Indholdsfortegnelse for August - September 2018 i Blue Mountains Life

our philosophy at UBIKA is to plant the seed (and help nurture it) for your continued physical, emotional and spiritual growth. Inspired by the seasons, our surrounding of busy people, we have designed a Spa menu that will help hydrate, nourish, restore and regenerate so you can flourish. The UBIKA Spa menu features a diverse selection of therapies for both men and women that help regenerate and restore. Our treatments focus on the core elements we all need for growth: Hydration [water] Nourishment [food] Restore [repair and nurture] Regenerate [exfoliating, brightening] Treatments created by Spa Partner iKOU – Multi-award winning iKOU creates luxurious products using organic and wild-harvested ingredients sourced from the world’s most pristine environments. Proudly Australian made, iKOU Spa treatments connect Body & Mind with a fusion of…

landsculpt offers a diverse range of products & services that encompasses both residential & commercial spaces. From design to construction and maintenance, we are a client-oriented business whose first thought on any project is ‘what do you need?’ We aim to create beautiful garden designs that are purpose driven - we believe in a life best lived in the great outdoors. INTRODUCING SHANNON ATKINS. Our team is led by Shannon Atkins, a talented landscaper with extensive experience and a vast skillset, ideally suited to delivering high quality workmanship. He has a deep understanding of the balance between function & form, dedicated to creating outdoor spaces that become a stunning part of your family’s lifestyle or workplace environment. ESTABLISHING GARDENS THAT ARE BUILT TO LAST. We want you to enjoy your…

the annual Australian Bushfire Building Conference is an essential event for building, planning and associated professionals living and working in bushfire-prone areas. Building on the success of the award-winning previous events, this year’s conference will be the best yet with a national approach to bushfire building practices, innovations and regulations. Keynote speaker will include NSW Rural Fire Service and an expert panel session with a question and answer season. A field trip will be held on Thursday, Sep 6 to the 2013 fire grounds in the upper & lower Blue Mountains while the Community Forum & Expo will be held in Springwood on Saturday, September 8. Date: Sep 6-8. For bookings and further details: www.bmee.org.au WOODFORD HOMES The experts in building your perfect home. Woodford Homes is a multiple award-winning…

The specialist you need for all timber blinds and plantation shutters. The Wood Blinds Factory in Milthorpe has opened a new showroom at Bathurst. Featuring a massive range of blinds, the family-run outlet is one of the leaders in upmarket blinds Plantation shutters are a beautiful addition to any home or office, providing either a classic or contemporary look. The best place to find the right products and advice is at The Wood Blinds Factory – the specialist you need for all timber blinds and plantation shutters. Not only are plantation shutters excellent for privacy and light control they also provide great insulation, cutting down on your heating and cooling costs. The shutters are made from Western Red Cedar, furniture grade Basswood or furniture grade New Zealand Pine and can…

macquarie Medi Spa has struck gold with their multiple wins at this year’s World Luxury Spa Awards. Both the Orange and Bathurst sites were judged to be some of the best in the world while store owner Karla McDiarmid also took out the prestige Spa Manager of the Year - Global Winner. Setting the basis for service industry standards around the globe, the World Luxury Spa Awards, prides on providing true recognition to luxury spas in their relevant categories. Votes are garnered through various marketing channels from guests, showcasing yet again the true value of service excellence. A surprised Karla said she was delighted by the win and thank the effort of her staff and locals who have enthusiastically supported the two outlets. “Wow we had an incredible night in…

there are few places that can match the romance, elegance and charm of the heritage listed Carrington Hotel located in the iconic Blue Mountains, two hours west of Sydney. The Carrington Hotel is a boutique property that opened in 1882 and was considered one of the ‘crown jewels’ of the British Empire. Since then it has been attracting lovers to this romantic destination and has hosted many beautiful weddings throughout all seasons. In the 1920’s and 1930’s the Blue Mountains was also known as the honeymoon capital of Australia. With its timeless appeal and elegant decor, The Carrington Hotel is a truly unique and beautiful wedding venue that offers all that a bride would desire; beautiful spaces, accommodation, fine food and excellent wines. There is a range of venue options…

