Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue#20.3 Autumn 2017 i Australian Country

AS THIS ISSUE WENT TO PRESS PHOTOGRAPHER KEN BRASS AND I HAD JUST RETURNED FROM A TRIP TO THE UTTERLY SPECTACULAR AND ENCHANTING Norfolk Island. It was a privilege to visit and get to know some of the lucky folk who call the island home. It was also a real treat to experience some of Norfolk’s wonderful produce and meet the people who grow it and cook with it. As Emily Ryves explains in the story about her Hilli goat farm and cheese factory (page 30), while the concept of eating fresh, local and seasonal may be on trend in Australia it’s the traditional way of life on Norfolk. The notion of buying only food that is grown locally makes not just good environmental sense in terms of reducing our…

HIGH TEA AT FORRESTER COURT Tea is a bit of a misnomer as the fare Ariane Forrester serves up in the garden of her spectacular clifftop home is more like a feast. After a welcome glass of bubbles, guests are offered a succession of savoury treats that might include Tahitian fish salad, prawns on skewers, croissants with smoked salmon, quiche and bacon scrolls. Then an assortment of sweet sensations including macarons, curd or chocolate tarts and crumble cake. Of course there’s tea — the menu offers 14 options — and as Brad Forrester makes Norfolk Island Liqueurs, the interlude concludes with a tasting. Anyone for a dram of Convict’s Curse or Pitcairn Passion? forrestercourt.com.au DINO’S AT BUMBORAS The restaurant-in-a-house concept is popular on Norfolk, and Dino’s is an outstanding example.…

It helps if you choose your family and friends with care according to Tasmanian farmer Sophie Nichols. Having grown up on Littlewood, the mixed crop and grazing farm that’s been in her family for four generations, Sophie is no stranger to the vicissitudes of farming life. Yet, with the optimism of youth and a little help from her nearest and dearest, she’s determined to make a stellar career down on the farm. “My main business these days is working for my father, Justin, managing 750 acres [300 hectares] at Richmond and a further 1750 acres [700 hectares] at Buckland,” she says. “Although he says he wants to slow down a bit, he will always be involved with farming, though perhaps a little less hands-on than he’s been in the past.”…

RAS FOUNDATION RURAL SCHOLARSHIPS A box of tissues was needed when the Australian Countryteam attended the RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship presentation. Young, ambitious and hard-working students proudly accepted their scholarships, which provide assistance for achieving the tertiary education they desire and deserve. Scholarships are awarded to students based on financial need and desire to live, work and contribute to country NSW. Offering $5000 for full-time and $2500 for part-time study, 58 students were awarded scholarships in 2016. According to RAS Foundation executive officer Kate Ross, it was the most diverse group of students the not-for-profit organisation has supported since it began in 2011. “Our scholarship program uncovers some amazing stories of hope and aspiration and we’re just so proud to support the students we do,” Kate says. “It takes a…

KIM SELBY PHOTOGRAPHER Kim is a multi-award winning family, wedding and commercial photographer. She is best known for her natural and emotion filled lifestyle photography. She loves being able to capture those special little moments that abound in everyday life and knowing people will be looking back at their photos in years to come. She lives in the Macedon Ranges with her husband, two beautiful boys and dog Fergus and has recently tried to correct the gender balance by adopting chickens Myrtle and Gertie. KEN BRASS PHOTOGRAPHER From Tasmania chasing auroras and the NSW Blue Mountains for autumn colour to celebrating the great produce that Norfolk Island has to offer, Ken has again been busy capturing the images that you see on these pages. australiancountry.net.au facebook.com/AustralianCountry @australiancountrymag zinio.com pinterest.com/auscountrymag…

A winding ascent along a road lined with towering gums leads to a little village of worker’s cottages, built in the 1890s and early 1900s for employees of the Mount Crosby water scheme that had been set up nearby to provide for Brisbane’s growing population. It’s a world apart from the CBD 20-odd kilometres away, with the kind of quaint general store that still exists under corrugated iron awnings over cracking concrete footpaths in Australia’s old towns and enclaves too small to warrant a second look by developers working for the big three. The cottages were likely never meant to be forever homes, built quickly and cheaply and often not quite square, but to the lucky few who live behind the neatly modest picket fences, they’re cherished for every imperfection.…

Idle is not a word in Dani Venn’s vocabulary. When Australian Country recently caught up with the self-taught cook and 2011 MasterChef Australia finalist, she was juggling the joint responsibilities of running her own food consultancy and raising her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Harlow. She was also in the throes of organising her wedding to her long-time partner, construction manager Chris Burgess, helping him and a couple of mates launch a bar in Melbourne’s inner north and arranging to host two wellness retreats in Bali. In her “spare” time she adds that she’s gearing up for her busiest time of year as an awareness ambassador for Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA). “I do feel like I work a lot,” she says. “But I’m fortunate that I can pick my hours so I work…

