Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2024 i Country Style

I’VE BEEN LUCKY enough to squeeze in quite a bit of travel in the past 12 months. In May I went to Canada to travel through the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer – a once-in-a-lifetime experience I would thoroughly recommend. It was my first trip to Canada and I fell in love with Vancouver and Jasper, which has sadly been devastated by fire since my visit. The Rockies are awe-inspiring, and I can’t imagine a better way to see them than from the Rocky Mountaineer. While going abroad is amazing, I must admit I’m yet to find anything as beautiful as Australia. No beach I’ve been to compares to ours, nor have I seen a country with such diverse landscapes – and I’ve seen a lot of it. As…

THE LITTLE THINGS I absolutely love reading Country Style, however with a busy home/work life I don’t always get to the current edition immediately. This morning I decided to pause, get my coffee and read the May issue (I know – how did I not get to it before July?!), and enjoy a quiet moment in my garden. I got to Fiona Weir’s column, Thanks Mum, and the value of time was crystallised. My mum was such a wonderful gardener and I miss her wiseness, kindness and creative spirit every day. I looked up and there was a beautiful bird drinking nectar from the flower of a native I’d planted and forgotten about. Long overdue tears flowed, but overwhelmingly it was wonderful to reflect on the value of priorities and…

STARTING ABOUT 10 years ago with a Facebook group of just four pioneering members, Fiona Marantelli is fighting to keep the historic process of beeswax candle-making alive. “There’s very little information on the internet and anyone who’s trying to make money out of this isn’t necessarily in a hurry to reveal their tips and tricks,” Fiona, 52, says. She bought a single beehive “on a whim” in 2009 and fell in love with the traditional craft of candle-making. Now, the self-taught chandler tours the country, showcasing her artisan beeswax creations at markets and the annual Lost Trades Fair in Bendigo, and her Facebook group boasts more than 6000 members. Fiona’s wax-melting and wick-dipping demonstrations have become a real crowd-pleaser at local markets, offering children the opportunity to hand-dip their own…

HERITAGE IS EVERYTHING on a farm. Blood lines are recorded and plotted out in spreadsheets and the results are seen both in the paddocks and in the bottom line. But for the farmers themselves, heritage can be just as vital. David Refalo’s farming background is the reason he’s here today in Canowindra, New South Wales, on his 63-hectare free-range pig farm. “I’m about the fifth generation that we know of who’s worked in agriculture,” says David, 34. His grandparents, who immigrated to Australia from Malta in the late 1950s, farmed when they arrived, and he grew up with his parents and grandmother on a 2.2-hectare smallholding on the outskirts of Sydney. “I was very close to my grandmother, who kept cows, goats, rabbits and chickens when I was growing up,…

SET AMONG TWO HECTARES of lush pasture that once housed an old dairy, Rachelle Ashmore’s farmhouse, with its weatherboard cladding, rustic tin roof and tall spire, looks like it’s been there forever. However, the home is little more than 10 years old. Building it from scratch was never part of the plan, though, says Rachelle. “In 2007, we decided we’d had enough of suburbia and started looking for land, preferably with an old cottage to work on. Then we came across the most beautiful block I’d ever seen.” The block was in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people, and had an old cottage just waiting to be updated. Rachelle, 60, who specialises in vintage wares, and her husband Wayne, 63, instantly bought the property and…

NOMINATING A FAVOURITE plant is a bit like picking a favourite book – impossible. But, if pushed, I could tell you my very favourite bunch of plant life is flowering trees, hands down. I’ve always loved them. Flowering trees were the first things I noticed when I started noticing gardens and the first living green things I learnt the names of. Jacaranda. Crepe myrtle. Tibouchina. Magnolia. When I moved to the farm, one of the first things I planted was a grapefruit tree, right outside the back door; not for the fruit but for the beautiful, fragrant blossom that covers it once a year. It’s one of the prettiest and sweetest of all the citrus blossoms, and they’re all special. I’ve kept a couple of very old peach and nectarine…

