PRIMOLife November 2015

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LIFE

VOL 2 | ISSUE 10 | NOVEMBER 2015

FREE –

PROPERTY • LIFESTYLE • IDEAS

Take me home!

Oprah's ON HER WAY

Read our EXCLUSIVE interview as she packs her bags for Perth The latest listings from

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PRIMOeditor

LIFE

PRIMO Published by PREMIUM PUBLISHERS Freemason's House, 181 Roberts Road, Subiaco WA 6008 (08) 9273 8933 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Gabi Mills gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au

TIME TO CHILL BEFORE CHRISTMAS

H

ART DIRECTOR Cally Browning cally@barecreative.com.au

ands up who can’t believe we are just a few short weeks from the end of the year? It seems to have flown past and as you read this latest issue of PRIMOLife, I’ll bet you’re already feeling the first frissons of excitement/fear/

dread for the festive season ahead. Before all that tinsel gets too much though, we’ve got November to enjoy – the calm before the storm you might say. So why not kick back and enjoy our mag which this time around is packed with stories about travel – Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, Broome and Antigua – as well as

plenty of property inspiration from Jamie Durie, architect Peter Maddison (Grand Designs Australia) and our homewares spread about injecting a coastal vibe to your home. It’s hard to ignore our cover star – Oprah Winfrey gave a uniquely personal exclusive interview in LA with our writer Gill, as she prepares to bring her brand new live show to Perth Arena in December. Have you got tickets? If not, we’ve got an amazing prize package up for grabs – turn to page 108 for details. Matthew reviews the Audi A7 while Norman meets Rosco McGlashan, quite possibly the fastest guy on wheels thanks to his determination to break the world land speed vehicle in the rocket-propelled Aussie Invader 5R. We’ve also got fashion, beauty and plenty of forthcoming gigs which you can win tickets to – it’s the PRIMOLife way. Make sure you drop by our social media channels too and press like/say hi – we’re on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Happy reading!

G abi

DIGITAL DESIGN Alyssa Karvinen alyssa.k@iinet.net.au SALES Natalie du Preez (0426 752 352) Kevin Farrell (0417 931 829) Martin Bevan (0406 356 891) PHOTOGRAPHIC Crib Creative cribcreative.com.au CONTRIBUTORS Felix Browning, Norman Burns, Adam Collins, Anna Hartley, Ara Jansen, Dea Lalovic, Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Beverly Ligman, Warren Littlefair, Jim Maloney, Matthew Mills, Mark Murray, Gill Pringle, Stephen Raff, Hayley Rappa. ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES sales@premiumpublishers.com.au EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES gabi@premiumpublishers.com.au All rights reserved. No material published in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without prior written authority. Every endeavour is made to ensure information contained is correct at time of going to print. ©2015 PRIMOLIFE is published monthly by Premium Publishers. Visit primolife.com.au

November issue

PREMIUM PUBLISHERS Publish Australia's Small Publisher of the Year finalist, and Custom Magazine of the year finalist.

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PRIMOcontents

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE

NOVEMBER 2015

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iSUBSCRIBE NOW

+ PRIMOcover

WINFREY WOWS

Oprah's show is an unmissable Perth event.

30

Style Perth Style Co have launched a new furniture fit-out package

38

Homewares Making the most of the coast with our gorgeous interiors 8

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

Regulars 10 - 18 PRIMOpicks What's hot this month and the chance to win, win, win 20 PRIM0special The Art Gallery of WA celebrates the spice trade

84 PRIMOpeople Rosco McGlashan's rocket 90-92 PRIMOfashion 90 Base by Ben 92 Sparkle with Smales

78 PRIMObiz New app launched

93-95 PRIMObeauty 93 Self tan solutions 94 Lash extensions

78 ANNA'Sadventures Getting to grips with rock climbing

96 PRIMOdrinks Belgian Beer Cafe

80 DRISANA'Sdiary 82 PRIMOfavourite things The Lion King's Jamie McGregor

100 PRIMOMeet the Brewer 102 PRIMOsport Let's go kitesurfing

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win

120

win

a night for two at The Nest on Newcastle

A double pass to see Sam Smith

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win

Apple iPad mini 4 16GB wifi.

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96

90

116

25 Homes

106 PRIMOweekender Beautiful Broome is perfect for a family break

40 PRIMOfinance 44 PRIMOcareers

112-119 PRIMOtravel 112 Sea of Cortez 116 Antigua 120 PRIMOcitystay The Nest on Newcastle 122 PRIMOdrive Audi A7 124-128 PRIMOentertainment 124 Hunger Games 126 Graham Norton 128 Icehouse 130 PRIMOcover Oprah Winfrey

18 134 PRIMOnext best thing Ella E

46-73 PRIMOproperty WA’s best residential listings from Peard Real Estate and Stocker Preston 74 SPOTLIGHT ON . . . Cowaramup

136 PRIMOparties 138 PRIMOhome truths Matthew Mills celebrates Gen Z's openness

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PRIMO PROPERTY

28 Interiors Shaynna Blaze's race against time 29 Gardens Jamie Durie tames backyard jungles 30 Real Estate Runway 32 Weeding Women Grow your own herbs 34 Architecture Grand Designs Australia 36 Strata Living 38 Homewares november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOpicks N is for November - and numerous gigs to add to the diary, from Angus and Julia Stone to Sam Smith. It's for nights under the stars too - what's not to love?

WIN a double pass to Sam Smith’s In the Lonely Hour tour at Perth Arena. Visit PRIMOLife’s Facebook page for details.

Good luck!

SMITH HEADS WEST Run to him Fresh from the success of his performance in front of millions at the 2015 Toyota AFL Grand Final last month, Grammy-winning singersongwriter Bryan Adams will return to Australia next March for the GET UP tour. In addition to arena performances at Sydney’s Allphones Arena and Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, Adams will also play a series of a day on the green events with special guests Baby Animals and The Superjesus. Canada’s most successful singer ever has been making musical history for more than three decades and has garnered more than 65 million album sales, 21 top ten hits and seven number one singles, topping the charts in more than 40 countries around the world in the process. Bryan Adams, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, March 21. Visit ticketmaster.com.au.

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BREAKING RECORDS LEFT and right, UK star Sam Smith has had a spectacular year. His debut album, In The Lonely Hour, made UK chart history, achieving the longest consecutive run ever for a debut album in the Top 10 of the Official Albums Chart. In The Lonely Hour has not left the Top 10 in the 67 weeks since its release in May 2014, breaking the record previously held by The Beatles. Riding a tidal wave of success, he recently announced that he has recorded the new Bond theme song with fellow Grammy winner Jimmy Napes. Featured in the forthcoming film Spectre, his track Writing’s On The Wall is already hitting its straps. He’ll be bringing his soulful brand of power ballad pop back to Australian shores at the end of the year, accompanied for the second time by Brisbane indie-darling Emma Louise, who has had a stellar year of her own. Her haunting single Jungle from debut release Vs Head Vs Heart shot up the charts in Europe, going double platinum in Italy, reaching number two in France, hitting the top five in the UK and featuring in Yves Saint Laurent’s Black Opium perfume campaign. Perth fans will be able to catch these two talented performers in what’s sure to be a sell-out show at Perth Arena Sam Smith, Perth Arena, November 28.Visit ticketek.com.au primolife.com.au


SUNDOWN WITH THE STONES BACK FOR ITS third year, Sundown Sessions returns to our shores this December, featuring headline act Angus and Julia Stone. The Australian brother and sister duo broke into the Australian music scene in 2007 with their debut indiefolk album A Book Like This, a lovely collection of moody folk melodies and unusual blended harmonies. Their follow-up record, Down The Way, brought smash hit Big Jet Plane to listeners all over Australia, achieving the number 1 spot on the Triple J Hottest 100 competition and an ARIA Award for Best Single of that year. Since then, the duo have released two more studio albums and played to crowds all over the world, also finding time to produce acclaimed solo projects and generally charm everybody who has crossed their path. They are finally heading home to Australia for a string of live summer performances, and Perthians aren’t going to miss out. On Saturday December 5, Fremantle’s Port Beach will be transformed into a chilled-out oasis of deckchairs, rugs and beach sounds as Sundown Sessions takes over the space. A relatively new festival, Sundown Sessions has already accumulated an impressive list of past headliners: Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Xavier Rudd and Fat Freddie’s Drop have all graced their stages. The formula is simple: take a great location, a Western Australian sunset, world class musicians, mix and enjoy. Sundown Sessions with Angus and Julia Stone, Port Beach, Premantle, December 5. Visit oztix.com.au.

WIN

a double pass to the Sundown Sessions with Angus and Julia Stone! Visit PRIMOLife’s Facebook page for details.

YOU KNOW SUMMER is ‘round the corner when Perth’s pop-up paradise Rooftop Movies announces its top-shelf program of films. Returning for it’s fifth year, Rooftop Movies is a much-loved summer staple with Perth audiences and is frequently cited by those in the know as one of the most beautiful outdoor cinemas in the world. The first program for the summer 2015/2016 season kicks off on Thursday October 29 with the old-school comedy horror Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992). Located in the heart of Northbridge and six floors up on the top of a car park, Rooftop Movies is the place where you can sit back, relax and let the summer breeze cool you down while enjoying a cult classic or new release film. Head on up to enjoy Perth’s best city skyline views, vintage caravans, luxurious astroturf, exotic palm trees and super comfy beanbag chairs. Rooftop Movies program manager, Jessica Darlow says: “What our audiences love the most about Rooftop is they can enjoy drinks with friends, catch a film and make the most of Perth’s balmy summer nights.” Highlights include the box office smash hit The Martian (November 1 and 6) currently occupying the number one spot at the Australian box office, supernatural action film The Last Witch Hunter (November 28), romantic gothic horror Crimson Peak (December 3) and Straight Outta Compton (November 13 and 26). Rooftop Movies is screening from October through til March 19. Go to rooftopmovies.com.au to see the program and purchase tickets.

WIN

one of 10 double passes to Rooftop Movies! Visit PRIMOLife’s Facebook page to enter.

Good luck!

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOpicks

Future perfect IN AN EVENT to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the comic sci-fi blockbuster Back to the Future, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra will perform the movie’s entire thrilling musical score live while director Robert Zemeckis’ iconic film, including dialogue and sound effects, is played on a huge screen behind them. You are invited to take a trip back to 1985/1955 and join high school student Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and eccentric scientist ‘Doc’ Emmett L. Brown (Christopher Lloyd) on their adventures in Doc’s time-traveling DeLorean, where Marty must make sure his high school-age parents unite in order to save his own existence. This classic, time-travelling comedy is acknowledged as one of the American Film Institute’s Top Ten Science Fiction Films of All Time and launched a franchise which spawned two sequels and has since extended to an animated television series and several video games. Composer Alan Silvestri was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media for the Back to the Future film score. To mark the 30th anniversary, Silvestri has

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SIMPLY PERFECT composed additional music which has been interwoven with the original score to complement the film. Australian conductor and composer Nicholas Buc has a passion for music and film and has, himself, written for film and television. He’s no stranger to Perth having appeared in four previous concerts with WASO including the much-lauded Pixar in Concert. Back to the Future, Riverside Theatre, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, November 13 and 14 at 8pm. Tickets on sale now through Ticketek on 1300 795 012 or ticketek.com.au

THIRTY YEARS AFTER introducing a generation to the joys of soul music through their irrepressible, irresistible rendition of the Valentine Brothers’ recession-themed classic Money’s Too Tight (To Mention), Simply Red are back with a world tour and a brand new album, Big Love. The Big Love Tour lands in Australia this February following a sold-out European arena tour, playing theatres and select outdoor venues, including what will be a very special evening ‘On The Steps’ at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt and four A Day On The Green winery dates. “I like an anniversary, and this is a big one,” says Mick Hucknall. “30 years! It’s incredible. What a great thing to celebrate!” Natalie Imbruglia will be special guest at all Australian shows. The pop singer’s debut album, 1997’s Left of the Middle, sold seven million copies worldwide and featured the single Torn, which hit number one on multiple charts around the world, including the US Billboard Top 40, and was certified platinum in the UK and her native Australia. With her latest album, Male, just out, her first since Come to Life in 2009, Natalie is returning to live performance, also touring Europe and the UK with Simply Red. One of Australia’s most-loved performers, Tina Arena will be a very special guest at all A Day On The Green shows. Tina follows up her hugely successful platinum ARIA Top Ten album Reset and tour with a new record Eleven set for release in November, from which the lead track I Want To Love You was released this week. With classic hits like Burn, Chains, Sorrento Moon and most recently Only Lonely, the tour is great news for Tina’s many lifelong fans. Now, with the band entering its fourth decade, Mick Hucknall prepares to set off on one of the biggest tours of Simply Red’s career with his sense of purpose clearer than ever. “We’re called Simply Red for a reason,” says the man with one of the greatest voices in soul music. “I want to keep it simple. Our fans know who we are. They have been loyal to us. Now I’m ready to go out there and give them what they want.” Simply Red, Kings Park and Botanic Garden, February 9.Visit adayonthegreen.com.au. primolife.com.au


CHRISTMAS IS COMING An Ocean Keys Shopping Centre tradition, Santa’s arrival parade is expected to be a hit once again with families when the jolly red gent arrives from the North Pole on Saturday, November 28. A dazzling troupe of dancers, musicians and singers will welcome Santa to Ocean Keys with a spectacular parade. A range of festive activities are also planned for the day to entertain the kidsf. Free reindeer crowns and balloons will be on offer at the Information Desk and every child who visits Santa will receive a free gift (while stocks last). Ocean Keys Shopping Centre, Clarkson, November 28 from 10 to 11am. Parade through Ocean Keys Shopping Centre, finishing outside Kmart.

Flowers in the dark EVER NOTICED A woman who effortlessly stands out from the crowd? She’s the one dancing, howling at the moon and frankly, my dears, she just doesn’t give a damn. She’s the predator lurking in the hallways, a siren attracting denizens of the dark. We’ve all seen one, been friends with one, or maybe we are one. Welcome to an exhibition which gloriously and unashamedly celebrates these intriguing night flowers. Women and flowers have long been associated for their beauty and passivity, but The Valley of the Nightflowers exhibition at Linton and Kay Gallery in November turns that on its head to celebrate rebellious women, unusual flowers and beautiful, unconventional art. Your hosts in this unusual and beguiling garden are well-

known artists Jodee Knowles, Anya Brock, Sophia Varano, Fieldey, Calliope Bridge, Monday, Natasha Lea, Sarah McCloskey, Kim Kim Kim, Hayley Welsh and Sheryl Young. The brainchild of local artists illustrator Natasha Lea and street artist Fieldey, this exhibition demonstrates the diverse female talent in Perth and gives them a freedom of expression rarely seen on gallery walls. “We’ve invited these artists to be rebellious in their thought process, to highlight what we admire in wild women, free spirits and unconventional girls,” says Natasha. The Nightflowers exhibition turns the association of women and flowers upside down, so rather than relating a woman to a rose for their delicate beauty and perfume, the artists choose a star flower (a flower that blooms

at night and shuts its petals the moment a glint of sunlight hits it) or the giant 3m tall Titan Arum or Corpse Flower which lures its prey with a pungent smell. “Each of us has our own unique way of executing our characters,” says Natasha. “The are all so powerful and full of attitude and yet so innocent and pure.” “The work in this show will be everything from playful and cheeky to whimsical,” says Fieldey. “It will be multi-dimensional

but also very eclectic, which I think will surprise people with its depth of talent and ideas.” As well as each artist contributing six artworks, they have also been given a set of nesting dolls to decorate. These dolls will be on display during the show and available for sale. The Valley of the Nightflowers exhibition, from November 8 to November 22, Linton and Kay, Old Perth Technical School, Level 1, 137 St. Georges Terrace. Visit nightflowerexhibition.com.au

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOpicks

SEARCH FOR A STAR

PRE-SHOW AT FOUR POINTS Going to an event at Perth Arena? Avoid the rush with a quick bite or beverage at the Best Brew Bar & Kitchen before going to the show. Four Points by Sheraton Perth FOURPOINTSPERTH.COM #bestbrewperth @fourpointsperth

WIN

Four Points by Sheraton Perth

TROYE BOY

a double pass to see Troye Sivan at the Astor Theatre on November 15. Visit PRIMOLife’s Facebook page to enter.

Good luck!

HE’S THE GOLDEN child of the YouTube generation - and from Perth too - so expect much high-pitch squealing as Troye Sivan not only releases his latest album, but also comes to the Astor to perform live. Blue Neighbourhood, Troye’s debut full-length album, is largely autobiographical says the young star. “It’s all autobiographical,” says Troye. “It takes place in both the suburbs of Perth where I’ve grown up, which I consider to be my blue neighbourhood, but then also in this fast-paced, crazy, whirlwind life that I’m now living in hotel rooms and planes. “And it takes place inside the mind of a 20-year-old kid. I wanted to make sure that youthfulness was there; I worked mostly with really, really young people on this record.” “It’s all about keeping it honest, real and truthful. For me, my truth is an LGBTQ one. So it was important to me that context was also apparent in the record. It’s an important message to send out to people.” “As far as the songwriting goes, I’m a pop freak and I love pop music. As far as outside references go, a lot of it is pop music right now because I feel that pop music is in a really exciting place, so there’s a lot of 2015 in this record. “But structurally, I wanted to make sure these songs did not rely entirely on the production and I wanted to be able to strip down any of these songs and play them only on piano and for the songs to make sense.” The stats around Troye’s success to date are incredible. He’s sold over one million copies of his tracks to date, has 3.6 million YouTube subscribers, 3 million Twitter followers as well as literally hundreds of millions of hits and streams of his videos and songs. Not bad for a 20 year old boy from Perth. Troy Sivan, Astor Theatre, November 15.Visit astortheatreperth.com or call 1300 111 369. Blue Neighbourhood is released on December 4.

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WHAT’S ON

IN PERTH

Hailing the Cab

JOIN WINE LOVERS in a celebration of the world’s finest cabernets at Cape Mentelle in Margaret River. A tradition since 1982, the Cape Mentelle Experience is a benchmark event which kicks off with a tasting of 20 esteemed cabernets from recognised and acclaimed

international wine regions, and concludes with a delicious long lunch prepared by a highly esteemed Michelin-star chef, and served in the winery’s gardens. “The 2012 vintage was certainly a stunning one in all the regions represented,” says Manon Bataille from the vineyard. “This year’s tasting will be introduced by special guest Lisa Perrotti Brown, wine critic for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and will showcase wines from the world’s finest Cabernet producing regions, including stars such as Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Cos d’Estournel, Château La Mission Haut Brion and Château LeovilleLas Cases from Bordeaux, alongside the best of the Napa Valley, Tuscany, Margaret River, and wider Australia.” Visit capementelle.com.au for details and to book your place at this not-to-be-missed event.

PERTH WILDCATS VS TOWNSVILLE CROCODILES

6 NOV

FLORENCE + THE MACHINE

7 NOV

COLD CHISEL

14 NOV

NEIL DIAMOND

16 NOV

THE WIGGLES

21 NOV

PERTH WILDCATS VS CAIRNS TAIPANS

22 NOV

PERTH WILDCATS VS NZ BREAKERS

27 NOV

SAM SMITH

28 NOV

PERTH WILDCATS VS ADELAIDE 36ERS

4 DEC

AN EVENING WITH OPRAH

7 DEC

CHRIS BROWN

9 DEC

PERTH WILDCATS VS MELBOURNE UNITED

10 DEC

THE AMITY AFFLICTION

14 DEC

HUGH JACKMAN - LIVE IN CONCERT

15-16 DEC

HOPMAN CUP

3-9 JAN 2016

PERTH WILDCATS VS SYDNEY KINGS

15 JAN 2016

PERTH WILDCATS VS ILLAWARRA HAWKS

21 JAN 2016

PERTH WILDCATS VS CAIRNS TAIPANS

25 JAN 2016

PERTH WILDCATS VS MELBOURNE UNITED

29 JAN 2016

KEVIN HART

3 FEB 2016

PERTH WILDCATS VS SYDNEY KINGS

5 FEB 2016

PERTH WILDCATS VS ADELAIDE 36ERS

14 FEB 2016

GOOD MOURNING MRS. BROWN

11-12 MAR 2016

BLACK SABBATH

15 APR 2016

ICE AGE LIVE

22-24 APR 2016

IRON MAIDEN

14 MAY 2016

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS MAGICAL ICE FESTIVAL

2-6 JUN 2016

2016 ICE HOCKEY CLASSIC

25 JUN 2016

PROUD FOUNDING PARTNERS

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE A VenuesWest venue, proudly managed by AEG Ogden

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PRIMOpicks

CAMP

FANTASTIC Disconnect, WA’s brand new camping festival, burst onto the scene recently, cementing itself onto the annual event calendar. BRINGING A TASTE of the European festival format, where it’s more than just about the music, Disconnect also offers art, comedy, burlesque, vaudeville, adventure and heaps more in the midst of the historic

Fairbridge Village, just an hour south of Perth. The line-up gets more exciting every week with top names now including Triple J favourites Chet Faker, Flight Facilities, Father John Misty,

AUSSIE FAVOURITES Chet Faker, above, and Flight Facilities, opposite.

Meg Mac, Neon Indian, Julia Holter and recently Pond, Hamjam, local songstress Bloom and Mathas added to the roster. The full art, comedy and cabaret programs are still to be announced but you can guarantee it’s going to be an awesome three days of fun and frolics. So what can you expect? Here’s a run-down of where to get your kicks at the festival: STAGES DARLING VIEW AMPHITHEATRE The main stage sits at the bottom of a beautiful natural amphitheatre, with the rolling Darling Ranges as a backdrop and the Milky Way for a rooftop. THE CHAPEL The 200-seat, heritage listed, non-consecrated chapel will host acoustic sets from the festival's very special guests. Pull up a pew, soak up the atmosphere, and be dazzled by the acoustics as some of the

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hottest names in music treat you to the most intimate of experiences. THE SECRET GARDEN This wonderland is nestled in the beautiful gardens of the historic Fairbridge House. It’s an enchanted garden where you wile away the day, with soulful DJ sets, cool vibes, great conversations and delicious long drinks. 1933 – LATE NIGHT SPEAKEASY Built in 1933, the last year of Prohibition, the sprawling multi-story Club House is the perfect location for this unique corner of the festival. Taking inspiration from its era, this venue comes alive late into the night with hot ‘n’ sweaty electroswing, big band, rockabilly, stomping northern soul and outlandish performance moments. THE MESS HALL Aside from the killer lineprimolife.com.au


the site at will. Camper vans are also welcomed. If camping’s not your bag, there’s plenty of beaut accommodation in the surrounding areas. Check out visitpeel.com.au and airbnb. com.au for some options with a few more creature comforts. Fairbridge is a major youth charity in Western Australia and VERY SPECIAL GUESTS Left, Meg Mac and, below, Tkay Maidza.

a range of programs including arts and crafts, photography and heaps more. ACCOMMODATION areas throughout the site. And if it’s a bit of handmade retail therapy, Market Alley is the place for you. If that’s not enough, sign up for some of the workshops on offer to fuel your creativity and thirst for knowledge. There’s

Disconnect is a three-day camping festival – camping is included in the ticket price. Campers will be able to set up their spot beside their vehicle, however once vehicles are in, they cannot leave and re-enter

the only charity in Australia that owns a whole nationally heritage-listed town site. Part proceeds from the festival will be donated to Fairbridge to aid their amazing work. DISCONNECT FESTIVAL - a three day music, arts, cabaret and camping experience, Fairbridge Village, South West Highway, Pinjarra WA, December 11 to 13.Visit ticketbooth.com.au for ticketing packages.

Scitech Planetarium, feature exhibitions, heaps of exhibits, science shows and puppet shows, plus much more! ScitechWA

www.scitech.org.au

Scitech is proudly supported by the Government of Western Australia november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE 17

PrimoLife_Mk1054_0515

up, full programs are being developed for The Mess Hall, which not only offers gourmet breakfast and superb coffee in the morning, it hosts inspiring Big Ideas for Breakfast talks, Spoken Word in the afternoon and a full Comedy program in the evening, including Bogan Bingo and stand-up. Round the corner, it’s Adventureland – perfect for the kids and big kids at heart, with a fully-staffed giant flying fox, rockclimbing wall, a tyre-swing and heaps more. Disconnect is perfect for young parents who still crave some festival fun. There’s the Imaginarium – a huge circus tent full of fun entertainment for the kids all day. By night, the kids wonderland transforms into Risque, a burlesque and cabaret extravaganza. Feeling sporty? There’s a mini golf course, basketball and tennis courts, beach volleyball, cricket nets, pool tables and a full size oval. There’s even a pool to freshen up and cure any fuzzy heads. And for further relaxation, there’s The Sanctuary – a spa haven where you can relax and rejuvenate. Chow Town offers a huge range of international epicurean delights and bespoke beverages. There’ll be multiple licensed


PRIMOpicks

Welcome to

COUNTRY IMAGINE YOU'RE ON the road, travelling through Australia’s unique cities, towns and communities when an alert pops up on your smartphone advising you have now entered the boundary of a traditional tribal group. This alert directs you to an informative video, where an Elder or knowledge carrier will warmly welcome you and provide you with important information about their country. International visitors keen to embrace the many facets of Aussie culture and learn about the Indigenous people of our land will also love this smart new app. By downloading the Welcome to Country app, and scrolling through the locations, travellers can pick and choose their destinations. Developor and Ngarluma man Tyson Mowarin says that the dream to create this type of technology interface was born about five years ago, and now

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there is an app for 37 different groups around Australia. “I remember people talking about how Kevin Rudd speaks Mandarin and although he could say hello at the foot of the Great Wall of China, our PM at the time couldn't say hello at the foot of Uluru,” Tyson said. “I wanted to teach people how to speak the languages and acknowledge all our different nations. “I wanted to create an extenstion of the traditional Welcome to Country, which is a custom that dates back even before settlement. This app is designed to complement the real thing.” The app, developed by Tyson

and his team at Weerianna Street Media, is an extensively researched information portal and archive of Welcome to Country videos and messages. Currently available on iTunes, the team are seeking sponsorship to expand the app to Android and help other tribal groups create their own Welcome to Country videos. “It would be amazing to see a major airline get on board and then they can use the Welcomes on the plane as they descend into various countries, if the groups would like that,” says Tyson. To download the app for free, search Welcome to Country on the iTunes app store, and make sure location

settings are activated during use. The app recognises where you are as you pass through invisible geofences, and offers the viewing of Welcome to Country before directing you to the relevant tribal page. Other features include social media links to share the app and offer feedback, as well as a section that allows users to preselect their destination and add it to their favourites list. PL If your tribal group would like to get involved, please contact Weerrianna Street Media at tyson@wsmedia. com.au so they can help you add your content to the app or advise you how to make a welcome video. Visit welcometocountry.mobi primolife.com.au


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november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOspecial

The golden AGE OF TRADE

DUTCH COURAGE Above, an 1870 Japanese four-panel screen depicts a Dutch trading ship in Japanese waters. Part of the Kerry Stokes Collection. EYE-CATCHER Opposite, a Japanese woodblock print, dating back to 1860, and part of the d'Auvergne Boxall Bequest Fund 2014 collection on loan to the Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.

Step into the Art Gallery of WA over the next few months and you'll be transported to a bygone age when a barrel of cloves, mace or nutmeg could make you wealthy beyond your wildest dreams. This was the Age of Spices and with it came an unparalled meeting of East and West culture and commerce, as a fabulous new exhibition at the gallery shows. by NORMAN BURNS. AS YOU REACH across the dinner table for the pepper shaker or nick down to the local Asian supermarket to get the ingredients for a curry dinner, it's difficult to believe that sourcing spices was once very much a life-and-death exercise. For hundreds of years, the Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish and English traversed the oceans, battling the elements, disease - and often each other - to secure supplies of pepper, nutmeg, mace, cloves

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and other exotic ingredients from parts of Africa, South East Asia and the Indian sub-continent. The spice trade is a tale of violence, courage, treachery - and goodwill - and a roadmap, stretching across several hundred years, of the human drive to explore. But, as 18th-century French philosopher Voltaire remarked, there was not one grain of pepper exported to Asia from the West that was not dyed red with blood.

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november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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special

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY Above, This beautiful illustration, titled Invitation Letter to a Jain Monk, dates back to 1795 and was made in Gujarat, India. Gift of Michael Abbott AO QC through the Art Gallery of South Australia Foundation 2013. MAP MAGNIFICENCE Right, Sourced from the Kerry Stokes Collection, this Dutch map of the Islands of Maluku - the fabled Spice Islands dates back to 1617. AGE OF THE GENTLEMAN Left, this Goan portrait of D. Francisco de Almeida dates back to the 16th Century. National Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon.

More than 250 items are on show, ranging from Dutch East Indies company cannons, incredible Japanese and Indian tapestries, artefacts from the Batavia . . . and more. 22

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

The spices brought (fairly or not) back from the Spice Islands (now part of Indonesia), India and other parts of the Orient weren't destined for the common folk of the time; spices were initially a luxury only for the gentryfolk and royalty, used either as condiments or for medicinal purposes. Western Australia is also inextricably linked to the great Age of Spices (15001800); the Batavia, wrecked on the Abrolhos Islands in 1629 and infamous for the subsequent massacre of 120 men, women and children, was the flagship of the Dutch East Indies Company, which ruled the spice trade for 200 years. The great Age of Spices, 1500 to 1800, didn't just alter European cuisine though; textiles, sculptures, porcelain and other works of art - and more importantly, ideas were also brought back to London, Lisbon and Paris and the other great European cities. It's this interaction of cultures that has primolife.com.au


ultimately shaped the world we live in today. You can get a taste of this epic era at the spectacular new Treasure Ships: Art in the Age of Spices exhibition now on at the Art Gallery of WA. More than 250 items are on show, ranging from Dutch East Indies Company cannons, incredible Japanese and Indian tapestries, artefacts from the Batavia and Gilt Dragon shipwrecks off Western Australia, maps of the time and more. There are even first editions of the classic novels Robinson Crusoe and Gulliver's Travels - books inspired at the time by the public's fascination with the age of exploration. The exhibition also cleverly incorporates modern technology using an interactive smart phone/tablet app (free to download); point at one of the exhibits with a compass symbol, such as a painting, and the painting comes to life on your screen - a selling point for even the most reluctant I-just-

PUPPET MASTERY A rod puppet (wayang klitik), made in Central Java, and dating back to 1931, shows intricate craftsmanship. The d'Auvergne Boxall Bequest Fund 2013, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.

want-to-play-my-iPad-teenager. The exhibition, in conjunction with the Art Gallery of South Australia, took more than five years' to research and source items, from private and public collections in Australia, Portugal, India, Singapore and the United States. PL TREASURE SHIPS: ART IN THE AGE OF SPICES is on at the Art Gallery of WA from October 10 to January 31. Tickets are on sale at treasureships.com.au, through Ticketek outlets, and the Art Gallery of WA ticketing desk.Ticket buyers will go into a draw to win a family trip for four to Singapore. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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magazine Celebrating all that’s wonderful about Margs and the south west The BRAND NEW Your Margaret River Region Magazine is launching in December.

For your chance to reach thousands of visitors to the south west’s premier tourist destination, call Natalie on 08 9273 8933 or email natalie@premiumpublishers.com.au now to book your advertisement. Produced by Premium Publishers, Your Margaret River Region Magazine is endorsed by the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association.

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PRIMO PROPERTY

Coastal vibes

EMBRACE THE SEASIDE THIS SEASON

Inside

THE LATEST PROPERTY LISTINGS FROM THE PEARD REAL november ESTATE | PRIMOLIFE 2015GROUP

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PRIMO PROPERTY

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32 28 Interiors

Shaynna Blaze's new design show is a race against time

29 Gardens

Jamie Durie's mission to tame terrible backyards

30 Real Estate Runway

Furniture fit-out packages how they'll make your house sell super quick

32 Weeding Women

Grow your own herbs - it's easy and super healthy

34 Architecture

A new series of Grand Designs Australia is full of surprises

36 Strata How to co-exist in a strata property

38 Homewares

Bring the seaside inside with our gorgeous collection of home decor ideas

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

MONEY SMART FINANCIAL CALCULATOR by HAYLEY RAPPA

IF YOU’RE FINDING that assessing your finances is becoming more and more overwhelming, it’s time to get smart about your money. Get simple financial guidance you can trust right in the palm of your hand with the MoneySmart Financial Calculator app. It was designed and released by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), so you know you’re getting trusted and reliable information to your money questions. The app itself is easy to navigate, providing you with powerful calculator tools at the tap of a finger. Using the savings calculator, you can devise a savings plan and figure out how long it will take to reach your savings goal. Your next pair of shoes or that holiday could be right around the corner! The easy-to-use loan calculator makes working out your personal loan repayments simple. And the mortgage calculator also lets you factor in what your repayments will be should interest

rates change in the future. If you’re like most of us, and you’re not sure just how much superannuation you have acquired over the years, MoneySmart Financial Calculator has a great superannuation calculator feature. Now you can dream about what you’ll get up to when you retire. So, if you have a big financial decision to make or just want some help with your finances, download the MoneySmart Financial Calculator app free from the iTunes store, or Google Play for Android devices.

App of the month

primolife.com.au


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PROPERTY | INTERIORS

WORLD VIEW

Interior designer Shaynna Blaze hunts down design inspiration from the hottest spots across the globe in a new two-part special on LifeStyle HOME.

