Freshen up your home’s interior with new bench tops
Newgrove is Geelong’s only fabricator of Corian, a product that looks rich and luxurious at a fraction of the cost of stone.
Corian is giving new life to kitchens, home offices and bathrooms around Geelong and is popular with builders.
Local businesses are also choosing Newgrove, with the company installing new countertops at The Edge, Gold Diggers Arms, The Piano Bar and Sawyers Arms Tavern.
Visit newgrovebenchtops.com.au and Newgrove’s showroom at 68 Leather Street, Breakwater to see what they can do for you.

Go Mexican at Senor Manny’s Cantina
Enjoy a lively, ambient atmosphere with music and colourful furnishings at Senor Manny’s.
The restaurant’s owners have passionately replicated favourite cantinas which they visited on their Mexican holidays.
Their dishes include Mexican ribs, chilli con carne, and a variety of soft tacos, nachos and salads.
The restaurant also sells Mexican items and memorabilia, and live acoustic music adds even more atmosphere to their Sunday lunches.
Senor Manny’s is at shop 2A, 48-50 The Centreway, Lara, phone 5282 8960.

Make a statement this season with a new hairdo
Get a new look in spring with Salon Meraki Colour Specialists at 77 Vines Road, Hamlyn Heights.
The salon specialises in colour, cutting and styling by Pureology, and offers L’Oreal-certified colouring specialists.
Permanent and semi-permanent colour options are available as well as ammonia-free treatments.
Blow waves and curling are also available, along with a variety of products including paraben and sulphate-free vegan shampoos and conditioners.
Meraki Salon offer haircuts for men, women and children. Phone 5298 3465 or visit salonmeraki.com.au or facebook.com/salonmerakics.

See Amanda Hyatt’s art at Seaview Gallery
Seaview Gallery takes a look the world through Amanda Hyatt’s water-colour mastery this October.
Amanda’s Alla Prima style has seen her paint across the world from South Carolina to India for the past 30 years.
Her latest exhibition features works depicting her travels including cafe scenes, seaside villages, Venice canals, rural countryside and more.
Seaview has also introduced three new artists: Denise Walker, Jacqueline Fowler and Fred Thompson.
Visit Seaview Gallery between 10.30am and 5pm each day at 86 Hesse Street, Queenscliff..

Shape up with Body Conquest
Personal trainer Ingrid Barclay’s has developed a new program to help clients overcome dietary issues.
The Body Conquest director says Reinvent Yourself is a “next-generation fat-burning and muscle-building program”.
The program’s structured yet flexible, with an emphasis on getting the mental aspect right to achieve training goals.
“It’s all about making proper eating a habit,” Ingrid explains.
She promises that Reinvent Yourself will be a “revelation” to anyone who’s struggled to get the most out of their efforts at redefining their physique.

Style up household windows
Carl Paolini’s Australian Window Fashions is the local business to visit for great upgrade ideas ahead of summer.
Carl’s been in the industry since the ’70s, so he’s one of the region’s leading experts on the various styles and designs of window fashions.
Now with technology ever more part of the equation, Australian Window Fashions can show clients how to adapt useful accessories such as roller blind motors.
Carl invites prospective clients to visit his showroom on Pakington Street, Newtown, to discuss their needs and access his expertise.

Inspect Penangk Aboriginal Art Gallery
Indigenous painter Raymond Penangk and wife Naomi Walters have combined to create this stunning new addition to Geelong’s arts scene.
Raymond and his wife Naomi moved to Geelong three years ago for their daughter’s schooling before opening the galley.
Penangk Aboriginal Art Gallery specialises in contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works for modern interiors.
Penangk Aboriginal Art Gallery is open 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Sunday, at Shop 3/112 Pakington Street, Geelong West. Visit online at penangk.com

Book in at Parkwood Motel
Parkwood Motel and Apartments is offering GC readers a special offer: book direct with the motel and receive 10 per cent off.
Recent upgrades to the motel include new seating areas outside the rooms and now also a newly renovated two bedroom apartment.
A free continental breakfast for each guest is included daily and early check-in and later 11am check-outs are available upon request.
Parkwood Motel and Apartments is at 8 Lilly Street, North Geelong, phone 5278 5477 or email reservations@parkwoodmotel.com.au

Taking the SkyBus to Avalon
SkyBus is the convenient way to travel between Geelong and Avalon Airport.
The service began operating between the airport and Melbourne in February but recently extended to include Geelong, giving locals an affordable option.
More information about the Avalon and its SkyBus services is available by phoning the airport at Lara on 5227 9100, visiting avalonairport.com.au or emailing enquiries@avalonairport.com.au