FUTURE FINDERS Lithgow City Council’s Future Finders program is now offering select high school students the opportunity to be a part of an ‘Education Taster’ to get a taste for campus life in Lithgow and gain a clearer understanding of the local course offerings. The students taking part in the Education Tasters have been selected from Lithgow High School, La Salle Academy and Portland Central School. They will be bussed from their schools to the three tertiary education centres in town including, Lithgow Tafe, WSU and Notre Dame University, and will take part in tours, information sessions and practicals. UP, UP AND AWAY Teacher from Canobolas Rural Technology High School and students Ella Draper and Mark Selmes travelled to Canberra to have afternoon tea with Northrupp Grumman Chairman and CEO…

IAN MOSS SOLO, ACOUSTIC AND INTIMATE Respected as one of Australia’s iconic musicians, Ian Moss delivers an unforgettable sound – not only as a telling soloist on guitar but especially with his silken voice, ringing with clarity and resonating with pure soul. 2018 will bring a new chapter in Ian’s career as he releases the new self-titled studio album, his sixth, and heads to regional Australia armed with his acoustic guitar and incredible songs. Date: Aug 10 Venue: Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre Contact: (02) 6333 6161 CIRCUS OZ - MODEL CITIZENS Model Citizens seamlessly blends the risk and beauty of breathtaking physical improbability with theatricality, choreography and Circus Oz’s distinct brand of Australian humour. Stunningly lit and driven by a sensational live music soundtrack, Model Citizens unfolds within a cleverly…

THE iKOU STORY From the sanctuary of the Blue Mountains, an Australian couple spreads the relaxed holiday vibe throughout everyday life. Described as a “couple who live and breathe blissfulness”, iKOU Founders Naomi & Paul Whitfeld have created a brand that inspires health and happiness. “We always say this journey began in a flower petal bath in Ubud, Bali”, says Naomi. “We’d just finished a luxurious spa treatment that ended in a flower filled bath overlooking the Campuan Gorge. We said to each other ‘Why is it that when we are on holidays we do all these beautiful things, but when we get home we say we don’t have time?’ We decided from that moment to introduce moments of rest and relaxation into our everyday life, which later became the…

LEURA IN SPRING The 2018 Leura Gardens Festival will highlight the beauty of spring in the Upper Blue Mountains with 10 glorious cold-climate gardens on show including new and returning gardens and a selection of old favourites. This year’s Festival, the 54th, will take place over two long weekends: Saturday, 29 September – Monday, 1 October and Friday, 5 – Sunday, 7 October. People can visit all 10 gardens for just $25 per person for an all-gardens ticket or $8 per individual garden. Festival attractions include the Music in the Gardens program held in the lovely gardens of the Waldorf Leura Gardens Resort. Appearing for the first time in the Festival is the Sydney Mandolin Orchestra. Other performers include favourites such as the Heathens Choir of Blackheath and the Raguda…

Norman J. Penhall Funerals: There are many advantages to preplanning one’s funeral. It’s a simple procedure that doesn’t take much time but ensures peace of mind, and relieves the individual’s loved ones of a decision-making process at a stressful time. Norman J. Penhall Funerals is one of the Central West’s longest establish business in this field and they allow the individual to make specific choices for his or her own funeral service based on personal preferences. “It’s all about providing a service to meet the needs of clients,” says Norman. He has been involved in the funeral business since 1962. “We care for families not because it is our business but because it is what our business is all about,” he says. “These day clients are very specific about what…

