Whether jiggled, dangled, with milk or withtout, tea’s warm in the cup but hot right now. ELISSA FRIDAY meets Geelong’s international authority on the global beverage.

Sharyn Johnston knows one of the world’s favourite drinks to a T.
Or perhaps that should be ‘tea’, because after 30 years of international study she’s now an expert in the world’s second favourite beverage.
The Bell Post Hill woman became a global authority on tea from her experiences travelling and working in 24 countries as a group training manager.
“I went to Asia a lot 30 years ago when people didn’t really go there much,” Sharyn says.
“I experienced so many different types of tea that I realised we knew very little about it in Australia.”
Sharyn began studying the aromatic beverage after giving up her corporate career but the only educational tea course she could find was in America. She made the trip but returned disappointed by the course.
“It was so bad,” she remembers.
Sharyn soon recognised the difficulties that each country had in sharing their tea culture, so she turned her focus to “breaking down those cultural barriers”.
Part of the work toward change included the honour of an invitation to sit on China’s China tea experts committee.
“There are only five people on it,” Sharyn notes.
In 2012 she used her product knowlege to establish Australian Tea Masters to expand opportunities for training and education throughout Australia and globally.
The organisations runs certfiied Tea Master and Tea Blending courses, along with offering other related services.
With its head office in central Geelong, the business recently opened the city’s first tea bar.
“We’re trying a completely new concept. The idea of our tea bar here is to make tea to go,” Sharyn says.
The bar offers around 280 varieties from around the world, including Geelong Breakfast.
Sharyn hopes her concept can “change the mentality around the drinking of tea”.
“It’s about making tea easier, getting more people to drink it. They can pick up a takeaway tea with a story, as is done so often with coffee,” she explains.
“We have a blending facility in Breakwater, so we blend all our own teas,” she says.
“Unfortunately, the supermarkets have shown us that what goes into tea bags is not very good material but it’s really all about what you put into the bag. It’s all high-volume, low-grade, mass-produced mixed blends designed for fast infusion, can’t be brewed twice and not whole leaves.”
Sharyn’s tea knowledge takes her around the world. She recently launched a variety in Korea after receiving an award for her contribution to the Korean tea during an expo in Seoul.
“I worked with 12 Korean tea farmers from Boseong to develop this tea blend, which is a world first for Korea,” she says.
A week after Korea Sharyn travelled to Singapore for a symposium with 100 chefs. As a key-note speaker, she also set off a revolution when she paired international teas with with food cooked by some of the chefs in attendance.
“Instead of having wine I paired tea with food,” Sharyn says.
“It changed the mentality of tea service.”
Back home, Sharyn developed the first government-accredited tea course in Australia and in 2015 organised Geelong’s first expo dedicated to the popular beverage.
“People were just surprised there was actually going to be a tea expo in Australia,” she says.
“The idea of the expo was so people could experience and taste different countries teas and to showcase anything that’s new in tea.”
Sharyn held a second tea expo in Melbourne last year, alongside coffee.
“For us the expo’s about launching start-up tea brands in Australia and bringing the international sector to Australia to showcase what they’ve got to the Australian public.”
Sharyn maintains her product knowlege with “12 cups a day” of differing varieties.
Her favourite is Wojeoon, a first-pick green tea from Korea.
“I also just love Darjeeling.”
But tea with milk and sugar always rates badly to Sharyn.
“Good tea doesn’t need sugar,” she advises simply.
“And good tea doesn’t need milk.”
Sharyn says that anyone who simply must include milk should add it to the cup last.
“Milk first is a British tradition that started originally from stopping the bone China cups from cracking. I used to drink tea with milk but I don’t anymore because once I had experienced the best tea in the world you don’t need to have milk in the tea.”
Along with understanding the rules of brewing and mixing, Sharyn also teaches western tea etiquette in China. The course covers aspect such as the formalities of high tea, placing the cloth, how to drink from the cup and with what the drink should be served.
Sharyn’s “tea mastery” classes also incorporate aspects of Eastern cultures.
“In tea mastery classes we teach cultural things like Korean, Chinese and Japanese tea etiquette,” she explains.
Sharyn believes that she learns someting about her favourite drink every day.
“Keeping that mentality is what mastering tea is about,” she says.
“To become a true tea master I think would take a lifetime and more.
“The main things are that you have to understand the production of tea, manufacturing processes, all the different countries producing tea and the types of tea they produce, the flavour profiles, the cultural sides and ceremonies, and the chemical composition of the tea plant right through to the cup.
“People have a perception that tea comes from different bushes but it’s the processing that changes the tea”.
Regularly invited to tea conventions all over the world, Sharyn recently judged a colossal 187 teas in a day for an event in China.
“You had to analyse quickly what you’re looking for, like the dry leaf, wet leaf, the liquor, so there’s a lot involved in tea judging,” she explains.
Sharyn recently returned from a conference in Sri Lanka where doctors from all over the world discussed their research into the health benefits of tea.
“As documented in history, tea was a medicine before it was a drink consumed like it is today,” she says.
“The two major components of tea are theanine and polyphenol and they create a calming and uplifting feeling. Historically the monks used it for meditation to keep themselves alert.
“It’s good for your bones, skin, your brain and it doesn’t give you the jolt of caffeine.
“Some great stories come out of tea.”

