Innholdsfortegnelse for Spring 2018 i Fleurieu Living Magazine

Key Personnel Petra de Mooy While juggling content this issue Petra thoroughly enjoyed participating in the foundations module of the Fleurieu Future Leaders program and has been on cloudnine ever since. Jason Porter Jason has worked as a graphic designer and creative director both locally and overseas for over thirty years. When not in the office, he can usually be found tweaking the crossover filters on his ridiculously over-the-top hi-fi system. Esther Thorn Esther Thorn is a storyteller. She has worked as a journalist for twenty years in print, radio and television. Esther believes small things, like commas and apostrophes, are important. This makes her an irritating dinner guest but a good editor. Holly Wyatt A self-described ‘city-escapee,’ Holly moved to the Fleurieu chasing wide-open spaces and the spoils of…

Not many people would take on a complete house renovation while pregnant. But when Bernadette Kelly and Billy Dohnt found out they were expecting their first child, that’s exactly what they did. Billy, a chef, had bought the four-bedroom, 1950s-era Hayborough house in 2008, but had been renting it out while the couple lived in Adelaide. The pregnancy changed everything. ‘We were looking for more of a base as a family,’ says artist and hairdresser Bernadette on the decision to renovate the house. ‘When I found out I was pregnant, it was game-on from then onwards,’ Bernadette tells me. ‘Billy assured me we would be in for Christmas – we were still painting – but he kept his promise.’ Built from Mount Gambier limestone on a quarter-acre block with snippets…

It doesn’t take long to realise that Jo Eastaff delights in finding beauty and utility in the old and the discarded. As an artist, school teacher and curio-collector, her particular brand of optimism infuses all aspects of her life. And nowhere is this more abundantly apparent than in her Middleton home. Originally bought as a weekender in 1997, the house was then just a tiny pink-asbestos shack, half-clad in timber. Tucked away in the older part of Middleton just west of the Point, it was exactly what Jo was looking for: full of character but ripe for extension. In the years since, Jo has slowly made good on her vision and the shack has gently grown, and at the same time transformed from a weekender to a permanent home. The…

When you ask the locals of Victor Harbor what they love about the town, they can’t always put it into words straight away. There’s the natural beauty of the area of course. The laid-back lifestyle just a short drive south of Adelaide. The supportive community of people always willing to stop for a chat. But what quickly becomes clear to me, is the passion that Victor Harbor people have for their town; how invested they are in its future, and the sense that the phrase ‘community spirit’, so often overused, was created to describe towns like Victor. This place has always provided for the people who’ve lived here. Long before the famous 1802 meeting between Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin, which gave Encounter Bay its current name, the Ramindjeri people…

As I drive up the steep single-lane road that leads to Janet Ayliffe’s home and studio, I am aware that the views are spectacular, but I dare not take my eyes off the road as I may go over the steep embankment. What if someone is coming down while I go up? The ascent creates anticipation. Where am I going to end up? And how many times does this road wind up the hill before I can stop gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles? Finally I’m at the the peak of the hill and there are three homes in front of me. The winter rains have created a lush pasture across the gentler slope at the top. As I wind my way down Janet’s driveway, I see her two…

Spraying manure when the moon is opposite Saturn or burying cow horns on winter solstice may sound to many like the workings of witchcraft or some kind of cult. However, it’s far from either of these and, believe it or not, has been growing in popularity, especially here on the Fleurieu. So, what exactly is ‘moon juice’ spray, as some call it? Why are farmers adopting these practices and how does it differ from organic farming? As a biodynamic grape grower, I often get asked many questions like these, about a practice which has been in existence since the 1920s. Biodynamic farming began from a series of eight agricultural lectures given by philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1942 at the estate of Count and Countess Keyserlingk in Koberwitz, Germany. The lectures…

Paxton Wines 2018 Pinot Gris Spring marks the beginning of new life, when we turn our backs on winter and get ready for the sun to shine. Biodynamics is similar – producers have turned their backs on chemicals and fertilisers, bringing new life to vineyards. Paxton’s Pinot Gris is a great example of life and spring in a bottle of wine; a bright sun-lit colour with light fragrances of frangipani, nashi pear and a delicious citrus finish. Perfect on a lovely spring day. Sew & Sew Wines 2017 Sashiko Adelaide Hills Chardonnay This single-vineyard chardonnay from the Kuitpo sub-region of the Adelaide Hills is light and fresh with a subtle hint of oak. Its touch of French oak gives a delightful flintiness on the nose, leading to a palate which…

The Fierce Country: True Stories from Australia’s Unsettled Heart, 1830 to today by Stephen Orr Published by Wakefield Press ISBN 9781743055748 $27.95 Stephen Orr has compiled a series of short, true stories of our confrontation with the country’s arid centre and the conflicts between us it has borne witness to. Channelling the antipathy and fear which dominated the European settler reaction to Australia’s hostile geography from the beginning, he presents us with a harsh landscape beyond the edge of ready habitation and the characters who cross over into it. The stories he tells are of people both fleeing and pursuing, driven by need, wanderlust, or the demons within them far from the comforts of temperate coastal settlement. Spanning almost two centuries, these are the true stories of tragedy and terror…

Since its inception in 1979, Colonnades has evolved to become a shopping and foodie hub for the Fleurieu. Housing both boutique offerings and anchored by some of your favourite national stores, it is a destination for the stores you want and the amenities you expect. Here are some highlights we recommend … Cibo ‘… But first, coffee!’ Start your shopping experience with a slice of la dolce vita - espresso and a bite of biscotti. This little piece of Italy was brought to Adelaide in 2000 and Colonnades houses the only Cibo located on the Fleurieu, positioned in a cozy pocket of the Fresh Food Market. This particular locale is rich with personalised service, a sense of community and conveniently has a kids’ play area close by. Whether you are…