‘CHERAX DESTRUCTOR’ sounds more like a competitor on an episode of Robot Wars than the name of Australia’s most common freshwater crustacean. Widely known as the yabby, it can be found along the length and breadth of Australia’s riverways, streams, lakes and dams. The ‘destructor’ part of its name refers to its – some say undeserved – reputation for weakening dam walls as it burrows. Depending on the conditions, yabbies can lie dormant for years until their environment becomes more favourable. They are not to be confused with WA’s marron, which is larger than the common yabby, or Northern Tasmania’s giant freshwater crayfish, which has been protected since 1998. Freshwater crayfish are also found in other continents, most notably in North America, where they are known as crawfish, crayfish or…

HERITAGE RECIPES, MADE WITH LOVE We’ve created a free e-book of our most-loved Heirloom recipes – scan the QR code above to download Part 1, and check out our next issue for Part 2. If there’s a recipe that’s been passed down through your family, you can share it with us! Email the recipe and its story – with ‘Heirloom Recipe’ in the subject line – to: austcountrystyle@aremedia.com.au FIZZY DELIGHT Non-alcoholic drinks are getting better and better – and Sprio Spritz is specially made (by Anthony Nania, a wine expert, and Fabbio Navarroli, a hospitality veteran) to pair with food. Sicilian Lemon goes with seafood and salads, Chinotto is perfect with antipasti, and Blood Orange is great with white meat. $88 for a 24-pack; spriospritz.com.au RIVIERA DINING Embrace the flavours…

SARAH, ROBERT AND EMMAH CARUANA Robert, a farmer who also works in retail asset management, lives with wife Natalie and daughters Sarah, a paramedic, and Emmah, who is studying to be a teacher, at Glen Donald Estate, in Bumbaldry, NSW. They run cattle, goats, sheep and alpacas on the extensive property. What do you love about living in the country? Emmah: My favourite part of the country, when I visit my family, is the open space. I love going for long walks around our property and seeing our animals. Sarah: I love being able to see the stars and Milky Way at night. There’s no light pollution. Robert: I love the wide open spaces, the livestock and the satisfaction of creating and growing something. I grew up in a suburban…

CLOCKWISE, FROM LEFT Charles + Lee Shaving Brush in Black, $21, from Myer, gently exfoliates skin during shaving. Weleda Shaving Cream, $22.95, from David Jones, contains sweet almond oil extract and goat’s milk to protect and soothe sensitive skin. Featuring a ribbed handle for easy grip and manoeuvring, the Butterfly Reusable Safety Razor in Charcoal, $59.95, from Go For Zero, comes with five recyclable replacement blades. Men Plus Fresh Face Foam Cleanser, $19.95, from Natio, is packed with natural botanicals such as mountain pepper berry, witch-hazel and sodium hyaluronate for a fresh, gentle daily cleanse. Target dark circles, fine lines and dullness under the eyes with Fresh Black Tea Advanced Age Renewal Eye Cream, $118, from Sephora, which features a potent blend of antioxidants and natural extracts. Protect facial skin…

HERE ONE MOMENT Liane Moriarty, Macmillan, $34.99 This is Moriarty’s 10th novel and it’s her masterpiece. On a plane from Hobart to Sydney, an elderly woman rises from her seat. She walks slowly down the aisle turning to left and right. For each passenger she has a message. Some don’t notice her – the roar of the engines or a movie or a book are a distraction. Some think she’s dotty, some half-believe her and a few believe her without reservation. She’s predicting for each passenger the year of death and the cause. The noisy baby, she says, will drown when he’s seven years old. The young bride will fall victim to ‘intimate partner homicide’ at the age of 25. But it’s not all bad news. Most will make the…