How should tea best be stored?
“Tea should be stored in a dark, dry, cool area in an air-tight container”.

What’s better: loose leaf tea or tea bag?
“A good-quality pyramid-style biodegradable tea bag will deliver just as good a cup of tea as what loose leaf can”.

Tea fact 1
“A lot of people may not realise that the tea bush is related to the common garden camellia japonica”.

Tea fact 2
“Green tea is cooling to the body and black tea is warming”.

Tea fact 3
“The number-one-selling tea in the world is English breakfast and it’s the number-one blend in the world because it’s been marketed so well. Next is Earl Grey and after that the green teas and herbal teas”.

Tea fact 4..
“Good-quality green tea is not bitter and when brewed correctly it tastes sweet.”

By Luke Voogt

Hollow Majors front man Robert Cockerell grew up on rock and roll, so it’s no surprise he’s set on music glory.
“My old man has always been in bands,” he says.
“I’ve still got an old photo from one of his gigs – my head was high as the kick drum and I was playing a toy guitar.”
When the hyperactive 28-year-old truck driver put up fliers for band members in January 2016, he meant business.
“I thought enough mucking around,” the former drummer says. “Geelong needs to hear some new rock and roll.”
Robbie met Ash Wray, Josh Dower and Jake ‘Dono’ Donovan over a pint and parma, and they shook hands on his plan for greatness.
“I said ‘if you want in, let’s do this properly, otherwise it’s a waste of my time and everybody’s time’,” he says.
After four months jamming they played their first gig at a “packed-out” Black Hatt.
The sharp-dressed lads have alternated between rock classics and playing their own songs to earn their keep since.
“Every gig we do – whether it’s a cover gig or original gig – we promote the s**t out of it,” Robbie says.
The “ADHD” vocalist describes himself as a “front man“ instead of a singer.
“There’s plenty of good singers but there’s not enough people that put on a show and feel what they are doing.”
After 39 gigs The Hollow Majors have released their self-titled, five-track, debut EP, including the band’s favourite tune Upstream.
“We can now confidently say we are an original band,” Robbie says.
If Robbie is the band’s “heart and soul” then lead guitarist Ash Wray is the brains.
The Highton sparkie wrote the majority of the EP, which he says is merely a “stepping stone”.
“There’s much better coming.”
The 22-year-old’s lyrical fascination began when he learned the cello as a kid.
“I’ll be driving in my car and all I hear are all these tunes in my head,” he says.
“One day I’ll be writing about how much I love my girlfriend and the other days I’m talking about how much I want to go to Mexico.”
“It’s mostly about women,” quips death-metal-loving drummer Dono.
Dono dreams of leaving his IT job for music, a dream which began when his grandma bought him a second-hand guitar from a garage sale.
He discovered a natural talent for drums when the drummer in his brother’s band left his kit behind.
“Turns out I’m better at drums than I am at guitar,” the 26-year-old says.
Dono’s high-energy drumming has even prompted an attempted onstage hi-five from a fan, which bass player Josh Dower gladly snapped up.
“Dono’s sat there and been like ‘I literally can’t – I’m drumming’,”Josh says.
The Corio busker has seen all kinds of crazy antics from their audiences, like “a guy trying to play air guitar on crutches”.
“They’re a handful,” the 22-year-old says.
Josh started on the trumpet before progressing to guitar and bass, despite copping a bit of schoolyard stick.
“If you were a guy and you liked to sing or do anything theatrical you would get picked on straight off the bat, especially in a suburb like Corio,” he says.
“You think music’s for girls … until you realise it gets girls.”
Josh admits thinking Robbie was “full of crap” when they first met.
But now he’s converted and wants to get “back into that studio as fast as possible” to chase rock and roll glory.
“We want to be on that large stage in front of thousands of people.”

