au/eildon Wednesday 13th

V8 Supercar Driver Appearance Meet some of Australia’s V8 Supercar drivers. Benalla Drill Hall Community Activity Centre 5760 2600. [email protected]. www.benalla.vic.gov.au Friday 15th

High Country Harvest (15 – 24 May) Various events. www.highcountryharvest.com.auV8 Supercar Championship Winton 2015 season commences. Winton Motor Raceway. 5766 4235 www.wintonraceway.com.au Saturday 16th

Autumn’s Bounty Long Lunch 6 course lunch by Simon Buckley with Feathertop wines. 6619 Great Alpine Road, Porepunkah.5756 2356. [email protected] . www.boynton.com.au. Bright Rockabilly Festival 2 days of Rockabilly bands. 1A Railway Ave. 0409 244 524 www.ozshowcars.com.

Sunday 17th

RSPCA Million Paws Walk - Wangaratta Wangaratta Showgrounds. www.millionpawswalk.com.au/Victoria Tuesday 19th La Fiera Italian Festival - Myrtleford 5 days of food and wine and all things Italian Fiesta. Art exhibition, heritage displays, soccer matches and Bocce. Clyde St, Myrtleford 5751 1745. [email protected] www.lafiera.com.au Saturday 23rd

Walupka Woka Cyclists Ride Explore the Wetlands with Yorta Yorta on this one off discovery tour.Refreshments and a light lunch. $45 adult and $20 child. Limited bike hire Winton Wetlands Reserve. 5762 1192. Friday 29th Benalla District Classic Car & Motorbike Tour 9am Benalla Art Gallery. Red plate vehicles welcome. [email protected]. 0417 306 332. [email protected] www.historicwinton.org Saturday 30th

Historic Winton Weekend Race Meeting Austin 7 Club with the Historic Motorcycls. Over 400 historic racing cars and motorbikes. 5428 2689. [email protected]. www.historicwinton.org

NNEPROPERTY


Holiday parks in popular tourist visiting areas don’t come on the market all that often and when there’s one on a

magnificent parkland setting on both sides of a beautiful clean river, it’s got to attract attention.

This is the Marysville Caravan and Holiday Park with a location second to none – only a short walking distance to all that Marysville has to offer and it has the Steavenson River cascading through the middle.

The setting is idyllic, about five acres with some glorious tall gums lining the river banks and very friendly ‘wild’ ducks wandering through the park and enjoying the water.

The park has 23 self-contained cabins that are all fairly new – having all been built since the ’09 fires. Those cabins have everything most people will need and vary from two bedrooms to three. There are also four single bed units and some 26 powered camp sites.

Along with the accommodation, there are shower and toilet blocks for those camping or caravanning and a public laundry. Other needs are also catered for with a function room and an outdoor chapel beside the river offering a perfect place for weddings or other celebrations.

Where work is also a holiday

There’s also a meditation and reflection area for quieter moments, and there’s a camp kitchen block.

For those fortunate enough to be managing the holiday park, there’s a two-bedroom home on the park along with office and reception.

As one would imagine, the Marysville Caravan and Holiday Park is very popular with visitors. Easter 2015 has been booked out for some time and bookings are already being taken for next year.

The property is the only accommodation operation on the Steavenson River and is being sold as a business with about 19 years remaining on the lease. Full business details are available from the agent. NNE

AT A GLANCEMarysville Caravan & Holiday Park23 cabins, 4 units, 26 powered camp sites. Land about 5 acresPrivate sale: business & leaseholdAgent: Marysville Triangle Real Estate 5963 4491 Jenny Pullen 0408 100 590

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Strathbogie farm with garden paradise


“Many of the larger trees were part of the grazing paddock around the house, but when

the present owners purchased ‘Fernside’, they extended the garden to include them”

AT A GLANCE‘Fernside’ 123 Hills Road, Strathbogie 3 bedrooms Approx 127 hectaresAuction: on site Saturday May 2 at 11amAgent: Ruralco Euroa 5795 2240 Bill Sargood: 0429 447 103

Hidden away on a no-through road in Strathbogie is the beautiful grazing property of ‘Fernside’ at 123 Hills Road.

Set on about 127 hectares (approximately 314 acres), the farm has a high stock carrying rate and currently runs about 80 breeding cows and calves.

While that is good for this part of the world, the property’s real attraction is its sensational landscaped garden of about five acres boasting a private croquet court – complete with sign ‘Fernside Croquet Club’ – and its own pavilion where supporters may watch all the excitement in comfort.

The court has been set up with artificial grass, but everything else in this marvellous garden is for real. Many of the larger trees were part of the grazing paddock around the house, but when the present owners purchased ‘Fernside’, they extended the garden to include them. Their follow-up planting has made this property very special indeed.

In the middle of the extensive garden is a very comfortable three bedroom

house with wide verandas on three sides, looking like the ideal place to sit back with a cool drink and survey the greenery.

The main entrance is into a large living area where the lounge is at one end with an open fireplace set into a stone wall. At the other end is the gleaming timber kitchen and in the middle is the dining section. The lounge and dining areas are carpeted, while the kitchen boasts a polished timber floor.

There are three generous sized bedrooms; the main opens out to a private part of the veranda and has a walk-through dressing room to an en suite bathroom. The other two bedrooms share the main bathroom with bath, separate shower and toilet.