As we see changes in the dynamics of the real estate market across the country and much media speculation about what economic conditions lie ahead, it is interesting to look at how this is impacting buyer activity in the Blue Mountains property market as we head into Spring. Overall the news is positive as we are seeing continuing high levels of buyer enquiry and interest within our region. Contributing to this are several key factors including housing affordability, lifestyle opportunities and improved transport and employment prospects in the Western Sydney growth corridor. Recent realestate.com.au data suggests that Australia’s most viewed property size is a four-bedroom house followed closely by a three-bedroom house. In order to find their dream home at an affordable price many buyers are having to look further…

At Sittanos, we are passionate about food and about you. We are a family restaurant that strives for excellence in serving you and creating amazing, delicious food that you will love to come back for. Experience our in-house or al fresco dining with fully licensed bar. Our extensive menu offers a mouth watering range of starters, mains, pastas, pizzas, the freshest seafood and succulent steaks. Join us for a quick bite, intimate evening or large group celebration with friends. We don’t forget the children with a yummy kids menu and activities to keep them happy and you relaxed. Open seven days a week till late, Sittano's Bar and Restaurant is the best destination in Penrith for great service, sensational food and affordable prices you’ll be sure to come back for.…

arange Wine Festival is two weeks of events and activities highlighting the region’s premium wines through wine shows, tastings, educational workshops and celebrations with local produce. The program is packed with plenty of events to keep wine connoisseurs and aficionados entertained, and the Orange Wine Festival is being positioned as a friendly event open to wine-lovers of all ages and understanding. Signature events include Orange Wine Show Tasting, Party in the Vines - a new event, the Food and Wine Night Market in Robertson Park, Wine in the Vines, and Wine Central. Experience the Orange region’s rich and diverse wine and food culture and meet the interesting and talented people who make it happen. The event will run from October 12-21. MONTORO WINES Montoro Wines is located in the cool…

Being charming is much easier said than done. You might know that the ability to be charming will change your life for the better – but do you know exactly how to pull it off in any situation? No matter what’s going on, it is possible to handle the situation gracefully, with a smile on your face. Others will admire your strength and confidence when you learn how to be charming in any situation. You might even have more success in work and in your love life! BE TRULY GLAD TO MEET PEOPLE We often say, “Nice to meet you,” when we’re introduced to someone new. But do we really mean it? Learning how to be charming means learning to show people that you genuinely are excited to meet them.…

Surrounded by towering sandstone escarpments and offering some of the region’s most outstanding scenery, Dryridge Estate is a fabulous boutique vineyard nestled deep in Megalong Valley, Blue Mountains. The vineyard offers beautiful accommodation and a range of options for weddings of all shapes and sizes. Weddings at Dryridge Estate are a ‘choose your own adventure’ style, where the bride and groom can create their very own dream wedding from scratch. We will assist you with all aspects of the organising to make the entire experience absolutely seamless. Couples can choose to exchange vows in the manicured gardens or vineyard, and guests can be served everything from canapés to a three course dinner – it’s simply a matter of designing the wedding of your own dreams. When couples hire Dryridge Estate,…

JOURNEYMAN Kate Medlicott is excited to present her new fabric collection, Journeyman, inspired by the work of medieval artisans and architecture. The collection is a celebration of medieval craftsmanship, characterised by a bold contemporary colour palette. Available from www.katemedlicott.com ART DECO Take a trip back in time to 1930’s New York and transform your living room with this modernist inspired items from Distinctify. The Manhattan coffee table with its streamlined, boxy shape perfectly encapsulates the understated glamour of this trend. www.distinctify.com COMFY The Cloud7 NEST dog sleeping bag is perfect for all those breeds that love to cuddle up and feel extra warm. With its two-sided straps, the dog sleeping bag is conveniently mobile and can be easily placed wherever the dog might want to lie down. www.lavishtails.com.au BRIGHT…