Penangk Aboriginal Art Gallery is a stunning new addition to Geelong’s arts scene, specialising in contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander works for modern interiors.
With a focus on sharing stories depicted by the artists, the Pakington Street gallery is friendly and relaxed with art ranging from small, affordable works to large investment pieces.
Many works are by well-known and collectible Indigenous artists, others are simply great artworks at fantastic prices.
Owners Naomi and Raymond Walters feel privileged to share their passion for art and culture with the community.
Penangk prides itself on adding to the art-buying experience by ensuring stories and biographies accompany the paintings with certificates of authenticity.
Raymond Walters Japanangka/Penangk is an established artist himself, exhibiting and selling his works nationally and internationally for 15 years.
He comes from the North West of Alice Springs, and hails from a long line of prominent artists from Utopia and the Western Central Desert. Raymond is passionate about art and bridging the cultural divide through art and conversation.
Other featured artists include Kudditji Kngwarreye, Barbara Weir, Margaret Scobie, Tommy Watson, Gloria Petyarre, Jeannie Petyarre, Sarita King, Zita Wallace, Jennie Mills Pwerle, Charmaine Pwerle, and Anna Petyarre, plus many more.
Penangk also stocks a unique range of gifts and jewellery, with lay-bys, framing and delivery services also available.
Penangk Gallery aims to host art workshops for the community, along with evenings for story-sharing and music in the Little Pakington courtyard. Major exhibitions of Indigenous masters, established artists and exciting new talent are planned.
Gallery manager Naomi Walters is available to meet visitors 10am to 4pm Tuesdays to Sundays.

Parkwood Motel and Apartments has a newly renovated two-bedroom apartment with a blue and grey colour scheme.
The apartment makeover follows upgrading of the motel’s outdoor paving and deck area, fitted with colourful retro seating.
With split-system air-conditioning, the apartment provides a single bed in one room and a queen in the other. Both of the carpeted bedrooms include ceiling fans and electric blankets.
Parkwood also gave the apartment a new kitchen with gas hot plates and an electric oven, while a convenient parking space awaits guests’ vehicles.
Parkwood Motel offers a trio of three-bedroom apartments. Guests enjoy front and back gardens, their own washing lines and parking.
All Parkwood guests have access to the swimming pool and barbecue area.
The fully-equipped apartments sleep up to seven people. Each has a 55-inch television and split-system air-conditioning.
Also on site, Parkwood House has three bedrooms with two queen beds, two singles and two pull-out sofa beds and can sleep 10 people sharing beds. Guests can enjoy a large alfresco deck and private parking.
Three kilometres from central Geelong, the motel is close to local sports facilities.
With environmentally friendly solar power, Parkwood’s motel offers 24/7 customer service, free wi-fi and Foxtel in all rooms, a guest laundry, and views over colourful central gardens and the outdoor swimming pool.
With a AAA-star rating in the 2016 Gold List of Australian Accommodation Award, Parkwood also won a Trip Advisor certificate of Excellence in 2017.
Parkwood Motel is at the corner of Shannon Avenue and Ballarat Road, North Geelong, phone 5278 5477.