Adjacent to the bathroom is the laundry and ‘mud room’ where one can remove the gum boots and the drizabone before cleaning up. Man’s best friend will also appreciate the handy dog door.

To the rear of the house is a three-vehicle carport, a work shed, a four-bay machinery shed and a garden shed – no

doubt very handy when you look at the size of this paradise.

In one corner of the garden is a roofed entertaining area with tiled floor beside what the owners call ‘the walk’, a long and wide area with strong wire walls and roof covered with clematis and jasmine vines. It looks like it’s come from a page of a book on special wedding venues.

But then, so much of this garden looks like that. It’s no surprise that it was being opened for viewing late in March as a fundraiser for the local golf club.

For the serious business of raising beef cattle, there are nine undulating paddocks interconnecting and serviced by a wide lane system leading to steel cattle yards. All areas are well watered with eight main spring fed dams and a bore system to troughs – including in the laneway.

‘Fernside’ has an air of magic about it. To visit and explore the beautiful corners of the garden is a pleasure; imagine the delight in living here. NNE


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NNEPEOPLE


Rural and Residential Specialists

www.ruralcoproperty.com.au

Mansfield - 5775 1444 Danni Schneider 0414 690 479165 Mt Buller Rd Mansfield [email protected]

BRIGHT/ FREEBURGH GREAT ALPINE ESCAPE OR INVESTMENT $555,000Situated on the outskirts of Bright, sits this delightfully renovated 3 bedroom brick home on approximately 5 acres, with leased crown land frontage to the gorgeous Ovens River. The grounds are as easy care as you can get, needing pretty much just a ride-on-mower (supplied with the property) to keep the lawn tidy. You will seasonally want to hitch up a trailer to your ride-on to pick what seems like a lifetime supply of apples of all different varieties, as well as plums and chestnuts. A fabulous near new machinery shed will keep all your toys and treasures under wraps as will other storage sheds around the property. The home is surrounded by beautiful Alpine scenery which can be appreciated from within the cosy abode or whilst lazing around the landscaped pool. Take a short stroll down to the river for a splash in the cool running water or perhaps take a rod and try your hand at some fishing.With only a short 9km drive to the vibrant town of Bright and only 22kms to Falls Creek and the snowfields beyond, this lifestyle move will be one everybody will envy. Call Danni to arrange an inspection today.

APRIL / MAY 201586



‘FERNSIDE’ 123 HILLS RD STRATHBOGIE AUCTIONExtensively renovated country homestead set amongst 5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. Tree lined driveway entrance, relaxing views from wide verandahs, croquet court, fully automated water system throughout.

Outstanding working improvements including extensive shedding, steel cattle yards and feed silos. Easy handling wide laneways and abundant water supply/system into both paddocks and laneways. Gently undulating country, established pastures subdivided by excellent fencing into 9 main paddocks.

Located approx 2 hrs Melbourne and within easy reach from either Maroondah or Hume Hwy’s. ‘Fernside’ is a highly regarded, productive grazing property where the homestead and surrounds provide a wonderful living environment.

Auction Saturday 2nd May 11am on site. www.ruralcoproperty.com.au ID 7716784

Euroa - 5795 2240 Steven Jeffery 0427 595 760 Bill Sargood 0429 447 103 47b Railway Street Euroa [email protected]


ALEXANDRA FAMILY LIVING AT ITS BEST...PREMIER LOCATION $445,000 Spaciousness, entertaining, privacy and location. 4-5 bedrooms, 2-3 downstairs - 1 suitable as work from home office. 2 large bedrooms upstairs with split systems and ceiling fans. Entertainers kitchen, spacious lounge and family room with woodfire heaters. Ducted heating and cooling. Master bedroom with delightful outlook, ensuite with corner spa. BIR’s. Formal entrance and study nook. Huge outdoor alfresco undercover entertaining area. Double lockup garage. Unique vehicle access - Vickery St and John St. See title and floor plan in photos on the web.


Mansfield - 5775 1444 Danni Schneider 0414 690 479 165 Mt Buller Rd Mansfield [email protected]

Alexandra - 5772 1110 Nik Patek 0409 936 21078 Grant St Alexandra [email protected]

EUROA POWER CONNECTED, EXCELLENT WATER $575,000Delightful 125ac - 50ha approx. Stunning allotment featuring superb house site with breath-taking views of the Strathbogie tablelands and northern flats, 15 minutes from Euroa, approx 2 hours Melbourne. Property comprises of undulating to rising country of mostly cleared land with some rocky outcrops and native treed areas. Fencing is in good condition and pastures are well maintained. Stock yards are located at the entrance of the property and have sealed road access. Shedding consists of a 9 x 20m approx shed (near choice house site) with power connected. Excellent water supply to all paddocks via spring-fed dams and windmill feeding to header tank that gravity feeds to stock troughs. Build your dream home in an unparalleled location. This property comes highly recommended. Web Id: 7494796


GOUGHS BAY HIGH UP ON A HILL WITH WATER VIEWS & EARNING CAPACITY $285,000 In the quaint holiday town of Goughs Bay sits this beautifully presented lifestyle opportunity. Currently used as an investment property this 3 bedroom double brick home with built-in robes could continue to be utilised as a business venture or alternatively move in and live the vacation dream on a day to day basis.