IT’S HER BIGGEST challenge to date but for interior design expert Shaynna Blaze, the world is her oyster in a brand new two part special, Shaynna’s World of Design. The premise was simple - Shaynna was presented with an offer too good to refuse – the opportunity to create an exclusive signature range of interior lighting to rival the world’s best. The two hour-long episodes follow Shaynna as she takes a high-stakes journey through the glamorous design capitals of Milan,Venice, New York and her hometown of Melbourne, gathering design inspiration from each place – and also sharing her own ideas and design principles along the way, not just for interior lighting, but for everything in the home. Travelling across the globe and with her reputation on the line, Shaynna is in a race against the clock to complete the enormous job at hand. In episode one, airing on Monday December 7 at 5.30pm, Shaynna invites us in to her busy design studio in Melbourne, giving viewers an insider’s look at her working life, including presenting to clients

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and working on design projects, as she reveals what she’d love to do next – to design her own range of lights. Little does Shaynna know her dreams are about to become a reality, as it’s confirmed she’s been commissioned to design her very own lighting range, to be launched in the US. Both excited and nervous, Shaynna’s creative spark goes in to overdrive and she gets a flash of inspiration from an unlikely source . . . a whiskey glass. A project as huge as this one requires a lot of research, which leads Shaynna to her first stop, Italy. Here in the capital of cool, she meets with local designers, editors and artists and takes a sneak-peek inside some of Milan’s most stunning homes, while soaking up inspiration from her surroundings: high fashion, stylish bars and stunning architecture. Moving on to Venice, Shaynna witnesses the famous glass blowers and mosaic makers of the region, before visiting the dazzling multi-coloured houses of Burano. Throughout her Italian journey, Shaynna’s ideas and designs start to develop – and now the hard work of turning this

vision in to a reality begins. In the final episode, airing on Monday December 14, through a stunning montage of Shaynna’s Italian journey, her lighting designs are brought to life for John, her business partner. He’s so impressed, he proposes launching them at the Atlanta Trade Fair, except there’s one catch: Shaynna will need to design two more lamps for the US market – and quickly. Shaynna embarks on the next leg of her journey to New York City, the birthplace of industrial design. Here she researches its amazing architecture from classic Art Deco to futuristic, to recycled industrial buildings, as well as meeting with designers and other inspiring New York locals along the way. Back in Melbourne, and as the prototypes for Shaynna’s designs start to arrive, it’s a race to the finish line and the most crucial date on Shaynna’s calendar – the Atlanta Trade Fair. Her reputation is on the line, can she pull it off? PL Find out by watching Shaynna’s World of Design on December 7 on LifeStyle HOME. primolife.com.au


PROPERTY | GARDENS

JUNGLE JAMIE Popular landscape design expert Jamie Durie is back on our screens with his new series Outback Nation.

OVERGROWN GARDENS, DECAYING decks and unkempt pools can prevent families from enjoying their own backyards. Thankfully, our home-grown landscaping expert, Jamie Durie, is on hand to help get those weeds under control in a new series, Outback Nation. In each one-hour episode a new family enlists Jamie’s help to reinvent their outdoor

space and turn it into the backyard paradise they have always dreamed of. Before tackling the transformation with Jamie, each family immerses themselves in their own “private wilderness”, camping out in their backyard and experiencing the terrain firsthand. From design mishaps to wild animal encounters, the families will be presented with many challenges on the journey to complete their backyard renovation. Each member of the family will also be assigned their own special project to work on, while Jamie comes up with a secret design project of his own to surprise the family with. Tapping into the trend of turning backyard spaces into outside living rooms – each family’s outdoor space will go through complete overhauls, from gutting shrubbery to pouring cement for a new patio. Along the way, viewers will learn renovation tips and design elements that could be incorporated into their own outdoor spaces. Jamie is credited with changing the face of landscape design and inspiring a whole generation to rediscover their gardens and integrate them into their traditional living spaces. Author of 11 best-selling books, Jamie has hosted over 50 television shows globally, airing in over 30 countries to millions of viewers. He has won numerous awards for his television work; in the US, these include the EMA (Environmental Media Award) for Green Home; in Australia, seven TV Week Logie Awards – one for Australia’s most popular talent and six consecutively for Australia’s most popular lifestyle show, Backyard Blitz. PL Outback Nation with Jamie Durie, every Monday at 6.30pm on LifeStyle HOME. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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The real estate runway

with SARA JAMES & KAITLIN BECK

MOVING ON UP Images CRIB CREATIVE

SPONSORED CONTENT

More and more apartments coming to market in Perth means you will need a competitive edge. Developers and agents have the ability to tailor our packages to fit the requirements of their projects as a value add to buyers. WHY INVEST IN A FIT-OUT PACKAGE? Buying or renting a furnished property will achieve greater returns and depreciation on your investment. Attractive styling and marketability of a property attracts quality tenants and more interest in your property every time. As we know, our Gen Y buyers are hitting the property scene and they want modern and different. Our packages are perfect for first home owners who are starting from scratch. Not

The Perth Style Co. launches its own exclusive furniture fit-out packages, a smart move designed to revolutionise the Perth real estate scene. IT’S OUR JOB to pack a high voltage, value-adding punch to every property we cross paths with. It’s what we do and what we are known for at Perth Style Co. So it makes perfect sense that we have been working behind the scenes, opening doors and pushing boundaries to bring you our brand new ‘Move In’ packages. Different from our home staging options (hired), these packages allow our customers or homebuyers to purchase our signature styling packages to either be on-sold/ rented with a home or to simply enjoy for themselves. It’s all about adding value to the sale proposition - and taking the headache out of settling in to your new home. We draw heavily on marketing trends overseas and have seen that it’s a smart idea to sell furnished properties, selling not only a home but a whole lifestyle. To make this happen we have collaborated with Australia’s leading brands such as the ever-trendy Globe West (as featured on The Block) and luxurious worldwide brand Camerich among others to bring modern, high quality and visually

only are they buying an apartment in the city - they also get a super sassy fit out as well. No more sitting around on crates and making do. In addition this solution saves them from dipping into their deposit or spending the next year saving for the essentials. appealing furniture fit-out packages to the Perth property market. HOW DOES IT WORK? Fully furnished properties have been labelled as daggy for far too long but that’s all about the change. We have created a three-tiered approach to our packages, designed to target three key buyer demographics with applicable pricing: The Style Collection, The Designer Collection and The Luxe Collection. Our packages are 100% tailored for every customer, taking into account that every property is unique. Our Style Collection starts from $15,000 plus GST and boasts funky replica super-modern looks that POP.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Perth Style Co. offer competitive finance options and monthly payment plans through a finance partner with a quick and easy application process. Finance Options are available to for all our entire suite of styling packages and multi site projects. PL For more information about ‘Move In’ By Perth Style Co visit perthstyleco.com.au

If you would like more information about Perth Style Co. Packages contact Sara or Kaitlin today. perthstyleco.com.au

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H&G | WEEDING WOMEN

KEEPING IT

natural

Growing your own produce is a sure-fire way of guaranteeing the freshest food possible, says Colleen Sheehan. TODAY, NATURAL FOOD and knowing where our food comes from is of prime importance, particularly in this world of artificial and over-processed foods. Herbs with their traditional history of culinary, cosmetic and medicinal uses, have become very popular, and just as the homegrown vegetable is superior to its shop bought or frozen counterpart, so the homegrown herb is more satisfactory than those bought, origin unknown. Most herbs are not difficult to grow and most do not take up much space. They are easily grown on a small apartment balcony, so long as they get sun or light. However, in Perth, remember that our hot, Mediterranean summer, does not mean absolutely direct sunlight, but as we know there’s an abundance of light. Because herbs don’t require any special treatment and skill, they are a good starting point for beginners, which often leads to

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a novice gardener gaining confidence to tackle more complex gardening projects. Let’s not forget that herbs have a variety of uses. For centuries they have, used medicinally and for perfume and cosmetic uses. However, for this article let's talk solely about their culinary value. There are hundreds of major and minor herbs, but we’ll concentrate on those most frequently used to flavour our food. For the uninitiated, allow us to warn you that once you start growing these super easy little beauties - you’ll never buy them from the supermarket again. LET’S GROW Historically, herbs have been grown in a traditional landscaping style which creates a design and shape to suit the courtyard, field or royal garden. Fascinatingly they were grown as knots, circles, squares even mazes, and everything in between.

For the chef in your household we require accessibility and practicality. • How close is it to the kitchen? • How easily can it be reached into and cut? • Are dedicated raised beds more convenient than being dotted throughout the cottage, or vegetable garden? After deciding upon the most convenient place, here’s how to start: Rule one Have a regular (preferably automatic) watering supply. Rule two Heat/light/sun is required. Rule three Convenience for the chef. Rule four As with all plants, our windy city can dry out the shadiest and wettest of gardens, so shelter from wind is sometimes required. Rule five fertilise every two to three months, depending on product - read the manufacturer label. primolife.com.au


Rule six Have decent soil to begin with and top up regularly with organic matter such as animal manures, compost well decomposed leaf litter - preferably mouldy, mulch, straw or even grass clippings. This is particularly important in our sandy soils, where moisture and plant food drain away regularly so more frequent watering and feeding are needed. Moreover, once a sandy soil dries out it can be very difficult to wet again. The only remedy is the regular and liberal addition of organic matter and wetting agents. PARSLEY • Don’t dismiss parsley as merely a garnish. It’s the world’s most functional and popular herb. • It contains unique antioxidants and disease preventing properties. • It’s native to southern Italy, Algeria and Tunisia. • Freshly picked and chopped parsley is a great addition to all foods. ROSEMARY • It is one of the most pungent and aromatic herbs.

• Aside from it being a valued hedging plant, or extensively used in cottage gardens, rural, dry gardens and as a sprawling ‘filler’ plant in any garden bed; it can be paired with any meat or fish dish. • It was once prized by the Greeks for being good for the brain, and is also known as the herb sacred to friendship. So ladies if your boyfriend brings you a sprig of rosemary it could be a precursor to red roses. One can only hope . . . • We wear rosemary on Anzac Day because it commemorates our forefathers who saw it growing prolifically on the Gallipoli peninsula. THYME • No kitchen is worth its salt without the heady, aromatic flavour of thyme. It can elevate a dish from good to great. • It’s an ancient cooking herb used in recipes from many countries. • A low growing herb with tiny leaves, it is commonly combined with rosemary, marjoram and sage as a seasoning for all meats particularly chicken and pork. It is also delicious added to any tomato based sauces.

SAGE • A popular culinary herb with a long history, it was once considering the equal of rosemary in increasing brain power. • Nowadays sage is valued for its flavoursome qualities in risotto, chicken, veal, prosciutto - and added to sauce, stuffing, pasta, sausage and as a garnish. • It is native to the northern Mediterranean coast, where it’s used frequently in cooking. • The French and Italians use it for these dishes daily, wherea in America, sage is associated with Turkey and punchy dressings. • Here at home, we use it frequently with omelette and in the crockpot delicious! Do you need any more reasons to grow herbs? It’s all yours.You've cultivated, picked and washed it; so now just add it to your cooking. Go on give it a go – it could be the start of a blooming green finger or two.. PL

Damien Hirst did dots. We added beer. You be the judge. Craft beer made by hand in Northbridge. Kitchen open breakfast until late.

• Follow us on facebook • 44 LAKE STREET, NORTHBRIDGE T (08) 6151 6481 OPEN WED - SAT 8AM ~ 12AM SUN - TUES 8AM ~ 10PM november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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H&G | ARCHITECTURE

ARCHITECTS AND HEROES The sixth series of Grand Designs Australia introduces viewers to a brand new clutch of characters, houses and stories in an insightful season with sustainability high on the agenda. Hosted by Peter Maddison, the eclectic mix of architectural wizadry is even more inspiring, says Gabi Mills. 34

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

PETER MADDISON IS exceedingly heartened by the state of the nation's residential architecture. The leading architect who also happens to host Grand Designs Australia believes that the new series shows a burgeoning confidence in Australia's homebuilding innovators with a clear drive towards building sustainably. "It's a shorter, punchier season and two major themes emerged during filming," says Peter, who travelled to five different states during the creation of the series. "Those themes are affordability and sustainability, with for the first time our builders taking on existing buildings and breathing new life into them, rather than homes built from scratch." One of Peter's favourite projects of the series is one such project. In the Melbourne suburb of Northcote, the Skipping Girl

Vinegar Factory was a siren call for sustainable architect Adrian Light. But old buildings have a way of resisting change and this one was no exception. "Adrian has big plans to turn what is essentially a four-storey red-brick warehouse with 20 huge concrete vinegar vats into a four-bedroom sustainable home for his family," says Peter. At every stage he is confronted with the realities of reworking a stubborn old, wet factory. As the months turn into years this really is a question of who will win? One of the most distinctive builds of the season takes Peter to a beautiful vineyard setting just over half an hour from Adelaide. Tailored specifically for new winemakers – opera singer Cate Foskett and her husband Nick, a Silicon Valley whizzkid – the Max Pritchard-designed home is in the shape of a leaf, curved on both sides with a spine primolife.com.au


stone wall running through the middle. "A two-storey ‘song tower’ with a library on the ground floor and a singing studio on the top floor formed the genesis of the design," says Peter. In the inner city suburb of East Melbourne in Victoria, a very small block is set to make way for a three-storey totally green home with geo-thermal heating and cooling and a rooftop garden and spa, again revisiting the sustainability vibe running through all of the projects featured. "Photographer Ralph Alfonso has a very strong sense of how precious our environment is and how little space we really need to live in," says Peter. "His downsized style of living focuses on being as frugal as possible, using a groundbreaking and innovative environmental design. The thing is the house footprint measures just 5 x 4 metres, making it grand

in design, although miniature in size." Peter says that Australia is incredibly blessed with creativity and, compared to other parts of the world, very fortunate that it's possible to build at all. "We've still got the chance to buy land relatively easily, we've got a great stable economy and, unlike places like Germany where all the houses are cookie-cutter style, we're beginning to believe in our own originality. I would say Victoria in particular is up there with the best in the world." Hot trends are definitely in the arena of eco-friendliness. "People are displaying more awareness of builds on the environment and we're seeing people go that extra step, whether it's a heat recovery system, or recycling of waste on the site. Also I'd say that there's more honesty in terms of deisgn - I call it freeform modern. Designers are taking the

DREAM HOMES Peter Maddison, leading architect and presenter of Grand Designs Australia, with some of the homes and owners in the new series.

clothes off houses and letting them be what they are, there's less covering up and more rawness in terms of design." Although there isn't a WA house featured this time, Peter says the team is 'always looking for great houses'. "I'd love to do a house up in Broome - I feel like we've hardly scratched the surface in so many ways. We've never done a house in the snow, or on an island or in Cooper Pedy. I can't wait to bring viewers along with me in future series and keep celebrating what we find out there." PL Grand Designs Australia Season 6 premieres on November 5 at 5.30pm (WST) on The LifeStyle Channel, only on Foxtel. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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H&G | STRATA

LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR

They can be the bane of your life, if you live in a strata property. Stephen Raff shares his tips on how to cope with noisy neighbours. IN MY EXPERIENCE over the past 20 years in body corporate management, there are three areas of concern from owners that rise above all else when living in a strata community. Parking: “Someone has double parked behind my car and I can’t get out of my property.” Pets: “The next door neighbour’s cat is left out during the night and is causing trouble”. Noise: “Unit 27 have decided it is a good time for band practice at one o'clock in the morning”. These are some of the more common phone exchanges between strata managers and owners living in strata communities. I’m going to take a look at noise complaints and explain some of the options available to owner occupiers and tenants. Why is noise more of an issue in strata? Simply put, close proximity living brings people. closer. Pretty obvious, right? It still astounds me the number of owners that communicate to their strata manager that if they had been aware of how much noise

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their neighbours made then they would never have purchased a strata property. Noise has a knack for travelling through walls, around fences and often directly into the bedroom of a restless sleeper who is left wondering how they are possibly going to get through work tomorrow in their sleep deprived state. How do I make it stop? The first option should always be to communicate openly and directly with the source of the problem. If your neighbour has suddenly decided to try their hand at carpentry late at night, normally they are not even aware that they have become a nuisance to their neighbours. The majority of noise complaints can be resolved right at this moment. Be friendly and come prepared with a few alternative options so that all involved can find an agreeable solution. Perhaps the budding carpenter can agree to only use his power tools on Saturday morning when you are already out of the house at tennis practise. Come to an arrangement that benefits all involved,

sometimes you may have to rearrange your schedule slightly to accommodate your neighbour. Remember it is not always just about you when sharing common property! So what do you do when the noise is coming from common property such as a leaking pipe or faulty electricity cabling and there is no obvious person to wave your finger at? Inform a committee member from your strata community immediately and explain the problem in as much detail as possible. The committee member can then consult with the strata manager and check the maintenance records. Perhaps the pipes or cabling haven’t been regularly maintained and they have now become faulty which is causing the noise. The committee members can then decide to have areas checked or repaired by a tradesperson and hopefully stop the noise in a timely manner. The forgetful neighbour So you have very politely gone and spoken to your neighbour about the noise that has been keeping you up at night and they have primolife.com.au


agreed to keep it down. For the first week it is silent bliss and everything seems great. Then to your horror the noise comes back with a vengeance and your follow-up attempts to silence the noise have fallen on deaf ears. Speak to your strata committee and have them draft a strongly-worded letter outlining how the noise is impacting other residents. Hopefully this resolves the issue, if not an alternative such as dispute resolution may have to be looked at (see below). Some noise complaints such as babies crying in the middle of the night are very difficult to prevent and unfortunately there is not a great deal that can be done.While the baby is causing noise that is affecting other people, unlike unruly parties or power tools, we can’t limit the time a baby decides to cry for the betterment of other residents. How can I protect my apartment from noise? Ear plugs: Sounds simple, but probably the most effective noise cancelling device to a good night’s sleep. They are not practical to wear at all times, but purely for sleep at night, ear plugs are very effective. Double glazed windows: Windows are most often the weak link for sound entering a property and double glazing does make a considerable difference. This is particularly effective in reducing noise from car traffic. Thick curtains will also create another barrier for the noise and is more effective than blinds. Plasterboard: Interior walls that have layers of plasterboard with sound control material in the cavity can be very effective in reducing sound. Generally, proper insulation at the time of building will play a big part in noise reduction, so it is important to check the quality of insulation before purchasing. What do the rules say? Each state and territory in Australia has something in their Strata Act or Regulations regarding noise and other nuisance control. It is important when you are moving into a strata community to understand your strata community’s rules or bylaws, these can be different from property to property so it is important to check your specific rules as they may differ from other properties you own. Generally, most rules or bylaws in Australia will say something along the lines of ,‘an owner or occupier of a lot must not unreasonably create any noise likely to interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of any other person entitled to use the common property’.

What are my other options? Local council: Generally, most councils will have a hotline for environmental noise concerns and can be contacted on a 24/7 basis. A noise traffic controller can then be arranged to investigate unacceptable noise and whether there is reasonable grounds for further action. It is important that owners have a detailed record of when the noise has been occurring and they can then provide this information to the relevant local council authority. Owners are encouraged to check with their local council and understand their specific noise complaint procedure.

Police: If there is no other alternative, particularly late at night, the police are the best avenue to having any unruly noise reduced. An on-the-spot fine can be imposed on anyone who continues to make noise after being directed to stop by an Environmental Protection Authority Officer, the police or a local council official. Alternative dispute resolution? The next step, in most Australian states and territories, is to apply to a government-run tribunal for help. These authorities make legally binding decisions about how disputes are to be settled. Tribunals are run like mini courts with similar protocols and processes, although not quite as formal. Generally, solicitors are not required and the parties normally argue their case by themselves. Tribunal rulings include: • Ordering someone to do something or stop doing something. • Imposing a financial penalty for breaking a rule. • Sometimes ordering damages to be paid to the successful party. Reasonable communication with your neighbour should always be the first option when dealing with a noise complaint, most people can be quite accommodating when spoken to in a nice way. PL

WIN one of two copies of Stephen’s book, Strata Living Stories. Visit PRIMOLife’s Facebook page to enter.

Good luck!

Stephen Raff is the CEO of Ace Body Corporate Management which manages more than 60,000 units in Australia with property and assets under management worth $20 billion. He is also the author of the new book, Strata Living Stories, and the bestselling book,The Body Corporate Handbook. For more information visit acebodycorp.com.au

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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H&G | HOMEWARES compiled by HAYLEY RAPPA

COASTAL VIBES Think sea breezes, azure oceans and sand between your toes - here's our collection of interior ideas to bring the seaside lifestyle inside. 1

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1 Amalfi Hexagon Table Lamp, $269.95, amalfihomewares.com.au. 2 Horizon - Egyptian Cotton Beach Towel Banbury, $59.95, bambury.com.au. 3 Green Ceramic Stool, St Barts, $795, stbarts.com.au. 4 Moroccan Leather Pouf In Vintage Tan, Zohi Interiors, $195, zohiinteriors.com.au. 5 Tolka 4x6" Photo Frame, Amalfi, $22.95, amalfihomewares.com. au. 6 Sapphire & Bone Inlay Beside Table, Zohi Interiors, $895, zohiinteriors.com.au. 7 Beau Rope Door Stop, $22.95, Emporium, emporiumhome.com.au. 8 Indigo Fish Scales Cushion Cover, Bushel & a Peck Homewares, $39.95, bushelandpeck.com.au 9 Coastal Cross Cushion, Down that Little Lane, $50, downthatlittlelane.com.au. 10 Pepper Log Candles, Eco Chic, $104, ecochic.com.au. 11 Basket with handles, idecorate, $116, idecorateshop.com. 12 Huge Coffee Table Noughts & Crosses Game, Lifestyle Home & Living, $54.99, lifestylehomeandliving.com.au. 13 Frosted Bottle Vases, Zanui, $26.95, zanui.com.au. 14 Geranium Rug, The Design Hunter, $685, thedesignhunter.com.au.

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

39


PRIMOFinance

F I N A N C E

with WARREN LITTLEFAIR, GENERAL MANAGER OF PEARD FINANCE

KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY Passing on good fiscal policy as soon as possible to your children is one of the biggest gifts a parent can give to their son or daughter. TEACHING KIDS ABOUT money, this can be one of the most challenging things we do as parents. The expression ‘herding cats’ certainly comes to mind when I think of money lessons for kids. However, this can be one of the most important and beneficial lessons for our kids and, if done well, will become a lifelong skill. And hopefully your kids will thank you for it. The key to teaching kids about money is to make it easy and fun. Learning about money can be as easy or as hard as you wish it to be but if you tailor it to their age it will make life easier for you both. Let’s have a look at a few easy things we can do to make this happen. A good start is to actually talk to kids about money. This includes our own finances. While this can be a bit of a challenge, you’ll find kids will have a greater appreciation of where all the money in the house goes. Include things such as your mortgage payments, how much you spend on

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

groceries as well as the normal household bills. The biggest challenge for kids is that they generally don’t have a good understanding of what things cost. The downside to this is if your kids are older, they may hang around longer because it is too expensive to move out. If you are planning on a new major purchase include the kids in the discussion. You could also include in this your next holiday. Show the kids how much the overall cost is and explain to them how long it is going to take to save up for it. This will give your kids the idea of financial goal setting. Once you have done this you can put it in their terms. A good one can be a new PlayStation or XBox game. Show them how much the game is and explain how much they will need to put aside out of their pocket money each week to pay for it. If they want the game sooner they will need to make a greater sacrifice by putting more money aside. Sounds very simple, but the simple

things will stick with them forever. Get a job. OK, I know I sound a bit like a former federal treasurer, there so perhaps I will explain what I mean. Not all kids will be old enough to go out and work at their local fast food store, so let’s give them some jobs to do around the house. Draw up a jobs sheet with each job earning a certain amount of money.You could start with cleaning their room being worth $1 all the way up to a job that really gets on your nerves paying the most. As the kids complete the job tick it off and this will go into their “pay” at the end of the week.Your kids will soon work out that the more work they do the more they earn. Sounds almost like the real world doesn’t it? Just don’t be a mean parent and take “tax” out of their pay. Now the kids have a new-found wealth, what are they going to spend it on? Like us, they should be putting some into a saving account for future use. Make sure they keep some aside to actually spend though. And in this comes another lesson. When mom and dad are paying for things kids tend not to worry about the cost - they just want it now. No point waiting for the special which starts next week, they want it now. It is amazing how much this changes when it is their own money. Teach them the benefits of looking for the best prices on items. The internet, catalogues and coupons will become their best friend. Hopefully there are a couple of ideas in here which will start the discussion around money with your kids. Some of these can be good fun to teach and, you never know, you may even decide to use some of them for your own finance. PL Visit peardfinance.com.au primolife.com.au


CONTEMPORARY ONTE DINING • COCKTAIL LOUNGE • SPORTS BAR AR R OPEN Mon & Tues 11a 11am-10pm • Wed & Thurs 11am-11pm • Fri & Sat 11am-12am m 2 2a • SSun n1 10am-9pm 0a 9pm 0 9p 9 p 14 Hobson Gate, Currambine W WA T (08) 9305 4767 E enquiries@currambinebb.com.au W w www.currambinebb.com.au w.ccurrambinebb w urrambi rrram aambinebb.com mbi bn b bb b ccom m.a november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

41


PRIMO H&Gproperty property

PEARD REAL ESTATE OFFICE LOCATIONS

Welcome to the listings section of PRIMOLife

port hedland

karratha

dampier

11

Bateman 65 Broadhurst Crescent roebourne

Expressions of Interest bed 4

bath 2

onslow

pannawonica

Luxury, Location, Lifestyle! 65 Broadhurst Cres, Bateman has to be one of the most beautifully presented homes in Bateman. The degree of excellence, thought and attention to detail that has gone into creating this masterpiece is immediately apparent. Style, class and quality abound! With so many reasons to view, it has to be top of your list.

WE'VE HAD AN EXCITING MONTH. We were so proud to once again sponsor the Peard Real Estate Fitness Challenge over the Telethon weekend which saw old favourite, Matt Fuller, along with new recruit, Soa “The Hulk” Palelei, take on a gruelling 24 hours non-stop on the ergo grinder. Despite the challenge testing Matt and Soa both physically and mentally, it was clear that they were determined to make it to the end and raise much needed funds for the kids of Telethon. There was a lot to celebrate when the guys reached that final 24-hour mark and Peard Real Estate presented the final cheque for $40,000. With donations flooding in throughout the weekend from the generous people of Perth, we smashed our fitness challenge record, raising a massive $121,000! I would like to personally thank Matt and Soa for putting their bodies on the line for the deserving cause, and congratulate them on their massive achievement. A big thank-you also to everyone who came along to show their support for the guys and donated to their cause. In other exciting company news, the Peard-Stocker Preston Group was named Top Group by Listings Sold in the September REIWA Awards. Our partnership with Stocker Preston has proved to be a great way to cross-promote our listings, with many clients already experiencing the benefits of added exposure for their properties. The joint venture is setting a new standard in marketing throughout the state and we’re looking forward to seeing what the future will bring. In market news, the big banks are starting to lift their interest rates, so now could be a great time to review your home loan. Talk to one of our experts at Peard Finance today and discover your options. With all conversations being obligation free, what do you have to lose? I hope you enjoy this month’s issue of the magazine.

marg.kudla@peard.com.au

This high quality fully renovated home, in sort after Bateman is situated on a 698sqm block. A very peaceful and serene location, this beautiful home is located close to schools, Murdoch University, St John of God Hospital and the upcoming Fiona Stanley Hospital, major transport, shopping centres and parks.

Tom Price Paraburdoo

Opportunities to purchase homes of this calibre in the area are rare, so don’t delay! To view this property call Marg Kudla today on 0457 515 007.

12

7

car 1

Marg Kudla 0457 515 007

victoria park

bull creek 8

9

Peter Peard CEO of The Peard Real Estate Group

10

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

primolife.com.au


SPONSORED FEATURE

P ar ad ise is close r t han y ou th i n k

For more information: Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) Tel: 0299594277 Email: ssenlis@aviareps.com

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

www.tourism-mauritius.mu

43


PRIMO H&Gproperty careers AMBITIOUS Jay Dass, Vicktor Sutrisno, Karen Riches and Ben Keevers.

YOUNG GUNS of PERTH REAL ESTATE At what age do you think a real estate agent hits the big time? In their 40s? 50s? Older? Not quite . . . By DEA LALOVIC

.

Images by CRIB CREATIVE.

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

MEET SOME OF Peard Real Estate’s best. They are under 35, selling millions of dollars worth of property and reshaping the nature of the business with their innovative approaches to marketing. And if you think their age is a disadvantage, think again. Vicktor Sutrisno just recently celebrated his 21st birthday. His present to himself? The sale of his hundredth property. Starting his career in real estate a mere two years ago when he was only 19, it’s hard to believe his success at such a young age, but he believes his youthful approach is an advantage. “I’m enthusiastic, genuine, passionate and most importantly I have time- time to focus on my clients,” he said. “I’m younger than most of my competitors and, unlike many of them, I have fewer outside family commitments which leaves me with one main goal, to sell property. “I spend my time prospecting and discovering new ways to market my clients’ properties using innovative technologies.” Vicktor’s is not an unusual story to see at Peard Real Estate – Jay Dass also believes

what some perceive as a barrier has become his largest asset. “There’s certainly an ideology that the older, more experienced reps have a better understanding of the job, but that’s an outdated way of thinking, and once a client meets me, they have no doubt of my capability,” he said. “Our company is full of successful reps under the age of 35, and that has to tell you something. I’m 26 and my energy levels are at their highest. I’m enthusiastic about my work and finding new marketing tools to help my sellers stand out from the crowd.” Using different marketing approaches to target buyers, the younger reps of today are looking outside the box and their forward thinking is helping them stand out. “I have a structured approach to selling,” said Jay. “It’s based around a highly intensive marketing campaign which enables me to engage the emotional buyer while creating competition in the market place. “I look for the best buyer, not the first buyer which means bigger net profits for my clients. primolife.com.au


SPONSORED FEATURE

“Social media has also been instrumental for me, I have met many clients through my corporate Facebook page and almost all of my out of area listings have come from social media advertising”. And it’s not just the young men at Peard Real Estate who are breaking through the stereotype and taking over the ranks. Karen Riches is young, ambitious and happens to be one of the top reps in the state, winning the prestigious Master Salesperson title at this year’s REIWA Awards. Her secret to success? Good old fashioned hard work – hard work which saw her sell almost $40 million dollars worth of property last year alone. “My hours of work are relentless. I wake up early, I start early and I finish late,” she told PRIMOLife. “I go above and beyond for clients and I’m focused on providing great customer service.” Working for a company committed to training means constant learning and improvement for Karen. “I train constantly, both within the Group and externally to ensure that I stay at the top of my game. I thrive on selfdevelopment and this is the perfect industry for it, it’s ever changing so you always have

room to learn and improve. “When I first started out in the industry I was worried people would feel that I looked too young to be selling property, but my extensive knowledge of marketing and my passion for the industry breaks through that barrier and my clients quickly see what I can offer.” While being young, fit and healthy comes with its obvious advantages there’s one important factor all the new generation of real estate champions have in common, the support of a premium brand. Ben Keevers started his career in real estate at the age of 28, and hasn’t looked back since joining the Peard Group. “Working for an industry leader really does make your job easier – the company’s strong community focus, innovative marketing and employee reward programs are hard to beat.” Like his colleagues, Ben has been focused on using his broad knowledge of social media to engage with his clients in new ways. “I use Facebook and Instagram daily and find it works really well,” he said. “Times are certainly changing; it’s all about being a rep that can find new ways to market properties and connect with clients.

“Couple that with an unbeatable work ethic, positive energy, strong local knowledge, and you will see what sets me, and many successful reps in my age bracket, apart. “We are all young, healthy and eager to succeed – we have our whole careers ahead of us and the determination we possess is second to none. I know I intend to be doing this for a very long time to come.” PL

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT CAREER MOVE? With a leading brand, innovative marketing and unmatched support, Peard Real Estate can help take your career to the next level. Call Melissa Farrell, Director of Business Resource, on 0404 084 244 for a confidential chat.

The warmer weather is bringing out buyers, making for a successful month for Peard Reps.

REIWA 2015 Statistics

TOP 30 ROOKIES

TOP 30 SALESPERSONS

— by listings sold

22

ANDREAS NIKAKOS Peard Real Estate, Rockingham 2 Listings sold

23

TRACEY JAMES Peard Real Estate, Rockingham 2 Listings sold

TOP 30 SALESPERSONS

— (unassisted) by listings sold

6

8

— (unassisted) by value sold GAYLENE BICHENO Peard Real Estate, Hillarys $3,683,500

JARROD O'NEIL Peard Real Estate, Hillarys 5 Listings sold

TOP SALESPERSONS

PEARD SCARBOROUGH 20 Listings sold

19

PEARD MINDARIE 20 Listings sold

26

PEARD ROCKINGHAM 16 Listings sold

TOP OFFICE

— (assisted) by value sold

8

GAYLENE BICHENO Peard Real Estate, Hillarys 7 Listings sold

TOP 30 SALESPERSONS

19

— (assisted) by listings sold

17

JARROD O'NEIL Peard Real Estate, Hillarys $2,920,000

TOP OFFICE

— By value sold

3

PEARD HILLARYS $27,649,000

9

PEARD JOONDALUP $15,491,000

— By listings sold

3 11

PEARD HILLARYS 40 Listings sold

17

PEARD SCARBOROUGH $13,152,500

PEARD JOONDALUP 25 Listings sold

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Alkimos 5 Potton Rise

From $469,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 3

Ashby 131 Carosa Road

Low $500,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Ashby 57 Gosford Meander

From $499,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Aveley 63 Lago Promenade

$579,000 - $599,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2 46

Perfectly positioned on a quiet street in the Private Trinity Estate, this home is within a few minutes walk of the new public primary school scheduled to open for the beginning of the new school year, it is close to parklands and playgrounds and is within walking distance of the Butler train station. CONTACTS Alison Beuck/Amanda Canny PHONE 0414 244 742/0419 842 060 EMAIL alison.beuck@peard.com.au

Alkimos 9 Grasswren Way

From $399,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Families look no further this is the perfect home for you. The Light bright open plan living zone, plus games area and enclosed theatre/ lounge room will be just the ticket for modern family living! Sliding doors lead to a private garden featuring the cozy alfresco patio dining zone. Enjoy a glass of wine with friends while the kids play for hours in the fab cubby house..... CONTACT Diane Williamson

Ashby 2 Tintern Road

THERE has never been a better time to get your foot firmly on the property ladder! Welcome to The country Vista a family home that represents great value. Located in a whisper quite location, close to public transport, local parklands & The new Ashby Bar Bistro. (neighbourhood centre coming soon!)