BIGGER RANGE BMW best-selling X1 SAV range has been expanded to include a new sDrive18i entry-level variant. The model brings several ‘firsts’ to the renowned X1 range and features an innovative 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, that generates 100kW and a strong 220Nm torque output. Coupled to a lightweight seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the X1 sDrive18i consumes only 5.4L/100km on the combined cycle. The model is available at Trivett Classic BMW Penrith, 14 Jack Williams Drive. Phone: 02 4702 8960. www.trivettclassicbmw.com.au POWER UP BMW has revealed specification for the first-ever X3 M40i M Performance model. Designed by Australian Calvin Luk, the new model sit at the top of the X3 line up. The 3-litre engine generates an impressive 265kW and 500Nm of torque. This is enough to accelerate to 100km/h in…

BRAEMAR GALLERY WORDS AND PHOTOS BY ADRIENNE RICHARDS On Saturday 23 June, a crowd of more than a hundred including lots of friends & family, joined to celebrate at the launch of Braemar Gallery’s 3 exhibitions for June/July: Alice Ridgway’s inks and watercolour works on paper, landscapes by Donna Ransom and mixed media works by Cathie Cox and Louise Fox. SPIRIT OF UBUNTU WORDS BY BRENDAN O’REILY PHOTOS BY SUDHARMO KOSSEW The Blue Mountains embraced the Ubuntu spirit, welcoming the young-adult graduates of the African Children’s Choir for a tour that raised more than $29,000 for education in Uganda and Kenya. Ubuntu means all the world’s people are connected — as experienced by the 900 people at concerts at Katoomba High School, host school Springwood High, and Wycliffe Christian School,…

SUBLIME AND TRANSIENT Sublime and Transient presents a series of paintings and drawings by Sanja Zemljacenko Herrmann, documenting her encounters with fleeting moments, of beauty and awe, of time and place, of mindfulness and reverence. The immediate environment surrounding the artists home, on the edge of the Blue Mountains National Park, where the transient nature of life is constantly echoed in the rapidly changing effects of light, of seasons and weather, and cycles of regeneration, has provided the inspiration for this body of work. Dates: 16 August - 9 September Venue: Braemar Gallery, 104 Macquarie Road Springwood. Open - Thurs to Sun 10am-4pm MOTHER VESSEL Blackheath Artist, April Erzetich presents her homage to the Mother Vessel this August in her second solo exhibition at GalleryONE88 Fine Arts, located in Katoomba’s…

Having been described as the “worst land in the area,” Fiona and Rob McGregor didn’t hold much hope for the crop growth potential of their new property, located in Duramana, just outside Bathurst. But almost 20 years later, Stoney Creek Wildflowers is a thriving business, supplying wildflowers to businesses and events right across the Central Tablelands and Australia. All it took was a bit of research, some community involvement and a truckload of elbow grease. Having moved to the farm in 1998, the pair began looking for different ways they could utilise the land. “Our land is not classed as the most fertile of farming land and we were faced with the challenge of shallow soils and quite a few rocky areas,” Fiona explains. “We wanted to find something suitable…

During the Annual Rhododendron Festival The Blackheath village comes alive with entertainment and street stalls at the a Rhododendron Festival. The Grand Parade will take place on the first Saturday in November and the festival will also feature the Annual Art Show will be held at the Blackheath Community Centre with all items are for sale with over 300 exhibits including traditional and contemporary works. During the festival, there will be varied stalls, activities and music for all the family. Other activities during November include the Rhodo Black and White Ball, the Rhodo Festival Revue, and the Rhodo Festival Golf Classic. The Campbell Rhododendron gardens are always open for inspection. For more information: www.rhodofestival.org.au BLACKHEATH BUTCHERY It’s all about service and convenience at Blackheath Butchery. A family-owned business, they source…