The home consists of 3 bedrooms, open plan living and a fabulous entertaining deck with some sneak peeks of the water adventures to be had only a short stroll away. Downstairs a huge double garage / lock-up area can store all your water activity vessels and toys. A generous front garden frames the picture with a lemon tree for garnishing your refreshing Summer Sippa’s.

The water is here, the sun is out and the time is right. What are you waiting for?


ALEXANDRA FAMILY LIVING AT ITS BEST...PREMIER LOCATION $445,000 Spaciousness, entertaining, privacy and location. 4-5 bedrooms, 2-3 downstairs - 1 suitable as work from home office. 2 large bedrooms upstairs with split systems and ceiling fans. Entertainers kitchen, spacious lounge and family room with woodfire heaters. Ducted heating and cooling. Master bedroom with delightful outlook, ensuite with corner spa. BIR’s. Formal entrance and study nook. Huge outdoor alfresco undercover entertaining area. Double lockup garage. Unique vehicle access - Vickery St and John St. See title and floor plan in photos on the web.


Mansfield - 5775 1444 Danni Schneider 0414 690 479 165 Mt Buller Rd Mansfield [email protected]

Alexandra - 5772 1110 Nik Patek 0409 936 21078 Grant St Alexandra [email protected]

EUROA POWER CONNECTED, EXCELLENT WATER $575,000Delightful 125ac - 50ha approx. Stunning allotment featuring superb house site with breath-taking views of the Strathbogie tablelands and northern flats, 15 minutes from Euroa, approx 2 hours Melbourne. Property comprises of undulating to rising country of mostly cleared land with some rocky outcrops and native treed areas. Fencing is in good condition and pastures are well maintained. Stock yards are located at the entrance of the property and have sealed road access. Shedding consists of a 9 x 20m approx shed (near choice house site) with power connected. Excellent water supply to all paddocks via spring-fed dams and windmill feeding to header tank that gravity feeds to stock troughs. Build your dream home in an unparalleled location. This property comes highly recommended. Web Id: 7494796


GOUGHS BAY HIGH UP ON A HILL WITH WATER VIEWS & EARNING CAPACITY $285,000 In the quaint holiday town of Goughs Bay sits this beautifully presented lifestyle opportunity. Currently used as an investment property this 3 bedroom double brick home with built-in robes could continue to be utilised as a business venture or alternatively move in and live the vacation dream on a day to day basis.

The home consists of 3 bedrooms, open plan living and a fabulous entertaining deck with some sneak peeks of the water adventures to be had only a short stroll away. Downstairs a huge double garage / lock-up area can store all your water activity vessels and toys. A generous front garden frames the picture with a lemon tree for garnishing your refreshing Summer Sippa’s.

The water is here, the sun is out and the time is right. What are you waiting for?

Today, it has a warm and friendly feeling with dark stained timber wall panelling to a height of about 2.4 metres in the entrance foyer and the lounge room.

Recently renovated, the house boasts a very large main bedroom with modern en suite bathroom, cosy separate lounge and formal dining room. Beside the dining room is a huge family kitchen with lots of room for casual meals. From the kitchen, there’s a laundry and second bathroom. A second bedroom with a wall of built-in robes and a decorative ceiling is to the front of the house.

The kitchen opens out to a wide veranda at the rear, overseeing much of the property. Similarly, the main bedroom also opens to this decked area.

Away to the side is a large shed about 14 by 12 metres with power and water connected and the central part with concrete floor. Three horse stalls are to one side.

One set of steel cattle yards with crush and scales is adjacent to the shed, while a second set of yards is near the hay shed about 500 metres from the house.

The land is fenced into 15 paddocks; all have dams or troughs serviced by town water, or water from the river. Records are kept for the land’s regular treatment with potash, lime and super.

This sort of care is rewarded with a high stocking rate of about 60 cows and calves. The owners also normally cut hay.

A neighbouring parcel of land of about 60 acres is also available for lease if required.

Fertile land with outstanding water supply is always in demand. When that land has a comfortable and charming home and the water is the clear, fast-flowing Rubicon River, praised by those who know as excellent for trout fishing, then that property has a claim to be rather special. And ‘Reefton Park’ is certainly all of that. NNE

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Thornton is a delightful area between Alexandra, Eildon and Taggerty blessed by two rivers – the Goulburn and the

Rubicon – winding their way through it. As a consequence, much of the land is highly fertile and is sought after by many farmers.

‘Reefton Park’, on the Goulburn Valley Highway at Thornton has more than its share of those desirable river flats and is sure to have its share of admirers.

The farm has about two kilometres of frontage to the beautiful Rubicon River and has an entitlement of 48 megalitres of its clean, fresh water to assist in running the approximately 62.7 hectare (155 acres) property.

A long tree-lined driveway leads to the solid timber farm-house that started its life as a manager’s home at the Gould’s Sawmill at nearby Alexandra. It was moved to the farm about 30 years ago and placed well back from the road in a mature treed garden.