Aveley 12 Turkich Parade

PHONE 0431 112 750 EMAIL diane.williamson@peard.com.au

CONTACT Diane Williamson PHONE 0431 112 750 EMAIL diane.williamson@peard.com.au

Situated on the board walk overlooking the lake in the most sought after part of the award winning Vale Estate this luxury 3 bedroom 2 bathroom townhouse is sure to attract lots of attention from astute buyers looking for something that is more than just a little bit special! Premium property in a Premium location including stone bench tops, timber flooring, premium carpets, reverse cycle air-conditioning, gourmet kitchen with European appliances, private balcony overlooking a stunning lake & double CONTACT Rod McDougall lock up garage. PHONE 0418 909 954 EMAIL rod.mcdougall@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

From $439,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

$549,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Balcatta 55 Morley Drive

Offers bed 3 bath 1 car 1

This cleverly designed 3x2 home located in the fantastic new beach side suburb of Alkimos Beach is ideal for first home buyers, young families and down-sizers alike! In a great position in this eco-friendly estate with parks, playgrounds, the Sprout cafe and St James Anglican School just a stone's throw away. CONTACTS Alison Beuck/Amanda Canny PHONE 0414 244 742/0419 842 060 EMAIL alison.beuck@peard.com.au

With interest rates at an all time low , there has NEVER been a better time to buy !!! This is a CRAZY price for the sought after Ashby Rise estate. First home buyers can relax knowing they can own as cheaply as renting. This Beautiful 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home including separate formal lounge plus kitchen/ family meals is an absolute must for your viewing list! CONTACT Diane Williamson PHONE 0431 112 750 EMAIL diane.williamson@peard.com.au

This superbly located family home on 714sqm block is priced to sell! Conveniently located across the road from the highly respected Aveley Primary School & just a short walk to local shopping, cafes, restaurants, private secondary college & child care facilities makes this one of the best located family homes in The Vale Estate. This home has everything that you require including 4 spacious bedrooms, home theatre, games, open plan living, fantastic outdoor area with pool, reverse cycle air conditioning, powered shed, CONTACT Rod McDougall double lock up garage plus PHONE 0418 909 954 much more! EMAIL rod.mcdougall@peard.com.au

Be quick to secure this 805sqm R40 potential development block. With a wide 20.1m frontage this block is perfectly rectangular and flat and the sewer line is located at the very rear of the block. With a rentable 3 bed home you can get your plans organised whilst a tenant is in place or sit on for a few years to develop at a later stage. CONTACT Shaun Pettit PHONE 0411 725 511 EMAIL shaun.pettit@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Balcatta 64 Burwood Road

$449,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Baldivis 2 Dyer Link

All Offers Considered bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Baldivis 33 Climber Concourse

From $589,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Ballajura 37 Yosemite Loop

$495,000 - $545,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Immaculately presented 3 bed villa with No common walls. Desirable location on the West side of Main Street close to park, schools and public transport. Features include lounge room with gas point, klitchen with new oven and rangehood, dining area opening onto large courtyard & storeroom. Property has been freshly painted throughout. CONTACT Shaun Pettit PHONE 0411 725 511 EMAIL shaun.pettit@peard.com.au

Balcatta 64A Wesley Street

From $279,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Located in sought after Settlers Hills location this fantastic family home offers space, style and function. Built on a large 644 block by specialized boutique builder it has originality you will love. Space in the home is unbelievable with large home theatre, open plan family lounge and separate games room. Side access is easily accessible to park the boat, trailer or camper. CONTACT Camille Ainsley

Baldivis 30/18 Fifty Road

The owners lined up for this block! And it was worth it; 681m2 in a quiet location across for parklands makes the perfect ground for any family home. Built by Dale Alcock, at over 310m2, no expense has been spared and no details have been overlooked. The property boasts multiple living areas, spacious open plan design and fabulous entertaining.

Balga 2c Dounley Street

PHONE 0417 508 364 EMAIL camille.ainsley@peard.com.au

CONTACT Michelle Dasborough PHONE 0403 939 430 EMAIL michelle.dasborough@peard.com.au

Opportunity isn't knocking...it's yelling at you! The seller is packed and desperate for a quick sale. You can be a winner! Must see this beautifully renovated home on 1000sqm block with loads of parking, huge shed, drive through access - ideal for Tradie, will sell, be quick.

View more properties online at

CONTACT Maggie Pawlik PHONE 0438 876 727 EMAIL maggie.pawlik@peard.com.au

$130,000 bed 1 bath 1 car 1

$429,000 - $469,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Banksia Grove 2 Hybrid Green

From $415,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Tired of looking around at homes that just dont fit your requirements? Then dont miss this opportunity to secure this prime piece of land. This rear survey strata 248sqm block has been cleared and with the title available is ready to build on now!! Well located close to public transport, parks, shops and schools. CONTACT Paul Chang-Leng PHONE 0407 925 557 EMAIL paul.chang-leng@peard.com.au

Park home on leased lot. Perfect for FIFO workers or if you looking to down size. Property is located in Lakeside Village which includes well maintained gardens. Residents have access to swimming pool, perfect for those hot summer days. CONTACT Andreas Nikakos PHONE 0413 962 074 EMAIL andreas.nikakos@peard.com.au

This 3 Bed 2 Bath townhouse on a 269sqm block boasts it all. Modern decor throughout both thoughtful and practical. Located within walking distance from the beautiful Barry Britton Reserve Park, both primary & private high schools & Polytechnic West College Campus, the swimming pools & Gym and Public Transport CONTACT Ray D'Costa PHONE 0403 165 936 EMAIL ray.dcosta@peard.com.au

This chic residence definitely has all you need! Minutes to a child friendly park, and set in a quiet street this home lists all the modern features including games/study and separate home theatre too! Ideal for anyone looking get into Banksia Grove for a great price. CONTACT Amanda Canny PHONE 0419 842 060 EMAIL amanda.canny@peard.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Bayswater 35/73-83 Leake Street

$325,000 - $340,000 bed 2 bath 1 car 1

Palm Gardens is a strata complex providing an amazing lifestyle for its occupants of over age 55. This two bedroom villa with gorgeous new floors is light and airy, and has been lovingly well maintained. Featuring a lovely open living area and dining area with access to a covered back patio, with a small garden where you could plant some flowers in the easy care gardens to enjoy while you sit and have tea on a pleasant summer morning with CONTACT Corina Maloney air conditioning inside for comfort. PHONE 0410 363 269 EMAIL corina.maloney@peard.com.au

Burns Beach 18 Kianga Crescent

From $975,000 bed 4 bath 3 car 2

THE BENCHMARK OF EXCELLENCE !! Burns Beach taste, an excellent design & unquestionable 18 Whitehaven Avenue Impeccable quality are the highlights of this magnificent beachside

Burswood 806/30 The Circus

bed 4 bath 3 car 2

bed 2 bath 2 car 1

From $1,245,000

Butler 17 Alston Way

From $429,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Butler 20 Talybont Bend

From $569,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2 48

abode. Includes a well-placed study, stylish home theatre, fantastic upstairs retreat with fireplace, enormous balcony with sensational views & fantastic decked alfresco area with pool !! CONTACT Todd Utley

From $620,000

A stunning home that gives you fantastic internal space with high ceilings and plenty of storage without the garden maintenance. Situated in a prime dress circle location within easy reach of the village amenities, this home is a clear winner! On entry the potential of this immaculate home hits you, with generous room sizes that are amiss from a lot of newly built homes. CONTACT Paul Turner

Butler 2 Prenton Street

A fantastic opportunity presents in this immaculate 4 bedroomed home is set in the desirable area of Seahaven Premium Estate. A beautifully constructed Dale Alcock home that offers endless possibilities when it comes functionality. Some wonderful home decor choices make this one special home with nothing left to do.

Butler 9 Upham Brace

PHONE 0417 910 967 EMAIL todd.utley@peard.com.au

PHONE 0400 072 005 EMAIL paul.turner@peard.com.au

CONTACTS Paul Turner/Steve Wilcox PHONE 0400 072 005/0421 277 366 EMAIL paul.turner@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

From $549,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

From $449,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

ALL SET FOR SUMMER !! Indulge yourself in this splendid urban oasis. A streamlined design with ocean views, fabulous home theatre, light-flooded open plan living, quality porcelain tiling throughout & an outdoor paradise playground for all your family to enjoy. CONTACT Todd Utley PHONE 0417 910 967 EMAIL todd.utley@peard.com.au

It doesn't get any better than this! This spacious and modern 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment has great tenants paying $560/week rent, and is located next door to the Burswood Casino, soon to be completed Perth Sports Stadium and Crowns 6 Star Hotel, and has easy access to the Swan river, park and cycle ways. CONTACT Clinton Edwards PHONE 0409 040 901 EMAIL clinton.edwards@peard.com.au

This huge family abode delivers a true lifestyle choice, a big home with next to zero maintenance! Situated in one of Butlers prime locations, this single level home has been designed to incorporate a layout that every family can appreciate. All rooms are very large in size and offer maximum functionality, prime location and liveability, this one ticks all the boxes. CONTACT Paul Turner PHONE 0400 072 005 EMAIL paul.turner@peard.com.au

This great family home is in a prime location and perfectly positioned between Butler's junior and senior schools and within convenient reach of all the local amenities and transport links. If you're looking for a great traditional sized 4x2 with mature gardens and endless possibilities, look no further! This is a must see at a fantastic price! CONTACTS Paul Turner/Steve Wilcox PHONE 0400 072 005/0421 277 366 EMAIL paul.turner@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Butler 22 Newmarket Parade

From $545,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Canning Vale 30 Welbeck Road

$799,000 to $839,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Canning Vale 72 Ashmore Avenue

From $799,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Carine 36 Chellaston Crescent

From $849,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

This exceptional brand new family ex-display home is designed to provide both sophisticated and informal spaces that truly encapsulate contemporary coastal living. This is a residence with an intelligent floor plan that totally encompasses the often-elusive element of versatility, ideally suited to today's modern family. CONTACT Steve Wilcox PHONE 0421 277 366 EMAIL steve.wilcox@peard.com.au

If youve been searching for an outstanding 2- storey home featuring luxurious fittings, generous proportions throughout and offering truly outstanding value, then look no further. Pick up the phone, jump in your car and race to be the first to view because this stunning property must surely represent the best value. CONTACT Anzer Yousuf PHONE 0424 666 747 EMAIL anzer.yousuf@peard.com.au

Built by Beaumonde Homes this immaculate two storey home is situated on a 604 sqm block with approx 277 sqm of living and approx 332 sqm total. Move in and enjoy all the comforts with ducted reverse cycle air-conditioning, high ceilings, tiled and bamboo flooring. CONTACT Karen Lloyd PHONE 0421 614 447 EMAIL karen.lloyd@peard.com.au

Slightly elevated, this superb family home is heavily entrenched in a much sought-after location where the close proximity to all of your important everyday amenities is just as impressive as the charm and comfort that lies within. Features include solid Blackbutt floorboards, kitchen with sparkling granite bench tops, swimming pool and patio entertaining area. So just sit back, unwind, relax and take in everything this family gem has to offer – you won’t be disappointed! CONTACT Karen Riches PHONE 0408 646 651 EMAIL team.riches@peard.com.au

View more properties online at

Butler 27 Langport Way

From $359,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Canning Vale 6 Sedges Grove

From $750,000 bed 5 bath 2 car 2

Carine 28 Kersey Way

From $835,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Carine 43 Hartington Way

From $825,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Get into your own three bedroom two bathroom with double garage cottage home for Christmas. Close to the new Butler high school, parks , shops, butler train station and only a short drive to watch the sunset over Jindalee beach. This home is fantastic buying for the first home buyer or investor. CONTACT Tammy Peard PHONE 0448 803 741 EMAIL tammy.peard@peard.com.au

Huge family home on 826sqm block, not very often do you find homes like this. 5 big bedrooms, Activity/Teenage retrea, home theatre room, beautiful formal lounge and dining with fire place. Outside features a fantastic huge patio with extensive paving, sparkling belowground pool that is solar heated and a double garage with workshop. CONTACT Karen Willis PHONE 0437 704 427 EMAIL karen.willis@peard.com.au

Imagine living right next door to a tree-lined park with its own family playground! This leafy locale also benefits from high raked ceilings, a delightful kitchen with slate floors and splashbacks, sunken family/meals area, an alfresco style entertaining area overlooking a massive below-ground swimming pool and a magnificent parents’ retreat, and so much more! Enjoy care-free family living with this charming split-level residence in one of Carine’s quietest streets! CONTACT Karen Riches PHONE 0408 646 651 EMAIL team.riches@peard.com.au

It doesn’t get much better than a super-spacious low-maintenance block, Sleep upstairs and live downstairs – it’s that easy! Two queen-sized bedrooms and a spare double bedroom complement a sumptuous master suite with pleasant inland views for parents to soak in upon waking up. In a stunningly-convenient location opposite Carine Primary School and the parklands that separate it from the fantastic Carine Senior High School when considering this comfortable family haven, spanning two levels CONTACT Karen Riches and boasting a functional and PHONE 0408 646 651 friendly floor plan for EMAIL team.riches@peard.com.au all to enjoy. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE City Beach 12B/131-133 Drabble Road

OFFERS INVITED bed 3 bath 2 car 2

This superb low maintenance home is positioned 500m from the Indian Ocean in the sought after suburb of City Beach and offers a stunning lifestyle. The private portico entry leads through to a comfortable lounge with vaulted ceilings and bamboo flooring with an additional elevated library or formal dining area close by. Also located on the ground floor is the sun-kissed west facing conservatory with alfresco access, an ideal space for family occasions and renowned CONTACT Carl Freeman City Beach sundowners. PHONE 0408 793 037 EMAIL carl.freeman@peard.com.au

Clarkson 11 Kitson Turn

$399,000 - $419,000 bed 2 bath 2 car 2

Clarkson 6 Ningaloo Bend

From $439,950 Clarkson 35B Celebration Boulevard From $399,000

bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Looking for a trendy townhouse, tucked away in a quiet street and within walking distance of Clarkson station, then this is for you! You are sure to be amazed how spacious and immaculately presented this home is and its sure to suit commuters, professionals, retirees, FIFO workers, first home owners or the astute investor. CONTACT Tish Thomas PHONE 0430 141 343 EMAIL tish.thomas@peard.com.au

Rarely does a property of this size and close proximity to EVERYTHING in a whisper quiet street come to market. Absolutely perfect for investors, down sizers, retirees with an eye on the future. Easy access to train station. A choice of private and public schools. 5 Min drive to Mindarie Marina, what more could you want. CONTACT Jeff Parkes PHONE 0418 923 989 EMAIL jeff.parkes@peard.com.au

bed 3 bath 2 car 1

BEST BUY FAR! Dont miss out on this little beauty! Immaculately presented 3x2 home with an extra wide single garage and situated in fantastic location opposite the park & within walking distance of Somerly primary school and Clarkson train station. This home is ideal for First Homebuyers, young family or for retirees.

Craigie 14B Drysdale Road

From $389,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1 50

Tish Thomas 0430 141 343 tish.thomas@peard.com.au

Invest in the future now with this value packed duplex, renovated home with family room, dining and upgraded Italian wood kitchen with glass splashback and stainless steel appliances. The main living zone is spacious and free flowing with a feeling of warmth and openness within the home. This beautifully presented home will appeal to the most discerning buyers both owner occupiers and investors. The garden is compact, spacious and low maintenance including a perfect alfresco area to entertain. CONTACT Valerie Boyle PHONE 0404 864 932 EMAIL valerie.boyle@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

Coolbinia 22 Bedford Street

$410,000

Well this block is ready to go!! Sleek modern townhouse plans have already been Council Approved for a 3 bedroom 2 bathroom with study home by SCHO homes - plans available upon request. In a fantastic location close proximity to local schools, North Perth cafes, Dog Swamp shopping centre, Beaufort Street restaurants and only 5km to Perth CBD. CONTACT Caroline Bicknell PHONE 0405 763 301 EMAIL caroline.bicknell@peard.com.au

Currambine 10 Ashburn Vista

Mid - High $600,000's bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Nestled in a slip road in a quiet cul de sac location lies this highly desirable home of classic quality. Combining the charm and character of Hamptons architecture with modern conveniences on a low maintenance block, life will be a breeze at 10 Ashburn Vista. Settled in an outstanding location offering views over the golf course and all the urban conveniences Currambine CONTACT Jay Dass has to offer! PHONE 0407 205 421 EMAIL jay.dass@peard.com.au

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FOR SALE Darch 8 Driver Road

$595,000 bed 5 bath 2 car 2

Duncraig 4A Fleta Court

From $539,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 1

Duncraig 9 Illowra Way

$1,169,000 - $1,209,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Ellenbrook 20 Pierre Bend

Mid $400,000's bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Astute buyers looking for excellent value in this area will agree that this is now the best value for money property on the market right now in this very desirable location! Everything that your family requires & deserves are featured right here in this outstanding family home! Formal dining/ lounge, massive open plan living, dining & kitchen with foxtel & tv points, study nook, huge brick paved rear patio with gable roof, pizza oven/bbq & outdoor kitchen, good sized shed, ducted reverse cycle air conditioning CONTACT Rod McDougall & low maintenance reticulated PHONE 0418 909 954 gardens. EMAIL rod.mcdougall@peard.com.au

Duncraig 3 Carlyle Crescent

Buy now for later! Properties such as this delightful and charming duplex home in cul-de-sac location are a rare find! Comprising 3 bedrooms 2 bathrooms and 2 living areas. Ideal investment opportunity with a tenant already in the home or a great buy when downsizing. Be quick here!!

Duncraig 5 Blount Court

CONTACT Maggie Pawlik PHONE 0438 876 727 EMAIL maggie.pawlik@peard.com.au

This double storey home is all about offering families that much needed extra space through its generous floorplan. With extras like a study or home office, a rumpus/playroom in the kids wing and an upstairs lounge or parent’s retreat, opening onto a balcony where you can kick back and relax and enjoy ocean glimpses and stunning sunsets! CONTACT Namita Mehra PHONE 0409 920 737 EMAIL namita.mehra@peard.com.au

This modern family home is beautifully positioned in the highly sought after Malvern Springs area, close to parks, schools, and the state forest. This nearly new, cleverly designed, and immaculately presented house offers a high quality of living for a very modest price. Built in 2010 on a 465sqm block of land, this house has masses of living area and outdoor space that has heaps of potential for you and your CONTACT Corina Maloney family to call home.

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PHONE 0410 363 269 EMAIL corina.maloney@peard.com.au

From $699,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 1

$849,000 - $899,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Ellenbrook 1 Smoke Bush Way

Offers From $439,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Ellenbrook 29 Parrotbush Crescent

$399,000-$419,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

This beautifully presented, air-conditioned family home has been renovated and freshly painted throughout, and it is a big, blank canvas ready for your creative ideas. With a massive lounge room, two outdoor undercover areas, and easy care, reticulated gardens all set on a 692 sqm block with views of Glengarry Park from the front veranda, it is an idyllic location ready for an CONTACT Paul & Sue Middleton expanding family. PHONE 0419 939 391 EMAIL team.middleton@peard.com.au

Alluring pictures of Italy’s Amalfi coast are recreated on this rare 898m2, duplex approved block, on a cosy cul-de-sac in Duncraig South! Multiple casual areas give the family amazing room to spread out in while the large block offers generous outdoor living and entertaining, as well as that much needed room for kids and pets. Enjoy the space today and subdivide tomorrow for a prosperous retirement, or a legacy to leave to the kids! CONTACT Namita Mehra PHONE 0409 920 737 EMAIL namita.mehra@peard.com.au

Are you looking for a big family home on a big 614sqm block?? In a lovely quiet location, close to parks, shops & walking distance to schools & public transport. This home & its gardens need some TLC, with a little bit of renovating, some painting & gardening, you could make this house your home. 4 big bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus 3 separate living areas, centrally located kitchen and dining room overlooking a huge gabled patio & spacious back yard. Ducted air conditioning, plus a split system in family room. CONTACT Angie Pearce PHONE 0499 775 046 EMAIL angie.pearce@peard.com.au

Are you looking for an affordable home with a pool near all amenities? Look no further than this 4 bedroom home located in the established Woodlake Village just a street back from the shopping precinct and local schools. With a sparkling pool and large patio area for entertaining, solar panels and roller shutters its too good to be true! Freshly painted and with new carpets throughout, just move in and add your personal touches. Call today to view! CONTACT Tiffany Bray PHONE 0412 930 820 EMAIL tiffany.bray@peard.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Ellenbrook 103 Bordeaux Lane

$389,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Gosnells 108 Ashburton Drive

From $369,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Gosnells 4/73 Stalker Road

From $349,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 1

Gwelup 27 Valance Way

From $949,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2 52

If you are a first home buyer or investor, then look no further than this property in the precinct of Urbano. Within walking distance to bus stops, Valley Bowls Club, The Vines Golf Resort & Ellenbrook's newest sporting facilities. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan living area, social kitchen with breakfast bar & dishwasher, split system air con to main living areas, modern decor, main bathroom with bath, double garage & a paved entertaining area with shade sail. CONTACT Angie Pearce PHONE 0499 775 046 EMAIL angie.pearce@peard.com.au

Golden Bay 7 Elvire Grove

A golden opportunity such as this is always snapped up in the blink of an eye, particularly in a rapidly growing suburb like Gosnells. Situated on a corner Green Title block of 689sqm with the bonus zoning of R30 with the potential to retain and build, the decision to purchase this house has been made easy for you.

Gosnells 123 Corfield Street

CONTACT Vicktor Sutrisno PHONE 0422 774 044 EMAIL vicktor.sutrisno@peard.com.au

Now is the time to secure this immaculately presented villa which offers side access to store a caravan or trailer. This low maintenance and easy care home allows the opportunity to lock up and leave. This superb home is in a great location close to medical centre, chemist, petrol station, shops, bus and train station. CONTACT Karen Lloyd PHONE 0421 614 447 EMAIL karen.lloyd@peard.com.au

Entertain with flair from the open plan kitchen, family and dining room opening onto a wrap-around deck overlooking a big backyard and stunning saltwater pool. Light and bright rooms with stunning wood floors throughout. Upstairs parent’s suite overlooking the garden to Lake Gwelup. Walk to Lake Gwelup and Karrinyup Shopping Centre, and it’s just a 15 minute CONTACT Juliet Wills drive from the CBD PHONE 0411 782 808

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

EMAIL juliet.wills@peard.com.au

$392,500 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

From $369,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 2

Greenwood 5 Forres Place

From $665,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Hamersley 39 Agaton Street

$450,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

This easy to maintain 3 x 2 home boasting a beautiful and spacious, modern kitchen looking out to the open plan family and meals area. With an attractive neutral colour scheme throughout, with easy to clean wood look flooring. Open the triple glass sliding door out to the well-presented, low maintenance back yard, complete with a gazebo and garden shed. CONTACT Tracey James PHONE 0408 943 067 EMAIL tracey.james@peard.com.au

Are you still looking for the PERFECT investment or first home? Then your search is OVER! Well presented with a highly functional floor plan this home has so much to offer including sparkling swimming pool for the summer, huge backyard great for the family outdoor entertainment and more amazing features. CONTACT Vicktor Sutrisno PHONE 0422 774 044 EMAIL vicktor.sutrisno@peard.com.au

This extra spacious family home ticks all the boxes! Multiple living areas, huge kitchen, sparkling pool, impressively sized garage with workshop space & storage. With cul de sac location, paved verge for extra parking and a large 735sqm rectangular block that is only minutes from public transport, schools, shops and parks. This one must be viewed to appreciate the charm of this great CONTACT Julie Vincent family home. PHONE 0403 809 445 EMAIL julie.vincent@peard.com.au

Lovingly maintained duplex home that includes three gorgeous tropically-influenced garden courtyards for entertaining, sitting and quiet contemplation. Features include family room with split-system air-conditioning and a ceiling fan, garden shed, lime and mandarin trees out back, and 496sqm (approx.) block size. CONTACT Karen Riches PHONE 0408 646 651 EMAIL team.riches@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Gwelup 27 Ludgate Way

From $1,295,000 bed 4 bath 3 car 2

Leigh Wilson 0410 056 092

Effortless Luxury: Holiday at Home A large contemporary home inspired by the architecture of the Margaret River region, this home exudes effortless casual luxury. Employing high ceilings, wide open spaces, large rooms, crisp fresh whites and natural materials throughout, the design and the colour palette are timeless and will make you feel as if you are always on holiday. Immaculate and as new, you can simply unpack your bags and start living. Featuring master suite, guest wing, 2 king size minor bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, open plan family living, teenagers' retreat, theatre room, home office, gym room, contemporary chefs' kitchen, 17m lap pool, landscaped gardens and separate studio.

Harrisdale 11 Mayor Street

$518,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Heathridge 18 Skiff Way

OFFERS INVITED bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Modern home built by Summit Homes, This extremely well presented 4 x2 home is ideal for a family with a busy lifestyle and do not want to be a slave to the garden every weekend. Situated on 364sqm block the property boasts the following features stone top kitchen benches with glass splash back top quality stainless steel cooking appliances. CONTACT Guy Scott PHONE 0407 004 493 EMAIL guy.scott@peard.com.au

NOTHING TO DO – JUST MOVE STRAIGHT IN...This immaculate 3 bedroom home with show home presentation, landscaped private front gardens & fuss free rear entertaining area will suit those buyers looking for a home that has all the hard work done. With a new kitchen, updated bathroom and a great outdoor entertaining area, this home will be snapped up fast by fussy buyers.

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CONTACT Gaylene Bicheno PHONE 0419 929 616 EMAIL gaylene.bicheno@peard.com.au

Harrisdale 12 Delmar Avenue

From $799,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 3

Heathridge 8 Dirk Hartog Cove

OFFERS INVITED bed 4 bath 2 car 2

leigh.wilson@peard.com.au

AMAZING Is the only way to describe this beautiful home. All the hard work has been done and not a penny spared. Master bed room is king size with dressing room and extra large en-suite with roman style bath, bedroom 2,3,4, are all king size fantastic for teenagers. Separate theatre room, outside has a fantastic alfresco dining area, solar heated below ground pool. CONTACT Karen Willis PHONE 0437 704 427 EMAIL karen.willis@peard.com.au

Surprise! You will be astounded when you find out what lies behind this deceptive hidden treasure. A vast, delightful family home, with 2 separate zones assuring harmony for families of all ages. This fabulous offering is set in the lovely “Oceanside Gardens” estate, close to the Schools, public transport and shopping amenities. This really is sensational, all you need to do is move in and unpack. So don’t delay– call now to view! CONTACT Gaylene Bicheno PHONE 0419 929 616 EMAIL gaylene.bicheno@peard.com.au

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Heathridge 39 Prince Regent Drive

OFFERS INVITED bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Hillarys 14 MacKay Way

From $695,000 bed 4 bath 3 car 2

Hillarys 19 Empen Way

$649,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Hillarys 4 Barbados Turn

$1,150,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2 54

Perch at the highest peak and a lovely pocket of Heathridge, this fabulous investment opportunity awaits the most astute buyers. Only minutes to Whitfords City Shopping, local schools and view of the lovely Admiral Park; from the entry you will be pleasantly surprised with the lovely family friendly flooring & a large lounge room with split system air conditioning, with a renovated kitchen and generous alfresco/entertaining area, homes like this, in this location don't come around every day. CONTACT Gaylene Bicheno Make the call before it goes! PHONE 0419 929 616 EMAIL gaylene.bicheno@peard.com.au

Heathridge 50 Caridean Street

Designed for those families who are chasing a casual coastal lifestyle filled with easy, flexible living that’s surrounded by beaches, parks, great shops and schools - this is it! Recently renovated in neutral tones this flexible family home offers multiple living, dining and casual entertaining spaces. So the scene is set for this summer!

Hillarys 171 Flinders Avenue

CONTACT Ben Keevers PHONE 0404 056 010 EMAIL ben.keevers@peard.com.au

From $499,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 1

From $695,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Light-filled brick & tile home in a quiet street on large elevated 740m2 block in the heart of Hillarys. Two living areas, one with reverse cycle AC. Robes in three bedrooms. Spacious two car lockup garage with workshop bench and storage space. Views over parkland from the front garden. Big backyard for the family. This is a fantastic opportunity to get into the Hillarys market and CONTACT Jeff Coghill beach lifestyle this summer.

Hillarys 24 Conica Crescent

At last, a single level house available in Harbour Rise Estate a very rare find indeed. High ceilings throughout, large formal areas 4 double bedrooms, big open plan living, plus meals. The kitchen is stunning finished with beautiful granite bench tops and breakfast bar with gloss white cabinetry. The yards are fantastic with a big pitched patio area under main roof. Beautifully manicured bore reticulated gardens with a lush lawn area, all with CONTACT Jeff Coghill a sunny west facing aspect.

Hocking 31 Eradu Ramble

PHONE 0412 928 643 EMAIL jeff.coghill@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

PHONE 0412 928 643 EMAIL jeff.coghill@peard.com.au

$879,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

From $535,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Located on approximately 702m2 this beautifully presented beachy feel home is perfect for the whole family with a fantastic alfresco, backyard and two spacious family living areas. The design of this lovely home allows for comfortable living with the bedrooms quietly tucked away from the main communal living spaces. With great schools just minutes away, this is the ideal family home. CONTACT Gaylene Bicheno PHONE 0419 929 616 EMAIL gaylene.bicheno@peard.com.au

Approximately 500 metres to the Indian Ocean and just a few minutes drive to the Hillarys Boat Harbour, this immaculate Whitfords Beach Estate free-standing 2 storey home on easy care block is a must see property. Light and bright with an inviting tiled entry, spacious living room and open plan kitchen meals area, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms plus an easy care covered, north-facing paved courtyard with patio, perfect for summer BBQ's. CONTACT Kathy Clement PHONE 0403 539 820 EMAIL kathy.clement@peard.com.au

Built by Crest Homes in 1994 tightly held by a loving family for the past 17 years, this property has been beautifully maintained and is in fantastic condition. Make the best of this family home with a built in large sunken formal lounge and bar entertaining incorporating formal dining, open plan island kitchen with room for a second meals table, adjoining family room, huge separate games/theatre room, great outdoor entertaining patio, surrounded by lush bore reticulated gardens, and a big lawn area. CONTACT Jeff Coghill PHONE 0412 928 643 EMAIL jeff.coghill@peard.com.au

Superbly located in the friendly Hocking community, this spacious family residence is close enough to nearby schools, shopping centres, amenities and transport routes to offer convenient living, yet nestled away in a quiet street to provide a peaceful family setting. Offering 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 living areas, large outdoor entertaining area plus below ground pool and plenty of additional yard, 31 Eradu Ramble has room CONTACT David Mead for the whole family! PHONE 0428 814 407 EMAIL david.mead@peard.com.au

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FOR SALE Huntingdale 9 Patrick Way

From $499,000 bed 4 bath 1 car 2

Iluka 25 Delgado Parade

$995,000 - $1,035,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Innaloo 103A Odin Road

$599,000 - $619,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Innaloo 3 Morris Road

$499,000 to $549,000

This outstanding home offers four great size bedrooms, one well-appointed bathrooms, theatre room, separate sunken lounge room with high ceiling, undercover patio entertainment area, beautiful low maintenance garden, under sail below ground swimming pool to beat the summer heat. CONTACT Rian Pratama PHONE 0400 110 438 EMAIL rian.pratama@peard.com.au

Nestled on a rare 833sqm land holding, this stylish Beaumonde beachside entertainer boasts irresistible elegance with everlasting appeal and will be highly sought by those looking for a home to stand the test of time. One step inside and you will know that this is the one!

Iluka 20 Venice Entrance

From $1,050,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Iluka 47 Daytona Drive

$649,000

CONTACT Todd Utley PHONE 0417 910 967 EMAIL todd.utley@peard.com.au

Stylish Commuter’s Dream This three bedroom, street-front townhouse takes convenient living to a new level. Aside from the top location, desirable features include a modern kitchen, spacious bedrooms with built-ins and great storage. CONTACT Mandy Bizzaca PHONE 0409 915 210 EMAIL mandy.bizzaca@peard.com.au

This well maintained, 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, street front single level villa on 315m2 will appeal to first home buyers, downsizers or astute investors. An opportunity not to be missed!

bed 3 bath 2 car 1 View more properties online at

CONTACT Justin Chidlow PHONE 0402 946 446 EMAIL justin.chidlow@peard.com.au

Innaloo 17C Thor Street

From $629,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Jolimont 3/19 Currie Street

$299,000 - $335,000 bed 1 bath 1 car 1

PURE INDULGENCE !! A luxurious & contemporary design will charm you once inside this custom built residence, with all the extras including a home theatre, entertainment room, queen sized bedrooms & finished with glorious Blackbutt timber floors. Top it off with a solar heated pool !! CONTACT Todd Utley PHONE 0417 910 967 EMAIL todd.utley@peard.com.au

Build your dream here, surrounded by premium homes - the large 722sqm block allows you to build a commanding home that will take advantage of fantastic views. Flat, level & fenced, this huge 722sqm rectangular block has a 23m frontage and 31m depth, allowing you an endless variety of single or double storey options. Fabulous location only 500m to the foreshore and the sparkling waters of Burns Beach – Head to Burns Beach Café for a coffee or go for a wander around lakes at the beautiful CONTACT Shane Capelli James McCusker Park PHONE 0410 339 499 EMAIL shane.capelli@peard.com.au

Sensational extra large, 3 bed 2 bath townhouse in prime South Innaloo location. High quality finishes, functional floorplan with two living areas and perfect position close to Train Station & Wesfield Innlaoo. CONTACT Marcus Lord PHONE 0417 911 107 EMAIL marcus.lord@peard.com.au

Beautifully positioned in a leafy tree lined street, this unit is in a prime location. Located at the rear this unit is nice and quiet with its own courtyard. At the front there is a communal BBQ area complete with a built in Webber BBQ. Features include renovated bathroom, lounge opening onto courtyard & new floor coverings throughout. CONTACT Paul Chang-Leng PHONE 0407 925 557 EMAIL paul.chang-leng@peard.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Joondalup 38 Quinault Loop

From $565,000 Jolimont 130 Jersey Street END DATE SALE

bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Perfect Family Home in a Great Location! This lovely 4 bed, 2 bath family home is situated in a perfect location! Freshly painted throughout and renovated. Close to Lakeside shopping centre, local community shops, good schools, Joondalup Arena, parks & lots more ! CONTACT Berny Wales PHONE 0407 994 052 EMAIL berny.wales@peard.com.au

bed 4 bath 2 car 2

THIS WILL LEAVE YOU SPEECHLESS! Prepare to be amazed! A simply stunning and awe inspiring home that will please all of the senses. From the moment you set eyes on 130 Jersey Street you are greeted with sensational architecture and design so aesthetically pleasing you won’t know where to look first. And it is available to be yours!