Gail Blair’s Touch of Eden
Always boasting the latest tools of the trade, Touch of Eden – ‘Total Skin and Body Specialists and Day Spa’ – offers a variety of top-line beauty treatments.
Gail and her team are experts at looking after their customers, whether it’s for a fat cavitation or tattoo-removal through to electrolysis, needling procedures, manicures and pedicures.
Touch of Eden is at 1A Fairview Avenue, Newtown, phone 5222 8282, or visit touchofeden.com.au

Training with Elite Bodies
Elite Bodies Training and Nutrition’s Ji Cottrill mixes the basics with modern technology to help clients reach their physical training goals.
Ji uses Recomposer software to measure food intake and exercise output as part of a tailored program incorporating basic heavy-compound movements.
Stronger, faster, slimmer, shredded – it’s all possible with Elite Bodies.
More information’s available by phoning Ji on 0431 372 257 or checking his gym’s Facebook page.

Charles Rose’s Peonia Diamond ring
Geelong jeweller Charles Rose has secured exclusive rights to this stunning Peonia Diamond, set in a hand-made ring.
The diamond features 88 faces – 31 more than the standard round. The diamond is set amid white claws and a rose gold bezel on a white gold band, with a collar of natural pink brilliants below.
Charles Rose is at 98 Moorabool Street, Geelong, phone 5229 9088 or visit charlesrose.com.au

The Ebony Forest’s decor range
The Ebony Forest’s traditional and contemporary home decor includes cushions, wall prints, sculptures, vases and decorative items in a variety of styles.
The store caters for a variety of tastes while also and also providing a convenient indoor coffee shop – now that’s a contemporary shopping experience.
The Ebony Forest is at 48 Watsons Road, Newcomb, phone 5248 7661 or visit its Facebook page for more information.

Wining and dining at Clyde Park
Situated in a unique setting overlooking hillsides around the Moorabool River, Clyde Park Vineyard and Bistro is a dreamy destination for any event.
The estate produces its own range of highly-rated wines after establishing a vineyard in 1979, while the bistro opened only seven years ago but has already won the Golden Plate Awards category for best casual dining.
Clyde Park Vineyard and Bistro is at 2490 Midland Highway, Bannockburn, phone 5281 7274 or visit clydepark.com.au

Getting creative with Wathaurong Glass
The remarkable creations of Wathaurong Glass and Arts have boundless applications whether in the home or office.
Sporting intricate, Indigenously-inspired designs, the patterned glass products provide talking-point finishes to everything from splashbacks to screens and trophies.
More information and inspiration is available by visiting Wathaurong Glass at 16 Rodney Road, North Geelong, or wauthuronglass.com.au

Transforming backyards with Aarons
With summer holidays on the way, now’s the time to find out how Aarons Outdoor Living can keep the family entertained without leaving the backyard.
Aarons can supply and install all sorts of timber creations, ranging from cubby houses to gazebos and garden sheds.
Shade, storage, somewhere to play – the range has all sorts of possibilities.
Aarons Outdoor Living is at 139 Melbourne Road, Rippleside, phone 5272 1307, or visit its website or Facebook page for more information.