Two kilometres of river frontage

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Headline - ITC Century Book. 45Headline - Alex Brush 60Headline - Anke Calligraphic 50Headline - Helvetica Neue Light. 45Local ShowcaseDID YOU KNOW... - HELVETICA NEUE REGULAR. 15Mt Buller - Helvetic Neue. regular. 9Nonse molo coreicaerion re qui si ipsanda quatia deria vendi desti ni intium hici adiorum ut dolessi mustiis aspe del imaior adipiendit prate re offictat a cus. Helvetica Neue Regular. 9.5

AT A GLANCE‘Reefton Park’ Thornton, 1389 Goulburn Valley Hwy 2 bedrooms, land approx 62.7 hectares.Price: $1,295,000Agent: RT Edgar Croydon, 9727 5300 Andrew Houghton 0409 438 526

5 1 2Alexandra

EILDON - 440 Goulburn Valley HighwayMagnificent River FrontagePerfectly private family home featuring a spacious open plan living/dining and games area with centrally located kitchen with plenty of bench and cupboard space. Situated in Snobs Creek the 1.5 acre (approx) beautifully landscaped property boasts bridges, established trees and various sitting areas where you can appreciate the local birdlife. The home has 3 bedrooms, BIR’s, separate toilet and family bathroom. Two bungalows offer flexible accommodation for visitors.

Robyn Schrader 0407 686 275 $549,000

Why not stay in Myrtleford – central to Bright, Beechworth, Yackandandah and the Milawa Gourmet Area it’s the perfect place to base yourself. Ride the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, sample cool climate wines from our excellent wineries, visit our hidden treasure ‘Lake Buffalo’ for all sorts of water sports or take day trips to the snow fields, there’s a myriad of activities on offer in this spectacular area of the State.

Paull & Scollard have a wide range of holiday accommodation on offer from large family homes that sleep 14 to neat tidy units, visit our website www.paullscollard.com.au or give us a call to discover what is available, check out the properties for sale while you’re there.

Paull & Scollard Pty Ltd 74 Standish Street, Myrtleford 3737 Ph: 03 5752 2232 Fax: 03 5752 2144 Email: [email protected]

HOLIDAYING IN THE NORTH EAST?

• The only accommodation set on the Steavenson River• Business & leasehold• 23 self-contained cabins, 4 single units• 26 powered sites• Function room• Reception & attached 2 bedroom home• Shower & toilet blocks• Public laundry• Staff laundry & workshop• Outdoor chapel – meditation & reflection area• Camp kitchen• Jumping pillow & playground

Jenny Pullen 0408 100 590

Ph 03 5963 4491 Marysville Central, 49 Darwin St, [email protected] marysvilletrianglerealestate.com.au

Marysville Caravan & Holiday Park


• Broad acre cropping grazing property • 2 woolsheds (one with mains power)• Steel cattle yards• 30m x 12m machinery shed & sundry sheds• 14 reliable dams & winter creek• 17 paddocks• History of +1000 acre annual crop rotation• Property is within 10km of Murchison silos

Peter O’Connor 0429 951 099

• Rising to steeper hill country• Private, yet not isolated• 18m x 8m decked out colorbond shed/man

cave like no other. Powered, entertaining area, storage, heating, cooling. You name it, it has it!

• 2 dams, seasonal creek• 7kms from Alexandra• Formed tracks throughout the property• Sealed road frontage

Asking - $420,000 John Tossol 0419 558 032

ELDERS ALEXANDRA (03) 5772 1052 6 Webster Street

ELDERS EUROA (03) 5736 4303 27 Binney Street

NORTH EAST VICTORIAMolka / Moorilim district 2850 acres - 1154.5 hectares approx

ALEXANDRA190 acres – (76.8ha) The Perfect Rural/Lifestyle Retreat…

www.elders.com.au/euroa

• Broad acre cropping grazing property • 2 woolsheds (one with mains power)• Steel cattle yards• 30m x 12m machinery shed & sundry sheds• 14 reliable dams & winter creek• 17 paddocks• History of +1000 acre annual crop rotation• Property is within 10km of Murchison silos

Peter O’Connor 0429 951 099

• Rising to steeper hill country• Private, yet not isolated• 18m x 8m decked out colorbond shed/man

cave like no other. Powered, entertaining area, storage, heating, cooling. You name it, it has it!

• 2 dams, seasonal creek• 7kms from Alexandra• Formed tracks throughout the property• Sealed road frontage

Asking - $420,000 John Tossol 0419 558 032

ELDERS ALEXANDRA (03) 5772 1052 6 Webster Street

ELDERS EUROA (03) 5736 4303 27 Binney Street

NORTH EAST VICTORIAMolka / Moorilim district 2850 acres - 1154.5 hectares approx

ALEXANDRA190 acres – (76.8ha) The Perfect Rural/Lifestyle Retreat…

www.elders.com.au/euroa


84 High St Yea Victoria 3717 03 5797 2500 [email protected]

Fully renovated Edwardian style period home on approx. 48 ha (118 plus acres) with a magnificent landscaped garden featuring seasonal waterfall and rustic studio that has been used to create Deer Antler Designs.Fronted by the Spring Valley Creek, the land extends from fertile creek flats through undulating land to steep hills with a large plateau area suitable for grazing.Most of the fencing is new, including deer fencing on the flats and there are two spring fed dams and old cattle yards.Great country for horse trail riding.Spectacular views along this quiet valley and the close proximity to Melbourne make this a must for those looking for a tree change.