SICILY KATIE AND GIANCARLO CALDES, HARDIE GRANT BOOKS, $49.99 Embrace Sicilian food culture at its fullest, from pasta alla Norma to the classic ricotta-filled sweet delight, cannoli, Sicilyis a cookbook which celebrates the island’s vibrant cuisine. Compiled by Italian aficionados Katie and Giancarlo Caldes, this book is colourful, rich in foodie history and features some of Italy’s most memorable recipes. Starting in the capital, Palermo, the couple comes across street food and then heading to Noto, they find old classics such as semifreddo and almond granita. If you’re looking for inspiration for your kitchen, then this book is for you. LAMINGTONS & LEMON TART DARREN PURCHESE, HARDIE GRANT BOOKS, $49.99 Impress your guests with the achievable, classic crowd-pleasers from renowned pastry chef Darren Purchese’s book, Lamingtons & Lemon Tart.British-born, Darren…

AEOS e: info@aeos.net, w: aeos.net AGA Australia ph: (03) 9521 4965, e: info@AGAaustralia.com.au, w: agaaustralia.com.au Akubra Hats Pty Ltd ph: (02) 6562 6177, e: salesenquiries@akubra.com.au, w: akubra.com.au Albi 87 Chifley Dr, Preston Vic 3072. ph: (03) 9474 1300, e: albi@albi.com.au, w: albi.com.au Alex and Elle ph: 0400 278 664, e: alex@alexandelle.com.au, w: alexandelle.com.au Annabel Trends ph: (07) 5593 4755, w: annabeltrends.com Apothetea ph: 0439 303 409, e: info@apothetea.com.au, w: apothetea.com.au Ashley and Co ph: +64 3 959 53547, e: rachel@swoopingjack.com, w: ashleyandco.nz Aura Home ph: 1300 304 269, e: hello@aurahome.com.au, w: aurahome.com.au Beacon Lighting 5 Bastow Pl, Mulgrave Vic 3170. ph: (03) 8561 1555, w: beaconlighting.com.au Bio Living 141 National Blvd, Campbellfield, Melbourne Vic 3061. ph: 1300 246 548, e: info@bioliving.com.au, w: bioliving.com.au Birdsnest ph: 1300 696 378, w: birdsnest.com.au…

MAR - OCT (WA) STAIRCASE TO THE MOON Watch out for a clear night sky and you might just see the natural phenomenon, Staircase to the Moon. Best seen on the north-west coast of Western Australia in places such as Roebuck Bay and Broome, the awe-inspiring spectacle happens when the full moon rises across the exposed tidal flats at extremely low tide, creating a beautiful optical illusion of stairs reaching to the moon. australiasnorthwest.com APR 13-17 (QLD) ROMA’S EASTER IN THE COUNTRY A love of culture, thrills and spills, and all things country come together at Roma’s 40th Easter in the Country festival. From dinner under the stars to wife-carrying races, the five-day celebration has plenty to offer. Food markets, rodeo and live entertainment are part of the program for…

SO CHIC Create a look that lasts. SETTING THE TABLE Impress your guests with an upscale style. STYLE TIP! PLAY WITH SHAPES AND MIX-AND-MATCH COLOURS WHEN SETTING THE TABLE. IT'S A FUN AND CREATIVE WAY TO SPICE THINGS UP AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. FINISHING TOUCHES Things you are bound to want in your kitchen. STYLE TIP! COOKING IS AN ART FORM, AND YOUR KITCHEN WILL REFLECT YOUR CREATIVITY WHEN YOU ADD DECOR PIECES SUCH AS POTTED PLANTS AND WALL HANGINGS. STYLE TIP! MIXING RUSTIC VIBES WITH CONTEMPORARY METALLIC HUES IS A GREAT WAY TO ADD STYLE TO ANY SETTING.…

CALICO FUDGE Calico Fudge sells more than 400 different flavours of smooth and creamy fudge. The company has modified its secret recipe to work in a microwave so sweet tooths can now make fudge easily at home. calicofudge.com EJ AND CO EJ and Co’s Jewellery is manufactured not just for the rider but for all horse enthusiasts to wear as an accessory. All of the pieces have been created by a master craftsman and range from bracelets to cufflinks. ejandco.com.au SHOP INSIDE The versatile Mandalay bed linen features a fusion of stylised florals, paisley, and geometrics. The printed reverse features a repeat of the floral pattern with an attached flange in aqua. shopinside.com.au HOWARD PRODUCTS Restore your furniture with a simple wipe-on, wipe-off process. Howard Products quickly eliminate any unwanted…

Inspiration & aspiration I enjoyed the story on Brenton and Sharon Kinnear in Toowoomba and their love of restoring beautiful vintage antiques. We adore recycling, collecting vintage furniture and decor items. We’re looking for an old stone country home for a tree change. Sharon Monaghan, Clontarf Qld Style guru I’ve recently bought a new house that needs complete renovations so the article featuring the best dressed tables of 2017 is right up my alley. I love elegance and the little touches that make your style truly your own. Karly J. Brown, Chain Valley Bay NSW A plum role Apart from the fabulous articles and gorgeous pictures that make me want to pack up and move to the country, I am inspired by the plum recipes. I have never used plums…