Barwon Health is working toward closing the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians through health, employment and reconciliation.
From humble beginnings in 1982, having employed one Aboriginal hospital liaison officer and a small number of nursing staff, Barwon Health now employs over 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in various departments across the organisation.
In 2012 Barwon Health formalised its commitment to Aboriginal employment by establishing its first Aboriginal Employment Plan (AEP).
The AEP was premised on the unacceptable gap that exists between the health outcomes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the wider Victoria community.
The first stage of the plan produced a 30 per cent increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff in nursing, traineeships, patient services assistants, cleaners, project officers and nursing and allied health cadet positions.
In mid-2016, Barwon Health undertook a review of the organisation’s Aboriginal Employment Plan, acknowledging advancements made in Aboriginal employment and the need to continue work in this area. As a result of this review, Barwon Health renewed its commitment to Aboriginal employment with stage two of the AEP 2016-2020.
Also in 2016, Barwon Health’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was launched during National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week. This RAP supports Barwon Health in its journey to become a culturally safe and appropriate health service for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Supported throughout the organisation, the RAP incorporates Barwon Health’s commitment to reconciliation in the areas of relationships, respect and opportunities – while also publicly reinforcing its commitment to deliver on the Aboriginal Employment Plan.
With over 50 objectives including an increase in cultural awareness and employment, a designated Aboriginal family space, cultural celebrations and continued collaboration with local Aboriginal community organisations, the RAP also identified the need for a senior Aboriginal leadership position.
Earlier this year Renee Owen commenced in this leadership role as the inaugural Aboriginal program manager, overseeing Aboriginal Health and its team, cultural responsiveness across the organisation as well as monitoring the performance and progress of the RAP and AEP.
“For me it’s been exciting to be a part of the expansion of Aboriginal Health across Barwon Health and to witness the ongoing commitment to their first RAP,” Renee said.
“I look forward to the next phase of the RAP journey – Barwon Health’s innovate RAP.”
In addition to Renee’s appointment, Barwon Health secured its first Aboriginal hospital medical officer in January 2017. Dr Melissa Carroll has established connections to the Victorian Koorie community and is passionate about closing the gap in health inequality.
“Barwon Health has welcomed me into its community and provides excellent career opportunities,” Dr Carroll said.
Barwon Health’s RAP outlines four culturally significant events throughout the year, in which all staff are encouraged to participate to enhance their cultural awareness and knowledge.
Barwon Health’s first event in February this year marked the ninth anniversary of the government’s apology to the Stolen Generations with a moving poem recital by a local Aboriginal elder and member of the Stolen Generation, Aunty Colleen Howell.
Attended by numerous staff, community members and representatives from Barwon Health partner organisations, the then-acting CEO Robyn Hayles said Australia’s history of forced removals within hospitals had made them a place to fear for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Aboriginal health is everyone’s responsibility, and one that Barwon Health takes very seriously,” Ms Hayles said.
“Striving for an improved quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly in areas such as health, education and employment is essential for achieving equity for all.”
During NAIDOC Week in July Barwon Health acknowledged and celebrated the achievements of non-Aboriginal staff and their contribution to Closing the Gap within their respective roles and departments. The inaugural NAIDOC awards celebrated leadership, innovation and engagement and it’s anticipated the awards will continue annually.
Most recently the Aboriginal health liaison officer team was increased to 1.5 effective full time (FTE) positions in response to the increased demand of these services. The liaison officers play a crucial role within the hospital environment in facilitating the delivery of culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal patients and act as cultural brokers between Aboriginal patients and the hospital system.
Additionally, the officers promote community liaison and provide practical support throughout departments within University Hospital Geelong.
Barwon Health continues to work towards its internal Aboriginal employment target and staff numbers continue to increase steadily, with new appointments in nursing and midwifery, social work, mental health, the Aboriginal health team, and graduate positions.
Adhering to the philosophy that ‘Aboriginal health is everyone’s business’, Barwon Health continues to strive to provide culturally responsive care for the local Aboriginal community and to make a substantial and positive impact on improving the length and quality of the lives of local Aboriginal people.

Swords, armour, badges and bayonettes – ELISSA FRIDAY discovers an extensive military museum discreetly tucked away behind an antiques shopfront on Geelong’s main shopping strip.