Flowerdale

$510,000

Beautiful Lifestyle Property

Deb Robinson: 0423 771 698

Andrew Clark Sales 0428 574 439Catherine Pigdon ReceptionKaren Fearon-Brown Property ManagementPeter Holloway Sales 0418 551 627Glenn Martin Sales 0427 752 619

• Exquisite Delatite River Frontage• Private, low maintenance setting• Floor plan to suit large family

and lots of friends• Feature timber and stone work• 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms,

mezzanine level and sauna• Mains water and sewer connected• Lock up garage and work shed• Irreplaceable position on the river

MERRIJIG

Call in to see the Clark & Co team at 18 High St, Mansfield www.clarkco.com.au

$825,000

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landmarkharcourts.com.au

ALEXANDRA - COUNTRY LIVING WITH YOUR OWN ORGANIC RESOURCESPeaceful and tranquil is the only way to describe this lovely rural property. 19 ha (47 acres) of gently undulating land suitable for grazing. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom brick/log cabin home. Includes large kitchen, huge living area, ducted heating/cooling, wood heater, solar panels. Sep. studio. Outdoor entert deck framed by wisteria with magnificent view. Solar heated in-ground pool and double carport. Abundant water with bore and 7 tanks for impressive array fruit trees, berries and lavender with irrigation system. 3 powered colorbond sheds. Enjoy your own produce or market garden, endless choices. Backs onto state forest with abundant wildlife.

$545,000 Belinda Hocking 0418 115 574ALEXANDRA 5772 3444 56 GRANT STREET

MERTON - PUZZLED FARM Beautiful grazing land of approx 210 hectares (520 acres) in foothills of Puzzled Range. Very useable land with five dams (most spring fed) and large steel cattle yards with modern crush. Property is in two titles and includes iconic ‘Middle Hill’ said to be geographic centre of Victoria. About 14 acres of natural bush, remainder all pasture with numerous stands of trees. Many home sites with stunning views to Mt Buller. Electricity to front of property. Remarkable opportunity. Private Sale: $1,170,000 Stuart Oddy 0402 349 120YEA 5797 2799 52 HIGH STREET

TAGGERTY - WOW!! THE VIEWS ‘MISTY DOWNS’ Located at the foot of the Cathedral State Park you will find this lovely modern Quaker Barn beautifully appointed. Boasting open bedroom and living area with wood heater and split system, well appointed kitchen, separate bathroom with spa bath. Other features include abundance fresh rain water, solar power back into grid, lockup workshop. The property is fully fenced into 2 paddocks, on approx. 1 acre with well established low maintenance gardens. Wonderful location, offering amazing views across to the Black Range. Inspection a must.

$255,000 Judy Richards 0419 527 923ALEXANDRA 5772 3444 56 GRANT STREET

BUXTON - ‘LYREBIRD HOUSE’ Delightful brick home on 1.5 acres nestled in Buxton. Lovely private setting with beautiful landscaped gardens, sealed circular drive and magnificent views. Home offers open plan kitchen/family room and separate lounge with combustion wood heater. 3 double bedrooms with built-in robes, large art studio/rumpus room opening outdoors, central bathroom and 2 toilets. Year-round comfort with split system heating and cooling and ducted heating and vacuum throughout. Fantastic colorbond shed with concrete floor and power. Additional wood/garden shed. Just short stroll to local general store, cafe and hotel. Only 1.5hrs from Melbourne, en route to Lake Mountain and Lake Eildon. $450,000 plus Belinda Hocking 0418 115 574ALEXANDRA 5772 3444 56 GRANT STREET

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CREIGHTONS CREEK - ‘EDGE HILL’ 1171 CREIGHTONS CREEK ROAD AUCTION ON SITE SATURDAY 2ND MAY @ 11AMAn Inspiring Property in an Amazing Location - 32 Acres – 12.61 HectaresThis truly remarkable property is set over the road from the magnificent David Hayes training facility ‘Lindsay Park’. Meander up the drive, through your own vineyard (approx 8 acres) and up to the unique and impressive home. As you venture along the wide verandahs you may even have the pleasure of seeing the horses being put through their paces! Step inside and be wowed! The formal living room is just superb and warmed by a stunning open fire, the kitchen is a chef’s dream and the adjoining dining/family room with cosy wood heater is big enough to cater for the largest gathering. Both the main and second bedrooms are enormous, have ensuite facilities and massive robe space while the third bedroom is also large. All living areas have huge picture windows to maximise the views, the private outdoor living area is a delight and the reverse cycle split system air conditioners a bonus. The soil is highly productive granitic loam, there is a 23 meg water licence, 2 meg spring fed dam plus excellent quality bore water, there is even a separate office with bathroom facilities, huge shedding, 2 cool rooms, 2 wine preparation rooms, the list goes on. Just amazing!