Kallaroo 110 Castlecrag Drive

From $929,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Kallaroo 37B Tifera Circle

From $459,000 bed 2 bath 1 car 1 56

Dean Bradley 0411 110 779 dean.bradley@peard.com.au

Endless opportunities await the new owners of this outstanding property! Highly-coveted Northshore location - placed on a generous 953sqm (sub-dividable) block with rear access possible - this ideal beachside home delivers the lifestyle we all seek with quality shopping centres, schools and picturesque parklands on your doorstep. Walk to the beach in mere minutes or stay home and relax in the super-sized below-ground swimming pool... CONTACT Belinda Lawrence PHONE 0432 547 921 EMAIL belinda.lawrence@peard.com.au

Here is your opportunity to secure this lovely value packed 2 bedroom 1 bathroom fully renovated duplex home with family room, separately defined dining room and spacious functional kitchen. The main living zone is spacious and free flowing with a feeling of warmth and openness within the home. The kitchen has ample bench and storage space, stainless steel oven and cooktop. The easy care spacious landscaped gardens are packed with colourful low maintenance native plants. The backyard is perfect CONTACT Valerie Boyle for entertaining and taking PHONE 0404 864 932 time out. EMAIL valerie.boyle@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

Joondanna 2/160 Powell Street

End Date Sale bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Kallaroo 135 Bridgewater Drive

From $759,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 1

Kallaroo 89 Bridgewater Drive

From $749,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

This 3 bed villa with no common walls and in a small group of 3 is the one you've been waiting for. With 2 living areas this home offers plenty of space to enjoy. Features include front lounge, family/lounge opening to bright courtyard & kitchen with new appliances. Fantastic location with schools, shops including Shopping Centre and public transport all close by. CONTACT Paul Chang-Leng PHONE 0407 925 557 EMAIL paul.chang-leng@peard.com.au

Amazing internal & external living spaces flow perfectly to create wonderful entertaining and everyday lifestyle areas to enjoy with family and friends. The finest materials and appointments to create the ultimate in luxury, comfort and easy living. Features include: Renovated kitchen, three large living zones, built in wood fire, 4 large bedrooms- All with built in robes, Evaporative Air Conditioning, Large entertaining area, and below ground CONTACT Valerie Boyle swimming pool. PHONE 0404 864 932 EMAIL valerie.boyle@peard.com.au

Seeing is believing in this Spacious Brand New Chalcraft home within the popular Kallaroo suburb. This beautifully presented home will appeal to the most discerning buyer, downsizers, owner occupiers or investors. Enjoy an entertainers dream with the gourmet kitchen overlooking the open plan living areas, in this really bright, light filled home with an easy care lifestyle theme which is perfectly situated for the outside lifestyle. You can lock up and go at ease. Don’t miss this opportunity Act quickly....this is a must see! CONTACT Valerie Boyle PHONE 0404 864 932 EMAIL valerie.boyle@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Karrinyup 21 Whitley Crescent

From $929,000 bed 4 bath 3 car 2

Kingsley 1 Mallard Rise

From $1,095,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 6

Kingsley 2 Picasso Court

$749,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Kingsley 5A Koolyn Grove

From $419,000

Beyond leafy manicured front gardens that are just as impeccably maintained as the home’s interior lies this sublime residence of a very versatile floor plan that can be whatever you need it to be. Reserved for special occasions are separate carpeted formal lounge and dining rooms to one side of the house, whilst a light and bright kitchen overlooks the casual family room and includes a breakfast bar for easy meals.

Kelmscott 10/45 Third Avenue

This larger than most family home comprises of 4 double bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a home office, spacious formal and casual living areas plus a large family kitchen with meals and dining area A rare opportunity to secure a fresh breath of country life style with all the city conveniences nearby. This mint condition family home is set on a massive 2001sqm block in the sought after Kingslake Estate directly across from Lake Goollelall with Yellagonga Regional Park just a hop skip CONTACT Kathy Clement and a jump away. PHONE 0403 539 820

Kingsley 2 Catrine Court

Fabulous home, opposite Moolanda Park, only a couple of doors down from the Halidon Primary school & in the catchment area for Woodvale High School. Not only do you have the location, the work has all been done! Has been modernised t/out. Sensational outdoor ent overlooking a sparkling b/g salt water pool.

Kingsley 4 Chapel Court

CONTACT Karen Riches PHONE 0408 646 651 EMAIL team.riches@peard.com.au

EMAIL kathy.clement@peard.com.au

CONTACT Jan Buchanan PHONE 0408 802 381 EMAIL jan.buchanan@peard.com.au

Ready to build your dream home? Well here is your well positioned block of land of 506 sqm. Design your home with views of the lake. Two already sold. Call Lee Parkinson now for more details and ideas. CONTACT Lee Parkinson PHONE 0422 233 484 EMAIL lee.parkinson@peard.com.au

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From $299,000 bed 3 bath 1

From $659,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

From $719,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Kingsley 9 Acton Rise

From $649,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

This amazing home offer's comfort and secure living. Make this your last stop and start living, this home is sure to impress everyone. Conveniently located within walking distance to Kelmscott Plaza, Schools, Shops, Cafe, Restaurants, Train Station, Bus Routes, Westfield Shopping town, truly a location you do not want to miss. CONTACT Rian Pratama PHONE 0400 110 438 EMAIL rian.pratama@peard.com.au

Fresh, clean and pristine. This gem of a Kingsley home boasts 4 BIG brm's, 2 bthrms & 3 separate living areas. Open plan kitchen, meals, family & games. Great design, built early to mid-nineties. Double lock up garage, side access for boat, caravan or trailer, large patio and paved area. Short walk to transport, parks & schools. This property is sure to impress! CONTACT Lee Parkinson PHONE 0422 233 484 EMAIL lee.parkinson@peard.com.au

All you need is right here in this beautiful big family home with 4 big brms, 2 stunning bthrms plus 2 large living areas. Open plan kitchen, meals area opens out to a gigantic pitched colour-bond patio. There is a stunning modern fenced b/g pool, grassed area for the kids double lock up garage plus extra off street parking. Walk to primary school, parks, transport and in Woodvale CONTACT Lee Parkinson College catchment. PHONE 0422 233 484 EMAIL lee.parkinson@peard.com.au

A fantastic four bedroom all with birs, study, two bathroom, two living area, family home. Complete with open plan living areas, below ground fenced in pool, huge double garage. Walk to Creany Primary, parks, shops, train and in the Woodvale College catchment area. CONTACT Lee Parkinson PHONE 0422 233 484 EMAIL lee.parkinson@peard.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Kingsley 25 Adare Way

From $849,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Kinross 4 Midlothian Crescent

Mid - High $500,000's bed 4 bath 4 car 2

Koondoola 17 Koondoola Avenue

From $399,000

High and mighty commanding Kingsley home set in an awesome location. Complete with 4 huge brms, master with a balcony & ocean glimpses. Separate study with private balcony & ocean glimpses, 2 renovated bthrms, renovated kitchen, 3 separate living areas, b/g fenced pool. Double lock up garage, walk to primary, parks and in Woodvale College catchment. CONTACT Lee Parkinson

Kingsley 76 Wimbledon Drive

Step into this lovely home and be surprised! Vogue decor throughout with new carpets & blinds. Master brm has generous WIR & ensuite. Beds 2 & 3 share a bathroom & sep wc, bed 4 is queen size with double robe & has its own ensuite & wc. Elegant lounge room & dining room, Chefs kitchen overlooks sparkling Below ground pool. CONTACTS Lyn Stowe/Anne Dearson

Kinross 6 Blair Grove

Central location, close to shops, schools and transport. This spacious 3 bedroom 1 bathroom home is priced to Sell. Set on a 692sqm

Mandurah 2 Cawana Parkway

PHONE 0422 233 484 EMAIL lee.parkinson@peard.com.au

PHONE 0405 109 113/0417 773 490 EMAIL lyn.stowe@peard.com.au

bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Mandurah 3 Pinnace Court

From $475,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2 58

CONTACT Gayle Fitzmaurice PHONE 0437 180 094 EMAIL gayle.fitzmaurice@peard.com.au

HALLS HEAD Featuring a sunken living room, formal dining, built in robes, double sized minor bedrooms, ducted evap air cond, family room. Workshop, garden shed, patio, gazebo, enc sun room, veggie patch, extra parking plus established bore reticulated gardens- the only thing left to do is move in and take a 5 minute stroll to the lovely seaside!

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

CONTACT Suzie Perrin PHONE 0437 516 964 EMAIL suzie.perrin@peard.com.au

From $649,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Mid - High $500,000's bed 4 bath 2 car 2

From $370,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Mandurah 4 Formby Road

From $409,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Leave the car at home when you live in this pristine 4 bed, 2 bath neat & tidy family home in potential re-zone location. This home has an open plan kitchen, meals and family area which overlooks a stunning patio with decking and garden. The home has ample lawn, gardens plus a drive through double carport to a large work shop! CONTACT Lee Parkinson PHONE 0422 233 484 EMAIL lee.parkinson@peard.com.au

It's an absolute pleasure to present this grand home for sale. Known as the 'The Lincoln II', a Ventura ex display home that radiates warmth and class. From the moment you arrive at the white picket fence, gorgeous rose garden and stunning front entry, you simply feel at home. Meticulously maintained and finished to the highest of standards, this is a hidden gem that will impress even the most discerning buyers. CONTACT David Mead PHONE 0428 814 407 EMAIL david.mead@peard.com.au

LAKELANDS Large open plan family, dining and living areas. Excellent kitchen offering large massive bench space.Large master bedroom with walk in robe and spacious ensuite. Other remaining bedrooms are good size featuring built in robes. 2.0 kw solar panels to help reduce power bill. Large outdoor alfresco area. CONTACT Rick Uren PHONE 0414 779 834 EMAIL rick.uren@peard.com.au

MEADOW SPRINGS Built in 2012 this Red Ink home offers plenty of space and soaring 31c ceilings to the living area. The stylish galley kitchen overlooks the study, family, games room. With ducted air conditioning, theatre room, solar hws and neat reticulated gardens this home is ideal for those wanting a new home without the hassle of building. CONTACT Suzie Perrin PHONE 0437 516 964 EMAIL suzie.perrin@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Mandurah 134 Countess Circuit

From $510,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Mandurah 20 Willow Brook View

From $529,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Mandurah 5b Clyde Place

EOI bed 4 bath 3 car 2

Mandurah 9 Chalice Rise

From $499,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

SOUTH YUNDERUP Located in the much sought after location of Austin Cove, South Yunderup. Built in 2011 this modern home offers family living at its very best. Designed with separate living zones and space for the whole family to enjoy. South Yunderup is a very special place to live and offers the perfect lifestyle. CONTACTS Julie Isherwood/Pauline Bill PHONE 0499 778 496/0487 832 539 EMAIL julie.isherwood@peard.com.au

MEADOW SPRINGS Exclusive double storey home with Golf Course View. Located in the premium street of the Golf Course Island. Open plan living area, huge theatre, study. Modern kitchen fitted with 900 s/ steel appliances, stone bench tops. Stunning master bedroom with his & hers WIR's. Manicured lawn plus plenty of space for a pool. CONTACT Rick Uren PHONE 0414 779 834 EMAIL rick.uren@peard.com.au

Mandurah 19 Wittenoom Turn

From $549,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Mandurah 28 Kruger Loop

$465,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

SILVER SANDS Located in prime position with the Mandurah Marina and bustling Foreshore at your fingertips stands this architectural masterpiece. Certainly unique and set to be one of a kind in this ideal position. Would be a superb lock up and leave or ultra-modern family home. Comprising of 4 beds 3 baths and 4 toilets with grand proportion living areas spread over 2 levels. CONTACT Suzie Perrin

Mandurah 8 Cunderdin Loop

LAKELANDS This 2014 built quality family home is finished to the highest standard and offers luxury living with reverse cycle air-conditioning, 5kw solar panels, solar hot water system. High ceilings, chef’s kitchen, large family, meals area, huge master suite with luxury en-suite complete with deluxe free standing bath. This home will not disappoint.

Marmion 22 Cliverton Court

PHONE 0437 516 964 EMAIL suzie.perrin@peard.com.au

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CONTACT Sue Ross PHONE 0450 612 108 EMAIL sue.ross@peard.com.au

From $449,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

From $899,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

DAWESVILLE . Elevated home on 752m2 sized block. Galley style kitchen overlooking family/dining. Master suite has a large walk in, unique ensuite. Upstairs loft for extra space – activity/office. Separate home theatre, study nook. Timber laminate flooring, quality carpets. Alfresco under main roof. Room for a pool or shed. Just 500m from Florida Beach. CONTACT Kathryn Fiorenza PHONE 0427 475 661 EMAIL kathryn.fiorenza@peard.com.au

SOUTH YUNDERUP Enjoy a peaceful tranquil lifestyle. Set on 576m2 of land. Spacious 4 bed two bath home. Stunning Jarrah floorboards sets for a warm and welcoming ambiance. Easy care reticulated gardens. 12 solar panels 5 kw. Footsteps to the Murray River and 2 boat ramps close by. Call today to live your dream lifestyle. CONTACTS Julie Isherwood/Pauline Bill PHONE 0499 778 496/0487 832 539 EMAIL pauline.bill@peard.com.au

DAWESVILLE Immaculate home with plenty of features. Solar panels, home theatre, powered workshop under main roof and manicured gardens. This well cared for home has been planned with an open living area, built in bar, kitchen with all the mod cons. Finished with large paved alfresco area. CONTACT Kathryn Fiorenza PHONE 0427 475 661 EMAIL kathryn.fiorenza@peard.com.au

Perfectly positioned to take full advantage of all that beautiful beachside Marmion has to offer. This relaxed and easy care home is fundamental for families wanting to share special times and make fond memories. Positioned in a community cul-de-sac with Marmion primary school across the road, shops, the beach and spectacular Star Swamp Bushland Reserve are all CONTACT Ben Keevers at your doorstep. PHONE 0404 056 010 EMAIL ben.keevers@peard.com.au

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Mandurah 90 Sanctuary Circuit

$835,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Kathryn Fiorenza 0427 475 661

OCEANFRONT WITH MAGICAL VIEW FOREVER DAWESVILLE Smell the sea air at your doorstep, listen to the gentle sound of waves to calm you to sleep or enjoy morning walks along the beach. That is what this property offers. From this double storey luxury beach front home you can enjoy views over the Dawesville Cut Golf Course and uninterrupted ocean views.

kathryn.fiorenza@peard.com.au

Four generous size bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, good storage solutions, open plan living, private upstairs balcony with breathtaking views. Rear alfresco, side pergola, garden shed. Dawesville is located 15kms South of Mandurah CBD, fast becoming a suburb popular with buyers who enjoy quiet living near water, without compromise.

Maylands 12 Snell Street

Auction 11am 21/11 bed 2 bath 1 car 2

Maylands 5 Oxford Street

Above $580,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 1 60

With the Heart and Soul of a character home, combined with the Joy of modern facilities. You can literally just grab your bags and move straight in. This home is the complete package, with beautiful solid jarrah floor boards, high ceilings with plaster work, separate study, kids activity room and a private yet spacious low maintenance courtyard. CONTACT Richard McNicol PHONE 0433 838 547 EMAIL richard.mcnicol@peard.com.au

The word is out! No longer THE SECRET HAVEN of art and caffeine connoisseurs, Maylands connected location, just five kilometres from the Perth CBD and near the banks of the Swan River, is propelling this cultural mecca into Perths trendiest place to be.

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

CONTACT Erin Phillips PHONE 0448 858 101 EMAIL erin.phillips@peard.com.au

Maylands 14 Mount Prospect Crescent

OFFERS INVITED bed 2 bath 1

Maylands 83 Crawford Road

$690,000 bed 2 bath 1 car 1

The opportunity to secure this elevated 807sqm, R40 development site with DA approval for 9 one and two bedroom apartments. An excellent location close to everything in this up and coming area, minutes from Eighth Avenue cafe-strip, bars, restaurants and markets. With added appeal to downsizers and first home buyers looking for a vibrant local lifestyle minutes from the CBD, cycle ways and Swan River walkways. CONTACT Carl Freeman PHONE 0408 793 037 EMAIL carl.freeman@peard.com.au

Nestled securely within a character protection precinct in beautiful Crawford Road youll find this charming weatherboard cottage with authentic character features on a full 510m2 R40 block. This home has two large double bedrooms with a secondary living space with the option to convert this into a third bedroom. CONTACT Andreas Nikakos PHONE 0413 962 074 EMAIL andreas.nikakos@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Merriwa 5 Abba Place

$419,000 - $439,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 1

Merriwa 8a Earl Court

$389,000 - $409,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 1

Mount Hawthorn 114 Egina Street

From $1,089,000 bed 4 bath 1 car 1

Mount Hawthorn 21 Kalgoorlie Street

From $849,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

This beautiful 4 Bed, 2 Bath + Pool property has all the space any family could possibly need. Situated on a HUGE 750m2 block. Perfect for entertaining family and friends the property features a stunning outdoor pool area for those lovely summer BBQs and some much needed garden space for your kids & pets to play on the other side of the home. CONTACT Tertius Du Toit PHONE 0416 239 306 EMAIL tertius.dutoit@peard.com.au

This ideally located 4x2+ Study in a cul-de-sac location has been completely freshened up and is ready for someone to move in without any further investment required. This immaculate home has been freshly painted throughout and has brand new carpets in all the bedrooms & formal lounge room. CONTACT Tertius Du Toit PHONE 0416 239 306 EMAIL tertius.dutoit@peard.com.au

Merriwa 5 Pascoe Retreat

$389,000 - $409,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 1

Mirrabooka 18 Teneriffe Place

From $440,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 2

This lovely home is in a PRIME LOCATION opposite Menzies Park. The home is light and bright and full of character features, polished jarrah floorboards, high ornate ceilings and decorative cornices. The spacious floor plan comprises of family room, dining room and a large open plan kitchen. The rear alfresco area is the perfect place to entertain and enjoy CONTACT Phyllis Gemelli PHONE 0407 386 501 all year round.

Mount Hawthorn 132 Anzac Road

This lovely Californian Bungalow is an original family home that offers comfortable accommodation and lovely character features. Filled with stunning ceilings, leadlight windows and floorboards (under the carpet) and located in a very desirable location. This traditional property offers a formal entrance with a central passage, elegant formal lounge and large rear family/ dining CONTACT Phyllis Gemelli area. PHONE 0407 386 501

Mount Hawthorn 39 East Street

EMAIL phyllis.gemelli@peard.com.au

View more properties online at

EMAIL phyllis.gemelli@peard.com.au

From $1,195,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

From $700,000 bed 2 bath 1 car 1

Presenting for the 1st time this stunning 4x1 property with all the extras you could dream of. This home also offers heaps of other extras like a large powered brick workshop, solar electricity, solar hot Water, underground bore water & pump and many other extras CONTACT Tertius Du Toit PHONE 0416 239 306 EMAIL tertius.dutoit@peard.com.au

With a new coat of paint inside the house, stainless steel appliances, situated in a quiet little street and in great condition makes this home a rare find in Mirrabooka. Built on a 675m2 block of land, with three good size bedrooms, one bathroom, separate toilet, wooden skirting throughout the home, laundry, large backyard patio, within walking distance to shops, bus stops, not to mention a stone throw away from a beautiful park, why would you look elsewhere? CONTACT Thanh Nguyen PHONE 0414 288 165 EMAIL thanh.nguyen@peard.com.au

This gorgeous character home has been tastefully and seamlessly extended. Comprising of 3 generous sized bedrooms, 2 x new bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen with Smeg appliances and a spacious open plan living area plus a separate formal lounge or 4th bedroom, plantation shutters and quality blinds throughout, ducted air-con and gleaming floorboards. CONTACT Phyllis Gemelli PHONE 0407 386 501 EMAIL phyllis.gemelli@peard.com.au

Ideally located close to Menzies Park, this Californian Bungalow home is in original condition and has been well cared for. The home features high ornate ceilings, skirting, jarrah boards under the carpet, leadlight windows, large separate lounge room and formal dining. Probably the most affordable Mt Hawthorn home in today's market. CONTACT Phyllis Gemelli PHONE 0407 386 501 EMAIL phyllis.gemelli@peard.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE North Perth 33 Hobart Street

From $799,000 bed 2 bath 1 car 1

Orelia 18 Inkpen Way

Buyers Over $299,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Padbury 16 Lowes Way

From $539,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Padbury 7 Mueller Court

High $600,000s bed 4 bath 2 car 2 62

What a life you could have here.. coffee shop a few doors down, amazing park for the children to play in, 15mins walk to Angove coffee strip, 15 mins walk to Mount Hawthorn, less than 5 mins walk to the bus stop. On approx 506sqm block, this house is very liveable in its current condition with new ceilings and cornices in the home and modernised bathroom. CONTACT Caroline Bicknell

Just 3 houses from the beach with ocean views, this spacious Ocean Reef offers 4 informal & formal living areas that includes a 79 Southern Cross Circle home games room & kids activity room plus a separate study that is

Great opportunity to get into the market or add to your property portfolio with this 3 bedroom 1 bathroom home in Orelia. Living areas consist of Kitchen, family and dining rooms. Features include: Solid timber floor boards, Triple mirrored slider in the master bedroom, Ceiling fan in the master bedroom, New vanity basin in the bathroom.

Padbury 138 Giles Avenue

PHONE 0405 763 301 EMAIL caroline.bicknell@peard.com.au

CONTACT Mitch Russell PHONE 0430 574 655 EMAIL mitch.russell@peard.com.au

$799,000 - $829,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

From $599,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 2

Perfectly located on a flat 684sqm block in a quiet South Padbury Street, this light and bright, easy care home is ready for the buyer to move straight in, relax and entertain. Offering large front and back yards (including a swimming pool – just in time for summer), modern decor and a great outdoor entertaining area, this home will definitely impress! CONTACT Jarrod O'Neil

Padbury 22 Pathfinder Road

Nestled in a lovely quite cul-de-sac. This completely renovated large, spacious 4 Bed, 2 bath family entertainer is simply impressive. Great mixture of indoor and outdoor with 2 separate large living areas and 2 Alfresco areas. Step inside and be in awe of not only the fantastic floor plan, renovations of high quality but the space throughout this wonderful property. CONTACT Maria Bridgeman

Padbury 9 Gregory Avenue

PHONE 0411 103 617 EMAIL jarrod.oneil@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

PHONE 0409 033 701 EMAIL maria.bridgeman@peard.com.au

From $799,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

From $529,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

large enough to use a 5th bedroom or nursery. With a central kitchen and open living areas, great outdoor entertaining under the massive patio and plenty of room for a pool & the kids to play, this home has CONTACT Shane Capelli something for the PHONE 0410 339 499 whole family! EMAIL shane.capelli@peard.com.au

If you are looking for your dream home then get ready to be wowed by this renovated gem. Boasting quality finishes, stunning gardens and an awesome outdoor entertaining area, you instantly feel charmed by what this beautiful home has to offer. There is nothing to do except move in, put your feet up and enjoy! CONTACT Jarrod O'Neil PHONE 0411 103 617 EMAIL jarrod.oneil@peard.com.au

Designed with a focus on easy contemporary living and relaxed indoor/outdoor entertaining. This 7 year old (approx) family home presents a remarkable opportunity as a backdrop for family fun and the best of living. The owners built this house so they understood the best design approach to capture the sun and breezes that maximize all year round comfort and limit large electricity bills! CONTACT Jarrod O'Neil PHONE 0411 103 617 EMAIL jarrod.oneil@peard.com.au

Approximately 10 years newer than most Padbury homes, this spacious 3 bedroom property is perfect for (A) the First Home Buyer who is chasing a property in which they can move straight in, then add their personal touch to create their dream home or (B) Investors who are after a low maintenance easy care property in their portfolio. Situated in a great location and surrounded by quality homes, the property features spacious living areas, open kitchen and a large ‘blank canvas’ backyard. CONTACT Jarrod O'Neil PHONE 0411 103 617 EMAIL jarrod.oneil@peard.com.au View more properties online at


evolutionsettlements.com.au | p: 9273 8977 Licensee Evolution Settlements Pty Ltd T/A Evolution Settlements View more properties online at Licensed Real Estate Settlement Agent ABN 30 528 638 171

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Piara Waters 38 Bluestone Loop

$655,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Port Kennedy 31 Mayflower Close

Buyers Over $399,000 bed 5 bath 2 car 3

Port Kennedy 7 Stirling Close

Buyers Over $349,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Quinns Rocks 22 Doddington Way

$649,000-$669,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2 64

MAGNIFICENT FAMILY HOME! Welcome to 38 Bluestone Loop nestled amongst beautiful homes in the magnificent highly sought-after Newhaven Estate . This beautifully presented home is close to the new Harrisdale Shopping Centre opening soon and with just a walk to beautiful park and lakeside views CONTACT Guy Scott PHONE 0407 004 493 EMAIL guy.scott@peard.com.au

This is a fantastic opportunity to live in a great sized 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom home at an affordable price in Port Kennedy. The growing family will love the space this home offers. Rooms include big front lounge, separate formal dining (or could be used as an activity room) spacious family room, dining and big games room. CONTACT Mitch Russell PHONE 0430 574 655 EMAIL mitch.russell@peard.com.au

Piara Waters 61 Wellman Avenue

$595,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Port Kennedy 6 Burgos Lane

$399,000 - $429,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

This very well presented 3 x 1 home, situated in a cul-de-sac so close to primary school will be sure to impress upon inspection. Rooms include front lounge, family and dining rooms. The kitchen has good cupboard and bench space, gas hot plate and built-in pantry. Close by is a shopping centre gymnasium and the beach and boat ramp is only a five minute drive away. CONTACT Mitch Russell

Quinns Rocks 16 Foundation Loop

This stunning family home positioned in the sought after coastal suburb of Quinns Rocks is truly breathtaking. From the moment you set eyes on this property you will realize that this is a much loved family home. Cared for and nurtured from the immaculate gardens to the stunning interior, it is a true credit to its current owners.

Quinns Rocks 5 Berrington Pass

PHONE 0430 574 655 EMAIL mitch.russell@peard.com.au

CONTACTS Kathy McGurk/Steve Wilcox PHONE 0451 669 139/0421 277 366 EMAIL kathy.mcgurk@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

From $379,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

From $899,950 bed 4 bath 2 car 4

This extremely well presented 3 x 2 x 2 home is ideal for those who live a busy lifestyle and do not want to be a slave in the garden. The property is perfect for those with a busy lifestyle with easy care gardens front and back. The attention to detail is only the start to ticking all those boxes when looking for the PERFECT home. CONTACT Guy Scott PHONE 0407 004 493 EMAIL guy.scott@peard.com.au

A fantastic home with two living areas plus an open plan living dining area. Be warm in winter with the great wood burner that will heat the home wonderfully. This home just excites you completely as you are welcomed into such a lovely setting. Powered workshop at the back. Outdoor alfresco offers a gorgeous water feature that sits beside the 3 seater spa. CONTACT Camille Ainsley PHONE 0417 508 364 EMAIL camille.ainsley@peard.com.au

This beautiful residence in the sought after coastal suburb of Quinns Rocks is perfectly configured with spacious formal lounge and master bedroom to the front, open plan kitchen overlooking spacious family and meals area, patio doors leads out to the wrap around alfresco patio, large garden is great for all year round entertaining. CONTACTS Steve Wilcox/Kathy McGurk PHONE 0421 277 366/0451 669 139 EMAIL steve.wilcox@peard.com.au

It is rare to find such a thought out design that pleases both the senses and the sensible! This home offers both beauty and functionality with its lovely high ceilings and open plan living. The flow of this home is felt from the moment you enter. This classic style mixes effortlessly with modern chic. CONTACT Jeff Parkes PHONE 0418 923 989 EMAIL jeff.parkes@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Scarborough 187 Northstead Street

Auction bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Scarborough 61A Weaponess Road

From $599,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 2

Seville Grove 17B Imperial Court

$320,000 bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Sorrento 4 Baleine Court

$1,199,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

This stylish home will certainly appeal to couples, small families & investors. Located south of Scarborough Beach Road it is centrally located in this ever improving beach side suburb on the Western Suburbs border with so much currently happening & in the pipeline. Approximately a 5 minute walk to the many popular cafes, shops & schools. AUCTION ON SITE- Saturday October 24th at 4PM (if not sold prior) CONTACT Chas Paridis SETTLEMENT- 90 days DEPOSIT- $30,000 PHONE 0418 911 289

Scarborough 21 Moorland Street

This is something special, just bring your paint brush and small tool belt to bring this classic beauty back to all its glory. A classic free standing character brick and tile home in popular South Scarborough. Sitting on a large street front 346sqm (approx) lot this property has been partially renovated whilst maintaining its character and style. You will definitely have to be quick for this one!!

Secret Harbour 18 Bancoura Parkway

EMAIL chas.paridis@peard.com.au

CONTACTS Sam Mannino/Tony Ronaldson PHONE 0402 822 457/0409 257 787 EMAIL sam.mannino@peard.com.au

This great property located in the heart of Seville Grove is walking distance to primary and high schools in the area. This three bedroom, one bathroom brick and tile strata (no strata fees apply). The home is built on a 364sqm Block. This home is very spacious with two separate living areas and a great outdoor entertaining area with lush green gardens. CONTACT Simone Batley PHONE 0419 801 706 EMAIL simone.batley@peard.com.au

EnEnjoy the Sorrento Lifestyle at this delightful, low maintenance property which has parkland at the end of your street & is just a stroll to Sacred Heart College, the beaches, waterfront cafes or the Hillary’s Marina. This quality built 2 storey family home on a 700sqm lot comprises 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms + study & games. Boasting 4 internal living zones (both casual & formal) the choice of 2 alfresco areas, double garaging, double paved driveway plus there’s dedicated boat or caravan recess too. CONTACT Les Lindsay PHONE 0407 420 384 EMAIL les.lindsay@peard.com.au

View more properties online at

From $699,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Buyers Over $725,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

This contemporary home features a large living and family room, 3 double bedrooms, master with en-suite and balcony views to the ocean, family bathroom, spacious alfresco and secure double car garaging with storage. The modern design is complemented by solid timber floors, clean lines, smooth shades of colour, fully ducted air-conditioning and low maintenance gardens. An ideal home in an ideal location, never far from anything in this world-class CONTACT Carl Freeman Scarborough suburb. PHONE 0408 793 037 EMAIL carl.freeman@peard.com.au

Family home with THE LOT. Everything to offer and literally only seconds to the beach, golf club and fab new surf club. Huge 778sqm block with gorgeous residence with heaps of flexible options. Offering everything PLUS side access PLUS pool with stunning cabana area PLUS several outdoor entertainment areas. CONTACT Julie Pym PHONE 0411 436 537 EMAIL julie.pym@peard.com.au

This is a truly amazing home with a sense of resort style Shoalwater and character and is located so close to choice of 11 Oceanrunner Boulevard charm beaches, restaurants and cafes. The design is a “one of” and

Over $600,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Sorrento 9 Clontarf Street

Expressions of Interest bed 4 bath 4 car 3

definitely has the WOW factor throughout. Kitchen had solid stone white bench tops, induction hotplates, dishwasher – highlighted by high ceilings and rich solid timber floors. CONTACT Fran Satherley PHONE 0414 447 343 EMAIL fran.satherley@peard.com.au

Situated on top of the world spanning over three levels, and approximately 700sqm of living space, this home is designed to capture most of the magical views. This one of a kind residence only 3 years old ultra modern and finished to perfection, is a truly unique luxurious contemporary haven. CONTACT Maggie Pawlik PHONE 0438 876 727 EMAIL maggie.pawlik@peard.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Southern River 5 Casablanca Avenue

$650,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Stirling 24 Roselea Boulevard

AUCTION bed 5 bath 3 car 2

Stirling 9/151 Grindleford Drive

$895,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

The Vines 34 Roxburghe Drive

$699,000 - $729,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2 66

Summer is coming. Look forward to coming home each day to relax or to host a great family event. This beautiful home features four great size bedrooms. The large and bright master bedroom consist of his and her walk in wardrobes, modern bathroom, overviewing the sparkling swimming pool. CONTACT Rian Pratama PHONE 0400 110 438 EMAIL rian.pratama@peard.com.au

Auction onsite (unless sold prior),Saturday 28 November at 10:30am. A classical elegant two storey home, ideally located in ROSALEA ESTATE - the most sought after area in Stirling. Individually designed to take full advantage of the peaceful sensational lake and park views. CONTACT Brian Godwin PHONE 0430 344 300 EMAIL brian.godwin@peard.com.au

Southern River 55 Bletchley Parkway

From $609,000 bed 5 bath 2 car 2

Stirling 3 Sunrose Link

From $1,090,000 bed 5 bath 4 car 2

A stunning lock up & leave lifestyle property in a unique location backing on to Roselea lake & gardens. Brilliant alfresco area externally with attention to detail inside & out makes this a stand out property. A sought after secure gated community which also has the benefits of a pool & entertaining area in the complex. Centrally located approximately 2 minutes drive to the freeway, 10 minutes to Trigg Beach and 15 minutes to the city this is a must view lifestyle home. CONTACT Chas Paridis

The Vines 1 Palomino Promenade

Situated on 760sqm block overlooking bush land & within walking distance to the Championship Golf Course this stunning 4 bedroom 2 bathroom home has all the outstanding features that you & your family deserve. Raised ceilings throughout, home office, chefs kitchen with stone bench tops & quality appliances, spacious open plan living area, home theatre, kids activity/second study, magnificent outdoor entertaining area, room for a pool, reverse cycle ducted air conditioning throughout CONTACT Rod McDougall & security alarm. PHONE 0418 909 954 EMAIL rod.mcdougall@peard.com.au

Thornlie 13 Cypress Court

PHONE 0418 911 289 EMAIL chas.paridis@peard.com.au

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

$529,000 - $549,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

From $589,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Immaculately presented with a wealth of stylish features, this spacious and contemporary styled home is guaranteed to impress even the most discerning buyer. Showcasing free flow design, this outstanding home is complete with an expansive open plan living/dining/kitchen/games room. CONTACT Vicktor Sutrisno PHONE 0422 774 044 EMAIL vicktor.sutrisno@peard.com.au

With 409sqm of expansive internal living space spread across two storeys. A home for all seasons with multiple indoor and outdoor entertaining areas. Facing the park, your children will be forgiven for thinking that the lovely parkland with kids playground is their private paradise. CONTACT Brian Godwin PHONE 0430 344 300 EMAIL brian.godwin@peard.com.au

This immaculately presented, near new home in the Equis Lakes Estate of The Vines boasts top quality finishes & is ready for you to enjoy. If you are looking to down size or just starting out, this 3 Bedroom home with a study has all you could possibly need & features a lovely decked back yard with enough grass for the kids & dogs to play. Only 1 year old, ducted reverse cycle air-conditioning, stone benches, quality 900mm kitchen appliances & neutral dcor throughout. Located opposite parkland & minutes from the CONTACT Tiffany Bray Golf course, it will not last! PHONE 0412 930 820 EMAIL tiffany.bray@peard.com.au

This beautifully presented home has been renovated and what a credit to the owners. Built on a generous 700sqm block located in Forrest Lakes in a quiet cul de sac close to schools, parks, transport and shopping centres. Room for a pool or just for the family to enjoy. CONTACT Karen Lloyd PHONE 0421 614 447 EMAIL karen.lloyd@peard.com.au View more properties online at


FOR SALE Thornlie 14 Monarch Court

From $539,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Wanneroo 44 Taywood Drive

From $499,000 bed 4 bath 1 car 1

Warnbro 30 Torcross Street

Offers Over $430,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Watermans Bay 23B Margaret Street

From $1,189,000 bed 3 bath 2 car 2

Situated in a quiet street in the heart of Castle Glen Estate. Close to parks, schools, transport and local shopping centres. Built in 1984 on a large 900sqm block is this beautiful, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home with double carport and side access for caravan or boat. CONTACT Simone Batley PHONE 0419 801 706 EMAIL simone.batley@peard.com.au

With 2 spacious living areas, renovated kitchen, renovated bathroom, study nook & moments away from Lake Joondalup – this family home is a great start into Wanneroo INVESTORS/DEVELOPERS – this 812sqm block is in the proposed R40 rezoning area that may allow splitting into 3 and we have a great tenant that would love to stay! CONTACT Shane Capelli PHONE 0410 339 499 EMAIL shane.capelli@peard.com.au

If you are looking for something very different, unusual and with loads of character, this is the home for you! The floor plan can accommodate a large family with a purpose built Granny Flat, music/library room, separate dining room, front living room, family plus games room. This is a home you can set up to suit your family needs. CONTACT Fran Satherley PHONE 0414 447 343 EMAIL fran.satherley@peard.com.au

Situated high on the hill you will have ocean glimpses from your living areas and be lulled to sleep soundly to the idyllic sound of waves crashing. As you enter, weeping mulberry trees and olive trees greet you, into your own secret garden. A generous entry into the home leads upstairs to the open plan living area. A neutral painting palate and gorgeous black butt wooden floors are complemented by views of the sparkling blue ocean through the white boardwalk shutters. CONTACT Jane Turnbull PHONE 0401 158 798 EMAIL jane.turnbull@peard.com.au

View more properties online at

Thornlie 29 Jardine Court

End Date Sale bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Warnbro 21 Senegal Grove

$325,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Warnbro 4 McCormick Street

$499,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 1

Wembley Downs 41A Sulman Road

From $849,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

If youre looking for the perfect positioned home for a peaceful living, this cul-de sac is where you want to be! This well presented 790sqm home includes the added feature of a side access to your spacious yard, excellent condition 7.5 x 6.5 powered workshop with 3 phase power and a sparkling swimming pool for your summer entertainment! CONTACT Julius Graham PHONE 0419 890 613 EMAIL julius.graham@peard.com.au

Dont delay seeing this great Collier built home. Excellent first home or investment property. There is a dining area and two living areas with good kitchen space. Outdoors offers alfresco area, carport of great size and side access ability for the extra vehicle parking. Then there's the storage shed out the back area and your own bore. CONTACT Camille Ainsley PHONE 0417 508 364 EMAIL camille.ainsley@peard.com.au

You will be impressed with this pristinely presented home from the moment you walk in the front door onto the tile floor which extends through to kitchen and family area. The separate theatre room off entry is superb with wall to wall carpet with split air conditioner and fan. Space comes to mind throughout the home. CONTACT David Lomax PHONE 0409 084 940 EMAIL david.lomax@peard.com.au

Conveniently located within a short stroll from shops, transport & more this stunning home is perfectly located in one of Perth’s most sought after suburbs. Perfect for families, downsizers or investors this is one not to be missed! CONTACT Tony Ronaldson PHONE 0409 257 787 EMAIL tony.ronaldson@peard.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FOR SALE Wembley 208 Harborne Street

End Date Sale bed 3 bath 1 car 1

Woodlands 261 Pearson Street

From $869,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 3

Yanchep 54 Firewood Vista

From $499,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 3

THINKING OF SELLING?