Pictures: Rebecca Hosking

Collecting is about more that just sheer accumulation for Newtown’s Graeme Acton.
“The beauty of collecting is about saving something from being ruined and so people can see it,” Graeme says while browsing his military museum, discreetly tucked away over two floors at the back of his antique store in central Geelong.
“I collect antiques not just because they are old but for the artistic point of view.”
Graeme has been collecting military antiques and memorabilia for nearly 30 years.
The army service of some family members influenced Graeme’s interest in the military. But his passion for collecting items of warfare really kicked-off when a World War II veteran gave him a sword discovered during a house clean-up.
“It turned out to be a very old and genuine Samurai sword, even signed and chiselled in the middle,” Graeme says.
But when Graeme began collecting few people knew how to interpret the sword’s signature characters, while most of those who could read the chiselled wording were reluctant to reveal its meaning.
Graeme decided to teach himself to be able to interpret the characters so he could date Samurai swords.
“Most of what I learnt was out of a book with two Japanese sword collectors who, obviously, were Japanese, so they knew how to teach it. It turned out the words were written in kanji, the older Japanese language and I’m still learning it.”
The painstaking research expanded Graeme’s interest in military swords beyond just the Japanese designs.
He now regards swords from various militaries around the world as “objects of art”.
“Twenty years ago I used to run a continuous ad in the paper and all it said was ‘Swords, Swords, Swords – cash paid’.
“I don’t think of them as weapons, even though obviously they are.”
However, Graeme’s interest in the Japanese swords remains strong and has progressed to Samurai armour.
Ten years ago he even worked with the national gallery setting up Samurai armour for an exhibition of turn-of-the-century photographs.
The Samurai armour is “truly what I collect”, Graeme says.
“Of all the things I have here in the museum, the Samurai armours are the oldest things in the shop, dating back 250 years minimum.”
Along with the Japanese swords and armour, Graeme’s collection of antiques was initially displayed in his own home.
“It became a shop by invitation,” he chuckles.
But his aim was to create a museum within an antiques store. He opened his first shop on Geelong’s Corio Street before realising his dream at Moorabool Street’s Armour Antiques and Military Museum five years ago.
However, it’s not all just swords and armour – Graham considers one of his most “important” items to be a large flag hanging upstairs and dating back to 1914.
It was the first German flag surrendered to an allied force in World War I, he reveals.
“It has the entire provenance with it; as well as a sword and a medal from one of the officers when it was surrendered,” Graeme says proudly.
“It’s probably the most unique item I’ve got here as far as wartime”.
For a gold-coin “donation“, visitors can inspect the museum’s ground floor showcase of Samurai armour, early 1900s British uniforms, including two Beefeaters, and other military uniform items from countries including Germany, France, Belgium, and Japan.
Downstairs also host a treasure trove of badges, battlefield trench art, books, medals and photos, while upstairs is dedicated to tributes.
“People do hesitate on going upstairs in the museum here but the ones who do go up there see that it’s about remembrance and not glorifying war at all,” Graeme explains.
“It’s not just about the soldiers it’s also about the families and the after effects of war.
“The whole point of what I do is not about me, it’s about them – the soldiers and their families. When I put something up here it’s to tell a story.”
Graeme’s runs the shop and museum with wife Rickie, who also has a keen interest in military antique collectables.
“Rickie really enjoys researching the personal stories about soldiers,” Graeme says.
Graeme’s has accumulated his exhibits in all sorts of ways, including buying like-minded friends’ items when they decide to change the direction of their own collections.
Other methods of collection have helped Graeme restore the dignity of personal citations given to Australian Diggers, such as the portraits and certificates awarded by councillors for wartime service.
He’s found them in closed down RSL clubs, dumped in skip bins and cast aside without their original frames.
“It wasn’t that uncommon 20 years ago in particular with the portraits and certificates to World War I soldiers that people would remove the portrait and replace it with a painting instead,” Graeme explains.
Many of the portraits and certificates now take pride of place on the museum’s walls, within frames resembling the originals.
As well as preserving the past, Graeme also enjoys observing future generations visiting his museum.
Some children can point out various objects and explain their significance, he says.
“That’s nice,” Graeme smiles.
“When I was at school we learnt more about American history than Australian but with the 100 year celebration of World War I it’s made a difference – kids are interested.”