John Stringer 0418 575 156

HOMEWOOD - VIA YEA – 25 BRYANTS ROAD ‘YEABURN FARM’ ON THE GOULBURN RIVERWith Goulburn River frontage and productive rich river flats this property is the ideal lifestyle farm you have been looking for. Excellent water is from dams and lagoons, fencing to the 6 paddocks are adequate and there is an approved airstrip for flying in and out of. Infrastructure include cattle yards, hay shed, machinery shed and some electric fencing: There are two homes on the property: a small manager’s cottage with carport and water tank and the cosy homestead of 3 bedrooms, family bathroom, family room with open fire, workable kitchen and mud room/laundry. Surrounded by lawned area and mature garden the homestead offers comfortable accommodation.Located just 10 mins from the ever popular township of Yea and 1 ½ hours to Melbourne CBD, ‘YeaBurn’ offers permanent or lifestyle living.

Offers over $1.4M considered Stuart Oddy 0402 349 120

EUROA 5795 2868 13 BINNEY STREET

YEA 5797 2799 52 HIGH STREET

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ALEXANDRA - COUNTRY LIVING WITH YOUR OWN ORGANIC RESOURCESPeaceful and tranquil is the only way to describe this lovely rural property. 19 ha (47 acres) of gently undulating land suitable for grazing. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom brick/log cabin home. Includes large kitchen, huge living area, ducted heating/cooling, wood heater, solar panels. Sep. studio. Outdoor entert deck framed by wisteria with magnificent view. Solar heated in-ground pool and double carport. Abundant water with bore and 7 tanks for impressive array fruit trees, berries and lavender with irrigation system. 3 powered colorbond sheds. Enjoy your own produce or market garden, endless choices. Backs onto state forest with abundant wildlife.

$545,000 Belinda Hocking 0418 115 574ALEXANDRA 5772 3444 56 GRANT STREET

MERTON - PUZZLED FARM Beautiful grazing land of approx 210 hectares (520 acres) in foothills of Puzzled Range. Very useable land with five dams (most spring fed) and large steel cattle yards with modern crush. Property is in two titles and includes iconic ‘Middle Hill’ said to be geographic centre of Victoria. About 14 acres of natural bush, remainder all pasture with numerous stands of trees. Many home sites with stunning views to Mt Buller. Electricity to front of property. Remarkable opportunity. Private Sale: $1,170,000 Stuart Oddy 0402 349 120YEA 5797 2799 52 HIGH STREET

TAGGERTY - WOW!! THE VIEWS ‘MISTY DOWNS’ Located at the foot of the Cathedral State Park you will find this lovely modern Quaker Barn beautifully appointed. Boasting open bedroom and living area with wood heater and split system, well appointed kitchen, separate bathroom with spa bath. Other features include abundance fresh rain water, solar power back into grid, lockup workshop. The property is fully fenced into 2 paddocks, on approx. 1 acre with well established low maintenance gardens. Wonderful location, offering amazing views across to the Black Range. Inspection a must.

$255,000 Judy Richards 0419 527 923ALEXANDRA 5772 3444 56 GRANT STREET

BUXTON - ‘LYREBIRD HOUSE’ Delightful brick home on 1.5 acres nestled in Buxton. Lovely private setting with beautiful landscaped gardens, sealed circular drive and magnificent views. Home offers open plan kitchen/family room and separate lounge with combustion wood heater. 3 double bedrooms with built-in robes, large art studio/rumpus room opening outdoors, central bathroom and 2 toilets. Year-round comfort with split system heating and cooling and ducted heating and vacuum throughout. Fantastic colorbond shed with concrete floor and power. Additional wood/garden shed. Just short stroll to local general store, cafe and hotel. Only 1.5hrs from Melbourne, en route to Lake Mountain and Lake Eildon. $450,000 plus Belinda Hocking 0418 115 574ALEXANDRA 5772 3444 56 GRANT STREET

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CREIGHTONS CREEK - ‘EDGE HILL’ 1171 CREIGHTONS CREEK ROAD AUCTION ON SITE SATURDAY 2ND MAY @ 11AMAn Inspiring Property in an Amazing Location - 32 Acres – 12.61 HectaresThis truly remarkable property is set over the road from the magnificent David Hayes training facility ‘Lindsay Park’. Meander up the drive, through your own vineyard (approx 8 acres) and up to the unique and impressive home. As you venture along the wide verandahs you may even have the pleasure of seeing the horses being put through their paces! Step inside and be wowed! The formal living room is just superb and warmed by a stunning open fire, the kitchen is a chef’s dream and the adjoining dining/family room with cosy wood heater is big enough to cater for the largest gathering. Both the main and second bedrooms are enormous, have ensuite facilities and massive robe space while the third bedroom is also large. All living areas have huge picture windows to maximise the views, the private outdoor living area is a delight and the reverse cycle split system air conditioners a bonus. The soil is highly productive granitic loam, there is a 23 meg water licence, 2 meg spring fed dam plus excellent quality bore water, there is even a separate office with bathroom facilities, huge shedding, 2 cool rooms, 2 wine preparation rooms, the list goes on. Just amazing!

John Stringer 0418 575 156

HOMEWOOD - VIA YEA – 25 BRYANTS ROAD ‘YEABURN FARM’ ON THE GOULBURN RIVERWith Goulburn River frontage and productive rich river flats this property is the ideal lifestyle farm you have been looking for. Excellent water is from dams and lagoons, fencing to the 6 paddocks are adequate and there is an approved airstrip for flying in and out of. Infrastructure include cattle yards, hay shed, machinery shed and some electric fencing: There are two homes on the property: a small manager’s cottage with carport and water tank and the cosy homestead of 3 bedrooms, family bathroom, family room with open fire, workable kitchen and mud room/laundry. Surrounded by lawned area and mature garden the homestead offers comfortable accommodation.Located just 10 mins from the ever popular township of Yea and 1 ½ hours to Melbourne CBD, ‘YeaBurn’ offers permanent or lifestyle living.