Have you been looking to get your foot in the door in Wembley? This home could be for you! A circa 1950s three bedroom, one bathroom home set on a 671 sqm block is perfect for those who want to get into the great suburb that is Wembley. Properties like this in Wembley are very hard to come by but if you are looking for your ticket into the Wembley area, this is it. CONTACT Dean Bradley PHONE 0411 110 779 EMAIL dean.bradley@peard.com.au

Incredible opportunity to secure your place in this highly sought after suburb with this meticulously maintained and substantial four bedroom and two bathroom family home. An opportunity not to be missed! CONTACTS Sam Mannino/Justin Chidlow PHONE 0402 822 457/0402 946 446 EMAIL sam.mannino@peard.com.au

Unique, modern family home is perfect for those looking for space, style and quality in their new residence. The superb, supersized alfresco area is made for entertaining family and friends and enjoying life in the privacy of your property. Prepared with SPA corner, ceiling speakers, decorative planter boxes, grassed area & room for pool & play! CONTACT Peggy Middelveld PHONE 0415 566 825 EMAIL peggy.middelveld@peard.com.au

CONTACT ONE OF OUR PREMIUM PROPERTY PEOPLE FOR A COMPLIMENTARY APPRAISAL. PEARD.COM.AU

Yanchep 4 Gallery Way

From $449,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Yanchep 6 Current Street

$459,000 bed 4 bath 2 car 2

Why build, all done here and ready for you to move into! Priced to sell in todays market and below replacement cost so if you are looking to nest or invest you cant go wrong here!

CONTACT Peggy Middelveld PHONE 0415 566 825 EMAIL peggy.middelveld@peard.com.au

You wont imagine from the street what awaits you here! Super spacious family home and a huge yard nicely hidden at elevated, private corner lot! Located in a quiet and established street of the award winning Capricorn Estate just meters to the new school, parks, shops and only short distance to the pristine beach. CONTACT Peggy Middelveld PHONE 0415 566 825 EMAIL peggy.middelveld@peard.com.au

Upgrade your Peard Real Estate listing to a half or full page ad to showcase your property in star style! Contact Natalie for details on 0426 752 352 or

PREMIUM PUBLISHERS

email sales@premiumpublishers.com.au 68

PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

View more properties online at


BUNBURY

BUSSELTON

DUNSBOROUGH

COWARAMUP

MARGARET RIVER

AUGUSTA

stockerpreston.com.au

AUGUSTA

$670,000

OCEAN VIEWS, CUL-DE-SAC LOCATION! Set on a 900sqm block in a quiet cul-de-sac is this 4 bed, 2 bath home with fabulous views of Flinders Bay. Built circa 1992 the home is very neat, well maintained and offers many options for housing cars, boat and caravan. If you are looking for a permanent or holiday home with great views of the ocean then you need to inspect this property soon.

4 2 2 900sqm

Alf Fandry M: 0407 441 140 P: 9758 0300

BUSSELTON

600m from Busselton Town centre and 2mins drive to the crystal clear waters of Geographe Bay. This custom designed home, built towards the end of 2011, is extremely spacious and has been finished to an impeccable standard. The property features stunning 14mm bamboo flooring and down-lights throughout open plan kitchen, living and dining areas. Merbau decking in the Alfresco combined with ceiling fans and speakers makes for great outdoor entertaining. Laura Bannister M: 0429 956 664 P: 9753 0888 View more properties online at

From $860,000 4

CLASSY “BURY HILL” TOWNHOUSE “Lifestyle, Luxury, Lock Up and Leave” aptly describes this magnificent property in an alluring setting high above the city, in an area steeped with history. 2 storey, 4 bed, 2 bath powder room, office, under floor heating, solar panels, smart power, CCTV, 2 stairways, balcony with vistas and much more. Architecturally Designed by Robert Nicholson, house plan available. Please call for more details and a viewing.

2 2 205sqm

Alf Mainstone M: 0402 026 608 P: 9792 1888

$590,000-$640,000

LIFE IS BETTER WITH LOCATION, STYLE

BUNBURY

3 2 2 497sqm

CAPEL

$645,000

CAPEL VILLAGE FARM Capel, one of WA’s fastest-growing areas close to Peppy Grove Beach and 26kms from Bunbury. This is a very well positioned property with gorgeous trees and elevated rural views. You are invited to get dirty on your own Farmlet plus it’s ready for future urban development. Beautiful pastures and a hay shed to get you started too. Having power connected, water from a well with windmill and tank, plus cattle yards. A seriously secure investment.

23.16ha

Mark Murray M: 0427 030 301 P: 9755 5123 november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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BUNBURY

BUSSELTON

DUNSBOROUGH

COWARAMUP

MARGARET RIVER

AUGUSTA

stockerpreston.com.au

COWARAMUP SIMPLY STUNNING PARKWATER RETREAT Custom residence - contemporary style – 788sqm landscaped block - 30m frontage to National Trust bushland reserve - 4 bed, 2 bath - 5 star kitchen design and fit out - main living zone plus terrific second living area - designer ensuites - fresh coastal tones of limestone, timber beams and polished “Pebble Beach” floors plus funky elements of artisan lighting, solar passive glass placement and skillion roofline. Live in the heart of the Cape!

$689,000 4 2 2 788sqm

Tony Farris M: 0417 951 838 P: 9756 8888

DUNSBOROUGH 2 KEY ABSOLUTE BEACHFRONT Totally self contained on each level, both with ocean views, this luxury fully furnished beach house has 2 x 3 bed, 2 bath apartments with interconnecting entry giving the option to rent out individually or as one very large family holiday home. Situated on the very edge of the beach in the magnificent Regency Beach Club Resort, both apartments have ocean views and currently generates approximately $160,000 in combined gross rental income. Peter De Chiera M: 0418 931 206 P: 9756 8888

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

COWARAMUP

$730,000

ADD TO HISTORY... Who wouldn’t love to own this 5.67ha (14ac) - an important piece of Cowaramup’s history? Originally the site of Ryan’s Timber Mill established in 1941 and closed in the 1970s. An abundance of perfect climbing trees provide serenity and shade. The perfect spot to build your dream family home or the perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle. Only minutes from the Cowaramup town site, you could feel like you are in your own piece of paradise.

5.67ha

Jill Turton M: 0418 933 345 P: 97 55 5123

$2.15M 6 4 2 604sqm

GNARABUP

$269,000

INTEREST AT THE BEACH A fantastic opportunity exists with this ground floor self contained 2 bed, 1 bath ocean villa within walking distance to the Indian Ocean. It comes fully furnished and ready to go. Part of the Margarets Beach Resort with access to the pool, playground, restaurant and bar and all within a short walk to the beach. The resort provides a consistent monthly return of $1982 per month which is an increase of 8% on last year and 52% increase over the last 7 years. Chris Jarrott M: 0402 906 726 P: 9780 5777 View more properties online at

2 1 1 86sqm


BUNBURY

BUSSELTON

DUNSBOROUGH

COWARAMUP

MARGARET RIVER

AUGUSTA

stockerpreston.com.au

Potential House Sketch

GNARABUP

$699,000

MARGARET RIVER

$649,000 & $695,000

POLE POSITION

2 TOWN CENTRE PROPERTIES FOR SALE

Without doubt one of the best blocks on the Margaret River coastline. This 1377sqm block has spectacular views from its elevated, front row position. Surrounded by quality homes, near the end of a cul-de-sac, this location is rare and appealing. Take an easy walk to the beach via a nearby walkway and be in the water not long after checking out the conditions from your bed!! Make the move today. Offers are welcome.

With over 2000sqm of town centre real estate, this is a rare opportunity to stake your hold and invest in the hub of the Margaret River Town Site. Less than 200m west of the main street, this location gives immediate access to all the towns’ services, shops and schools. Be the first to enquire and inspect, as you won’t be the only one that realises the potential of such a substantial holding in such a premium location.

1377sqm

Clare Andrews M: 0448 023 265 P: 9780 5777

MARGARET RIVER

$1.65M

MOLLOY ISLAND

2196sqm

$519,000

ELEGANT, SPACIOUS SIMPLICITY

Located in the prime intersection of Wallcliffe Road and Fearn Avenue with 2 titles totalling 2593sqm in area. Zoned “Town Centre” which allows a variety of uses including retail, office and residential accommodation with capacity to build to a maximum height of 10m. A wonderful opportunity to secure a prime development site.

Tucked away up a battleaxe entrance, this huge home is built for two. An enormous upstairs living area is bounded at one end by a spacious main bedroom with a view, and at the other end opens to a large deck overlooking common property. Downstairs is a gourmet kitchen opening to a wonderful under croft area, and a massive double garage and storeroom. Built with boats and entertaining in mind, the home would be perfect for a ski or fishing base.

View more properties online at

3

John Mondy M: 0427 440 671 P: 9780 5777

EXCEPTIONAL DEVELOPMENT SITE

Ken Preston M: 0418 932 747 P: 9750 0000

8

2593sqm

1 1 2 2216sqm

Bob Scott M: 0438 907 656 P: 9780 5777 november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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BUNBURY

BUSSELTON

DUNSBOROUGH

COWARAMUP

MARGARET RIVER

AUGUSTA

stockerpreston.com.au

PEPPERMINT GROVE BEACH

From $839,000

BEST SEATS IN TOWN Ringside tickets to an ever-changing panorama of sea, sand, surf and sunsets! Versatility and opportunity offered here in this 5 bed, 3 bath seaside holiday home - can be opened up to 1 large home or sectioned off to 2 homes under the main roof. Built in 1987 on one of the best beach side parcels of land in Peppy Beach (with no one story height restrictions) it’s time to showcase your own refreshing new stamp and style in this mint beachfront locale.

5 3 1084sqm

Larisa Tomuli M: 0438 272 932 P: 9792 1888

WEST BUSSELTON “HOLIDAYS BY THE BAY” The Amalfi Resort is 4 star resort with affordable family friendly accommodation which is located only 100m from the sparkling blue water of Geographe Bay and is a centrally located base from which to explore all that the region has to offer. These fully self contained villa or poolside units offer resort facilities including heated spa , heated outdoor pool, children’s wading pool, enclosed playground , BBQ , free WiFi etc. Currently showing great financial returns. Chris Stott M: 0477 091 371 P: 9756 8888

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

QUINDALUP

$530,000

ELEVATED TIMBER WONDERLAND This terrific 1.52ha bush block in the stunning Quindalup hills is ready for your special rural dream lifestyle. Elevated high up on a peaceful cul-de-sac of only 4 properties, the lush property features tall stands of beautiful native trees, wildflowers and birds. Build a sustainable house amongst nature! Enjoy the convenience of being close to Goanna Gallery, local wineries, Dunsborough shops and beaches in the privacy of nature.

1.52ha

Joe Jordanoff M: 0498 935 086 P: 9756 8888

$189,000 2 1 1 60sqm

YALYALUP

$398,000 4

RETIRE IN STYLE! Retire in style with this 4 bed, 2 bath home in Busselton’s new and growing estate. No side access? No problem! This property has a rear laneway giving you full access to the 17m wide backyard. This newly built home is designed for retirement living. Features a good size master bedroom with ensuite and walk-in robe, built-in robes in the other 3 bedroom s, study nook visible from kitchen, separate theatre room, outdoor alfresco UMR and a great size backyard. Justin Geracitano M: 0423 524 524 P: 9753 0888 View more properties online at

2 1 504sqm


BUNBURY

BUSSELTON

DUNSBOROUGH

COWARAMUP

MARGARET RIVER

AUGUSTA

stockerpreston.com.au

NEW LAND RELEASE Lot 504 Caves Road, Margaret River

Wallcliffe Rise

Margaret River Mouth

Wallcliffe Road Caves Road

Wallcliffe Road

Caves Road

Margaret River ~ 5kms >

• Sought-after pocket of land with valley views ideally located west of Caves Road only minutes from world renowned beaches and the town ship of Margaret River. • Titles have been issued. • Sizes ranging from 1985sqm to 4933sqm. • Power, water and telephone. • Close proximity to surf, wineries, schools, golf club and more! • Secure yourself this rare opportunity to live in a convenient location that can still offer a rural environment. • With blocks ranging from $315,000 to $425,000, this really is an exciting new land release!

For further details, information brochure and to arrange inspection contact

Ken Preston M: 0418 932 747 | E: ken.preston@stockerpreston.com.au Stocker Preston Margaret River P: (08) 9780 5777 | F: (08) 9757 9888

View more properties online at

november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOspotlight

A TOWN ON THE MOO-VE Cowaramup - or Cowtown - is famous for its love of all things bovine. It’s now also a community on the grow, says Stocker Preston’s Mark Murray, thanks to a new residential development, Country Vines Estate. HEADING DOWN SOUTH for the weekend is something many Perth-dwellers love to do. If you’ve travelled in the Margaret River wine region over the past few years, you will have passed through the quaint town of Cowaramup, or ‘Cowtown’ as it’s known by the locals, and you’ll have seen that cows have literally taken over the town. The brain-calf (pardon the pun) of the progressive local retailers association has seen thousands of additional visitors stop at this little country town to meet, greet and have their photos taken with the cows. Cowaramup is around two and a half hours from Perth and a world away from the busy city metropolis. It is a relaxed country town in one of the world’s most sought-after tourism and residential environments, nestled 12kms inland from the coast and in the centre of the region’s

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

thriving wineries. But this little town is no ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ place any longer. Thanks to 42 fibreglass cows and an energetic community, Cowaramup is going places. First, it stampeded into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2014 for ‘most people dressed as cows’; then Cowaramup created a less formal, but equally impressive record for ‘Longest Cow Conga Line’ in 2015. “It’s no wonder families are flocking here,” said Mark Murray, sales consultant with Stocker Preston Real Estate, the exclusive agents for the town’s newest residential subdivision Country Vines Estate. “It’s a very family-friendly, communityoriented town and region. People can live here and be as engaged in the community as they like, with Lions Clubs, Rotary, Mens Shed, CFS etc, or if winding down is your thing you can choose secluded rural parcels

of land and be as private as you like. “The great thing about Cowaramup is, it’s your choice.” Stocker Preston’s sales statistics show that the majority of people buying land or homes in Cowaramup are aged 31 to 45, generally a couple, with children. The explosion of cows and calves in Cowaramup has been matched by an explosion in families in the area and this has given growing confidence to business and retail in the town. “In each of the last two years, the local primary school has had to build a new classroom to cater for growth in kindergarten enrolments,” Mark says. “Next year, the school will need a new faction team because of the growth in student numbers.” Cowaramup has a sports oval, tennis court, bowling green and a district club that serves great meals for the family. There primolife.com.au


MOO-VERS AND SHAKERS Roads in Country Vines Estate were constructed in winter 2015 and are now complete, as is landscaping in the first stage of the subdivision. Inset: Cowaramup residents Katie and Tom get in the mood at the Deja-moo festival in cow onesies. Below: Fibreglass cows are the norm in ‘Cowtown'.

are two childcare centres and the public primary school makes a good option for school from kindergarten through to Year 6 right in town, or it’s a short bus ride to high schools or private school options in either Margaret River or Busselton. Cowaramup is also home to healthcare services, with doctors, physiotherapy and a pharmacy. It’s about half an hour to the City of Busselton, with a regional airport and regular flights to major mining sites, with interstate and international flights proposed in future. Country Vines Estate is a boutique land development comprising of just 67 homesites amid a quintessential rural environment. The estate is designed as a natural expansion of the Cowaramup township, located 500m to the south of town. Titles for Country Vines Estate became available in August. Early buyers included local families seeking to build investment properties to meet the very high rental demand that exists in the area and young couples ready to launch into building their first home. Other buyers were older, seeking land

for building their retirement home in the future on one of the smaller, lowmaintenance blocks. Country Vines Estate offers easy-tobuild-on blocks from just $120,000 to $173,000, with Titled Lots varying in size from 405sqm to 1,154sqm. “In some areas of Cowaramup, building costs can add up because there can be rock that needs clearing in preparing home foundations, and BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) reports can also require new owners

to spend more on building,” said Mark. “So it’s a positive for Country Vines Estate and another of the subdivisions, Symphony Waters, that the future home sites are developed on a high quality soil foundation and located in a recognised ‘low fire risk’ environment, offering significant cost savings in building.” PL For more information on buying property in Cowaramup, contact Mark Murray on 0427 030 301 or the Cowaramup branch of Stocker Preston on 08 9755 5123. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMObiz

SOMETIING SMART A group of Perth entrepreneurs have given the WA real estate industry a marketing boost after developing the first 'found' engine, connecting people to businesses online through traditional display advertising.

PERTH IS A hotbed of innovation, as it turns out. An app-based technology invented right here in Perth - TiiNG - is providing real estate agencies with short alphanumeric codes for their display advertising which consumers plug into their phone, taking them directly to their desired page online. Businesses can include a specific call to action prompting customers to buy their product, view a specific page on the website, follow on social media, make an enquiry via SMS, or email. The team, made up of brothers Jason and Luke Bresland, and friends Kyan Florisson, David Hahn and Brad Manning, partnered to create this unique smartphone application combining the latest in digital technology to meet the needs of the mobile generation. The TiiNG concept first came to life when 34-year-old business consultant Jason was driving down West Coast Highway and spotted a property for sale sign. “I was interested in the property, but with a lot of other things to think about, including the footy scores, by the time I got home I couldn’t remember who the estate agent was, let alone contact details,” Jason said. “That’s when I thought, how much easier would it be if I could just punch a few digits into my phone and go straight to the specific page I’m interested in, rather than write down phone numbers or navigate my way around the internet? “I discussed the idea with the rest of the team and we realised there was a glaring need for a ‘found’ engine – you see a for sale sign, a billboard, display ad in the newspaper, or a sign on the side of a plumber’s van, and rather than having to remember phone numbers or web addresses,

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

WIN

an Apple iPad mini 4 16GB wifi. To go into the draw, just download the app or visit tiing. com.au and enter the Tiing ‘WIN99’. Competition. Ends December 10.

Good luck!

INNOVATORS From left, Luke Bresland, Brad Manning, Kyran Florisson and Jason Bresland.

all you need to remember is a four to six alpha numeric code. “Once you have the code, you enter it into the TiiNG smartphone app or TiiNG. com.au and you’re automatically directed to a specific page either owned by the advertiser, or hosted on our own website. “Advertisers pay a set monthly fee for each unique code and use it for as long as they want.” While the idea of traditional display advertising isn’t new, Jason said the concept of TiiNG is, and could be applied to any business wishing to connect with consumers quickly, simply and on-the-go. “The great thing about TiiNG is that it’s dynamic, so anyone can use it - whether you’re in real estate, car sales or finance, all the way through to retail, hospitality, trades and services, and everything in between." Set to shake up the WA real estate industry, TiiNG is already working with a number of agencies to engage with their customers in a smarter, more direct way. TiiNG’s multi-channel design means the

codes can be used effectively across a variety of advertising platforms including print, radio and TV as well as billboards, bus backs and bus stops. PL For more information go to TiiNG.com.au and download it for free at the App Store or Google Play.You can also follow TiiNG on Facebook and Twitter @tiingaustralia. SOME OTHER TIING’S YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW: • TiiNG is compatible with the Apple iOS 8 and iOS 9 operating systems • Current pricing structure for TiiNG codes is as follows: 1 to 9 = $5 each per month 10 to 49 = $4 each per month 50 to 99 = $3 each per month 100 to 249 = $2.50 each per month 250 to 499 = $2.00 each per month 500+ = $1.50 each per month TiiNG can be downloaded for FREE from the App Store and Google Play store.

primolife.com.au


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Change a child’s life, sponsor a child!

Makara’s Story

1 in 4 Cambodians live under the poverty line – that is less than $1.25 a day.

When CCT first met Makara* he was gravely ill. The doctors didn’t think that he would survive and even if he did, they believed he would never learn to walk or talk. Thanks to the dedication of CCT’s team, and the support of his sponsors, Makara’s life has been turned around. Four years on he is a happy, healthy and lively little boy who loves to sing and dance, and is thriving at school! *Child’s name changed.

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664 799 Or visit: www.cambodianchildrenstrust.org november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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77


anna's adventures by ANNA HARTLEY

ROCK OUT

This month Anna Hartley gets to grips with rock climbing.

I’M IN A tough position and I can’t see a way out. My chalky fingertips are pressed hard into the rock. The knot at my waist grates against the wall, and my legs are zinging with tension. I look like a ninja mid fly-kick, splattered against the front of an unyielding cliff. It seems that every muscle in my body is flexed, straining to keep me perched in this unlikely position, and I’m burning energy fast. My right leg begins to ‘Elvis’, shake uncontrollably under the pressure and I know I have to make a move soon. I really, really don’t want to fall. Rock climbing in the wilderness is, well, exactly as tough as it looks. Rocha da Pena national park in the southwest of Portugal is a gorgeous, rugged landscape. The natural habitat of wild boar, mongoose and foxes, there are also Iron Age stonewalls here, evidence of ancient fortifications by long-gone people. On this hot day, we are the only ones around. ‘We’ is

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PRIMOLIFE | november 2015

me, Kristi and Zeke from Canada, and André Gloria, owner of adventure tourism company Volta do Mar and avid local climber. Emerging from the dense underbrush, we come to the base of our first climb and begin to put on our gear: harnesses, tiny climbing shoes and a helmet. André busies himself setting up the safety belay lines and ties me on at the harness with a figure 8 knot. Apparently I’m ready to go. I look up at the rock. It looms over me, silently. “So…” I hesitate. “I just climb up, I guess?” “Yep!” he grins, holding the belay rope in his hands. I approach, and reach out. The rock

is hard and gritty and easy to grasp and I quickly get off the ground. I look around with my eyes and then with my fingertips, and when my holds feel secure, I follow with my feet. The ground moves further and further away. There is a good, big ledge just near my left knee. I reach for it, but André stops me. “Baby steps! you don’t want to waste your energy on big lunges”. l look for something smaller, and I wiggle my toes into a small crevasse lower down. I tentatively put some weight on it, and it holds. Actually, my toes feel like they are stuck to the wall, the grip is incredible. “Trust the hold!” André calls out, as if primolife.com.au


he’s read my mind. “And trust the shoes.” I begin to steadily climb up the face, finding holds, testing them and moving on. For a while, it seems like every time I reach my hand out, I find the exact shape I’m looking for. It could as well be climbing up a ladder, and it feels more than a bit like cheating. A smile creeps onto my face. Soon enough though, I come to my first

TOUGH GIG Anna's first time on the rockface proved to be a tough physical and mental challenge.

blank. Moments earlier full of secret, helpful holds, the rock now appears completely flat and featureless. I can’t imagine how I’m going to proceed. I feel around and around without success, and for the first time begin to feel a nervous. I’m far from the ground, hanging by my fingertips, and the longer I’m here, the more tired I’ll get. “Breathe!” André yells up to me. “Relax, and enjoy the view!” I turn to look around. It is spectacular. Dense scrub and trees give way to cultivated land, neat rows of olive trees and vineyards, crops and the tiny roofs of houses. This ridge is the highest thing for miles around, and I can’t see a soul.

I enjoy the view, and regulate my breathing, while trying to quieten the voice in my head screaming “aaaaaaah get down, what are you doing up here you’re gonna die aaaaah!!” I’m beginning to appreciate how incredibly challenging rock climbing is, both physically and mentally. Most of the battle, André tells me later, is overcoming fear which can paralyse even the strongest climbers. I return to the face. I close my eyes, and slowly feel around me again. I know there is a way, and I find myself trying to connect with the rock, to allow a path to emerge. I move sideways a bit and suddenly I have great holds again. I scoot up for another couple of meters until I’m facing my next challenge: a big overhang that will require me to pull off a tough ‘Van Damme’ split and shimmy up. This is ‘the crux’, the hardest part of the climb. I need to take a side hold, where I put lateral force on a vertical crevasse, but I’ve never done this before, and I don’t quite understand how it works. My hand keeps straying away from the hold that it doesn’t like. Time is ticking. My leg is Elvising. I will have to heave my way

up and trust my hands to find something to grab so that I don’t fall. André counts me down. Here goes nothing . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1! I explode up and my hands connect. I did it! André cheers me on from below. Reaching the top soon after is just the icing on the cake and, as André lowers me down, I can feel the fresh blood stampeding through my now off-duty legs. Over the next few hours, we all take turns climbing again and again, finding better techniques, gaining confidence and challenging ourselves both physically and mentally with each ascent. On my last climb, I get to the bottom of another gnarly overhang, and pause. The shadows are getting long, my tired arms and legs are trembling and I can feel that I need to make a break for it, or it will be too late. The moment passes. I’m too tired. I won’t make it to the top of this wall, and that’s OK. The rock’s not going anywhere. PL Visit voltadomar.pt. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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Drisana's diary

with DRISANA LEVITZKE-GRAY, YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Our Young Australian of the Year's calendar doesn't show any sign of letting up as she continues to travel from coast to coast, spreading the Auslan word. TOUR OF HONOUR IN TASMANIA Most states will organise a Tour of Honour for their Australians of the Year. Earlier this year, I went on one in WA, organised by Australia Day WA for the for Western Australians of the Year, Lyn Beazley, Graham Mabury, Stacy Dunbar and myself, which saw us visit remote towns in the state’s north. When Adam Mostogl, the Young Tasmanian of the Year, found out that his state wasn’t planning to organise one, he decided to do it himself and asked for me to join him on the trip across Australia which we named the Young and Inspired Tour. Our tour consisted of a lot of driving to visit towns such as Queenstown, Devonport, Burnie, Hobart and Launceston. I flew in on the fifth and we started our road trip the next day from Launceston to Queenstown, driving through Cradle Mountain. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t that great so we didn’t get a chance to see the beautiful view. We hosted a public event at the West Coast Council Chambers in Queenstown and the following morning we all got up bright and early to drive up to Devonport for the schools events, then to Burnie for some more schools events as well as a public event at the Otis Room in Burnie. The following day we made our way to Hobart with a stop at the Bonorong SEPTEMBER

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Tasmania

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Wildlife Sanctuary, which was a wonderful experience touring a place which does amazing work with injured animals. We hosted another school event in Hobart and went to TasDeaf, Tasmanian Deaf Society, for a Deaf Community event with live stream for those who lived in Launceston. We then hosted a public forum at the University of Tasmania along with Rodney Croome, who is the Tasmanian of the Year. We then headed back up to Launceston to host two schools events before making a pit stop at the Gearing Up Expo where I gave a short speech before hosting our last public event for the tour at the Hotel Launceston. It really was a whirlwind of a tour where we met 2,000 people, of which 1,500 were students, within three days. I am extremely grateful to Adam for organising this wonderful tour and for making sure that for every event and school visits we made, Deaf people and members of the Deaf community were involved in each and every one of them. TOUR IN SEPTEMBER BRISBANE Education Queensland and Deaf Services Queensland worked together to get me over to Brisbane to spend time with Deaf students, staff and members of the Deaf Community for a great couple of days. The first day was the Keep in Touch Day with Deaf high

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school students at Runcorn State High School. We did a variety of activities and I provided three short presentations about the award, Deaf people around the world and my dreams and ambitions. That night we had a lovely wine and cheese night hosted by Deaf Services Queensland where members of the Deaf Community came along, networked and watched me present a little bit about my journey so far before a Q&A session. The following day I went to Toowong State School, which is the only bilingual bicultural school in Australia for Auslan/English model. It is such an amazing school and I can only wish to see more schools in Australia just like this. I gave a workshop to staff of Education Queensland about three different topics, Deaf Gain, Deafhood and Deaf Ecosystem. The final day in Brisbane was spent with parents of Deaf children at Yeerongpilly Early Childhood Developmental Program, where I talked about my life growing up as a Deaf person and what created the person I am today, which is ultimately having Auslan as my first language and having constant exposure to Deaf role-models from all walks of life. I was pleased and proud that one of the parents decided to sign up for Auslan classes after watching my presentation - little things like this make everything worthwhile, especially all the advocacy work that we all do for the rights of Deaf children in Australia to access Auslan from birth. Thanks EQ and DSQ for organising such a wonderful tour in Brisbane. primolife.com.au


YOUTH DISABILITY ADVOCACY NETWORK LAUNCH I was thrilled to be invited as a guest speaker for the Youth Disability Advocacy Network Launch at the Town Hall in Perth.YDAN has been a long time in the making and, with the support of InclusionWA and the Youth Advisory Council of Western Australia, launch day was upon us. I had the wonderful opportunity to share my experience this past year as the current Young Australian of the Year and as a Deaf person. I talked about the fundamental human rights of Deaf children in Australia to have access to Auslan from birth, as this ensures their wellbeing as they grow up into young adult. I also talked about how while much of this year has been amazing, parts have been tough as I have been discriminated against a lot more year than I have experienced before. This is because I have been dealing with major corporate companies and media companies who are not used to working with a Deaf person and have not wanted to change their daily routine to make it work better one. At the same time, this year has been a massive opportunity for raising awareness and who better than me to be discriminated against and oppressed, because I am then able to explain to them how things should be done and why that is the case. Nowadays, I have a good relationship with many companies who are now aware and conscious of what it means to provide accessibility, especially to Deaf people. It is most definitely not limited to captions in English, which highlights the need to book Auslan interpreters to ensure efficient communication between both parties. PL Follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @drisanal OCTOBER

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MY FAVOURITE THINGS ... HAT I’m a hat man and this one was given to me by a friend in Melbourne. It’s not that I’m expecting to be recognised - it’s more that I can’t be bothered to do my hair.

WINE I’ve chosen a Kiwi white and a Barossa red - that’s my perfect idea of a Sunday. I like cooking too but since I’ve been in the show, we eat out a lot.

Jamie McGregor Meet the face behind the loveable meerkat Timon in the smash hit production of The Lion King which is about to wow audiences here in Perth. Images CRIB CREATIVE.

WARM UP GEAR I asked one of my understudies what would sum me up when I was thinking of things for this feature. They said that it was my warm up gear. I’ve had this outfit since 2008; what can I say? I’m a creature of habit.

BORN IN WELLINGTON, New Zealand, Jamie McGregor is an old hand at treading the boards, but perhaps inhabits his current role as Timon, the cheeky meerkat in The Lion King, with more joy in his performance than ever before. He’s already taken Timon to Sydney and Singapore and can’t wait to introduce Perth audiences to the ever-resourceful creature who becomes one of Simba’s most trusted advisors. He’s also destined to be the favourite of the youngsters in the audience, thanks to his mastery of Julie Taymor’s stagecraft and puppets. Visit ticketmaster.com.au for tickets to The Lion King, November 18 onwards.

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primolife.com.au


EUCALYPTUS SPRAY Since I share a dresssing room with Pumbaa, the wart hog (played by Russell Dykstra), it’s necessary. Joking aside, you’ll find a lot of actors will have this spray to hand - it’s great at killing germs and keeping colds at bay.

MAKEUP REMOVER I’ve got it down to a fine art, removing the stage make up. I’m green from head to toe (including my hair). It takes 40 minutes to put it on and despite my best efforts to take it off, I always wake up with green pillowcases in the morning.

XBOX When I’m away from my fiancee, you’ll find me playing Xbox. I play to keep in touch with my friends. Well, that’s what I tell myself anyway.

ONCE CD This is actually the only one I have in CD form. It’s one of my favourite musicals but in general I have broad tastes. Recently I took some leave and went to see the Smashing Pumpkins, SoundGarden and the Foo Fighters. I’m basically a 90s throwback.