Warralily is a Geelong success story setting a cracking pace for sales and infrastructure delivery to create Armstrong Creek’s first new super suburb where residents can live, work and shop locally.
Warralily is the growth area’s largest development and consistently rates as the best-selling estate in Geelong — which, in itself, is arguably the fastest growing region in Victoria.
An impressive 50 per cent of the estate has been sold – way beyond expectations – to create a thriving community of 5500 residents occupying over 1900 homes.
Civil, landscaping and infrastructure investment to date has hit the $420 million mark. In all, construction of 58 stages is complete, 10 stages are under construction and the first stage of the $100 million shopping village, anchored by Woolworths and Aldi, will open this spring.
The village has leases signed for a range of complementary specialty outlets including a confirmed BWS bottle shop, Direct Chemist Outlet, nail and beauty salon and an assortment of food outlets including Town and Country Pizza. The centre will also include a medical and dental practice, commercial offices, a gym and more.
The adjacent Armstrong Creek Education Precinct will be completed for term one enrolments in the new year, along with Oxanda Education’s private child care, Bluebird Early Education, catering for 126 children up to the age of five.
Estate manager Ben Stewart said Warralily was a runaway hit with homebuyers, especially young families looking for lifestyle, amenities, affordability and ready proximity to the best of coast and urban living.
“We are averaging 43 sales a month over the last four months and have been consistently the highest selling estate in Geelong, with well over 30 per cent market share over the last year,” Stewart says.
“We are also working with a fantastic diversity of buyers, as land prices from $166,500 to $247,000 satisfy house and land requirements for most property hunters.
“Construction of the Armstrong Creek Education Precinct and The Village is accelerating growth, with the team on track to sign over 50 contracts for the month of July – once again showing that Warralily is an in-demand blue-chip location.”
With the First Home Buyers grant being increased to $20,000 as of 1 July, along with significant stamp duty savings, there is no better time to look at building in Geelong’s pre-eminent estate. While many new residents have been locally based, with the advent of the increase in the grant there is now seeing strong inquiry further afield.
The full scale of the community is now evident with last month’s opening of Warralily Boulevard from Barwon Heads Road through to the Surf Coast Highway linking the estate’s east and west neighbourhoods to the Ring Road, Surf Coast and future community hub on Barwon Heads Road.
All Warralily residents now have car, foot and bike connectivity to the full array of future community services, including neighbourhood shopping, cafes and restaurants, a child and maternal healthcare centre, four schools and sporting facilities including football ovals, soccer fields, netball and tennis courts and bowling greens.

Operating under the slogan ‘More than just blinds’, Geelong’s Brax is celebrating 75 years in business.
A second-generation family business owned and operated by husband-and-wife team David and Cal Stuart, Brax manufactures awnings, roller blinds, curtains, and Crimsafe security products and is also a licensee for the Luxaflex window coverings.
“Brax originally started manufacturing toys and wooden knitting counters and rulers then moved onto all sorts of window coverings,” Cal explains.
David is based at Brax’s manufacturing facilities in South Geelong, while Cal oversees all of the sales and marketing.
David has developed a “passion” for the manufacturing side after spending most of his working life in the business, which now employs around 27 staff, many of whom are long-term employees.
“One of our key sales representatives, who is also named David, has been working here for 41 years, Peter has been with us for 26, and our blinds installer, another David, has been here for 52,” Cal marvels.
Brax makes all its products to order, including its popular roller blinds, which come in an extensive range of fabrics.
Brax also keeps up technological advances and trends, Cal says.
“Most types of blinds can be motorised, which is also a popular option that customers go for.
“But it’s worth remembering that choosing to have motorised blinds needs some early planning because of the need for a power point.”
Cal believes that Brax’s showroom at 332 Pakington Street, Newtown, is just one of the company’s points of difference.
“People can see what they’re getting and customers can also talk to our experienced staff for good advice,” Cal says.
“Another point of difference is that we do manufacture many of our products locally and are very big on sourcing the highest-quality products.”
Cal invites anyone wanting more information about Brax Window Treatments to visit the showroom or braxwt.com.au

The Ebony Forest is more than just a homewares shop.
Yes, it sells affordable and quality home decor, but there’s also a superb indoor coffee shop and a sub newsagency.
But let’s face it, it’s the homewares, comprising cushions, decorative items and wall prints in various styles, that draw the customers in to the iconic Newcomb shop.
Established in December 2014, The Ebony Forest is a one-stop shop for home products.
The artwork prints and oil paintings are hugely popular as are the homewares, cushions, furniture (including S/H retro and industrial when available), MOR Emporium range (candles, diffusers, body products) in a range of styles.
It’s the customer service that people rave about.
Andrea Coltish makes sure all her customers leave happy, and a quick look at the feedback from The Ebony Forest’s Facebook site will confirm that customer satisfaction is the most important part of the business.
You can also sip on a coffee while contemplating your purchase. There’s indoor seating and a take-away service.
The Ebony Forest has also introduced a colour and decorating consulting service – either in the shop or own home/office with Andrea.
And why not pick up a newspaper or magazine at the sub newsagency while you’re there?
The Ebony Forest is at 48 Watson Road, Newcomb, and is open from 7.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and 7.30am to 2pm Saturday.
Find them on Facebook at The Ebony Forest or on Instagram.

