Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue#19.4 April 2016 i Australian Country

of the number of people who collaborate to bring togethereachissueof Australian Country. It all starts when our team heads out to points all over Australia to uncover a fresh stock of features. Depending on geography and timing, this may mean photographer Ken Brass and I are on the road for a couple of weeks, or it may involve our contributing writers and photographers from all over the country. Back in the office, our editorial assistant, Daria Kurilo, beavers away collating pictures and copy for all our columns, calendars and product pages. Our hard-working ad reps, Fiona Collins, Angelos Tzovlas and Angela Jevdich are out on the road making contact with the lovely clients who keep us in business. Then our designer, Rachel Henderson, works her magic on the pictures and…

While Rachael Treasure dismisses her backstory as “typically Tasmanian”, there are volumes encapsulated in those two words. Convict heritage, five generations of connection to the land, an affinity to the wilderness that’s just around the corner everywhere in the state, a huge commitment to farming and food production, and the strong larrikin streak that lurks in the heart of every cowgirl and boy are all somehow summed up in that brief descriptor. “I grew up and went to school in Hobart,” she explains. “But my aunt had a dairy farm in the north-east and I spent many holidays there. They separated their own milk, made butter from the cream, and fed the buttermilk to the pigs. They grew their own vegies and raised orphaned lambs by the heat of the…

Because the perfume wafts through the house and sweetens winter dreams, I always slow poach quince overnight in the oven. Lifting the lid of the pot in the morning with anticipated pleasure is never disappointing. The hard white-fleshed fruit has undergone a transformation to a luscious rosy red. Its perfume, concentrated in the pot, escapes with an ambrosial intensity, lingering in the kitchen during the day, inspiring ways to use it. Contrary to common misconception, quinces are very easy to cook. Ignore the unnecessary instructions about peeling and coring, the hard raw fruit makes this a laborious task. Simply wash the fruit to remove the pale down it often has, cut each piece in half and put in a large heavy ovenproof pot. Cover with water, add brown sugar (as…

More than 140 delegates from across Australia attended the 2016 Biennial Queensland Shows Conference in January. The three-day conference culminated with the Agri-Gala, where the Queensland Shows awards were announced. Agricultural shows have played a prominent part in Australian culture since the early 1800s engaging, educating and entertaining local communities. Today, there are more than 128 Agricultural and Show Societies across the sunny state of Queensland and they range from small local events to large multi-day extravaganzas. 2016 saw a slightly different format being implemented for the Queensland Shows Conference with the event opening to a wider show community. Glamorous guests mingled and glasses of bubbly were consumed at the Agri-Gala cocktail party to celebrate the Agricultural Shows awards. These awards recognise excellence in terms of local events, contribution and…

BILL & JULIE SHIELDS ORCHARDISTS The Shields family has been growing and selling tree-ripened apples and peaches since 1955 when they bought their Bilpin orchard, which had been producing fruit since the early 1900s. In recent years Bill has developed the Julie apple from a chance seedling. Commercial quantities of this fabulous new apple variety will be available from this year. RANDOM RALPH MODEL’S ASSISTANT Ralph leads an incredibly busy life as a regular visitor to the Shields’ orchard, chasing and catching apples (not to mention eating them). He fills in any gaps in his schedule by being incredibly good looking and cooperative and working his way into any possible photo opportunity.…

Emma Bossons is an extraordinary talent. The prolific designer has taken the Moorcroft Design Studio towards a world of organic design, where a design literally grows from the shape in an effortless flow of movement and colour, as well as creating a wealth of new shapes for the Moorcroft design archives. Unsurprisingly, at the age of twenty four, Emma Bossons was made a fellow of the Royal Society of The Arts, having been a Moorcroft designer for only four years. A further honour occurred when Emma’s face appeared as a 1st Day Cover stamp for Royal Mail to mark the fact that she was the youngest ever member of the Royal Society of the Arts at that point in time. Directors were astounded as this prodigal child sought to run…

Even though it’s mid-November, nurseryman David Glenn has been up at sparrows, watering the frost off the tomatoes. It seems absurd as in a couple of months he’ll be dealing with the opposite extreme: summer temperatures at Lambley, his nursery and garden at Ascot in the central Victorian central highlands, frequently hit the low 40s and the hot, dry wind gusting across the paddocks desiccates everything in its path. Tomatoes (more about them later) aside, David prefers not to battle with the climate and instead has spent the best part of 25 years establishing a benchmark dry climate garden as an adjunct to the nursery. Atthetimeof Australian Country’svisit, Lambley has the welcome mat out in spring carnival colours, beginning with the 400-metre driveway lined with flowering cherries underplanted with myriad…

A PERSONAL GUIDE TO INDIA AND BHUTAN CHRISTINE MANFIELD, PENGUIN BOOKS, $39.99 An explosion of colour and light, this paradise of a book is the ultimate foodie’s guide to the ins and outs of Indian culture. Written by one of Australia’s most celebrated chefs, Christine Manfield brings you this handbook from her raw experience of eating her way around the intriguing continent for more than two decades. Outlining the best places to stay, shop and eat in India and Bhutan including safe travel tips and advice, this small and beautiful book is an ideal suitcase-sized travel essential. FEEL GOOD FOOD VALLI LITTLE, HARPER COLLINS, $39.99 Colourful, indulgent and of course, delicious, all combine into one in bestselling author Valli Little’s latest book. It is not about a diet, not about…