Offers over $1.4M considered Stuart Oddy 0402 349 120

EUROA 5795 2868 13 BINNEY STREET

YEA 5797 2799 52 HIGH STREET

5775 303310 High Street Mansfield

A truly beautiful and unique 80 acres. The ultimate in seclusion with access only by private bridge over the Howqua River. Stunning 40sq architect designed natural stone residence. Four bedrooms - master with en-suite and huge robe - dressing room. Magnificent main living room with sunken conversation pit around a striking stone fireplace. Tassie ash kitchen with large walk-in pantry. Large main bathroom. Separate spa room. Three toilets. Three bedroom caretaker or guest cottage. Established income from tree nursery & accommodation business.

www.nobleknight.biz

For Sale By Expressions of Interest closing 27th April at 2.00pm

Howqua River frontage - 1 kilometre

Agent in conjunction

Sambar Park - 80 Acres

THORNTON 1389 Goulburn Valley Highway

TAGGERTY 123 Clearview Court

“Reefton Park”. With 2km of private rights to Rubicon River frontage, 155 acres of the most fertile land, 48 million litres of irrigation rights, a charming, recently renovated two bedroom country home with splendid 360° rural views, ample shedding, two cattle yards and excellent improvements, this is an exceptionally productive farm. The Rubicon is a beautiful, clear, fast-flowing stream and offers great Trout fishing. Less than 10 mins from Eildon. Productivity, privacy and river frontage make “Reefton Park” an exceptional investment. Vendor finance offered to approved purchasers.

As Good As New. 17.5 elevated acres looking across the Acheron Valley and Cathedral Range. Modern, quality brick home featuring double glazing, wide verandahs and undercover outdoor entertaining. Open plan kitchen / dining / lounge, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry, walk-in pantry and excellent appointments including two reverse cycle air conditioners. Fully fenced with stockyards, auto watering system, two garages with power and concrete floors, machinery and workshop, six water tanks and three dams. The gently undulating land would suit horses, grazing or tree plantations. Close to Lake Eildon and mountains for those who love water and snow sports.

Price $1,295,000View By AppointmentCall Andrew Houghton 0409 438 526Office 1-3 Exeter Rd, Croydon 9727 5300Web rtedgar.com.au

Price $825,000View By AppointmentCall Andrew Houghton 0409 438 526Office 1-3 Exeter Rd, Croydon 9727 5300Web rtedgar.com.au

5775 303310 High Street Mansfield

A truly beautiful and unique 80 acres. The ultimate in seclusion with access only by private bridge over the Howqua River. Stunning 40sq architect designed natural stone residence. Four bedrooms - master with en-suite and huge robe - dressing room. Magnificent main living room with sunken conversation pit around a striking stone fireplace. Tassie ash kitchen with large walk-in pantry. Large main bathroom. Separate spa room. Three toilets. Three bedroom caretaker or guest cottage. Established income from tree nursery & accommodation business.

www.nobleknight.biz

For Sale By Expressions of Interest closing 27th April at 2.00pm

Howqua River frontage - 1 kilometre

Agent in conjunction

Sambar Park - 80 Acres

THORNTON 1389 Goulburn Valley Highway

TAGGERTY 123 Clearview Court

“Reefton Park”. With 2km of private rights to Rubicon River frontage, 155 acres of the most fertile land, 48 million litres of irrigation rights, a charming, recently renovated two bedroom country home with splendid 360° rural views, ample shedding, two cattle yards and excellent improvements, this is an exceptionally productive farm. The Rubicon is a beautiful, clear, fast-flowing stream and offers great Trout fishing. Less than 10 mins from Eildon. Productivity, privacy and river frontage make “Reefton Park” an exceptional investment. Vendor finance offered to approved purchasers.

As Good As New. 17.5 elevated acres looking across the Acheron Valley and Cathedral Range. Modern, quality brick home featuring double glazing, wide verandahs and undercover outdoor entertaining. Open plan kitchen / dining / lounge, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, laundry, walk-in pantry and excellent appointments including two reverse cycle air conditioners. Fully fenced with stockyards, auto watering system, two garages with power and concrete floors, machinery and workshop, six water tanks and three dams. The gently undulating land would suit horses, grazing or tree plantations. Close to Lake Eildon and mountains for those who love water and snow sports.

Price $1,295,000View By AppointmentCall Andrew Houghton 0409 438 526Office 1-3 Exeter Rd, Croydon 9727 5300Web rtedgar.com.au

Price $825,000View By AppointmentCall Andrew Houghton 0409 438 526Office 1-3 Exeter Rd, Croydon 9727 5300Web rtedgar.com.au

APRIL / MAY 201596

NNEPROPERTY

This very comfortable and easily maintained home sits on about 2.2 hectares (5.5 acres) of land on the Great Alpine Road at

Freeburgh, just a few minutes further on from Bright. Look around you and there are hills and a great view of Hotham, while to the rear is the fast-flowing Ovens River accessible via four acres of leased riverfront crown land.