ANNA MCLEOD Photographer Anna shot our beautiful New Zealand garden in this month’s issue – see page 86. “For my first eight years, I grew up on a farm in Springston, outside Christchurch,” says Anna, 30. “It’s something I don’t take for granted. We were so lucky to have the space to play and roam outside. I also loved seeing the seasons change in my mum’s garden. I love getting out into my own garden now; I find it very therapeutic.” Anna and husband Olly (and their sweet labrador Millie), who now live in Christchurch, plan to move back to the country “very soon”. But, she adds, “We’re lucky it doesn’t take long to get out of town. Drive half an hour and you’re surrounded by paddocks.” LYNDA GARDENER Country…

REGIONAL BUSINESS advocate Mandy Walker takes stock at the end of another busy day, gazing up at the magenta sky stretching over the hills near her home in Western Australia. As one of this year’s AgriFutures Australia Rural Women’s Award national finalists, Mandy tends to think big. “My next mission is space,” she says. On earth, no two work days are the same for the Wongan Hills local, who co-manages Walkers Diesel Services, based two hours’ drive north of Perth in the heart of WA’s Wheatbelt region, with her husband, Richard. “My role is everything from HR, IT, finance and admin, to marketing, business development and problem solving,” Mandy says. “And just being the ear for when Richard needs a vent!” Mandy’s ability to think laterally has made her the…

JUST JUMP IN THE DEEP END and give it a go: that was the mentality with which Natalie and Robert Caruana approached their olive-growing venture near the NSW Central West township of Bumbaldry, and 12 years later, they are reaping the rewards. “We just wanted a big block of land to enjoy on weekends,” says Natalie of their 258-hectare mixed-use farm, Glen Donald Estate, which borders Conimbla National Park. “We wanted to farm something and fell into olives. It then became our passion, which we managed while juggling our non-farm jobs.” But there’s a bit more to it than that. Along with the eight hectares of olive trees planted in neat rows, the couple also run cattle, sheep, goats and alpacas, host open days and farm tours, and welcome guests…

I’VE ALWAYS wondered why carrot gets to have all the fun when it comes to sweet baking, while poor old parsnip seems to be relegated to the ‘soup’ or ‘baked vegie’ category. Personally, I’m a big fan of parsnip – probably because my dad has a really soft spot for it – and I feel its sweet, nutty flavour lends itself beautifully to cosy, cool-weather bakes. Parsnip just sings out to be paired with cinnamon and spice and, when combined with sweet apple, it makes this loaf cake rather hard to resist. This is a cake that feels substantial and wonderfully wholesome. It is beautifully moist thanks to the grated apple, parsnip and sultanas, and also keeps well for a good few days. Throw a velvety-smooth cream cheese icing over…

THE NESTING POST, ALLORA, QLD Wisteria trees and sunflower fields are just the icing on the idyllic cake that is The Nesting Post. Located just outside the quaint village of Allora in Queensland, this dreamy 1929 cottage invites guests to take a slower approach to life. The country cottage was originally built as a market garden overseer’s residence on the outskirts of Toowoomba. In 2021, husband and wife Roy and Ros Hibberd put the cottage on a truck and brought it to their property to renovate. In an effort to honour the home’s humble beginnings, Roy and Ros used mainly recycled and repurposed materials to spruce her up. Over the next 18 months, they breathed life back into this unique dwelling. Guests can enjoy leisurely bike rides on the property’s…

NATURAL INSTINCT Through its carefully curated collection of garments, accessories, gifts and homewares, Raw Fibre endeavours to help people of all ages appreciate superb quality, and place greater value on a sustainable lifestyle. rawfibre.com.au TAKE A SEAT Lend a touch of elegance to your dining area with Oz Design Furniture’s Xavier chairs. Featuring button tufting and a range of modern colours, the Xavier chair is perfect for casual family gatherings and formal dining alike. ozdesignfurniture.com.au ONE-STOP SHOP A little space with big character, Boots ’n Bobs Brew ’n Bakes is located in Flowerdale, Victoria. This combined bakery and retail store has a rustic vibe and country aesthetic. Browse the shelves for unique goods while devouring fresh pastries. @bootsnbobs SPECIAL TREASURES Inspired by travel, fashion and interiors, Corabe specialises in unique…