It’s been just over two years since Jetstar made a 10-year commitment to Avalon Airport.
The additional destinations have been popular. Adelaide, Hobart and the Gold Coast are well known holiday destinations, and the proximity of Avalon to the start of the Great Ocean Road ensures the inbound numbers are strong.
And then there’s the Sydney flights.
“The Sydney numbers are through the roof,” says Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings.
“Avalon to Sydney is quick, easy, and suits the traveler who needs to commute for the day. Actually, the Geelong-to-Sydney commute can be quicker than the Geelong to Melbourne one!”
It’s no secret that the airport prides itself on its easy travel experience. ‘Flying Made Easy’ is across all its branding, and it’s a promise that Giddings takes seriously.
“We’ve recently upgraded the terminal with pristine white work benches, mobile device charging ports and free wifi. We noticed how many people were using our check in area so we added a second cafe there that’s doing really well because it’s functional.
“We want the terminal to be comfortable and useful, and as far as we’re concerned it’s a work in progress.”
And it doesn’t stop with the terminal.
A recent $10 million overlay on the runway provides a smoother ride for passengers, while a new website has been launched, menus updated, furniture refreshed and online parking is in the pipeline.
SkyBus has been one of the more public upgrades. A SkyBus Avalon City express launched in February, while a SkyBus Avalon Geelong Express is running temporarily until a tender process is complete.
On top of this the Industrial Precinct has been launched, and building on the Cotton On Group DC commenced in June.
After all the changes over the past two years, Giddings is clear on the next big objective for the airport.
“International, definitely,” he says simply.

Words: Elissa Friday

“Ever since I was kid Channel Nine was my dream job,” Nathan Currie declares.
After growing up at Clifton Springs, 26-year-old Nathan is now living his “dream” in Melbourne as the TV channel’s sports presenter for regional Victoria.
But after completing high school at Saint Ignatius College and a media degree at Deakin University Waurn Ponds, Geelong’s still home to the rising star, and the place where he found his media passion.
“All my friends still live in Geelong, and two of my best mates live in Jan Juc, so it’s awesome still being close by,” he says.
“I’d watch people on TV while growing up, including Jo Hall. I was always watching people on television and watching what they were doing.”
Nathan’s career began locally with a stint as a junior newspaper sports reporter, which turned into a part-time job during university.
“I’m a bit of a sports nut – I grew up in a sports-mad household and have always been an AFL fan,” he laughs.
“I love seeing the spectacle of sport and seeing what people can do”.
Nathan’s first experience in television was working with Channel 31 News Geelong from 2010 to 2011 before three years at regional broadcaster WIN TV then landing at Channel Nine in 2015.
After securing the regional sports role, Nathan added another string to his bow in June this year when the station made him a presenter of regional AFL program Off The Bench.
“In the back of mind, I always had a desire to do presenting and the opportunity presented itself,” he says.
Nathan appears in Off The Bench after The Footy Show, alongside former AFL players Liam Pickering and Wayne Schwass.
“Wayne amd Liam have been so good to learn from,” he says.
“They’re so switched on and dedicated to their roles, having done that sort of TV for years. It’s good to bounce off them and see how they do it.
“My role is to talk about big games across the state. It’s pretty light-hearted and more conversational than what I’m used to with news bulletins.
Nathan’s excited about his future in television.
I’d love to do a reporting stint overseas,” he reveals.
“I’ll just keep working hard, and when the opportunity comes up, I hope they think of me.”

A visit to Seaview Gallery this spring is a must to lift the spirits of any local art lover after the region’s long, cold winter.
The gallery is bright and beautiful, with its wide range of paintings, glass, ceramics and jewellery making the trip well-worth the visit.
The gallery’s exhibition calendar for spring celebrates a wonderful list of artists of varying styles along with new works from Seaview’s regular stable of artists.
Seaview also introduces three new artists to the gallery: Denise Walker, Jacqueline Fowler and Fred Thompson.
Waterways is the new Exhibition from Georgie Gall, running until the end of September.
Georgie’s work is textural, sometimes with subdued colours and featuring bright jewel-like tones. Georgie often accentuates her work with bronze and silver highlights so the paintings change throughout the day.
Impressionist Amanda Hyatt features in a solo exhibition from 7 to 31 October.
Amanda is well-known as one of Australia’s leading watercolourists.
Her exhibition features many works depicting her travels domestically and abroad, including cafe scenes, seaside villages, Venice canals, rural country scenes and many more.
Amanda’s exhibition will present a beautiful cross-section of work, showcasing a wonderful watercolourist.
Colour With Passion features Sara Paxton from 4 to 30 November.
Sara is an amazing colourist whose use of vivid colour and contemporary form give her paintings a unique expressive style. Her subjects range from landscapes to still life and seascapes.
Seaview promises Sara will provide a wonderful exhibition.