APRIL 30–MAY 1 (QLD) Open Garden Do a good deed and enjoy the outdoors at the private garden Coucals of Mount Crosby, where all entry fees go towards the Ipswich branch of the Australian Red Cross. Owners Jim and Jan Flanigan open their garden to the public on nominated days to showcase their beautiful creation as well as help raise funds for the community. Although orchids are the highlight of the garden year-round, there are plenty of other wonderful plants and trees and you might even meet a few local critters such as green tree frogs or tawny frogmouth owls. coucalsgarden.com APRIL 30–MAY 2 (QLD) Maleny Wood Expo This year marks the 20th anniversary of Maleny Wood Expo, an event designed to promote the sustainable use of native timbers through…

There’s a tangible country vibe in Vanessa Goulmy’s home, which is unexpected given it’s a stone’s throw from inner-city Brisbane. It might have something to do with the fact that there’s a barn in the backyard (more on that later). Or it might be her collection of carefully curated vintage finds that lends a homely warmth as you amble from room to room. Fretwork archways beckon you to pass through, to pad further along the old hoop pine flooring that’s felt a thousand footsteps before. It’s easy to see that every detail of this renovation has been pondered, planned and pondered some more before being carried out. “When we purchased the house it was liveable but small, with just two bedrooms and one bathroom,” Vanessa says. “The workers’ cottage had…

If Linda McDouall has her way, in the not-too-distant future all the verges of her home town of Bingara in north-western NSW will have strawberries growing on them. If her own garden at the River House, the home overlooking the Gwydir River she shares with her husband, Garry, and a passing parade of guests is anything to go by, she’s well on her way to achieving her ambition. The strawberry project is all part of a grand vision the McDoualls have for Bingara, population around 1200, a service town for the surrounding farming community in the New England region. Sustainability is at the core of everything Linda and Garry set out to achieve, and the village verges are just a small aspect of a bigger picture. Zoom out a bit…

Gewürzhaus (Vic) Embark on a journey of culinary delights through Europe, the Middle East and beyond. Established in the winter of 2010, Gewürzhaus specialises in herbs and spices and stocks a comprehensive A to Z of spices, herbs, salts, peppers and sugars. With their expertise of seasoning, flavour and zest, learn to create your own feast in their Keeping It In Season class or discover what makes the perfect schnitzel. Classes are available mainly on weekends and run for approximately two and a half hours. From hot cross buns, pastry and chocolate classes to paleo and Middle Eastern cooking, Gewürzhaus offers three terms a year; January to May, June to September and October to December (which mostly focuses on Christmas recipes). All classes are a perfect combination of demonstration and…

Most mornings when Alex Elliott-Howery turns up for work, there will be a few bags and boxes of produce on the doorstep. It’s all part of a neighbourhood network that at first glance, may seem complex but is, in fact, the essence of simplicity. People leave excess fruit and veg grown in their backyards of Sydney's inner west, then Alex and the team from Cornersmith, the cafe and picklery she runs with her husband, James Grant, and close friend Jaimee Edwards, either serve it up at the cafe or turn it into pickles, jams, chutneys and other preserves. In exchange, the donors receive cups of coffee or a jar of preserves, or sometimes just a nice, warm feeling that their figs, persimmons or lemons are not merely falling to the…

EURO FIREPLACES European-designed Euro Fireplaces’ products are innovative in their functionality and efficiency. Offering fireplaces that burn less wood and produce fewer emissions, the units are easy to use and maintain. eurofireplaces.com.au SCRUMPY SOAP Enjoy knowing what you are putting on your skin with the organic and natural Scumpy Soap products. All soaps are 100 per cent natural with no palm oil included and are also animal-cruelty free. scrumpysoapco.com.au EAGLE WOOLS The infant care rug by Eagle Wools is made from Australian sheepskin and is perfect as a liner in the cot or pram or anywhere the baby goes. Machine washable, it warms in winter and cools in summer. eaglewools.com.au HARKAWAY HOMES Inspired by a bygone era, the Victorian Homestead recreates that grand home, Nareen-like atmosphere. Tall walls, sweeping verandahs…

Tree change I am interested in the writings of Kathy Mexted and her stories about mothering, farming and house building. I have tried searching for her book in bookstores to no avail. Are you able to help me with the title of the book and a stockist please? Simone Tucker, Redwood Park SA Ed’s note: Kathy’s book is called Ride-on Mowers, Rooflines and Roses. You can order it from her by emailing kamex7@bigpond.com. In touch online We asked our Facebook and Instagram followers for their feedback on our latest issue. Here’s a sample of their responses. I have spent this morning sitting on my verandah reading Australian Country current magazine and the freebie edition that came with it, in between loads of washing. Thank you for the interesting and inspiring…

OF AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY, WE’VE AGAIN TRAVELLED THE HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS IN SEARCH OF THE MOST CAPTIVATING STORIES FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE. WE HEADED TO MILDURA ON THE MIGHTY MURRAY WHERE WE VISITED STYLE GURU SUE CLOHESY, WHO HAS TRANSFORMED A 1930S’ FARMHOUSE WITH A WONDERFUL AMALGAM OF VINTAGE WARES AND CONTEMPORARY ART PIECES. WE WERE ALSO LUCKY TO ATTEND A PACKING SHED LUNCH SHOWCASING THE NEW VARIETIES OF TABLE GRAPES THAT ARE EMERGING ON THE GREENGROCERS’ SHELVES. IN QUEENSLAND WE JOINED HORSE-LOVING KATE JOHNS AND HER FAMILY AS THEY RELAXED ON THEIR SUNSHINE COAST HINTERLAND PROPERTY. IN VICTORIA WE CAUGHT UP WITH FASHION DESIGNER TIFFANY TRELOAR AND HER FOOD WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER HUSBAND, RICHARD CORNISH, TO LEARN HOW THEIR LIVES AND CAREERS HAVE SO SERENDIPITOUSLY BLENDED. WE VISITED YENGO SCULPTURE…

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