Robert and daughters Sarah and Emmah shop for well-made clothing by trusted Australian designers and retailers. 1 Kapunda sweater in Dark Indigo, $289, from R.M. Williams. 2 Drover belt in Bark, $149, from R.M. Williams. 3 Marcel Check shirt in White Navy, $149.95, from M.J.Bale. 4 Men’s stretch moleskin straight-leg jean in Navy, $109.95, from Thomas Cook. 5 Ray-Ban New Caravan sunglasses, $258, from Sunglass Hut. 6 Barbour Tempest Wellington boots, $244, from Next. 7 Cattleman hat in Fawn, $320, from Akubra. 8 Unisex Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic Colour high top in White, $130, from Converse. 9 Longline knitted wool waistcoat in Grey, $175, from Cos. 10 Boho Bird Real Love tiered dress in Denim, $169.95, from Birdsnest.…

THIS SPRING, for the first time in over a decade, I will not be acting midwife to thousands of ewes. After much soul-searching, we have sold our farm on the East Coast and moved everything except 99 per cent of the sheep up to the north of Tasmania to a smaller home on the edge of the Tamar River. The stress of packing up a farm, selling stock and machinery, packing up a house and cottage with two generations of memories, furniture and accumulated ‘stuff’ is hard to explain. (For those following along at home, it was this stress that led to putting unleaded fuel in my diesel tank, which I wrote about in July). On top of sheer fatigue, it was emotional to leave the beautiful old stone house,…

Editor KYLIE IMESON Creative director SARAH FARAGO Deputy editor HANNAH JAMES Art director BERNHARD SCHMITZ Contributing art director JACQUELINE PAGE Queensland contributing editor CLAIRE MACTAGGART Stylist KATE LINCOLN Feature writers REBECCA HOOTON, RACHEL WHITE Junior writer LISA EASEY Chief copy editor, Homes Group PETER GRIFFITHS Senior copy editors GRETA DUMBLETON, GINA FLAXMAN, KATE BARBER ADVERTISING AND PRODUCTION Commercial brand manager JO-ANN TAYLOR Advertising production manager KATE ORSBORN Director of sales –NSW, VIC, SA KAREN HOLMES Head of direct sales – VIC, SA, WA WILL JAMISON Queensland head of sales JUDY TAYLOR Creative director CLARE CATT Head of events and sponsorships CATE GAZAL Head of Directories REBECCA WHITE Production controller KARA STEAD Advertising production controller DOMINIC ROY All advertising inquiries ADVERTISING@AREMEDIA.COM.AU MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Director of marketing CARLY BOWRA Head of…

FROM THEIR PERCH on the roof, a pair of friendly crows keeps a watchful eye over the Coach House. “If we’re eating outside, they’re there, and if we’re feeding the chickens, they’ll sometimes eat in the coop with them,” says Danielle Symes, 39, who lives here with her husband Brad, 39, and two daughters, Harper, 10, and Charlie, seven. “There’s a presence to them that feels calming and safe, and my youngest thinks they might be John and Molly, who were the previous owners of our home, watching over us.” Sitting on about half a hectare of land in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, on the traditional lands of the Peramangk and Kaurna peoples, the home was built in 1870 as a coach house for people travelling from Victoria to Adelaide.…

It’s 1988 and, as a young chef, Annie has already worked at Melbourne’s iconic Stephanie’s, as well as a bustling city restaurant called Alphington House – but wanderlust has kicked in and she decides to move on. I ANSWERED A JOB advertisement for a chef in a country restaurant. It was run by ‘Julien and Gary’. I fancied the idea that it was run by a pair of gay men. I was wrong. There had been a typo in the ad; it was actually Jillian and Gary. This began my first year of living and working in the country. Having spent my childhood on two hectares in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, I was still working out whether I was a city girl or a country girl. I felt a…