Springwood Gas has the solution to keep you and your family warm and cosy this winter. Living in the Blue Mountains during the winter is something that needs to be experienced before you can recommend heating and hot water solutions. As long term local residents Di and Liz are well aware of the conditions faced by our community during the harsh winter climates. Springwood Gas has the solution to keep you and your family warm and cosy this winter. Whether you want ducted or portable heating or you prefer curling up in front of a relaxing fireplace Di and Liz have got the goods. When the temperature drops, nothing appeals more than a cosy fire. Our range of gas fires offers everything you love about an open fire, but without…

at any one time, 10 per cent of the adult population is usually suffering from neck pain. This condition usually occurs due to several reasons, including injury, degenerative disc disease, neck strain, and a herniated disc. If you’re experiencing the pain, there are ways you can prevent it from wrecking your life. Simple changes in your lifestyle may be able to avoid the pain before it starts. It’s also important to know the signs that your pain is severe and it’s time to see a doctor or start therapy. Here’s everything you ever wanted to know about understanding your neck pain. Apart from ibuprofen, there’s not really a magic pill that will get rid of your pain. The best way to get rid of your neck pain is to figure…

memorial Ceremonies are a topic most people tend to avoid, and planning for one can seem downright uncomfortable. It might feel like we are dwelling on the negative. But in fact, it can be a very considerate choice. Your taking care of Memorial Ceremony arrangements and expenses ahead of time can be a real gift to those who will be grieving when you pass away. And it could save your family a substantial sum of money along the way. As an adult, it has always been prudent to set aside money to take care of any large unexpected expenses or illnesses . A Memorial Ceremony is no different. The key is to understand how a pre-paid plan for a Memorial Ceremony works. What is a pre-paid Memorial Ceremony? It is…

nestled on the banks of the MacIntyre River, Goondiwindi and its surrounding regions feature a vibrant community. The town, recently recognised by The Australian as one of Queensland’s best regional towns, is among other things home of the infamous racehorse Gunnsynd and the clothing label Goondiwindi Cotton. Recently an entrepreneurial group of local farmers and residents launched an exciting initiative called Discover Farming, a month-long festival, showcasing and celebrating the amazing producers who call the region home. As a 3rd generation farmer, this initiative means a great deal to Goondiwindi Cotton’s, founder Sam Coulton, and as such Goondiwindi Cotton played a significant role as Discover Farming’s major sponsor, playing host to 120 guests at the festival’s signature event, “Gather” a Black Tie dinner showcasing many of Goondiwindi’s finest producers. On…

Alfresco living is always a large part of modern Australian lifestyle. Spacious houses are spread all over Australia and owning one has become a dream goal of many. After a hectic day, the home offers you the sweetest retreat to relax and have a rest. How life can be more perfect if your home came with a beautiful scenery, a delicate garden and cosy outdoor sofas. Owning such a pleasant wonderland is one of the dreams of the Aussie high-quality lifestyle. This would be the perfect place for you to enjoy a brunch with your friends at weekends, or to hold a birthday party for your children. When you finally realize your dream and get such a house, the next problem would be to make a wise choice on your…

volvo has revealed latest compact luxury SUV ahead of the official Australian launch in April. Known as the XC40, the new model will start from $47,999 and pave the way for further growth for the company. Nick Connor, Managing Director of Volvo Car Australia, said: “SUVs continue to be very popular with Australian car buyers, and the compact SUV segment is also growing rapidly. In such a competitive market you need to stand out from the crowd.” We are confident that with its very distinctive look and competitive pricing the XC40 will make an immediate impact with buyers who are looking for something very different from the cookie-cutter models in the compact luxury SUV segment today.” “The XC40 exterior has an athletic sculpture with a subtle, timeless quality. The interior…

LUIS AND THE ALIENS “Luis” tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who makes friends with three loveable little aliens, who crash their UFO into his house. BEAST A troubled woman living in an isolated community finds herself pulled between the control of her oppressive family and the allure of a secretive outsider suspected of a series of brutal murders. CHRISTOPHER ROBIN A working-class family man, Christopher Robin, encounters his childhood friend Winnie-the-Pooh, who helps him to rediscover the joys of life. THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS A young orphan named Lewis Barnavelt aids his magical uncle in locating a clock with the power to bring about the end of the world. IDEAL HOME A bickering gay couple must now deal with the unexpected task of raising…