By Luke Voogt

Amanda Hyatt’s travels have seen her paint gorgeous landscapes from Mont Saint-Michel and the Louvre, to the canals of Venice and elephant parades in India.
It all began when she left science for a life of Alla Prima art, she tells Luke Voogt.

Amanda Hyatt’s life has been a constant battle between her left and right brain, but in the end her artistic side won out.
“I can’t even spell physics now,” she says. “The passion for art has always been there.”
Amanda moved to Highton in 1984 when husband Alex got a job at CSIRO’s animal health laboratory.
She had quit her job as a maths teacher to pursue arts full-time a couple of years before.
“I thought I would get a job as a maths teacher down here,” the 63-year-old says.
“I was in two minds about picking it up again but decided to go with art.”
From age five Amanda had the “need to create”, designing posters for school bands and dances. Later she won a high school art prize.
Growing up in Eltham near the Montsalvat artist colony inspired her development, she says.
But her analytic attributes led her to complete a Bachelor of Science with honours in physical science, and teach maths.
“I grew up in era when females, for the first time in their lives, could do a job that their father’s had done,” she says.
“If you were studying as an artist then you tended to be regarded as a dropout.”
A year after moving to Highton Amanda won her first regional art prize at the Geelong Spring Show in 1985.
She has won art prizes nearly every year since, including the Victorian Artists Society – Artist of the Year in 2010.
Amanda has held 33 exhibitions and credits the “wonderful people” at Geelong Arts Society guiding her “early days”.
“I worked really hard to make art my career – it’s very difficult to make a vocation out of art as a sole income.”
Amanda’s Alla Prima style has seen her paint across the world from South Carolina to India for the past 30 years.
She will hold painting workshops in both Antarctica and Ireland next year.
Alla Prima, which translates as “at first attempt”, is a style where artists must work fast to apply paint to previous layers of wet paint. It suits Amanda perfectly.
“I’m a very impetuous person and I have to have everything done yesterday,” she says.
“Alla Prima allows for error and the error is often a magnificent. It’s being confident enough in your original brush strokes not to change them.
“I find oil painting laborious although I really respect the people who handle it.”
Six years ago Amanda sought a “tree change” moving to She Oaks, to Geelong’s north west, where she quickly gelled with the area’s arts community.
“It’s just the most delightful part of the world,” she says. “The arts trail is a very important thing up here.”
Amanda recently became only the second Geelong member in history of the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society, one of Australia’s oldest arts organisations.
“You have to wait for someone to die before you get in,” she says.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was successful enough to be elected.”
Despite moving six years ago Amanda has strong roots in Geelong: her grandfather was born at Queenscliff Fort.
Co-incidently, her great-grandfather was famous Tasmanian brewer James Boag.
She will hold her eighth exhibition at Colleen Kenwood’s Seaview Gallery in Queenscliff from 7 to 31 October.
“It’s a world-class gallery so she should be very proud of it,” Amanda says.
Amanda has seemingly passed the mental battle of art versus science to her engineer son James and physics teacher daughter Philipa.
Philipa plays in a band and loves drama, while James expresses his artistic side through metalwork.
“They’re highly creative,” the proud mother says.