PERUDO It’s a Chilean dice game and at half time during the show, we play together in a friendly/not friendly tournament. The last guy who played Pumbaa was pretty good actually.

ACDC BOOK I’m a huge fan - it was the first thing I listened to as a kid in Wellington. While I’m in Perth I want to go and see Bon Scott’s grave in Freo. I saw them live in 2009 and they totally rocked out the stage, so much fun. They’re coming to Perth while I’m in town - I’ll have to see if I can get a ticket.

CALCULATOR I’m getting married soon so I’m figuring out the budget. My girlfriend’s from Cape Town and we’ve got 60 people coming to the big day in Sydney from all over the place.

VITAMINS This is my back up plan to keep healthy. It’s a bit old school but we all try not to be ill at all in the cast. Magnesium definitely helps with the body aches but even when you are ill, people are really unsympathetic. So it’s best to just never be ill at all.

STAR WARS BOBBLE HEADS I like collecting memorabilia and would like a full Stormtrooper outfit.

LION KING BEACH TOWEL This has some special memories for me. I went on a boat trip while we were in Brisbane and jumped off into the sea. I didn’t feel a thing, but I’d cut my foot quite badly on coral. This towel helped mop up the damage.

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PRIMOpeople

ROSCO’S ROCKET At 65, Perth’s Rosco McGlashan is at an age where most people are taking things easy. But when you’ve had a fierce desire all your life to be the fastest guy around on wheels - from drag cars to rocketpowered go karts - the thought of fading off quietly into the sunset doesn’t get a look in. Instead, Rosco is working harder than ever to realise his dream - to become the fastest man on earth. Norman Burns reports. Images COURTESY BLOODHOUND, AUSSIE INVADER AND CRIB CREATIVE.

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ALL OVER WA, thousands of men (and women no doubt) spend countless hours pottering around in their backyard sheds. It’s one of Australia’s great unsung recreational activities; occasionally a project even gets finished and out rolls a restored bookcase, vintage motorcycle, dinghy or that lawnmower that’s been stuck in the corner for years. Or in Rosco McGlashan’s case a 16-metre long, rocket-powered, 9.8-tonne “bullet” named Aussie Invader 5R that is being built to scorch across the land at gulp - an incredible 1600km/h and break the land speed world record. The record, set in 1997 by Briton Andy Green in the ThrustSSC, stands at 1227.9km/h. Rosco’s “pottering” at his Mullaloo

“shed” has been a (so far) 16-year labour of love (10 years of planning, with construction starting in 2009) that has involved some of the sharpest engineering, design, and hi-tech minds in Western Australia, all committed to getting his dream realised. There’s an added incentive, too, to get Aussie Invader 5R completed and into the record books; Rosco’s rival, and friend, Andy Green is at the forefront of a new British challenge for the record, in the jet-rocket-andcombustion engine-powered Bloodhound. The car - still not finished - was revealed with great fanfare at a swanky gathering at London’s Canary Wharf in October. And what greater rivalry, be it cricket, rugby, tiddlywinks or land speed attempts, is there between Aussies and the Poms? Rosco and Andy may have their eyes

on the same prize, but that’s where the similarity ends because this is almost a David v Goliath contest in terms of cost. Bloodhound has already spent a staggering $42 million in cash and another $52 million on components - and its backers estimate another $35 million is needed to get the car to the stage of a planned test run in South Africa late next year. While Rosco’s project is no cheapie, (the Aussie Invader 5R is valued at around $1.5 million and the all-up project around $4 million) it is a mere drop in the ocean compared to Bloodhound. So how is he managing to do it? “Every time I ring up someone to see if they can help I feel like I’m asking for something for nothing. It’s like I’m a professional bum,” Rosco jokes.

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people

... we cannot shut the engine down completely once we have gone through the measured mile, or the driver will experience about -16g, and pass out.

Australian, and particularly WA companies, though have been more than willing to lend a hand, either at much reduced rates or onboard as sponsors or as a “favour” to Rosco, who set the current Australian land speed record in 1994 (804km/h) in his jet-powered Aussie Invader II. It’s proof positive of the Aussie spirit of “mateship”, and the kind of thinking-outside-the-square that led to great Aussie inventions such as the Hills Hoist and the like. Then there’s support from souvenir sales, public and corporate donations - and a team of dedicated volunteers. A cool, and inexpensive, way to get involved is the “Supersonic Selfie”; for $20 you can upload a selfie which will be included on the car’s fuselage. First to take up the chance

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primolife.com.au


tilt at the world record (this has to be two timed runs within an hour in opposite directions). Says Aussie Invader’s promotional manager Mark Read: “We need about 27km for a full 1000mph run as you have to run the same measured mile in opposite directions within an hour. The car only takes about 5km to get up to speed, but about 11km to slow down, as we cannot shut the engine down completely once we have gone through the measured mile, or the driver will experience about -16g, and pass out. “We are looking for a dry mud lake, as this car cannot run on salt (too slippery) and one as close as possible to some infrastructure. Most of these sites are hundreds of miles from civilisation and it makes logistics and transportation almost impossible.” Rosco is confident his team will be the first to the “prize”; for one thing, the Bloodhound has a complex, three-engine propulsion system whereas Aussie Invader 5R has a single pressure feed rocket engine. Once Aussie Invader 5R is close to completion, the team plans to have a national launch at another Aussie icon - the Sydney Opera House. “We’ve really had to build the car first to pick up sponsors; to be able to see it, touch it and believe in the project, on the Sydney Opera House steps would be something special,” says Rosco. PL Visit aussieinvader.com and supersonicselfie.com for more information SPEED MACHINES The Aussie Invader 5R and Bloodhound from the UK are locked in a race against time to establish exactly who will claim the world land speed record.

is another man with racing in his blood Australia’s F1 driver Mark Webber. Pretty much everything on the Aussie Invader 5R job sheet has had to be designed from scratch and to incredible tolerance levels - the solid aluminium wheels, for example, will have to withstand 50,000 “G” (that’s a force 50,000 times greater than the earth’s gravity) as Aussie Invader 5R blasts from 0-1600 km/h in just 20 seconds. Then there’s the fuel (highly toxic H202); it’s not the kind you can fill up at the local servo and Rosco and his team have to source several tonnes of it. There’s a mountain of red tape, too, to store it and ship it to the eventual test location. Aussie Invader 5R will need a lot of real estate for its test runs (they are looking at sites in WA and Queensland) and eventual

>> TALE OF THE TAPE AUSSIE INVADER 5R (Aus) Length 16m (including nose cone) Propulsion Liquid fuel rocket engine

BLOODHOUND (UK) 13.4m Jet/rocket/auxiliary power unit (Jaguar V8)

Weight 9.87 tonnes (fully fuelled)

7.7 tonnes

Accelleration 0-1600km/h in 20 seconds

0-1600km/h in 55 seconds

Max Speed 1690km/h Crew Rosco McGlashan Cost $4 million (estimated)

1690km/h Andy Green $94 million-plus (and counting) november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOfashion

ALL ABOUT THAT BASE For Base by Ben designer Ben Conroy, monochrome isn’t just about keeping things simple. It’s his brand and his life mantra. By BEVERLY LIGMAN. Images: YOSHIHIKO KAGAWA, make-up: KATIE WILSON. I MEET BEN Conroy in a crowded café and he stands out instantly, in the best kind of way. He’s cool, charismatic and obviously lives and breathes his brand. Base by Ben is all about, well . . . basics, and who can ever have enough of those, right? The talented designer, who originally hails from Adelaide, first started a label called Revolution in 2013 and says that came from a place of rebellion. “I started Revolution the Label in Adelaide at a bit of a crazy time for me, hence the name,” Ben says. “There was a lot of movement happening in the South Australian fashion industry then and this was part of that. Base by Ben is the next evolution of the label and it’s come from a much calmer place for me. I know who my customer is now and also who I am.” Base by Ben makes sublime but simple T-shirts, drop crotch pants, tanks, skirts and shirts and is fast becoming a label to watch in WA. “The idea of just sticking to black and

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white originally came about when I was a teenager.There was a group of us that used to hang out together and black and white was our thing, kind of like a uniform,” Ben added. “When I started in fashion there was also a lot of sequins and colour and I wanted to pare that back – why over-complicate things?” “Now that I live in Perth I also wanted to capture that really relaxed vibe that WA

has going on. It’s laidback, but still chic. “Basic black and white can be dressed up or down depending on how you feel or what you’re wearing that day. Just because something is simple, doesn’t mean it can’t be elegant. “The label is aimed at men and women who are confident in who they are. They don’t need the bells and whistles, they feel

primolife.com.au


BASICALLY GREAT Ben Conroy's Base by Ben label makes the simple sublime with his range of T-shirts, tanks and skirts.

Ben with Juliana Rancic

Five minutes with . . .

Base By Ben good wearing something basic, but still really make the look their own. “I think keeping the label monochrome allows people to shine in their own right, how they wear it is up to them.” Base by Ben recently launched its website and bigger things are to follow with an official label launch party slated for the end of this month. “It’s a really exciting time and I’m very grateful for the people I’ve met in the industry here who have opened so many doors to me,” he says. “We are getting ready to launch the brand officially and then we hope to drop new pieces online every month to keep our customers excited. “We’ll also be stocking in Sana Boutique in Claremont “For us it’s all about the quality of the fabric, I want people to feel really good in Base by Ben. We spend a lot of time on the design and precision of each garment so that everything; cuffs, sleeves, hems and shapes are perfect.”

In August last year Ben also had a fortuitous meeting with Fashion Police and E! News star Giuliana Rancic and has just sent her some pieces from his newest collection. “I feel very fortunate to have met her,” he says. “Giuliana seems to love the brand and wears it often. She’s a wonderful ambassador to have on board.” And what about the future for Base by Ben? “My hope is that it will keep evolving, in five years time I’d love to have a flagship store in Cottesloe that has some lifestyle elements to it to. “I’ve learnt from living in Perth that your vibe definitely attracts your tribe. It feels right to be launching Base by Ben here, with some amazing people by my side who have really helped me come into my own. "I’m looking forward to watching the label continue to grow.” One thing is for sure and certain, for Base by Ben, this is just the beginning. PL Visit basebyben.com.

Your favourite designer? I’ve always been inspired by Olivier Rousteing of Balmain, he changed the game by being such a young designer. How would you describe Perth style? There’s a real resort look to it. Like everyone is on holidays, or wants to be. How would you describe your brand in five words? Everyday, essential, off duty, luxury. Your favourite places in Perth? The Beach Club in Cottesloe, Steve’s Bar & Café in Nedlands and I also love Perth Zoo. Which celebrities wear white T-shirts the best? Elle Macpherson in white tees and tanks that she gives a boho twist to and David Beckham in a white t-shirt, both simple but sexy.

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fashion

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Set to sparkle

Simple but stunning jewellery can make an outfit - even better if it’s on-trend with this year’s hottest fashion accoutrements. By BEVERLY LIGMAN. JEWELLERY TRENDS COME and go and this year there’s a big focus on ear and finger ‘candy’ such as ear jackets, ear cuffs, and statement diamond rings. Rosina Tufilli, Smales’ senior sales executive, said it was important that jewellers experiment with fashion forward pieces. “Jewellery is an extremely personal thing. Like clothes and perfume, the jewellery we wear is an extension of our personality,” she said. “At Smales, we carefully curate our collections to appeal to lovers of both the contemporary and the classic, so there’s something for everyone. “We have stunning heirloom pendants alongside very on-trend pieces such as the ear cuffs and criss-cross rings - trends that are taken to another level when they’re beautifully crafted and set with world class diamonds. “Ear cuffs and statement rings were very popular trackside this spring racing season and we expect the trend to continue throughout the party season and into summer. “We have some exquisite pieces that you won’t find anywhere else in the state.” Smales is the only jeweller in Perth to stock the coveted Hearts On Fire collection, which is among the world’s leading diamond jewellery brands. Known as ‘The World’s Most Perfectly Cut Diamond’ because of its extraordinary

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diamond cutting technology, the style, quality and craftsmanship of Hearts On Fire place it at the forefront of jewellery design. The talented Smales team can also custom make pieces for you. PL Visit their showrooms at 143 Rokeby Road, Subiaco, 18 Prinsep Street, Bunbury, and 227 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie. PARTY TIME Ear jacketts, cuffs and statement rings are all popular for the coming summer season. All pieces shown are Hearts On Fire, which start at around $2,000 for a diamond band.

primolife.com.au


PRIMObeauty

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till' you make it Summer's coming and along with it bronzed skin and happy grins, but if you want to tan safely, try these PRIMO faves. By BEVERLY LIGMAN 1 • ST TROPEZ GRADUAL TAN EVERYDAY BODY

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If you’re afraid of the dreaded fake tan streaks, try this little number instead. It builds up a gradual tan, day after day, leaving you feeling fresh and summery without much effort. And better yet, it smells good too! $33.95 @ David Jones. 2 • J BRONZE MEDIUM TANNING MOUSSE Have you seen how gorgeous Jennifer Hawkins is? Exactly. So why wouldn’t you try this to get the much envied J-Hawk glow? It goes on easily and give good colour and coverage and lasts for up to a week. It’s also available in two different colours, medium and dark. $39.95 @ Chemist Warehouse.

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3 • THE BASE BY LARA BINGLE, INSTANT TAN MOUSSE This stuff is the bomb! The colour is great, it’s easy to apply and as Lara Bingle is a bronzed Goddess, I figure I’ll have what she’s having. $29.00 @ Vanity Box Beauty Ateliers and online at the base.me

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4 • LE TAN COCONUT TANNING GEL

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Anything that smells like coconuts reminds me of beachside summer holidays, so this is a winner for me. And because it’s a gel as opposed to a cream or mouse, it's very easy to apply. It’s also non-sticky. $12.99 @ Priceline 5 • MODELCO INSTANT TAN SELF TAN LOTION This gorgeous lotion provides a nourishing and hydrated bronze glow to the body. Formulated with antioxidant-rich ingredients like organ oil and aloe vera it also comes in super cute hot pink packaging. $16 @ Woolworths and online at modelcocosmetics.com

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beauty

Lashing OUT

If your face can get a lift, then why can’t your lashes? Beverly Ligman finds out what this new beauty trend is all about.

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FACT: ALL WOMEN want long lustrous lashes, but not all of us are a) born with them, b) have the skills to apply fake ones or c) the time for eyelash extensions. So, when I read about Lash Lifts, I thought it sounded like the perfect solution. What’s a Lash Lift you ask? Well, just as the name suggests, it’s a lift or a perm – for your eyelashes. Don’t let the word perm scare you. I’m not talking about some scary hairdo from the 80s and 90s here. Urgh, I still shudder at the memories. What happens during a Lash Lift is this; a very skilled beauty therapist, in my case the lovely Suzey Luong from Vanity Box Beauty Ateliers, puts some collagen eye pads under your eyes to plump and soothe them as you lie down and take a well-earned hour out of your day. While the eye pads are working their magic your lashes are coated with very fine silicon moulds and then after that a perming/setting solution is applied to literally lift them up and make you look like you have a brand new set of peepers! Then you get a lash tint and a lash condition, so your lashes leave in tip top shape.

LOVELY LASHES Left, Suzey Luong from Vanity Box Beauty Ateliers can transform even the most lacklustre lashes into real showstoppers.

The treatment takesabout 45 minutes to an hour. And it doesn’t hurt a bit. “It’s a really quick and easy way to get gorgeous lashes,” Suzey says. “The Lash Lift lasts for six to eight weeks and it's been a really popular treatment at the salon because a lot of people don’t have time to maintain eyelash extensions. “It works so well because we’re giving your lashes a lift that’s direct from the root, creating a lengthening and opening effect on the eyes.” The day after the treatment is done you’re not allowed to wear mascara so the lift can really settle in and I must admit I feel like I’m missing something because I usually wear tonnes of the stuff. But the day after that when you do wear mascara again . . . wow, your eyes quite literally steal the show. I love anything that highlights my baby blues, and I’ll be recommending this treatment to anyone who’ll listen. To my mind it’s $118 very well spent. PL If you want to try it for yourself contact Suzey at Vanity Box Beauty Ateliers on 6468 6471 or visit vanitybox.net.au to make an appointment. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOdrinks

TUNE IN TO THE BBC You don't have to travel to Europe to sample the ancient art of Belgian brewing - the Belgian Beer Cafe in inner-city Perth can deliver an authentic Flemish beer-and-food experience, right here in the CBD. By NORMAN BURNS. Images by CRIB CREATIVE.

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THE LATE, GREAT beer expert-bar-non Michael Jackson (no, not the one of Thriller fame) wrote in his book Great Beers of Belgium: "No other country has native beers as diverse, individualistic, even idiosyncratic. Some are so unlike conventional beers as to shock the wary consumer." Jackson was a champion of all craft brewing, but had a particular soft spot for the myriad brews out of Belgium, a country which at the turn of the 20th century had around 3,000 breweries. There are far fewer today but Belgium still produces a range of extraordinary brews - from wild lambic beers in which the yeast is allowed to spontaneously ferment, to white, red and brown beers, ales, the Trappist monastery brews (yes, still going today) and saison (seasonal) and more. Cherry fruit beer? Yep, you can get that too. Luckily for the adventurous, or curious, Perth resident you don’t have to make the long haul to Brussels, Antwerp or Ghent to get immersed in the Belgian beer-and-food

culture; just make a beeline for the Belgian Beer Cafe in the city. In its previous life, before it became part of the Australian Leisure and Hospitality (ALH) stable, the BBC was the City Hotel and I’d lay a penny to a pound its beer “varieties” would have extended to Swan OR Emu and the meals, well, who knows. For the past 12 years though, the BBC has been essentially a themed craft-beer pub; fine in itself but the drinking/entertainment landscape in Perth has been going through an incredible transformation in the past few years. The onslaught of the small bars, the explosion in WA-produced craft beers, and changing dining habits have led to some subtle changes at the BBC, says manager Mitch Panting, who has overseen a raft of fresh ideas since taking the reins in late 2014. With the BBC in a prime location on primolife.com.au


BBC far more inviting. It’s (the locale) something we didn’t take full advantage of in the past” he says. There’s also something of an “elephant in the room” regarding the BBC; for a long time the word on the street was that, while the beer was great, it was also way too expensive, with pints hitting the $18 mark. “We recognised this,” says Mitch. "People would come in but if you weren’t getting change out of $50 for a round customers were not likely to return, at least in the short-term. Our most expensive pint is now around $14.50, and that’s for a fantastic, traditional and original (brewed in Belgium) beer.”

reduced beer wastage by a huge amount,” says Mitch. A leaner, smarter operation more than compensated for the price cut. With such a great space (the BBC has a big, open front bar that can seat 90, an atmospheric garden bar with separate smokers’ section and the stately Le Roi (The King), complete with open fireplace, the BBC is somewhat of a throwback to pubs of old, but it is no anonymous beer barn by any means. Adorned with old books, loungers, leadlight bar fittings and the like, and with cathedral-like high ceilings, the BBC’s bars

TIME FOR A FROTHY Top left, Belgian Beer Cafe's manager Mitch Panting. Above the popular venue packs in beer fans every day of the week and left, the hearty menu is proving very popular.

the corner of Murray and King streets, one of the first things Mitch did was literally open up the pub. “We have doors on two sides and I noticed people passing by would always take a peek inside - but the doors were closed off. By opening up access we’ve made the

With any pub of course, the bottom line is “the bottom line” so wasn’t the BBC cutting off its nose to spite its face by dropping prices? “We looked at every single aspect of our operations; our customer service, the beers we had, our menu, our efficiency... we

ooze a charm that many newer, smaller bars aspire to but can’t match. Mitch says in the past booking a function at the hotel was “more complicated than it needed to be”. “Le Roi, which can accommodate 100 people, is a fantastic space but we’d have rules, say, that you’d have to pay x$-perhour for use of the loungers etc. But now we pretty much just say ‘yes’ if people want to book a function. Hotels are all about people and we are much better positioned to meet what people want.” That goes for the food too. With new chef Mei Cooroopdass on board, the BBC has greatly expanded its food offerings. The classic Belgian dish of moules frites (mussels and fries, just under 30 bucks) is still a staple but there’s a much bigger accent on sharing, as per one of the biggest Perth trends, and a far more diverse range of dishes. Under the to share listing, for example, november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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are cheese and bacon croquettes, pulled pork sliders, a German sausage trio and a whole lot more, with prices from $3 to $14. Then there’s the ‘might share’ range (all around $20) of steak sandwiches, burgers and fish and chips and the like. If you’re a greedy individual (or an only child like me) you might be tempted by the ‘won’t share’ choices (including sumac salmon, pork cutlet and prawn fettucini, ranging from $26-$28). There’s also a separate kids menu. Mitch and his team also recognised those rich parfait desserts weren’t really suitable to Perth’s climes. The desserts have been pared down to two - a chocolate stout brownie and Belgian waffles. Reconnecting the hotel’s grand history (it was built in 1895) with customers and Perth itself (without diluting the Belgian theme) is another mission for Mitch. “I’ve been looking through the State

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Library for old pictures of the pub. We will always be Belgian at the core but it’s great to relate to its history too,” he says. It’s the BBC’s good fortune, too, to be almost at the epicentre of the massive new inner-city development which is drawing more and more people back into the city for a night out. “We can trade on our history. With Elizabeth Quay and the refurbished laneways around King and Queen streets and Yagan Square in the new Perth City Link development, we’re right in the middle of all that’s going on,” says Mitch. Sometimes, too, what you can’t see makes a big impression; for example, currently the BBC, unlike most pubs around, doesn’t have a TV screen in sight. “Yeah, we’ve thought long and hard about this,” says Mitch. “For the AFL Grand Final we hired screens, which was pretty expensive so we are going to get in one

screen, for the courtyard. This doesn’t mean we’ll be opening at 8am and putting on UFC - we are not going to become a sports bar. But we can screen things that fit right into the Belgian theme; showing old black and white French movies in the courtyard, for example.” The ace up the BBC’s sleeve though is still the beer and, again in recognition of the changing hospitality landscape and what people expect from a bar now, the hotel also stocks a wide range of Australian craft beers, as well as the Belgian classics. “We’ve a great relationship with (craft brewers) people like Nail, Colonial, Eagle and Feral Brewing for example, who make some fantastic brews,” says Mitch. And for those who know little about the Belgian stuff, but would like to sample a few drops, the BBC’s tasting tray of “snifters” is ideal. “These are 90ml glasses and you can try five - a Stella, Hoegaarden, Leffe dark and light and a BelleVue Kriek cherry beer,” says Mitch. I can hear a warm summer’s afternoon, kicking back listening to live music in the courtyard with a pint of frothily-delicious Belgian beer, calling me now. PL THE BELGIAN BEER CAFE is on the corner of King and Murray streets, Perth. Call (08) 9321 4094 or visit belgianbeer.com.au for information on weekly specials and more. primolife.com.au


MORE THAN JUST BELGIAN

$15 300g lunch rump with chips, salad and sauce, ~ seven days a week for lunch only ~ $9 Pints of Stella Artois ~ all day everyday ~ Sunday Night Swing Dancing @ BBC from 7pm every Sunday. Book your function @ BBC. Contact us @ belgianbeercafeperthfunctions@alhgroup.com.au november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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meet the brewer

Engaging brews

Named after the strip of of ocean that separates Rottnest Island and Fremantle, Gage Roads and head brewer Dirk Penny are proud craft brewers, making new traditions every day. Images CRIB CREATIVE

PRIMOLife When, where, and how did you become a brewer? Dirk Penny I studied science at uni, and as most uni students do, I spent a considerable amount of time drinking beer. At some point, I realised there was some overlap between the two. Not long after that I realised you could actually make a career out of it. I enrolled in some brewing units and the rest is history, as they say. PL What’s the difference between brewing in a boutique brewery compared to a major brewery? DP We sit somewhere in the middle. We’re not as boutique as some, and not as major as some others. As demand for your beer increase, your focus shifts a bit.You go from experimenting a lot and having quite a bit of variation between batches, to focussing on being consistent and making sure drinkers have the same experience with your beer every time. We’re lucky that we get to hone and perfect our beers constantly, but also have the freedom to go out on a limb and try something crazy every now and then.

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PL What are the most significant changes to the beer industry in WA in recent years in your opinion? DP There’ve been a lot of changes since I first started in the industry here in WA. There’re a bunch of new breweries, but I think the biggest change has come from beer drinkers. Craft beer has previously been a bit of an indulgence on the fringes, but recently it’s started to hit the

mainstream.You can get a great quality locally crafted beer in just about every pub these days. That’s really exciting. PL What’s the best beer you have brewed? DP We recently brewed a Saison. It’s a style I’ve always wanted to brew. Saison is French for season, and they’re typically brewed in rural France and Belgium at the end of the barley harvest using whatever’s available,

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Gage Roads sits somewhere between boutique brewery and major player.

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more-or-less. We brewed ours collaboratively with Dale Carroll, a local homebrewer and winner of our annual Backyard to Bottleshop competition. It’s not an easy style to brew, but it turned out fantastically. PL What is your personal favourite style and therefore what do you always have in your fridge at home? DP I’m a sucker for hop-driven ales. My fridge is a bit of a kaleidoscope, though. There’s a bunch of different styles in there. Our beers, things we’re experiment with, beers from other breweries; I like to have a bunch of different choices at my fingertips. PL Name your favourite six-pack that’s available to the public. DP Favourite six-pack? Our Single Fin Summer Ale is my go-to beer. It’s great for pretty much any situation, any time of year. PL What is the best beer and food match you have experienced? DP I’m not sure I can remember a best match. We have a “Friendship Friday” every week, and the whole team picks a place to go enjoy lunch together. We hit up the Local Hotel in South Fremantle a few

weeks ago. The Local Burger and pint of our Narrow Neck Session Ale was pretty much spot on. PL What beer do you have with your favourite meal? DP I’m a big fan of cheeses. I’ll pick the cheese first, and then choose a beer to

match. The beer depends completely on the type of cheese, but I’ll normally go for an English farmhouse style with a rich, malty and bitter beer. There’s nothing better than sitting down with half a block, pouring a cold one, and munching away. Especially when my beloved Wallabies are playing. PL Visit gageroads.com.au

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ONE WITH THE WIND

A crazy mix of spectacular aerobatics, sailing savvy and bat-out-of-hell speed, kitesurfing is one of the world's fastest growing sports. In December the world's best kitesurfers will battle it out in a 19km dash from Rottnest to the mainland in the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton race. Norman Burns reports.

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ANYONE WHO'S LIVED in Perth more than five minutes and loves hitting the beach knows the golden rule of summer - get down there before the sea breeze kicks in. That breeze can be more like a hurricane, whipping up the waves and sand-blasting all and sundry. Packing up can unravel into an epic battle against the elements (or, in my case, downright impossible as I raise the white flag in an expletive-filled battle to fold one of those beach cabana things back into its pouch; I gave up when a VHS video tape - yes a video tape - of instructions fell onto the sand). Of course, while my family and other sea-breezephobics beat a strategic retreat back to the calm serenity of the 'burbs

another, altogether different, beach animal will be doing the opposite. For them, the breeze is a calling card of extreme, adrenaline-packed thrills - and the stronger and more consistent that wind, the better. These are the kitesurfers, exponents of one of the world's newest and most spectacular sports – and Perth (and the WA coast in general) offers world-class kitesurfing conditions. The idea of kite-power goes way, way back (aviation pioneer Samuel Cody developed a man-lifting kite in 1903 and crossed the English Channel in a small collapsible canvas boat powered by a kite) but it wasn't until the 1970s that the idea literally took off. Advances in materials (kevlar and the like) led to more efficient

primolife.com.au


kites. In 1977 Dutchman Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise obtained the first kitesurfing patent; one swallow does not a summer make though, and Panhuise's idea didn't get commercial traction. French brothers Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, and others, then came up with alternative designs but it was Boeing aerodynamicist Bill Roeseler and his son Cory who, in 1994, invented the KiteSki system of waterskis powered by a two-line kite, that really lit the spark. Bruno Legaignoux's bow kite design in 2005 was another milestone; bow kites meant you could easily de-power quickly, making the sport much safer for beginners. Today the sport has morphed into a score of different styles; wave riding, freestyle,

wakestyle, course racing and jumping to name but a few. Kits are ultra-light, ultrastrong and ultra-manouverable and can have experienced kitesurfers blasting across - and above - the water at phenomenal speeds (Frenchman Alex Caizergues holds the world record at 104km/h). Internationally, kitesurfing is going gangbusters and WA is ground zero for one of the world's toughest races - the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton event. The 19km race starts at Phillip Point, Rottnest Island, and then it's a mad dash across the Indian Ocean to the finish line at Leighton Beach. Defending champion, British teenager Olly Bridge, will be aiming to go back-toback against 114 elite rivals - including his mum, Stephanie, a former world champion

in the sport who took out the women's title last year. Olly, 18, a three-time European champion, blitzed the distance in just 22 minutes and seven seconds last year and will be out to better that, conditions permitting. It's no surprise Olly, at such a relatively young age, is a kitesurfing gun; he grew up in a sailing-mad family, with Stephanie and her husband Eric running a dinghy sailing school in the UK. "When Olly and his two younger brothers were born they came to work every day and naturally they learned to sail before they walked. Alongside the sailing was flying land kites and buggying. Olly progressed to the water at the age of 10 or 11 while his younger brothers followed. The /... continued over november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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three boys were collectively known as The Bridgelets and for their time were young kids ripping to a really high level," says Stephanie. Olly, and his middle brother Guy, are now faster than their mum on the water. "There was a time in the beginning when Olly was getting into racing when I would slow down, but that did not last very long. It is very good for me to train with the boys and now we have a system where they have to catch me. We kite most evenings after work out in the bay where we live; even if it's only an hour it's what it takes to be world-class," she says. With youngest son Tom, 14, now under Red Bull's "undercover athlete" program and concentrating on kitesurfing freestyle, it's safe to assume the Bridge family dynasty will be collecting trophies for a long time to come. And as Stephanie says, kitesurfing is a sport that not only is a fantastic workout on the water, but literally opens up a whole new world of adventure. "There are many amazing experiences; sunset sessions, kitesurfing among incredible clear coral waters like the Caribbean, kitesurfing with dolphins and in the moonlight. I was invited to Iceland to teach kitesurfing and this was a unique experience - to kitesurf at 3AM in the daylight with snow all around on a beautiful fjord. Every day is different when you kite, especially in the UK, and this also makes for special

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memories," she says. Kitesurfing fanatic and race director Tim Turner came up with the Lighthouse to Leighton race concept while he was setting, in Namibia, the Australian kite speed record over 500m. "I could see the potential for creating a one-way drag race from Rotto back to the mainland. I tested the Gage Roads course who had a boat to escort me over and it worked perfectly. The next steps were to get the approvals and Red Bull came to the party and really brought some gravitas to the table," says Tim, who adds that without approval from the Department of Transport (the race crosses busy shipping lanes), the Lighthouse to Leighton would not be possible. "It is first past the post wins, with the quickest time getting faster every year it would seem. Alex Caizergues won the first edition in 2010 (24 minutes 35 seconds) and last year Olly Bridge bettered that time to win in 22'07''. The 19km is just the perfect distance to test your stamina, speed and skill set; go too fast and you'll likely crash, too slow and, well, you just won't be

competitive," says Tim. Race organisers will have fingers crossed for the perfect race conditions - "a solid 22 knots (40km/h) of sou'west breeze, low swell, blue skies," says Tim. And while the Lighthouse to Leighton is for the kitesurf racing elite, Tim says it's a sport that is accessible to all. "Get lessons first from an instructor. There are many great and experienced professionals who can teach you the right way to set up your equipment and competently learn kiting. "You can have so much fun - there is a bit to learn before you are skimming across the ocean but you'll never forget the first time you get up and likely you'll be hooked for life." A great place to start for anyone wanting to get involved in kitesurfing, or for experienced kitesurfers new to Western Australia, is the West Australian Kite Surfing Association, better known by its memorable acronym WAKSA. Visit waksa.org.au for more information. The Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton race will be held on Saturday, December 5.Visit lighthouse2leighton.com.au for more information. primolife.com.au


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BROOMETIME IS THE BEST TIME A few days spent in the glorious north west town of Broome is just the thing Matthew Mills and family needed to recharge the batteries - except they packed so much in that it might be time for another holiday, just to recover. ASK OLI WHAT he thinks of his home and he’ll tell you it’s pretty OK – but it could do with a few improvements. A massive swimming pool for one, a really big one, with fountains and lots of other kids and sunloungers for their mums and dads to sit on. And it needs a playground in a backyard that’s a maze of

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twisty pathways lined with exotic plants. Oh, and there should be crocodiles, lots of crocodiles. And a hovercraft. And a seaplane. And don’t forget camels, my sevenyear-old boy would tell you, there must be lots of camels, some grumpy, some cheeky and all a bit smelly. And dinosaurs, of course. Obviously

there needs to be dinosaurs. What’s inspired this craving for the ultimate house reno is the simple fact that he’s just got back from probably the best holiday of his life – a holiday that was made just perfect by the place he called home for a week. We stayed, you see, at Seashells Broome, a fantastic resort a stone’s throw from Cable primolife.com.au


Beach which turned out to be just the right place for a young family to explore WA’s northern outpost. The key to Seashells’ success is that they have created what is a true homefrom-home environment for their guests – and when you’re travelling with three youngsters nothing is more important. For couples unencumbered by rugrats, there are, of course, beautiful little apartments in this rambling, relaxing resort, but the thing we were most interested in as our plane touched down at Broome’s quirky little international airport was the threebedroom bungalow we were on our way to. Many parents will tell you that holidaying with children can be tough if you don’t pick your base properly. A swish hotel room may be an exciting novelty on first impression, but give it a few hours with your brood bouncing off the walls and that novelty will well and truly wear off. No, what you need if you’ve got kids in tow is space and practicality.You need all the comforts of home and all the essentials of the day-to-day for those moments when you return from the beach, pockets full of shells, a bit tired and a lot hungry. So when you stumble across somewhere like Seashells which offers all that coupled with a chic sense of style and panache that makes the grown-ups grin with delight, you know that you’re onto a good thing. We piled into our bungalow to the Woolies next to the airport, a blur of suitcases and grey plastic bags full of holiday

welcoming lounge area was just perfect. Comfy sofas pointed at a big screen TV, a low coffee table providing plenty of put-things space. Round the corner was a proper-size dining table, more than capable of being laden with tuck prepared in the proper-size kitchen. I say proper-size, because there’s room to move while banging pots and pans, a long counter providing plenty of preparation space, beneath it a gleaming dishwasher, opposite that a full-size fridge freezer and snazzy microwave that doubled-up as a proper oven. All this was beneath a dramatic gabled ceiling, drawing on Broome’s architectural heritage and lovely to look at. The kids flew from room to room, checking out the twin bedroom with en suite Daisy and Sam – our 12 and 13-yearolds – would share. Oli bagged the other twin while my wife and I checked out the

this swish, stylish bolthole but we were also instantly very much at home, the grown-ups knowing that we had everything we needed to make the holiday go without a hitch. Careful packing had made sure our swimmers were easy to grab, so I headed to the pool with the kids while my wife unpacked properly – another feather in Seashells’ cap is there’s cupboards and drawers enough to put everything away properly, so there’s none of that frustrating living out of a suitcase. We swam in the impressive pool, washing away the aches and stresses of a day travelling, until mum joined us and we could discuss properly our itinerary – and that’s where the rest of Oli’s perfect home checklist began to become reality. That night, after a scrummy tea knocked up with no fuss in the bungalow, our boy fell asleep in his comfy bed dreaming about getting up close and personal with a few crocodiles.