From the road, a long driveway lined with Poplars and Liquidambars leads through rolling lawns to the recently renovated house with carport. Along the way, there are about 50 chestnut and apple trees.

The brick contemporary house is positioned on a raised part of the land towards the rear of the property with a delightful mature Maple tree at the front. Entrance is to a good-sized living and dining room with a modern kitchen to the side. This area has lots of natural light and the kitchen is well equipped with all-electric appliances. Sliding glass doors open to the front and to the side affording easy access to the in-ground salt pool.

The lounge has a sensible tiled area around the solid brick chimney with open fireplace. There is also reverse cycle air-conditioning.

There are two big bedrooms and

AT A GLANCE1083 Great Alpine Road, Freeburgh 3 bedrooms Land 2.2 hectares approx.Price: $555,000Agent: Ruralco Mansfield, 5775 1444 Danni Schneider 0414 690 479

Modern comforts and river near Bright

another, which could be used as a sunroom or family area at the rear of the house. One of the bedrooms also opens to the pool.

A modern tiled bathroom is adjacent to the laundry and separate toilet.

Outside sees a six-bay machinery shed that includes two lock-up bays with roller doors. There’s another work shed with concrete floor, a wood shed and what appears to be an ancient corrugated iron barn.

This, however, is no ordinary barn. Hidden by the iron sheets are solid brick walls and inside is an air-conditioned man cave all set up with bar and pool table.

The land is gently undulating and studded with ornamental trees as well as the fruit and nut trees. It also boasts a tree-ringed dam that rises and falls depending on the level of the river. According to the owner, it has never been dry.

Set in this beautiful area, the property is private and appears easy to maintain – provided you have a good ride-on mower. And that comes supplied with this place. After the mowing, you might want to swim in your pool, try your hand at some fishing in the Ovens, sip a coffee in Bright or drive the 22 kilometres to Falls Creek. Too many choices. NNE

To advertise - Kelly 0417 869 608 or [email protected] | Julie 0427 710 133 or [email protected] | Stephanie 0409 702 427 or [email protected]

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Water Bores

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Water is their life

SKILLEDPEOPLE

Peter and Andy Brennan

Graham Brennan’s life could be said to be boring – but it’s anything but. His life is about something invaluable in the

country – water. Graham and his sons Andy and Peter run North West Drilling and they spend their days fulfilling people’s needs by tapping into their underground water. Chris the youngest son has just finished university where he has completed Urban Design.

Graham got into the ‘boring’ business when he was 16.

“It was in 1976 and Jack Butterworth was drilling a bore on the family’s place,” Graham says. Graham was intrigued and had to keep watching and asking questions. In the end, Jack asked the young man to join him and Graham’s life-work commenced.

“While I was with Jack I got my licence and my own drilling rig,” says Graham.

In the early 1980s, Graham teamed up with Philip Sammasimo who knew of Graham through the industry. Phil had an affection for the north-east region and a love of the people – passions that he shared with Graham when they worked together – a partnership that lasted 16 years before Phil sold the business to Graham.

Then the drought hit hard, which meant Graham’s talents became very much in demand; while good for business, it also brought its challenges.

“We were so busy that we could not possibly supply everyone with bores at the same time, there were so many people wanting them,” says Graham. “We decided that we had to put the people with cattle and sheep, those with stock, first. People were desperate for their animals.”

With Graham’s sons now part of the business, Graham now can take more of a back seat while his eldest son Andy takes control.

“Andy has been in the business from the time he left school; Peter is the maintenance fitter and helps Andy by filling in the gaps.”

Perhaps understandably due to his work, Graham loves being near water.

“On my bucket list is a houseboat on Lake Eildon. I just want to get in a boat and explore this beautiful area.”

“I want to take more time for recreation rather than work and here is perfect for that. It’s funny that people drive up here for recreation and we drive here for work” Graham laughs.

While he has his eye on the water, Graham’s wife Arty is a horse rider and enjoys competing. “Arty is competing in the Eventing competitions being held in Mansfield.”

The family extends to Merrijig where Graham’s sister Jenny Brennan and her partner Mark Angliss live. “When we are working here we stay with them or at the Mansfield Motel,” says Graham.

Graham Brennan

North West Drilling drills new water bores, refurbishes old bores and generally helps people to resolve their bore and water problems, but they leave the pump side to other local specialists.

“We work very closely with them,” explains Graham. “There is a great lot of pump people around.”

Graham recommends that people should think in advance about having a bore drilled long before it’s needed, especially as their calendar quickly fills.

According to Graham the average bore can take a day or it can take a week. It all depends on the type of soil at the location of the bore; there is a lot of variation.

Another recommendation is to place your bore near to an existing power supply, though with the introduction of solar pumps, the locations can be more flexible. NNE

North West DrillingGraham Brennan (0409 362 289) Andy Brennan (0409 362 291)www.northwestdrilling.com.au

OPEN 8am-8pm 7 days 47-51 High Street, Mansfield PHONE 03 5775 2014 | FAX 03 5775 1409 | EMAIL [email protected]

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North by North-East April/May 2015