Aarons Outdoor Living Geelong is transforming backyards, according to managing director Mark Zimmer.
“It’s very satisfying when you can turn someone’s mediocre backyard into a resort-like outdoor retreat,” Mark says.
His Melbourne Road business can build and install cubbies and an endless variety of other outdoor structures.
Aarons uses treated pine to deliver other products including garden sheds, Bali huts, pergolas, outdoor furniture, dog kennels and even chicken coops.
The huts and pergolas are an ideal shade solution for summer, Mark advises
The company’s storage workshops are also popular.
“People use them for all sorts of things – gymnasiums, painting studios, music rooms and more,” Mark says.
Meeting council and building regulations, Aarons can also customise the workshops’ timber door and window positions and modular designs.
Aarons Outdoor Living offers free site inspections to make the best use of space in backyards, childcare centres, holiday parks, sporting clubs and even retirement homes.
The Geelong team also offers free site inspections with friendly customer service and high quality workmanship on all installations.
Company founder Aaron Giddings began his dream transforming backyards 25 years ago when he started building dog kennels in his parents’ carport.
“I’m proud Aarons is the leading manufacturer and supplier of Australian backyard products,” he says.
“We deliver exceptional products and service, at an affordable price. That’s my promise.
“I know you’ll enjoy your Aarons Outdoor Living experience.”

Geelong’s best knitters and aspiring designers indulged their woolly wanderlust with tributes to the universe in this year’s National Wool Museum Scarf Festival.
The scarf makers chased the stars and let the cosmos guide them in this year’s theme Galaxies: a textile journey to infinity and beyond.
Highton’s Alex Hecker models the spaced-out scarves from this year’s planetary prize winners and highly commended entries.

Hamlyn Heights’ Salon Meraki Colour Specialists has been open for less than a year but has already ranked fifth in local radio’s Best Hair Dressers in Geelong and won Best of the Bay Best Hairdresser 2017.
“I believe my success comes from the personal and unique service every client receives when they come in for an appointment,” says salon owner Vicky Polyzos.
“Hair and beauty is such a personal thing and I always make sure clients are 100 per cent satisfied with the service I provide.”
Vicky opened Salon Meraki in November 2016. With extensive hairdressing experience, she always wanted a salon with a warm, welcoming atmosphere for working her “magic”.
The salon is modern and vibrant, with every client offered coffee or tea on arrival.
Appointments are necessary, Vicky advises, with few opportunities available for walk-in clients.
“However, I always try my best to accommodate everyone,“ she said.
Vicky says clients can book appointments or consultations by phoning Salon Meraki Colour Specialists on 5298 3465 or visiting its website at salonmeraki.com.au.

More information about the salon is available by phoning or visiting the website or Facebook page at facebook.com/salonmerakics

Body Conquest director and personal trainer Ingrid Barclay has launched Reinvent Yourself as the ultimate manual for body transformation.
“It’s about next generation fat-burning and muscle-building nutrition programs, structured by the numbers but also more flexible than any conventional diet,” Ingrid explains.
“Whether you’re a disciplined athlete or a stay-at-home mum, you can’t intuitively eat properly from day one without educating yourself about food and developing a meal plan.“
Reinvent Yourself is Ingrid’s overhaul of her fat-loss course to cover additional elements on “the mental side of things”, Ingrid says.
“My fat-loss course was based not on counting calories but clean healthy foods, but we know now that you need to be more than calorie aware.
“The difference in this course compared to the previous one is about making proper eating a habit and behavioural change.“
Ingrid describes Reinvent Yourself as about conquering the “learning process“ to make the right eating decisions a habit.
“Ninety per cent of clients come to me thinking they know about food but it’s clear to me that they don’t. What people think is healthy and what will help them achive their goals is very different.
“If they don’t count, weigh, or measure food. They never go through the learning process that allows them to become unconsciously competent.
“They’re always going to be running blind, underestimating their calorie content way more than they think and doing too much guess work”.
Ingrid says her clients spend the first three months of her program “tracking their food“.
“I really like the quote, ‘You can’t access what you’re not measuring’,” she says.
Ingrid also changed her course to eliminate forbidden foods.
“The key to enjoying your favourite foods appropriately is based on calorie control and moderation,” she observes.
“The program is primarily written for men and women who are overweight and have struggled getting on and off the wagon over the years, never being able to maintain their results.
“The manual is for the busy working person, who doesn’t have all day to train workout and prep complicated meals.“
Meal frequency was a “huge thing” under Ingrid’s previous course, she says.
“I decided that, for me personally, four meals worked fine. In this new program if three or four meals works for an individual we make it work – it’s very flexible for the individual.“
The course will be a revelation to most followers who have struggled to find the right diet, Ingrid believes.
“People will be surprised how flexible the food sources are,” she says.