WIN four nights in a two bedroom apartment at Seashells Broome*. Visit PRIMOLife's facebook page for details.

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*valid for 12 months excluding easter, July and August 2016.

BROOME ROOMS Seashells is the perfect family-friendly resort, with a beautiful pool (above) and accommodation which boasts all mod cons.

goodies and family essentials – and instantly my wife and I knew we’d struck gold. The sheer feeling of space was exhilarating. Children, despite their diminutive size, need to spread out. Nothing is worse than being in a too-small room with little ones who want to bounce around – so our bungalow’s

master bedroom, with its clever access to the big bathroom. Perfect, the lot of it. Spacious, airy and practical – plenty of cupboard space and a cupboard hiding a washing machine and dryer, a godsend when the dirty clothes inevitably start piling up. We were so very much on holiday in

SNAP HAPPY The Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park was our big-ticket event for day one proper of our Broome adventure. Just over 15km out of town, the drive gave a nice day-trip feel for the kids and offered them a tiny glimpse of the outback, a chance to feel the rumble of a road-train passing and see the expanse of nothing either side of the road. Once there, we pulled into a dirt car park along with a good dozen or so other adventurers looking for some croc action. The park is an afternoon excursion, opening seven days a week but only from two ’til five. This, of course, is because there’s november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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Incredibly, when the tides turn there are a few minutes every day when the gaps are completely calm. Only a few minutes, mind you.

more to the park than tourism – croc rescue and research is a vital part of its mission, as is the eco-friendly breeding and farming of the beasts for their meat and skins. The three hours in the park, however, are a thrilling ride. We entered through the giant fiberglass crocodile head that acts as the gateway to the park, the largest and most impressive example of big croc architecture anywhere in the world. Through the gift shop and we were straight into the park – and straight into crocodile territory. The highlight of the

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park’s three-hour day is feeding time at 3pm – and the big guys know it’s drawing close, so, behind a fence in a swampy lagoon, they had begun congregating, eyes peaking out of the water, some already hauling themselves onto dry land. Arriving just after two, we had the best part of an hour to explore the rest of the park, which is also home to a menagerie of Australian birds and animals, along with some alligators that you won’t find living wild on our big red island. We took in the roos, owls, dingos, cassowaries, emus et al, each new beast

provoking oohs, ahs and squeals of delight from the kids. And then it was feeding time – a highlight not to be missed. Returning to the gift shop we spent an hour with our guide Fraser, who after letting us all hold some baby crocs – led us around the park, tossing chickens to the crocs while filling us in on the ins and outs of their lives. The tour is dramatic and fun, a procession of snapping jaws and grumpy, prehistoric beasts fighting among themselves, peppered with Fraser’s lively commentary, a mixture of gruesome facts – primolife.com.au


MAGICAL LANDSCAPES Left, Horizontal Falls is a must-see world famous natural wonder while the coastline around Cable Beach is as ancient as the dinosaurs.

crocs are not adverse to a bit of cannibalism, apparently – and conservation wisdom. And absolute must for any trip to Broome, exciting, enthralling and even a bit educational, we returned to Seashells full of talk of sharp teeth and snapping jaws. A swim before bedtime took us close to the next day – when a bright yellow hovercraft would be waiting to whisk us back to the land that time forgot.

GIANT STEPS

Miles, Broome Hovercraft Eco Adventure Tours’ rugged pilot, won the kids over instantly with his easy-going mix of outback tough guy smarts and science geek enthusiasm. He was to take us out onto the water in his fantastic machine in the hunt for prehistoric footprints, a combination that quickly made him a hero in Sam’s eyes – what could be better than someone who can pilot a hovercraft but is also able to explain the differences between Jurassic and Cretaceous fauna and flora? The adventure started at the tour company’s base, just a kilometer or so down the road from Broome’s deep-water jetty. An obviously family-run business, this is a friendly but classy operation, laid-back but boasting beautiful gardens, a sophisticated, well-stocked bar and stylish gift shop.

Oh, and two big yellow hovercrafts. Hovercrafts are a method of transport that all of us know of, but few have actually travelled on. In truth, Miles admitted during his bubbly commentary, they’re not the most practical of beasts – no pulling power, a slave to tides, winds and passenger weight ratios, they’re more useful in a James Bond film than in the busy world of commuter or goods transportation. In fact, Broome Hovercraft Eco Adventure Tours is the only tour of its kind in Australia. Conditions, you see, have to be just right – but here on WA’s northern tip they’re just about perfect. Our hovercraft sped over the beach into the ocean. Broome’s huge tides mean that the water beneath us was never more than waist deep – most of the time you could have got out and paddled – but the feeling of skimming quickly along the coast is exhilarating. We were headed to a very historic beach, somewhere were Oli was going to get his dinosaur fix. Millions of years ago, it was home to a brachiosaurus herd, and Miles pointed out the evidence to prove it, a trail of footprints preserved in rock charting the passage of an adult and its calf in a time when this bit of WA was tropical swampland. The massive animals – they were about

26 metres long and weighed up to 400kg – were once a common sight in these parts, making the area the world’s foremost place for finding dino prints. They’re everywhere, Miles told us with a glint in his eye and his commentary had as all picturing a time when dinosaurs ruled the world. Thrilled and enthralled we headed back to Seashells for a Monopoly and pizza night, ready for more adventures.

GETTING HORIZONTAL The next trip was one that just Daisy and I were set to experience. My daughter, you see, is by far the most adventurous of our brood – and also the best at getting up in the morning – so when we learned there were just a couple of spots available for the Horizontal Falls Seaplane Adventures half-day tour, it wasn’t too hard to work out who should get the guernsey. When we returned, however, I was convinced that everyone should one day experience this incredible adventure, a thrill ride that would be hard to beat anywhere in the world. We were picked up at half eight to meet up with the others we would spend the day with and driven by coach to Broome Airport. Ordinarily, half-day tours start at either half five in the morning or 11.15am, but tidal vagaries occasionally throw up november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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BEACH BLISS Book a ride on one of the camels with Red Sun Camels and you'll experience the wonder of Cable Beach's legendary sunsets. Below, swimming in the shark cage.

different start times – and so it was that we got a bit of a lie-in. I’m used to airports being slow-moving places for passengers, so it was lovely to be quickly through a hangar and onto the tarmac where our pilot Ben was waiting, casually leaning against his seaplane. This was another new experience for me – I’m well used to what a seaplane looks like thanks to a childhood fixation with Fantasy Island, but had never actually been on one. After a quick, informal safety speech from Ben, we all clambered aboard, Daisy and I comfortable in the back row behind our seven fellow adventures, Ben and a tour crew member in the co-pilot’s seat. Heading to the falls, we took the scenic route, a dramatic low-level flight out to Willie Creek, then onto Beagle Bay and Cape Leveque, before reaching the Buccaneer Archipelago, a group of stunning islands scattered across a deep blue ocean. Here, Ben dropped to 500 feet, letting us all enjoy the beautiful view and offering photo opportunity after photo opportunity. And then we were over the Horizontal Falls themselves. A couple of fly-bys, then Ben made the most dramatic of landings, threading the seaplane through a gorge that looked impossibly narrow before setting us down on the ocean and taxi-ing towards the three luxury houseboats moored on a pontoon in the heart of this spectacular inlet. Once out of the plane, we met Ryan, who would be our boat pilot and Alex who was to knock us up a beautiful barramundi

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lunch after the tour. I’ve tried boating now and then, so I can attest that it’s a tough skill to master, but Ryan made it feel as though his 900hp fast boat was on rails as he took us out through the bays and creeks around the pontoon, languidly explaining the rock formations rising up around us. But it was for the main event that he really showed his prowess at the wheel. The Horizontal Falls are two narrow openings between in the McLarty Range through which the ocean tides rush. Millions of gallons of water flow through them at incredible speeds, causing a phenomena that happens nowhere else in the world. The wider of the two gaps is about 20m and, when our boat powered through it that morning, drops about two metres. The journey then was like a rollercoaster, bouncing up and down, all of us whooping and yelling in delight. Once through, we were in an inland sea – the only way out back through one of the gaps. Not though the narrow one, which at just 12 metres wide creates unimaginable currents. Even with the skills of a boatman like Ryan, to attempt that crossing at that time would have been madness. He did, though get us pretty damn close, reversing towards the narrow gap and then using all the fast boat’s power to keep us from being pulled in. Incredibly, when the tides turn there are a few minutes every day when the gaps are completely calm. Only a few minutes, mind you.You need to be the most able of

seamen to navigate these waters. Back at the houseboats, we feasted on barra and recalled the events of the day, replaying moments in animated conversation, before the crew introduced us to their pets. The pontoon, you see, comes complete with a shark tank and so me, Daisy and a couple of other brave guests donned swimmers and jumped in while Ryan plyed the surrounding sea with fish-friendly tidbits. Soon, we were joined by a host of tawny sharks – each a regular diner around the cage and each with a name and personality of there own. Steve, for instance, was more than happy to let us pet him. Adventure after adventure then and soon we were back on the seaplane heading home, Daisy and I full of stories to tell as we relaxed by the pool before our last Broome experience – one that was going to be quite a bit more sedate. primolife.com.au


HUMP DAY Every perfect holiday attraction has its iconic attraction – and for Broome that must be its camels. They’re everywhere, on signs, on towels, on mugs, they even have a shop of their own. So, hey, the sunset camel ride just has to be done, doesn’t it? It isn’t, of course, a thrill ride, but as I sat on Wonguy behind Oli, plodding along the Cable Beach sand, I couldn’t help but think that this was the perfect way to end a perfect holiday. The camels themselves are wonderful characters, smiley, cheeky, laid back – like Broome people themselves. Sam and Daisy were aboard Jerry while my wife had a camel to herself and directed the crew taking pictures as we drifted forward. Me, I just sat back and drank in the sunset, looking back on our days in WA’s north, before it was finally time to head back to Seashells and think about packing for the flight back tomorrow. A sad moment, true, but we’d be back, ready to set our watches for Broome time once more and see what comes our way. PL

fast facts SEASHELLS BROOME 4-6 Challenor Drive, Cable Beach, Broome WA 6726. Tel: (08) 9192 6111 A seven-minute walk from Cable Beach, this casual, low-rise four-star resort features high-end timber decor, relaxed one and two-bedroom apartments and single-storey three-bedroom bungalows with verandas. Free wifi, air-conditioning and ceiling fans, plus kitchens, balconies, and laundry facilities. Amenities include an outdoor pool with an island, kids wading pool and play area. BBQ facilities and free parking are available. MALCOLM DOUGLAS CROCODILE PARK AND ANIMAL REFUGE 16km from Broome on the Broome Highway. Tel: (08) 9163 6580. Open seven days a week, 2pm to 5pm. Croc feeding at 3pm. Adults $35, concs $30, children five-15 $20, family (two adults, two children) $90. Group bookings welcome. BROOME HOVERCRAFT ECO ADVENTURE TOURS Port Drive, Broome, WA 6725. Tel: (08) 9193 5025. Email: info@broomehovercraft.com.au. Tours include Scenic and Prehistoric Tour, Sunset Tour, Flying Boat Wrecks Tour. Charter flights available. HORIZONTAL FALLS SEAPLANE ADVENTURES Hangar 14, Gus Winckel Road, Broome WA 6725. Tel: (08) 9192 1172. Email: bookings@horizontalfallsadventures.com.au. Tours include Broome Half-Day Tour, Broome Full-Day Tour, Derby Day Tour, Derby Overnight Tour, Horizontal Falls and Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm Tours. RED SUN CAMELS Tel: (08) 9193 7423 or 1800 18 44 88. Website: redsuncamels.com.au

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PRIMOtravel

FISH TALES Gill Pringle explores Mexico’s magical Sea of Cortez and falls for the area hook, line and sinker.

HOLY MACKEREL! I caught a shark. With a mackerel. Mexico’s Sea of Cortez is home to almost 1,000 marine species thus I was anticipating much smaller fry on my first ever fishing trip. Grouper, snapper, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna were instead on the menu as I joined five other novice anglers before dawn, boarding a Luhrs 320 Tournament boat, named Mad Dash, at a small harbour outside Loreto. Sleepily clutching coffee, we watched a pale pink sun lazily rise above stark black volcanic islands jutting from a motionless indigo ocean, lulled by the soporific sound of the engine as the boat rhythmically pounded the surface. Eagles soared over the mainland’s jagged mountains looming over dusty cactusstrewn chaparral. It’s a dramatic landscape

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that could almost be from another planet. World-renowned for sport fishing, the Sea of Cortez was dubbed “The Aquarium of the World” by Jacques Cousteau, second only to Australia’s Barrier Reef in its diversity of marine life. Here John Steinbeck sailed on a sardine boat in a 1940, exploring the sea with a biologist and cataloguing their discoveries in The Log from the Sea of Cortez. An hour past dawn, we pull up alongside a sun-weathered fisherman in a tiny boat, handing over US$25 for 20 mackerel. It’s a bargain for the delicious fishy feast we envision later, most local restaurants happily agreeing to cook your catch. Using sonar to identify the fish, we trawl with six mounted fishing lines, trailing a bait of live mackerel. Easy pickings. Like fish in a barrel, we all agree with the assurance of the uninitiated.

Gathered at the edge of the boat, we take turns to strap on a fishing belt, instructed how to balance the pole in the belt’s socket to avoid bruising as we wrestle what we all imagine will be prize-winning whoppers. Keenly surveying the lines, our captain suddenly cries “fish on”, indicating a tug from one of the lines. “Colour!” he calls again, as the fish is now glimpsed beneath the water’s surface, and I begin furiously turning the reel. In a few minutes, I land a small skipjack tuna which is transferred to the ship’s tank beneath a collective gaze of underwhelment. The morning’s trip continues unremarkably, many of our fish too small to even keep, recycled as bait. Taking turns with the fishing belt, hours later it’s my turn again as we hear the now familiar cry of “fish on”. But this time, its different, as I struggle primolife.com.au


UNDERWATER PARADISE The crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez make it the perfect place to explore the colourful marine world beneath the waves.

to even turn the reel, the strength of my catch almost pulling me over the side of the boat. Like the girl I am, I am tempted to squeal and un-strap the belt but, for fear of embarrassment, grimly cling on, using every muscle in my arms as I pull up the pole and crank the reel a few inches each time. The effort goes on for more than half an hour as

the initial excitement wanes, our group now passing around beer and sandwiches. Finally, Captain Tory calls “colour� and we gasp as a brown head and fierce teeth briefly break the surface. Naturally I am smug with pride, the soundtrack of Jaws playing silently in my head although I am also exhausted,

unattractively sweaty and my arms visibly tremble with the Herculean effort. I am quite sure Ernest Hemmingway never looked this un-cool. Apparently I have caught a cinnamon shark, one of the more common among the 170 species of shark indigenous to these waters. The 2,000sqkm Loreto National Marine Park is largely catch and release, and the november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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travel

PARADISE FOUND Below, Villa del Palmar Beach Resort and Spa is the perfect base to explore the Sea of Cortez.

SPECIAL OFFER Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa at the Islands of Loreto has arranged this special deal exclusive for PRIMOLife readers: Special rate of US$139 per night, single or double occupancy, in European Plan. Rates are subject to taxes and service fee, currently 29%. Booking window November 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 Travel Window November 1, 2015 to April 30, 2016 Room Deluxe Studio

crew generously estimate my shark to be about 50lbs, before releasing it from its misery. Several more sharks are spotted alongside our yacht and, needless to say, all plans for snorkelling are promptly abandoned. The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a 1,126 km stretch of

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water sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by the Baja California peninsula in western Mexico, creating a flat calm sea. Here schools of hammerhead sharks prowl along with manta rays, mobula rays and magnificent whale sharks. On any given day, prepare to be surrounded by vast pods of dolphins and porpoises. Home to pilot whales,

Restrictions Applies to European Plan rates only.The offer is subject to availability at the time of booking. The offer cannot be combined with other promotions unless specified and is only valid for new reservations. Stop Sell and Blackout dates apply. Does not apply during major holidays, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Other restrictions may apply. Promocode FAMJUL15AUS

primolife.com.au


fast facts

Here schools of hammerhead sharks prowl along with manta rays, mobula rays and magnificent whale sharks.

orca, fin, sei and even sperm and humpback whales, between December and February, it is a popular whale-watching destination. At the centre of Loreto is the sleepy town of the same name, pop. 15,000, and its adjacent uninhabited islands. Created by ancient volcanic action, these dozens of small, rocky islands have plunging walls and sea cliffs, underwater pillars and finger reefs providing some of the best island diving in the Sea of Cortez with 35m visibility in summer. The main islands are Coronado, Del Carmen, Monserrat, Santa Catalina and Danzante with its stair-stepped walls and deep canyons. Natural bird refuges teaming with blue-footed boobies and squadrons of pelican, some of the islands even allow overnight camping. As yet unspoilt by tourism, Loreto is the kind of place where random cattle, goats and donkeys wander on to the road at night. Sparsely populated and with no street lighting or sky pollution, the region is perfect for nightly star-gazing. A scenic seven-hour drive from its noisy better-known cousin Cabo San Lucas, Loreto remains a relative secret, favoured mainly by anglers and divers. Now that secret is yours. PL

Tequila Any visit to Mexico should include a tequila tasting event. We particularly enjoyed Villa del Palmar’s in-house tequila expert Cesar Torres who insisted that Mexicans only use a certain brand to clean out blocked toilets, claiming that the cheaper tequila brands are responsible for inventing the tradition of salt and lime to mask the bad taste. Good tequila doesn’t have to be expensive, he says, the rule of thumb being to only drink 100% agave tequila. He also suggests that you can imbibe as much tequila as you like without getting a hangover providing you gently blow the top of your tequila first (this apparently removes the ethanol which creates the sugar hangover) and don’t drink it with mixers or fruit - that includes the lime, folks. Cave paintings The peninsula of Baja California is home to some of the largest primitive cave paintings in the world, specifically at the caves of the Sierra de San Francisco, 300km north of Loreto. Here, the murals are larger and more numerous than even those at the world-renowned European sites of Altamira and Lascaux. Just 12km outside Loreto are the caves at Sierra La Giganta with its stunning display of abstract yellow and black figures. Easily accessible by bike or four-wheel drive. Getting there Loreto airport is rapidly expanding with non-stop flights from Los Angeles and some Canadian airports. Alaska Airlines and Westjet are the main carriers.

Where To Stay in Loreto A delightfully sleepy town where the locals still close shop and siesta, there are several small boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts. Founded in 1683 by a Jesuit missionary, at the centre of this picturesque village is the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, its interior walls inexplicably adorned with ancient paintings of topless female warriors. We stayed in the region’s biggest hotel, the Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, a 30-minute drive from Loreto airport. A family-friendly beach resort on the Sea of Cortez, it features 181 new, spacious suites, each with a fullyequipped kitchen, large balcony and dreamy ocean views. There are three restaurants, including weekly beach barbeques with salsa dancing and clams cooked in bonfires made of straw. With year-round sunshine, enjoy the gorgeous private beach with canoeing and kayaking or swim in one of five pools. It's also home to Sabila Spa and wellness centre, the largest spa in Baja California, a state-of-the-art facility offering 17 treatment rooms and aloe vera soaking tubs to soothe sun-burnt skin. As much as the spa and water sports are draws, the resort has become a popular destination for anglers, where a sport fishing package includes daily excursions on the resort’s tournament boat, bait, a boxed lunch and beverages, and a sport fishing license required to fish within the federally protected Loreto National Marine Park. The resort will even arrange for your fish to be flown home in speciallyprepared cooler boxes. For more info visit villadelpalmarLoréto.com

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travel

Self-confessed cricket tragic Adam Collins headed over to Antigua to watch the faded stars of the Windies play. He didn’t bargain on falling in love with the simple beauty of the location to boot.

CLEAN BOWLED OVER “DO YOU LIKE CRICKET?” It’s a gentle poser. A half-volley six inches outside the off-stump in cricket speak. I’ve put it to a local lad behind the counter at a convenience store; my very first stop upon landing in Antigua. Surely I know the answer? After all, from afar, all I’ve ever known of Antigua is cricket. The relationship between ball, bat and the island nation appears undeniable. I’ve seen footage of wild scenes as Brian Lara not once but twice broke the world scoring record at the Recreation Reserve in the capital St John’s. I know that local hero Sir Vivian Isaac Alexander Richards is closer to deity than sportsman in these parts. So: like cricket? They love it – right? “Used to, but not anymore,” the young man responds dejectedly, before quickly adding by way of explanation: “The West Indies suck.”

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I’m taken aback by the blunt and binary nature of the retort.Yet it turned out to be one I’d hear variations of time and again through my stay. The West Indies’ fall from cricket primacy over the last two decades has been undignified, but this antipathy to the game itself? It’s palpable, and everywhere. To adopt and adapt the familiar refrain – if cricket is what they knew, and now they don’t, then what? Thankfully, I learned, plenty more than my lazy stereotype. It doesn’t take long to appreciate just how provincial Antigua is. Combined with the tiny Barbuda, they are home for a tick over 80,000 residents, the circumference barely 90km. For those accustomed to metropolis living, more illustrative of this scale point is the way in which the ‘petrol station’ is routinely referenced in conversations relating to directions.

“Which one?” you ask the first time, before being quickly informed that outside of St John’s (in the north-west corner), there is only one. Traffic lights are equally scarce. If cricket is the first piece of imagery that accompanies a mind peripherally familiar with this part of the world, the second is paradise. While this isn’t immediately obvious of Antigua’s relatively barren interior, it certainly is of the white shoreline sands scattered along the west coast, with cruise ship traffic following suit. Where sugar canes were once the economic lifeblood of these lands, today it’s unmistakably tourism. However, my point of interest in this journey is further south, to a rich enclave named after Napoleonic War innovator and one of the most decorated British militaryman of the 18th century: Horatio Nelson. In Lost Coastlines, Texan indie rock band primolife.com.au


KICKING BACK Antigua beguiles and seduces visitors with its lush combination of volcanic mountains and pristine beaches.

Okkervil River sing of their lament about maps that don’t adequately capture the wonders that they later came to find. The same could be said of the princely English Harbour that Nelson’s Dockyard falls within. The historical import of this nook of the island makes it far more than just a place to rest one’s head. Now, long before Nelson was deployed to Antigua this was a Christopher Columbus conquest, to the extent that he

was the first European to spot Antigua in 1493 (driving by, so to speak, rather than staying around). Like much of the region, he even got to name it. European settlement came a 150 years later courtesy of a British empire on the advance, by now well into the sugar trade, Antigua falling conveniently inside a prominent sailing route between resourcerich colonies.

While development naturally followed, so too did the mistreatment of the native population through malnutrition and slavery. It remains a prominent part of this story as it is told to newcomers. The harbour’s location meant it afforded strategic support to the British commercial operations, used also to house their naval assets to protect the island from other European invasion at a time when this was commonplace. Looking out from my accommodation at the Admiral’s Inn, I’m briefed on this history of the area by my knowledgeable hosts. As we talk at sunset, the vista includes the prominent and idyllic Clarence House that served as the governor-general's residence until independence was formally declared in 1981. In its colonial pomp, English Harbour was the most heavily militarised part of Antigua, with forts on either side protected by metal chains beneath the water and a gunpowder depository for the cannons sitting ready and waiting. The family-owned and operated Admiral’s Inn is very aware of what came before them, embracing the history by naming the new restaurant, across in the gunpowder depository, Boom. There are certainly worse ways to get to dinner than darting across in a speedboat. The perks on the Gunpowder side of the water include pampering with all the november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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travel trimmings, spas and saunas and massages for days (plunge pools, the works) with cottages built neatly into the hill; privacy perfect for honeymooners. These premium rooms can go for as much as $480 a night when demand is highest; but $350 when the tempo is calmer. It is more than 50 years now since English Harbour began its reinvention as a hospitality and tourism staple. The current Admiral’s Inn brother and sister management combination took on the business after their father initiated the first hotel in the area at the start of the 1960s. They are fiercely proud of what they have built. The area is at its most boisterous during their internationally acclaimed Sailing Week, with yachts of various shapes and sizes (including 30m ‘supers’) coming from as far away as the Mediterranean to compete. The pinnacle is a major international race called the RORC600 - a 600km odyssey around the region with the starter’s pistol fired in English Harbour. Sailing season corresponds with peak travel season, full occupancy the norm through the early months of the year to May, with ‘race week’ and ‘classic week’ both being held in April (the former includes the kind the svelte skiffs that many would remember watching in the lunchbreaks of cricket broadcasts in the 1990s). The timing of the yachting extravaganza helpfully affords the harbour a niche, for it is concluded before the more competitive northern summer months. With Antigua easily accessibly by air (compared to other islands in the region) - served by direct flights from New York, Miami and London - structural impediments for making the journey are fewer by the year. The rooms at the Admiral’s Inn are located just far enough away from the thoroughfare to preserve the necessary quiet of a Caribbean getaway, but also near enough to easily walk to the strip of local restaurants. In sailing season, a loft suite will set you back around $340 a night, but a much more modest $250 through the rest of the year. These premiere rooms are built into the old hospital that serviced the area, spacious and a change in scene to your standard hotel room. The superior seaview rooms are a fraction cheaper ($300/$220) but again afford plenty of space to spread out, with vital air conditioning complementing the big bed and superb harbour view as the sun turns the water the clearest blue. The former naval engineering offices have also been converted into 10 basic

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Safe, stunning, diverse and a perfect platform to explore the rest of the Caribbean. rooms that you can pick up for a relative steal at $150 a night outside of peak season. Critically, with data mobile services patchy, the wifi is excellent across the hotel both inside and out. Staff are but a staircase away, available around the clock to ensure that you’re content, happy to go beyond the call in arranging hire cars and offering additional logistical support to explore the island beyond more broadly. This is all in keeping with the familyowned nature of English Harbour’s hospitality, which is a recurring theme. The big, chain hotels aren’t prevalent, providing a further sense of authenticity that you can identify from the moment you arrive. Guests are all known by name with a genuine interest in why you have come to stay. It’s the antithesis of the anonymity of the all-inclusive resort, pitching to a more discerning traveller who want to engage with more than a day bed; whether that’s scuba diving, hiking, horse riding, boating or biking. All in addition to sailing, of course, where chances to get out on the

water are readily available. The Admiral’s Inn on-site restaurant is a coveted destination in itself, set outside, sitting right on the water. Even outside peak season when I’m there, a full book of eager customers are swinging by for a feed, met by staff equally as convivial as those operating the hotel proper. Sweet potato with fungi (a local corn fish) is a welcome starter, coupled with the ducana swordfish on my initial visit. I’m a fraction more adventurous second time up, sampling the mahi mahi tartar. Only later did I realise that this is actually dolphin, but given how regularly it comes up in menus through the Caribbean I’m satisfied enough in the morality of eating it (especially as it came with avocado). Arriving famished you leave full, roughly $40 lighter if you want to combine your meal with one of the English Harbour rums. Plates are constructed with care, highlighting again that this is no chain-hotel experience. I’m given the tip when venturing off campus that local eatery Trappas, about 500 metres down the road, is only second to primolife.com.au


Admiral’s Inn for quality of tucker. This was proven accurate, a West Indian chicken curry hitting the right spots for those who like a spice kick, washed back with the local Wadadli lager. After 14 years, they’re at the peak of their powers, with locals and tourists dining in equal numbers. After a few days watching Australia play at the soulless new stadium purpose-built for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, my spirits are fairly low as far as the sport side of my trip is concerned. But then, just when I was convinced

HISTORY MATTERS A statue of Sir Viv Richards is a strong indication of the island's obsession with one sport - cricket. Left, the relaxed elegance of the Admiral's Inn.

that no one much cares, in a miscalculated venture back to Admiral’s Inn (must have missed that petrol station), I spotted what looked to be a game of cricket about to start. Curious, I jumped out for a chat and my spirits were restored. The soul of Antiguan cricket wasn’t with the West Indies, but it was here with a tennis ball covered in electrical tape with young men and women who organise their own games after work. After three thoroughly enjoyable hours of big hitting and loud appealing one of my new mates urged me to get a feed in town. Hemmingway Caribbean Café, he said, would supply me the best seafood on the island. The coconut shrimp was indeed plentiful, and I slept that night feeling less despairing about the health of the game I love. Sure, it’s a mess right now, but not irreparably with the passion beneath the surface. I left Antigua appreciating a sense of purpose that far transcends recreation alone. They’re a resilient people, who have in just the last decade bounced back from the economic damage caused by international scammer with a relentless positive disposition. Safe, stunning, diverse and a perfect platform to explore the rest of the Caribbean. Good luck keeping me away. PL

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PRIMOcitystay

THE NEST BIG THING Norman Burns checks into the latest boutique inner-city hotel The Nest on Newcastle, and finds there's a lot to like about being close to the centre of the action in the new Northbridge. Images courtesy THE NEST AND THE TUCK SHOP

COULD THAT BE a mustela putorius furo? Yep, sure is . . . out, with its owner, for a leisurely Friday night stroll in buzzing Northbridge. The mustela - more commonly known as a ferret - appears non-plussed as it wends its way through the Northbridge groovers, movers and shakers, cool and funky sounds pulsing through the air on what is a balmy spring evening. While ferret walking may not yet be de rigueur on Perth’s streets, it’s a sign of the eclectic revitalisation that is slowly transforming what was - let’s face it - a pretty shabby entertainment precinct. From a raft of new apartment blocks, the revamped Perth Cultural Centre (and, in four years, a new-look WA Museum) and an ever-growing list of places to eat and drink in the wake of relaxed rules on small bars and the like, Northbridge is changing rapidly - and all for the good. There probably is no greater visible sign of this transformation than the emergence of chic, boutique hotels, in the area, of which The Nest is the latest incarnation. Tucked away off Newcastle Street, The Nest opened its doors in May, offering 20 individually styled, modern rooms, most with their own balcony. All have free wifi, a 40’’ Smart TV, an en-suite, in-room safe and in-room coffee making facilities. There’s the King Deluxe (27-29sqm),

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King Premium (21-24sqm) and Queen Standard (18-20sqm), all nicely appointed with what you would expect from a fourstar rated property. The Nest can even rearrange rooms into bigger suites, should you require a group booking. However - even The Nest’s owners would probably concur - staying at The Nest is not really about staying at The Nest. For example, while The Nest has an adjacent restaurant literally at the front door, The Old Crow, it does not offer room service. Nor does it have a bar, and there are no minibars in the rooms. (The Nest manager Caroline West says plans are now in the pipeline for a rooftop bar and breakfast).

Primarily though The Nest is all about location, location, location, being right smack bang in the middle of the transforming Northbridge. Our King Premium room is compact but perfectly comfortable. Those that prefer sleeping with a breeze coming in through an open window (rather than airconditioning) need to remember this is an inner-city locale, and as such you’ll get to hear all that’s going on. Wanting to make the most, though, of the whole Nest experience, we chuck our bags in the room, and decide to take in dinner at the Southern American-inspired The Old Crow, housed in the 115-year-old heritage house outside The Nest, and which doesn’t look that busy. Wrong. The Old Crow’s maitre’d, sporting a spectacular hipster beard, apologetically tells us there is not a seat to be had. Breakfast is a no-no as well, as The Old Crow just does lunch and dinner, but the Tuck Shop - just a few metres away - is the place to go he tells us. But, he adds, get there early - it’s one of the hottest brekkie joints in Northbridge. A mental note made, we head out to the wilds of Northbridge in search of sustenance and a cold beer (or three). Not only was this achievable within easy walking distance, but we didn’t have to play the who-is-driving-tonight game, which upped primolife.com.au


SO IN A NUTSHELL . . .

The Nest is a great place to base yourself for a night out on the town (or it would be ideal as a place to stay if attending a sports event or a concert at nib Stadium, just a short walk away) but don't expect the full hotel trimmings - yet. And, as there's a no-pet rule, you'd have to leave that ferret at home. The Nest on Newcastle, 172 Newcastle St, Perth. Call (08) 6151 4000 or visit thenestonnewcastle.com.au. Rates start from $170 a night (Queen standard room).

the relax-o-meter to the max. It dawns on me the last time we were out together in the area was the Jurassic Age, before we had kids, when the grid between Aberdeen, James and Newcastle streets was a mass of nightclubs and restaurants from a truly bygone era. Cheap and cheerful Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean eating spots still exist, but there’s a wind of uber-cool blowing through the streets, due in no small part to the ugly railway line that cut Northbridge off from the rest of Perth being buried underground and the rules on small bars being relaxed. Seemingly at every turn there’s a new, hip little bar, which adds to the Nest’s perfect location as ground zero for a night out on the town. On a whim, we zero in on La Cholita, a Tex-Mex tequila joint that I’d heard good things about. Two seats at the bar later, with some help from the light of my iPhone to see the menu, we’d ordered a selection of tacos, a crisp Pacifico Clara beer and a pinot gris, all to a pretty loud soundtrack of bluesy, bar room rock (none of that awful doof doof or homogenised funk here). La Cholita good? No, it was sensational, taking Mexican food from Planet Stodge to an electric, mouthwatering, we-want-moreand-right-now, triumph. The fish taco was the best I’d ever eaten,

ultra-fresh fillet in a bubble of taco crunchiness with just the right amount of zing. By the time David Bowie’s Modern Love had the by-now full La Cholita crowd tapping their toes, three sharing plates, including a to-die-for crabmeat tostada, had killed off the munchies. We vowed, Terminator-style, we’d be back. Where to next? La Cholita’s coasters pointed the way. There was Joe’s Juice Joint (open to - eek - 4am) and the mysterious Sneaky Tony’s, its address listed only as 'Somewhere in Chinatown'. There’s also Bivouac, microbrewery the Northbridge Brewing Company, the Mechanic’s Institute, Pleased to Meet You, The Grid and many, many more, but walking off that great La Cholita fare - we end up at The Dominion League on nearby Beaufort Street. You can relax in a very refined and beautifully renovated space (the site used to be home to notorious journo watering hole The Court Wine Bar), perhaps sit in a velvet booth with a cocktail, or at the window to watch the passing parade - which is when our ferret-walker ambles by. Our walk has now come full circle, and we pop into The Old Crow for a coffee night cap. The coffee is great and even nicer Beard Man, who is still apologetic for not being able to fit us for dinner, won’t take any

payment. Now that’s service. It’s great the next morning to step outside The Nest, walk 10 paces and land at The Tuck Shop for breakfast. Luckily we are there before 7.30am, because before long people are queueing to get in. The Tuck Shop has a reputation for some of the best pies in Perth but it’s evident the love in the kitchen extends past pastry. While I tuck into a great nasi goreng, my other half tackles a triple-layered, superb bruschetta and, from the by-play between staff and regulars, it’s clear The Tuck Shop is one of those gems that is a foodie’s heaven and home-away-from home all rolled into one. PL

WIN a night for two at The Nest on Newcastle in a King Premium room plus a $75 voucher for The Old Crow. Visit PRIMOLife's Facebook page to enter.