Words: Elissa Friday

Belmont photographer Mic Larkins had his dad’s old film camera since his teenage years without every really putting it to use.
Then just a few years ago Mic bought his first digital camera and hasn’t looked back.
“I’ve always had a bit of a flair for creative arts and just took to the photography and really enjoyed it,” he says.
“Now I keep my camera with me all the time – you never know when you’re going to come upon a good sight.”
Sunrises, lightning and the aurora Australis are some of Mic’s favourite subjects.
Followers on social media regularly praise his vivid, moody images, usually snapped around Geelong’s waterfont.
Mic completed a Certificate 3 in Visual Arts Photography and a Certificate 4 in Photo Imaging but has honed his art mostly through experience.
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Words: Elissa Friday Pictures: Louisa Jones

How Surf Coast girl Laura Saw tied the knot with a bloke from the big smoke, Jeremy Sinclair.

WHERE THEY GREW UP
Laura grew up on the coast at Anglesea and Jeremy in Melbourne. The couple now lives at Mt Duneed.
HOW THEY MET
“We met at an end-of-year work Christmas party,” Laura says.
“We both work for the Department of Education and the break-up parties were on the same day and at the same place by coincidence.”
THE PROPOSAL
“Jeremy proposed at home, using the game Jenga,” Laura says.
“We like to play that game together as a pastime.
“Jeremy had burnt on a Jenga block the words ‘I love you will you marry me?’
“He suggested we play a game. I chose a block but it was the wrong one.
“Then he showed me the one he I should have chosen and got down on one knee and proposed while I was reading the writing on it.”
THE WEDDING PLANNING
“We were pretty relaxed,” Laura remembers.
The couple had about 12 months between the engagement and the wedding. Family and friends helped with things like decorations closer to the date.
“A few of my friends had recently married and gave me recommendations, so I locked everything in pretty early,” Laura says.
“I didn’t really have to worry about it until the last month or two before the wedding because everything was sorted.”
HENS AND BUCKS PARTY
Laura had a quiet lunch with family and friends while Jeremy did similarly at dinner and drinks in Melbourne.
THE DRESS
“I purchased a dress form Embrace bridal in Geelong,” Laura says.
She had no set idea on a design but knew the style that suited her.
“It was the second dress that I had tried on,” she says.
“It was pretty easy to find, which was good.”
BRIDESMAIDS
Laura had three bridesmaids: her sister and two friends.
They chose their own non-matching navy blue dresses.
“They chose dresses that suited their shape,” Laura says.
She was happy enough that her bridesmaids felt comfortable and confident.
GROOMSMEN
Jeremy had three groomsmen: his brother and two friends, all in hired, matching blue suits.
THE CEREMONY
Barwon Edge Boathouse was the venue for both the ceremony and reception.
The ceremony was initially planned for outdoors on a lawn but rain forced a retreat inside.
“I’ve got seven nieces and nephews ranging from 18 months to nine years of age and they were all flower girls and boys,” Laura says.
“Everyone was happy to see them walk down the aisle first. Them being first put me at ease, too.
“Nicole Penning, our celebrant, was really organised. We always felt we knew what was happening and when.
“It worked out really well.”
PHOTOGRAPHY
“Louisa Jones was our photographer and we have some amazing photos,” Laura says.
The couple had photos taken with their families at Barwon Edge. They joined the bridesmaids and groomsmen for more pictures at nearby Leach Woods Gardens.
FLOWERS
Pastel pink, purple, white and green flowers decorated all of the tables and also featured in the bouquets.
THE ENGAGEMENT
“We were engaged for just over 12 months, we didn’t have and engagement party because we thought we’d just get on with the wedding,” Laura says.
THE RINGS
The couple found their rings at Duffs Jewellers. Initially they went shopping together to look for Laura’s engagement ring.
“Jeremy took care of my ring himself,” Laura says.
“I loved it because it was pretty much the same style as what I’d chosen.”
Laura was “over the moon” with her white gold diamond halo ring.
Jeremy’s ring was a white gold band.
THE RECEPTION
“It was very simple and not too many decorations,” Laura says.
The reception featured three long banquet tables with flowers in vases as centrepieces. A soloist played acoustic music.
“The first dance was a bit nerve-wracking because I don’t like being in the public eye,” Laura admits.
“We danced to the song Smile, by Uncle Kracker, and people came up and joined us on the dance floor.”
THE CAKE
The couple had a two-tiered cake combining brown and white chocolate layers, made by Two Birds Cake Design.
The flowers on the cake also matched the table decorations.