“Next time you’re chatting at a Geelong bar take a minute to admire its countertop – chances are it was supplied locally by Newgrove,” says owner Sean Blood.
Newgrove makes custom countertops for cafes, restaurants, pubs, retail premises, reception areas and office spaces to suit individual style and specifications.
A recent project included supplying the bench tops for the refurbishment of Geelong’s Sawyers Arms Tavern, in keeping with the tradition of the popular Newtown venue.
“Owner Peter Clatworthy selected Corian for the countertops,” Sean says.
DuPont Corian is a high-tech solid surface that’s non-porous and stain-resistant, making it perfect for bar counter tops.
“Even red wine can be wiped away clean,” Sean says.
Newgrove is Geelong’s only Corian fabricator and the team like to work with the solid surface.
“The beauty of Corian is that artistic showpieces can be designed and you can create intricate decorative edging. Sometimes the beauty of a piece is in the detail and the counter feels rich, and luxurious at a fraction of the cost of stone.
“At Sawyers Arms we used Corian Witch Hazel, which was in keeping with the look and feel of the popular tavern. In the upstairs bar and bathroom we used Corian Rain Cloud.
“Both colours go well with timber floorboards.”
Corian is available in an array of colours.
Along with commercial applications, Corian is also popular with new-home builders and renovators for kitchens, bathrooms, home offices and al fresco areas.
Other recent Newgove projects include countertops at The Edge, Gold Diggers Arms, The Rum Bar and The Piano Bar.
Many impressive reception counters around Geelong have also been supplied by Newgrove in either Corian or Laminate.
“We aim to take the client’s branding into account through their reception counters, so this is conveyed as soon as someone enters the premises.
“We aim for functional but with a wow factor; innovative and practical.”
More information on solid-surface Corian is available at newgrovebenchtops.com.au and Newgrove’s showroom.

Clients are full of praise for the talent and skill of Anne Rutherford, one of one of Geelong’s leading nail technicians.
With 27 years of experience, her work at Glam Nail Design has built a devoted following of satisfied customers.
The best in manicures, pedicures and stunning nail art keep them coming back for more while drawing in new clients as well.
Numerous reviews on the studio’s Facebook page reflect Glam Nail Design’s standard of service.
“Ann, you are incredible,” posted Kate Maynard.
“Your patience, time, knowledge and dedication to nails is second to none.”
Adele Casey was thrilled with her “amazing” nails right from her first appointment with Anne.
“I can’t thank you enough,” she posted.
“You will definitely be the only person to do my nails from now on.”
Other clients share the sentiments of Kate and Adele, posting comments praising Anne’s “outstanding talent”, “fabulous” designs and “perfectionist” standards.
“I really look after my clients,” she says, “I give them enough time and don’t rush.
“It’s important to me that the work going out of my salon is of the highest standard.”
Glam Nail Design is always on trend, with Anne already completing two updates this year, including a week in Sydney with the UK’s Anthony Buckley for educator’s training.
Glam Nail Design uses professional product ranges from quality brands including Hand & Nail Harmony, Gelish and CMP gel polish.
Also dedicated to staying up to date with latest products, Glam was the first studio in Geelong to use PolyGel, offering clients a superior level of nail finish.
Glam Nail Design by Anne Rutherford is at 155 Kilgour Street, East Geelong. Appointments and inquiries are available by phoning 0418 337 633.

Lifting weights from the age of 12 set the foundation for the career of Elite Bodies personal trainer and sports nutrition specialist Ji Cottrill.
“I originally planned to be a teacher,” he surprisingly reveals.
With 15 years of industry experience, Ji completed a physical training instructor (PTI) course while in the army then a degree in physical education and sports science.
“I specialise in correct training principles, understanding food and how we respond to that.”
Understanding that the fitness industry is “very much trend-driven”, Ji prefers to focus on basic-heavy compound movements.
“The old ways that science shows have the best effects,” he advises.
Ji’s specialities include making clients stronger, faster, and confident of making the right choices with food.
“Clients sometimes hear things like saturated fats are bad for you but saturated fats are important for hormone production, cell proliferation and energy,” he notes.
“It’s a matter of finding out what works specifically for you and not being afraid of eating.”
Elite Bodies uses Recomposer software to measure food intake and exercise output so Ji can track clients’ progress.
Ji focuses on quality rather than quantity of training.
“Stimulate, don’t annihilate,” he advises
“When the body is stressed out from too much work it goes into a “stress mode” (cortisol increases) and burns fat at a lower rate. Rest and nutrition tie into recovery so the body can continue to improve.”