Good luck!

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PRIMOdrive

MR MATURITY The Audi A7 is a car for grown-ups says Matthew Mills. Boy racers need not apply.

THOSE CORINTHIANS WEREN’T wrong when they pointed out that there should be a time in every chap’s life when he puts away his childish things. It really is a thing, in my opinion. By, say, your mid 30s, you should have worked out like you don’t need a goatee or spiky hair and that spending eight hours tackling Grand Theft Auto on your own in your bedroom isn’t a good use of your time. One should, I’d argue, have twigged that trainers should only be worn when actually doing sport, that a couple of afternoon beers is acceptable but a gallon in an evening isn’t and that you really should own a tux – which, like your bowtie, should be black - but under no circumstance should you pair it with a comedy cummerbund. And that gentle, confident maturity should also transfer itself onto the road. Even while grimacing in dismay, you can forgive a 20-year-old the odd wheelspin –

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hey, they probably still live with their mum and dad and take a dog-eared teddy bear to bed with them – but, seriously, once you’re closer to 40 than 30, you really should have put your donutting days behind you. Chances are that once you reach that epiphany, once it dawns on you that squealing away from traffic lights and turning the bass up to 11 on your stereo only makes you look, well, under-endowed, you’ll find that your eye turns to a different breed of car. Suddenly, those screechy hot hatches, big-bottomed city utes and body-kitbedecked sedans don’t quite hold the same appeal. No, now you’re going to be looking for something that reflects your maturity, your new-found confidence, your innate sophistication and style. Something more grown-up. Now, as you realise you’ve finally actually got a handle on life, I’d wager you’ll find

yourself looking at an Audi A7. From the moment I picked up the Sportback TDI BiTurbo Quattro version the good people at The Audi Centre Perth were lending me for a couple of days, I knew that this was a car for grown-ups. It’s big, an imposing but not threatening presence. It looks secure in itself, powerful but comfortable in its own skin, the sleek lines of its impressive expanse of bonnet flowing all the way back to that iconic fastback hatch at the back. This is a car for people who have actually learned to drive.You won’t see one of these inches away from your bumper in your rear view mirror. This is a car for people who know how to merge. Once inside, the A7 is all sophistication. Beautifully crafted leather adorns the seats and steering wheel and the dash is the epitome of modern cool. Audi’s clever little pop-up info screen has all the gadgets the primolife.com.au


This is a car for people who have actually learned to drive. You won’t see one of these inches away from your bumper in your rear view mirror. This is a car for people who know how to merge.

modern driver desires, sat nav, rear view camera, multi-media entertainment and Bluetooth hook-up for your phone – the lot. The seats are luxuriously comfortable, the feeling of spaciousness for driver and passenger just makes you yearn for an excuse to head to Albany for the weekend – the drive would be a pleasure, not a chore. And as much as this isn’t a car for kids, it’s certainly a car to ferry them around in. Any rugrats you may have kicking about will have acres of space in the big backseat, while any grown-up friends in need of a lift certainly won’t be complaining about the leg room. The boot, too, is big enough to hold just about anything a demanding family could desire. Once on the road, however, the big irony of the A7 kicks in. As much as this simply isn’t the car of choice for your common-orgarden hoon, if push came to shove it could go up against just about anything on the

road with consummate ease. My TDI BiTurbo Quattro TDI, the top and most expensive of the A7 range, boasted a bi-turbo three-litre V6 engine under that big, sweeping hood, a lump that is good for 235kW of power and 650Nm of torque. So, yeah, it’s quick and powerful, getting from a standstill to 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds – not that you’re going to be putting that to the test – and when it’s idle it has a lovely meaty growl. On the freeway, my A7 felt like it was king of the road. Driving it, I knew that it was capable of doing whatever I wanted it to, that it would get me out of trouble if I needed to accelerate, that it would stop on a sixpence if some little boy ahead of me misjudged his lane change. And yet, in this car there is no desire to show off – it gives you the confidence that its ability and status is a given, that your days of posturing are over. It is a grown-

up driver’s car, hugging the tarmac, easing around town oozing relaxed sophistication. It’s safe too, with a five-star crash rating courtesy of an array of Audi gadgets checking the world around you in order to gently advise if there’s a hazard ahead, 10 airbags and constant all-wheel drive. And for a big car it’s pretty damn economical, drinking just 6.4 litres of diesel for every 100km you travel. All in all, then, this is a car for men who have come of age, who have worked out what life is actually all about and boxed those childish things up and packed them away in the attic. Oh, and of course when I say that, I absolutely don’t mean that the A7 is a man’s car – hey, it’s not the 1980s any more. No, strong confident, grown-up women will love this stylish, big machine as much as strong, confident men do – it’s just that they generally won’t have to wait quite so long to realise it. PL

Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI BiTurbo Quattro, from $144,900 on the road. The Audi Centre Perth, 337 Harborne Street, Osborne Park, Perth WA 6017. Tel: (08) 9231 5888 november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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FIRE BIRD

The final installment of the Hunger Games is here and only good things are on the cards for its star, Jennifer Lawrence. Gill Pringle reports.

AND SO IT is, with a three-finger salute, we say goodbye to the girl on fire. Four short years ago Jennifer Lawrence worried she might get scorched by accepting the role of Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of the beloved Hunger Games YA books. After all, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart were literally hounded by fans and paparazzi during their own reign as Twilight’s pale-faced king and queen. But Jennifer navigated her celebrity with an irrepressible sense of humour and as she bids adieu to the franchise that has already grossed US$2.3 billion, she emerges as the girl whose career is on fire. In the same year the first Hunger Games movie was released, she won an Oscar for her role in Silver Linings Playbook. Since then she’s twice reprised her role

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as blue mutant Mystique in X-Men and is already touted as an Oscar contender for her upcoming role in kitchen-sink dramedy Joy. Uniting with her Hunger Games costars - Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark - for this fourth and final installment of the franchise, it’s a bittersweet farewell. “I think it surprised us all, how attached everyone has become,” says director Francis Lawrence. “On our final day of shooting in Berlin, there was definitely some tears.” If Katniss only shot one arrow in last year’s Mockingjay - Part 1, then fans won’t be disappointed by Part 2, as she returns to battle for a final bloody showdown in the booby-trapped city of Panem. Almost paternally, the director reflects

on how his young cast have grown up on Hunger Games. “Josh wasn’t even 21 when he started. Jen was 21, now she’s 25. That’s a big chunk of a young person’s life. They’ve all grown. “Jen is learning to take care of her life and she’s gone through an interesting journey with these movies. They’re all getting smarter and wiser, but also staying the same. They’re very youthful people and it’s nice to see that not going away.” A close friend of Robert Pattinson, the director is relieved the Hunger Games trio didn’t endure the same spotlight as the Twilight stars. “At first, I thought Rob was shunning the fans more than he should. And then I witnessed some things. And the truth is that his fans would literally rip his hair out if primolife.com.au


they got a hold of him. “They were so rabid and insane at that time. I was like ‘OK, this is very different to someone like Will Smith’, who would walk through a crowd and high-five people and take pictures. “It’s just a different level of intensity. But the Hunger Games fans are a little different and less rabid than they were with Rob. They’re there, they’re intense, but they’re different fans, different people. I’m not comparing, but Jen, Josh and Liam are not vain people. “They have a good set of family and friends who are in the business, and they’ve stuck with them. They’re grounded and smart people.”

LAST GOODBYES Left, Jennifer Lawrence reprises her star turn as Katniss in the final installment of The Hunger Games franchise, Mockingjay. Above Liam Hemsworth also stars.

Chatting with Jennifer in a Beverly Hills hotel, we are later joined by Hunger Games producer Nina Jacobson who discovered Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games before it became a bestseller. “I literally couldn’t put the book down. I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” she says. “It just felt really powerful and relevant and it managed to be provocative and to talk about violence, entertainment, and the gap between the 1% and the 99%, but to do it all through the prism of a character who you felt deeply for.” Recalling how they found their perfect Katniss, she describes Jennifer’s original audition. “She came in and gave a breathtaking, made-you-cry, stunning audition that once you’d seen that, there was no way you were

going to cast anybody else in the part. “With both the guys, each of them emerged strongly as the embodiment of the character they were going to play. We had a lot of discussion about the supporting cast. In some cases, people were powerful advocates for themselves like Liz Banks and Donald Sutherland, they really wanted those parts. In other cases we were the chasers. Julianne (Moore) really wanted to do it because of her daughter,” says Jacobson whose trio of young stars were so underthe-radar before the first Hunger Games movie, she even persuaded them to do fan meet-and-greets in shopping malls. “Once the movie came out they’re not going to malls anymore,” she says, smiling. “I think the most heartening thing has been to see how close they have become with each

other. Often fame divides people and makes people individuate – ‘I got to have this perk, and I have to have this…’ Or be competitive with each other. They never turned that way. They became a family, they became incredibly close, they grew up together. Other people of that age are going to college, and they instead had this experience. “Certainly their freedom of movement has been impacted, but they had a good role model in Woody (Harrelson). Everywhere you go people recognise him, and he’s really gracious about it. It’s not like you appreciate it when people bother you at dinner, but they also don’t take their success for granted. “They all come from good families, people who have their heads on straight, and are surrounded by good people and not ‘yes’ people.” “I certainly believe Jen deserves every good thing that has happened to her.” PL The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 is released on November 19. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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entertainment

STAR APPEAL Twinkly chat show host Graham Norton is back with more celebrities, fun . . . and his famous red chair. By JIM MALONEY.

HE’S INTERVIEWED HUNDREDS of stars over the years who have been charmed by his often whimsical and slightly teasing style. But what would Irish chat-how host Graham Norton be like switching roles, with him being asked the questions? I was about to find out. In London to promote the return of the Graham Norton Show, incredibly now in its 18th year, he enters the room looking

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lean, tanned and relaxed. And he proves to be just as likeable, twinkly and fun as he in on screen. The show is a worldwide hit. What gives it such international appeal, I asked? “Well, we are dealing here with a form of entertainment that has to work across borders,” he says. “So if we have somebody on from a British TV show it will be something like

Doctor Who or Sherlock or Downton. Things that are popular everywhere. And if it’s a film star, it will be a big movie that people in all countries will to see. “Our show isn’t very British. It’s a main stream, broad show and I guess that’s why it works around the world.” Often it’s the guests he is expecting least from who prove to be so entertaining. “I have researchers who come up with topics for me to talk to guests about but I like it when I don’t know something about somebody and they come out and they are just a great surprise,” he says. “Chris Pratt from Jurassic World was just fantastic. And Amy Schumer was terrific as well. The audience loved them.” Entering the ‘Green Room’ – the hospitality reception where guests mingle before and sometimes after a show – continues to be an often surreal moment for him. “It’s interesting to see people talking to each other there who would never normally speak to each other,” he says. “I remember an early edition of the show when we had Grace Jones on and Judith Chalmers, who was well known in Britain for hosting holiday TV shows where she would give travel and hotel advice. “It was the first time my parents had come to see my show. They flew over to London from Ireland and they couldn’t have been happier chatting to Judith in the Green Room. Grace Jones was across the room with some Philip Treacy creation on her head, and I said to my father, ‘Ooh, would you like to meet Grace Jones?’ And my father looked over at her and said, firmly, ‘No!’” Guests in the new series include returning favourites, Hollywood A-listers Matt Damon and Meryl Streep. But is there anyone he hasn’t been able to entice onto his show who he would dearly love? “We’ve never had Brad and Angelina but we keep trying,” he says. Never mind. Other big hitters such as Tom Cruise, Madonna and George Clooney have shared his couch over the years, “Most celebrities, once they sit down and you start talking to them, are just like everyone else. Most of that aura they have goes away. But with a few people – and Tom Cruise is one of them – that movie star bubble doesn’t really leave them.” PL Graham Norton’s new series will air on UKTV in November. primolife.com.au


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entertainment

GREAT SOUTHERN BAND Even though his long-time rule still stands, after all these years Icehouse's Iva Davies is still revealing things about himself through music. By Ara Jansen.

THE SINGER, SONGWRITER, producer and keyboard player who fronts Aussie band Icehouse says he made a promise when he started songwriting back in the 70s that he would never fall into the trap of writing about himself. “I always wrote from the outside and gave myself a very particular dictum not to make my songs about me or a diary of my existence,” says 60-year-old Iva Davies from his studio in Sydney. “I’m a big fan of Joni Mitchell and she’s a very autobiographical writer and while I love that about her I promised I would never allow myself to do that. I tried so hard not to give away anything about myself that I gave away too much because it turns out a great number of Icehouse songs are really personal.” It was that over-sharing which turned a

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whole nation’s ear and has made Icehouse one of Australia’s most-loved iconic pub bands. Classically-trained multi-instrumentalist Davies and bass player Keith Welsh started as Flowers in Sydney in 1977 and took on the name Icehouse four years later. Together they scored eight Top 10 albums and 20 Top 40 singles. Alongside classic Australian bands such as Hunters & Collectors, Cold Chisel and Australian Crawl, you’ll easily recognise their songs in the radio lexicon: Street Cafe, Love in Motion, Hey Little Girl, We Can Get Together, Electric Blue and the sweeping epic Great Southern Land. Not only were Icehouse’s live shows much-talked about, but, driven by Davies, they were also known for exploring the boundaries of production, technology and

synth-based music both on stage and on album. Davies believes in the end it’s that mix of pushing those boundaries and talking about more of his own life than he ever planned which has helped Icehouse songs stand the test of time. A fascination with seeing how many different ways a song like 1982’s Great Southern Land can be re-arranged and still evoke a feeling of expansiveness and something uniquely Australian, has served him well and ensured the band’s endurance. Indeed over the last few years, Davies is has been re-discovering new aspects to his old classics. He says it continues to be thrilling to find those firsts, which thankfully keep coming. One of them was Davies hatching a plan to make a reggae album of his favourite primolife.com.au


Win tickets

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Icehouse tunes and some classic reggae covers a few years ago. “We supported Peter Tosh’s band in ’83 and I remember thinking it would be cool to be that guy at the back of the reggae band. In 2012 we did two shows in Sydney and Melbourne and there was a great outcry of people asking what we were doing playing a reggae show. "We recorded the Sydney show and put it out as DubHouse Live. The night was extraordinary, the people who turned up had an amazing time and we were completely out of our comfort zone.” He says while it took a different headspace to recreate the songs in this distinct musical style, he loved the challenge of exploring the elasticity of the songs. Also on the new experiences board, last month the band became the proud

fathers of their first live album Icehouse: In Concert. The tracks on the double album were taken from shows between October last year and February 2015. “It struck me that we’re probably one of the few bands who have never done a live album,” muses Davies. “I’m actually glad we waited because this band has never sounded better. “Part of that is that we’ve just been together for a long time but also that technology has come along enormously since we started playing. Doing a live album way back when was a huge technological undertaking and fraught with danger. These days it’s much easier.” The musician says part of the impetus to record this run of shows was because the band hadn’t been together for 16 years and four years ago started playing again. Throw

in a sound and production team Davies can’t speak highly enough about and he reckons they’ve got a killer team on their side. Icehouse recorded seven shows and Davies says what made it onto the release are faithful representations of the band as they are today. “It would have been easy to re-record some vocals or replace some guitars but we wanted it to be who we were on the night. It became tricky deciding what to leave out which is a great luxury. I also enjoyed being able to leave in some of the character of the other guys in the band and some of the onstage banter.” PL Expect all the classics when Icehouse play Denmark’s Castelli Estate on January 8 and Rottnest Island on January 10.Tickets from ticketmaster.com.au. november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOcover story

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primolife.com.au


OPEN

heart The whole city is a-buzz as one of the world’s biggest superstars prepares to take her place on Perth Arena’s stage. Gill Pringle discovers that Oprah Winfrey is keen to experience all Perth has to offer - perhaps even buying a slice of real estate here too.

WHEN OPRAH WINFREY lands in Perth on December 5, the third stop on her Australian speaking tour, the first thing she will do is seek out the stillness and embrace the beauty of our city on the far west coast of a continent she holds so dear to her heart. The last time she visited Australia five years ago, she was accompanied by 300 American fans and 20 camera crews - an emotional time which also marked the final season of her 25-year-old iconic TV talk show. “I’ve found a real peace since I last visited and I want to take the time to breathe it all in. I’m hoping the good people of Perth will get on my Facebook page and suggest where I should visit. I’d love to get in some hiking and dip my toes in the ocean, and I’m always up for some good food and a glass of wine,” smiles Oprah, 61, kicking off her heels as she sits down with me for an exclusive interview in her private office suite in Hollywood. After more than three decades spent forging her career in the windy city of Chicago, she has relocated her new empire

to the US capital of entertainment where OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, is the first and only TV network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. A woman no less. That she’s an AfricanAmerican woman, born out of poverty, makes it all the more remarkable. When we meet, it is in the aftermath of Pope Francis’ visit to the US where dignitaries, including US President Obama, stood in line to greet His Holiness. Surprisingly, Oprah was not among them. But that’s because she has a secret up her sleeve. She already has a private date lined up with the Pope at The Vatican in Rome on November 19, the details of which she will likely share with her audience at Perth Arena on December 7. She was as stunned as the next person, she confesses, when she learned of her appointment with Pope Francis. “I read it in the paper like everyone else! I read I was being invited to see the Pope, and then I november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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called up Ari Emanuel who is my agent and I go, ‘is that true?!’ And he tells me it’s really happening.” It should be noted here that Ari Emanuel is the role model for the fictitious and highly blasphemous Ari Gold made famous by Jeremy Piven in TV’s Entourage. “I’ve been trying to get to see Pope Francis for a while. So it didn’t entirely surprise me. Whenever you pray for things, they show up. I’m a big manifester. I pray every night. I wanted to show him Belief,” she says of her self-financed OWN TV mini-series about spirituality which includes a segment about Australian Aboriginals. During her reign as talk show queen Oprah was unafraid to ask the tough questions, always with compassion and empathy. But this time she has no questions. “I don’t want to ask him anything as much as I want to be with him and observe his countenance. My favourite moment of his visit to the US was after he’d spoken to congress in Washington and he was standing

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out on the balcony and said, ‘pray for me - and if you don’t believe in prayer, just send me good wishes’. I thought that was such a powerfully illuminating moment for the people who don’t believe. That was his way of saying: whatever you believe, if you don’t think the way I think and you don’t pray and you don’t believe that, could you just send me some good wishes? It felt like an invitation to the people of the world. And a different kind of language, it wasn’t religious language, it was just language that we could all understand. Just send me your good wishes. So I think to be in the presence of someone who is that attuned to the voice of god, literally, helps you become calmer and more attuned to that same space. So I’m not as interested in asking as I am in being and watching and observing.” When Oprah touches down in Perth, she will be accompanied by her trainer Bob Greene, 68, and just a couple of assistants. Her long-time love, Stedman Graham, 64, is not scheduled to join her until the next

tour date in Brisbane and she’s still working on persuading loyal friend Gayle King, 60, to take time off from her job as a network TV host to join her for a couple of dates. She and King met in a Chicago newsroom at the start of their careers 40 years ago, remaining firm friends ever since. The reason their friendship has lasted the course is simple. “I would say this to any woman.You cannot rise to the heights your life is fully owed if you have anybody in your life who is jealous of you.You can’t. Because you spend your life and your energy trying to appease that jealousy or trying to make it OK. “Gayle and I talk about this all the time and the reason why our friendship has been such a powerful relationship is because she was happy with her own life. She didn’t want my life. She was happy with her life. And she’s in the perfect spot - she loves news, I didn’t like news. We both met in the newsroom; it was not for me. She wanted children, and she had them. A family life was always very important to her. And because she had no jealousy of my life and didn’t even want my life, she’s been able to be there for me celebrating, rejoicing in every single achievement. And I feel the same way about her. I watch her in the mornings and I go, ‘whoa, that is one happy girl’, and I’m so happy this happened for her. She actually was working here on OWN when she was offered the morning job at CBS. I forced her to leave OWN because I didn’t want her to miss out and they could give her things she couldn’t get here. I’m very fortunate to have Gayle in my life.” In the 30 years she has been with Stedman Graham - her husband in every way but for a piece of paper - she continues to be astonished by his kindness. “He’s been flexible, malleable, adjusting to the light around me and placed himself just where he needed to be in order to support me. Rare, rare, rare. “I’ve interviewed hundreds of people and there’s lots of people I admire but I do not know anybody else who could have done that for me. He is a gift in the same way I feel Gayle’s friendship is a gift and Bob Greene’s friendship is a gift.” primolife.com.au


She calls the trio her “kitchen cabinet”. Greene has co-authored two books on health and fitness with Oprah and is a frequent collaborator on TV and writing for O magazine. He’s also her neighbour in Santa Barbara and has a keen eye for real estate. “Bob is the reason I have all these beautiful homes in different places in the world. He is literally a real estate guru. That’s his gift. He finds beautiful homes for me. He might even find me a home in Perth!” Embarking upon her six-date An evening with Oprah tour of Australia and New Zealand, only Oprah can make an arena packed with up to 15,000 people an intimate occasion, a 90-minute conversation during which she hopes to inspire people to lead their best life. But don’t expect any cold self-help forum. It’s poignant, heart-felt often funny and, at every turn, sincere and relatable. Raised in abject poverty and surviving awful sexual abuse as a teen, she likes to convey a sense that If she can rise to become the most influential woman in the world, the first black billionaire in the US, then anyone can. “But I’m preaching to the choir with Australians,” she says, adjusting her round tortoiseshell spectacles and leaning in closer. “The one trait that I wholly admire in Australians is that you are all driven to experience life and not just ‘life as my job’, but as a whole; how do I live a fuller life with my family with the things that I love, with my art, with my passion? I felt a real sense of that when I last visited and its certainly what I pick up from my Australian friends like Hugh Jackman. There seems to be the drive for a higher quality of life outside of job and career, and that‘s really what my whole tour is about, living your best life.” Last time she was Down Under, she was on a dizzying schedule which included visits to Sydney Harbour Bridge, Hamilton Island Wildlife Park, the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru. This time she will be open to gentle persuasion and let her trip unfurl before her. “I want to experience the cities and the people in the moment as its happening. I really don’t have anything planned because I know that somebody’s gonna go, ‘hey Oprah come on over here and why don’t you see this?’ Every great city to me is about the people and one of the reasons why I wanted to return to the Australian experience is because of the Aussies and the way I was treated there and the way I was made to feel. “I felt I knew if ever things got tough in the United States, I know I can find a country here!” PL

The rise of O

• J anuary 29 1954. Oprah is born in Mississippi. She is raised by her grandmother who teaches her to read and write before the age of three. • 1971. She wins the Miss Black Tennessee Beauty pageant. 1972. She attends Tennessee State University on a full scholarship after • winning an oratory contest. 1975. She joins a morning talk show in Baltimore, Maryland, called • People are Talking. 1984. She co-stars in Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple receiving an • Oscar nomination for her performance as Sofia. • September 1986. The Oprah Winfrey Show is launched in Chicago. October 1986. She becomes a millionaire after her show is syndicated • nationally and later worldwide. It remains the highest-rated talk show in American television history. • 1987. She receives the first of 18 daytime Emmys. • 1995. With a net worth of US$340 million, she replaces Bill Cosby as the only African-American on the Forbes 400. 1991. A former victim of child abuse, she testifies to the US Senate • Judiciary Committee to establish a national database of convicted child abusers. Two years later, President Bill Clinton signs the national “Oprah Bill” into law. • June 1997. Oprah.com is launched, generating six million users per month and even helping snag a child molester. • 2000. With a net worth of US$800 million, she is believed to be the richest African American of the 21st century. 2004. O, The Oprah Magazine is launched. Fortune called it the most • successful start-up ever in the publishing industry. 2004. Forbes announced her as the only black billionaire and the first • black woman billionaire in world history. 2004. She receives the Global Humanitarian Action Award from the • United Nations. • 2005. Oprah turns Broadway producer, as The Color Purple becomes a hit musical, currently undergoing a revamp with Jennifer Hudson in the lead. • September 2006. Oprah Radio is launched with a keen focus on motivation and spirituality. January 2007. The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South • Africa opens. She has spent US$40 million on her vision that the school will help develop the future women leaders of South Africa and continues to be a regular presence at the school. • May 25 2011. The final Oprah Winfrey show airs. • J une 2011. OWN, The Oprah Winfrey Network launches, bringing “live your best life” to the masses. After a rocky start, ratings are steadily climbing. • 2014. She co-produces Oscar-winning drama Selma. 2016. Oprah will star in two upcoming scripted drama series, Greenleaf • and Queen Sugar for the OWN network. An Evening with Opera at Perth Arena, Monday December 7. Tickets available at ticketek.com.au. Belief will be aired on Foxtel in December.

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next big thing

next big thing...

ELLA E

Who are you and what you do? My name is Ella E and I’m a 15-year-old musician based in Perth. I like to write songs in an acoustic folk fashion and hope that I can pursue music in the future. What do you sing in the shower? Currently I sing Downtown by Macklemore but other favourites include Heartbreak Girl by 5 Seconds of Summer and Everybody Talks by Neon Trees. Who are your musical heroes? I love a lot of musicians and respect any artist who works hard in such a tough industry but a few standouts for me are Simon and Garfunkel, Ed Sheeran and James Taylor. They all make really amazing music that I love to listen to and if I ever met them I’d have a lot of questions to ask so that I can learn what makes them so iconic. What’s on your spotify/iPod playlist at the moment? A fair few: Small Bump – Ed Sheeran; Rum Rage – Sticky Fingers; Please Don’t Say You Love Me – Gabrielle Aplin; Incomplete – James Bay; Miss Atomic Bomb – The Killers; The Only Thing – Sufjan Stevens; and My Silver Lining – First Aid Kit

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Who would be your dream musical mentor/ collaborator? I’d love to work with Ed Sheeran for sure; he writes such amazing lyrics and songs and has such an understanding of how to entertain an audience with just himself and a guitar, even in a stadium. I’d love to learn how to do that so that I can stay as grounded as possible in terms of production but still put on an amazing performance for the people watching. Tell us about your new album, Letters I Never Sent. Letters I Never Sent is a collection of songs I started writing when I was about 13 and has a laidback, folk feel to it. I think people will enjoy it because the songs touch on subjects that can be personal to everyone and that a lot of people can identify with, which is what I hope will happen. We’ve been working on the EP for a long time, so I hope everyone enjoys it. What do you love about Perth/WA? I find that Perth has a really good balance of crazy city life and an easygoing home life if you wanted it.You can spend a night out or a day on the beach and not have much difficulty transitioning between the two.

I also think that because Perth isn’t too heavy on numbers. You can get to know and connect with a lot of people easily, not to mention the beautiful regional areas such as Margaret River, which can be a complete contrast to Perth and surrounds. What are you looking forward to most? I’m lucky that I get to look forward to a lot of things, and being only 15 I have the time to look forward to them. I’d like to finish school above everything else, because an education can get you almost anywhere. In terms of music I’m taking it one step at a time and will just continue writing and performing songs as I do. I’m looking forward to the reception for my EP and what everyone thinks of it and I hope that I’ll be able to record more music in the future. How would you sum up your fashion style? I have to say that my sense of style changes a lot as to how I’m feeling. Some days it’s a floral dress and others it’s ripped jeans and a black T-shirt, but I like the flexibility of being able to wear both. I’d say my style is out of the box, edgy and ever changing, as I grow older and the times change with me. PL primolife.com.au


november 2015 | PRIMOLIFE

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PRIMOparties

Images by Matt Jelonek.

STEVE'S CLOUDY BAY PARTY Images RYAN AMMON

STEVE'S BAR AND CAFÉ in Nedlands hosted lucky VIP wine lovers recently who were among the first in the world to taste Cloudy Bay's Sauvingnon Blanc for 2015. Cloudy Bay winemaker Jim White visited from New Zealand to host the 'First of the Season' afternoon as guests nibbled on canapes and also enjoyed Cloudy Bay bubbles in the sunshine. The Sauvignon Blanc was also a hit with delicious notes of peach and citrus.

Ruhi Lacey & Sally Beveridge

Cloudy Bay Winemaker Jim White

Chris Johnson, Jason Antczak & Christy Plush

Ben Conway & Madeleine Hubbard

Michelle Lush Tony BasilRonaldson & Amy Zempilas & Annabelle Purser

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Karolina Borkovic

primolife.com.au


From left, Alasdair Thompson, Sean Marco, Pete Manifis, Stephen Clarke, Leif Huru,

Pete Manifis

James Komninos (Variety WA Chairman), Her Excellency the Honorable Kerry Sanderson AO, Michael Pailthorpe (Variety WA CEO) Alex & fiona Lyons

VARIETY OF CHEFS

David Mott & Denise Cheir

Emmy Mubanski & Tim McMillan

Images MATT JELONEK

IT WAS A night to remember, as foodies snapped up tickets to the annual Variety of Chefs, presented by Linneys recently. The charity dinner sold out just weeks after its launch and 500 lucky guests joined a host of the state's finest chefs for a night of fine dining and fundraising for Variety – the Children’s Charity of WA. The impressive line-up included Peter Manifis (Incontro), Stephen Clarke (Clarke’s of North Beach), Sean Marco (Crown Events & Conferences), Leif Huru (Nobu) and Alasdair Thompson (Modo Mio). Thousands of dollars were raised and all left extremely well fed.

Miss World contestants


home truths

by MATTHEW MILLS

Dear diary ...

Matthew Mills embraces Gen Z's approach to recording their lives digitally – despite growing up a fan of the traditional dog-eared diary. IT’S AN UNDENIABLE fact, in my house at least, that diaries have gone the same way as public telephones, terrestrial TV and road atlases – my children are aware that they all still exist, but it’s unlikely any of them will crop up in their lives. And as much as I try hard not to be the kind of person who puts the past on a rose-tinted pedestal, the inevitable falling by the wayside of all four of those things is something I quietly mourn. But while I can appreciate that the rise of the mobile, Netflix and Google Maps is fundamentally a boon to society, it’s the demise of the diary that I’ve always thought was making the world a less colourful place. Recently, however, I’ve been wondering whether that’s actually the case. I first started scribbling frantic notes in weighty, hardback page-a-day diaries at the tender age of 10 and it wasn’t until my mid20s that my desire to self-record waned. Admittedly, I didn’t provide an entry every day – months and occasionally the best part of a year would go by without me recording anything – but the scruffy tomes, most of which I still have in a box in the attic, remain precious to me. After all, they may be grammatically compromised and often cringingly embarrassing, but those untidy insights provide snapshots of my progress from wideeyed child to baffled young man. And I wasn’t alone – my wife was a diary-keeper as was just about everyone else I knew and liked back then – but it seems inevitable that none of my brood is ever likely to carry on the tradition. It’s difficult for me not to find this fact disheartening. I’m a traditionalist at heart – I’ll never read a book on a computer screen, never send an e-greetings card, always delight in the feel of fountain pen on foolscap – so the slow demise of a tradition that has been championed by the likes of Samuel Pepys, Anne Frank, Bridget Jones and the Wimpy Kid is not something I thought I’d ever

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celebrate. And yet, I’ve begun to realise that there is an upside to our children dismissing the diary and turning instead to their new liferecord of choice – social media. While tap-tapping at a phone screen may not have the same romanticism as lying in a sun-dappled backyard pouring ones thoughts into a leather-bound journal, the simple fact that Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and the like are Gen Z’s new memory catchers is a sign that our children are far less navelgazing than we were, far more willing to self-promote and celebrate their lives rather than hide their thoughts in secret words on a secret page in a secret book. I am, I hasten to say, not so naïve that I take my kids’ FB accounts as gospel. Of course, our eldest two know that both me and their mother – let alone their grandmother, various godparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – will see every post they make thanks to the simple fact that they’ve friended us, so their updates will always be a vanilla version of their lives. But even so, the truth I’m realising more and more as my kids grow up is that we are a raising a generation that is more open, more willing to communicate, more honest than any that has gone before. Take this example – Sam, our 13-yearold, has just netted his first girlfriend. They met while roaming around the Royal Show and cemented their union via text message. And once arranged, his first instinct was to proudly announce this new development in his social life to me and his mother.

I made my first tentative steps into the world of relationships at about the same age as Sam just has, but the very idea of telling my mum and dad that Helen Thompson had agreed to go steady was, back then, something I would have never considered. No, it was my diary that got the full brunt of my early adolescent emotions, not my parents, much furtive scribbling before it was returned to its hiding place under the loose floorboard by my bed (a location I learned 20-odd years later that my mum knew all about). And Sam’s willingness to share with us, rather than with a dog-eared book, is not a one-off. Felix, our 18-year-old, makes his feelings on love and life very plain – he may stick to words of one syllable, but we know what’s going on. Daisy, at 12, is happy too to wear her heart on her sleeve, as quick to come forward with pre-teen angst as she is to share her latest tap routine. And even Oli, our seven-year-old, is upfront about his lovelife – he has a girlfriend, we are told, in kindy called Indy who likes to pretend to be a cat. But it is through Henry that the contrast in our children’s attitudes to openness to the one I grew up with is most apparent. But, thankfully, whenever he gets knocked down, he comes back to us to help him get back up, honest and open about what ails him, knowing that getting it out there is his best shot at sorting it all out. At his age, I wr ote it all down in tortured prose and stuffed it under my pillow, a melancholy, sepia-toned image that is too easily mistaken as poetic. The reality, though, was that it was lonely and destructive – and did little to make things better. As a parent, then, I’m thankful for today’s loud, brash, post it, like it, share it culture – and the knowledge that I don’t have to snoop under floorboards to know what’s going on in my children’s lives. PL primolife.com.au



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