‘Are you up for the challenge?’ reads the real estate brochure. It depicts a badly framed photo of a dilapidated, old house surrounded by overgrown shrubs. It’s the same Willunga cottage I’m sitting in, eating waffles and drinking tea at the kitchen table, but it’s almost unrecognisable, after an epic transformation by owners Kerstin and Jay Holata. Kerstin has detailed the labour of love in a scrapbook, which opens with that somewhat ominous real estate ad. ‘It was just so rundown,’ Kerstin explains. ‘When we rang the agent about it, he told us he wouldn’t even speak to us until we’d called the council and found out everything that was wrong with it.’ The list of problems was jaw-dropping: an incorrect boundary dissecting the house, a local heritage encumbrance, an…

With its promise of warmer weather, longer days and new life, spring is one of my favourite seasons here on the Fleurieu. The sun shines bright, skies are blue more often than not and bud burst on the vines signals a new vintage on the way. At this time of year we start to feel the heaviness of winter and begin to move away from the ‘stick to your ribs’ comfort foods. And as we all return to some lighter food options, it’s not difficult to do so with the abundance of beautiful spring produce on offer in our region. Of course, with lighter food comes lighter wines. A style of wine which is again gaining momentum is rose – not the super sweet, one-dimensional varieties of days gone by,…

When Carli and David Laws met through mutual friends at an Adelaide pub four years ago, they quickly realised their connection was special. ‘We both, however, had overseas trips booked,’Carli says. ‘Mine for five weeks and a week after I returned, David went away for three months.’ But as the saying goes, distance only made the heart grow fonder. Dave proposed during a surprise weekend he organised on Kangaroo Island. ‘It was extremely romantic and totally unexpected,’ Carli explains. ‘Our wedding day was just as perfect.’ Although the couple grew up on Yorke Peninsula, they decided to hold their special day in April on the Fleurieu Peninsula; Encounter Bay and Port Elliot were the perfect fit. ’We are both passionate about the beach, so we knew we wanted to be…

One of the most exciting things about the Fleurieu as a wine region is its ability to produce such a diverse range of grapes, wines and styles. Blessed with so many different microclimates, talented producers and wineries, there is something for everyone’s taste. In this edition, we showcase some ‘new school’ Mediterranean beauties from long-time local growers. Wirra Wirra 2018 Mrs Wigley Grenache Rosé Grenache has long been used in red and rose wines in Spain and southern France. Here in Australia, rose is becoming more popular as a style, rather than an afterthought. This purpose-made pink is one hundred per cent glorious grenache and a heady nose full of lifted ripe strawberry, rose hips, fresh cut red apple and a touch of spice. In the mouth, those red fruits…

The Fleurieu Future Leaders (FFL) program was initiated by Charles and Janice Manning of Face the World – a boutique consulting firm. Charles and Janice are behavioural scientists. They moved to the region in 2012 and created FFL for the community in 2017. ‘The program is designed to create a pipeline of leaders to be there for the community and local businesses,’ Charles says. The people have spoken and the positive outcomes are already rolling out. Out of the 2017 participants, six new businesses were created locally including the unique offerings of the MV Meeting Place (McLaren Vale) and Tealicious Cakes (Willunga). Also, gun accountant Anita Bailetti has set up Bailetti Consulting. In addition, a few of the 2017 participants have formed a forum for local influencers called Ideas on…

Like many of Bernadette Kelly’s creative projects, her latest venture wasn’t intended for sale. It was while on maternity leave that she began searching the Fleurieu’s beaches for cuttlebone; she wanted to use them in a wall hanging for her home. When she posted a photo on social media of the manicured structure entwined with palm fronds, it caught the eye of friends – that’s when Bernadette knew she had stumbled across a unique market. This unexpected interest from friends is where her new project began, and Bernadette quickly began juggling her new role as the creative behind this new art form with her other jobs as a mother and hairdresser. Bernadette’s innate artistic flair, resourceful nature and signature coastal style are visible in every sculpture; each taking on its…

Driving south along McLaren Vale’s California Road, a patchwork of vineyards, dotted with stone cottages and old gums, extends as far as the eye can see. Turn right into Inkwell Wines, just a few kilometres out of the township, and the scenery changes. The vines are still there, but dominating the view is a magnificent architectural delight, made from twenty-one shipping containers and housing a cellar door, office and micro-hotel. It’s a rare sunny day during the winter when I arrive at Inkwell Wines, and the vines are demanding attention. The label’s organic certification means it’s vital to prune when the sun shines to avoid ‘dead arm,’ a dieback disease caused by the combination of two fungi that love moist conditions. Inkwell is committed to sustainable farming principles. The vines…

Being Social: FLM 6th anniversary at Inkwell Wines Our sixth anniversary – and launch of this year’s winter edition – was held at the newly-opened Inkwell Wines on June 6. It was a fantastic night spent tasting their wines by the warm fireplace and enjoying stunning views from the observation deck. Being Social: Common Ground Exhibition The Fleurieu Arthouse celebrated its first year of operation with the opening of Common Ground, held on July 29. This SALA exhibition was the culmination of 15 resident artists, who’ve worked in neighbouring studios and found a mutuality in their practices. Being Social: Fleurieu Biennale opening Stump Hill Gallery welcomed guests for the opening of the Fleurieu Biennale on June 16. The event marked the 20th anniversary of the biennale, which had art displayed…