Indholdsfortegnelse for April - May 2019 i Blue Mountains Life

BLUE MOUNTAINS HALFWAY MARK Council says it is performing well in delivering its 2018-2019 commitments, at the halfway mark of delivering the 4-year Delivery Program and budget. As of 31 December 2018, the six-month progress report identified 73% of Major Projects, 86% of the Assets Works Program and 97% of Operational Plan actions for 2018-2019 are on track. Council says other highlights include: Adopting the 10-year Open Space and Recreation Strategic Plan and being honoured in three categories, including Customer Service Team of the Year, at the 2018 National Local Government Customer Service Awards. VARUNA WRITERS HOUSE Legislative Council member of the NSW Government Shayne Mallard and Minister for the Arts Don Harwin announced that the Varuna Writers’ House in Katoomba has received a grant of $100,000 towards the building…

The family run Mower Center have celebrated their 40th year in Penrith and have now opened a bigger store in their new location. That is over 40 years of happy, satisfied, loyal customers, benefiting from the expert sales advice, best prices and a huge range of quality products from the big brands, as well as their service workshop plus comprehensive parts and accessories. Where else can you browse the full range, demonstrate the product in a real environment and be sure you are getting the best advice and price on the right equipment, for the right job. Stocking all the big brands such as Husqvarna, Toro, Honda, Ego, Victa, Masport and many more. The Mower Center aim to keep all our customers happy and satisfied with the services we offer…

It’s well known that a human can get sunburnt in five minutes, but did you know that grapes can burn in this time too? If you answered yes to this question you are probably either a vineyard owner or Dr Joanna Gambretta, the Central West scientist looking for a solution. “Sunburn can affect up to 15 per cent of wine grape berries in Australia in any given season,” Dr Gambetta said. “The browning, cracking and berry shrivelling means that yields are reduced and the fruit can be downgraded, causing significant economic losses to growers and wineries. “On a sensitive, fully mature Chardonnay grape, symptoms of sunburn can appear within five minutes once surface temperature on the berry reaches an ambient temperature of 40–43° C.” With wine and grape production becoming…

Hillbilly Cider is a regular sighting at the Leura Harvest festival. Make sure you visit their stand to try the range of these internationally award winning local ciders. Heading to the festival from their rustic cider shed at Bilpin, Shane McLaughlin - cider maker, will be bringing their full range of alcoholic ciders as well as their non-alcoholic apple cider especially popular with kids. You’ll be able to taste and take home the Hillbilly version of champagne - the Vintage cider. It’s fermented in French oak inspired by Shane’s time spent in Normandy. Or try the Scrumpy cider – a nod to work he did in Somerset. A cloudy style made from heritage cider apples. The whole range has won plenty of accolades including silver in the UK’s International cider…

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 the 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. Our Cellar Door was opened in 2012 and boasts some of the best views views of the Blue Mountains. We are open on Saturday and Sunday for wine tasting and you can also enjoy a delicious cheese platter or ploughman’s lunch while…

Step through the door and it's not hard to see why. The cocktail bar and restaurant is a cool and eclectic place where old school soul and motor culture meet. The walls are covered in a random assortment of kitsch artwork featuring the likes of Johnny Cash, and Mona Lisa. There is a cafe racer as you enter, and a Vespa casually propped up in the corner. The full size piano often gets a workout - live jazz, soul and old school rock is a regular happening here. The restaurant has casual bar seating and more formal tables and chairs, and running the length of the restaurant is an impressive bar where they mix their famous cocktails and serve an ever-changing selection of craft beer. Brothers, Richard and Gavin Anthony…

Pearce Furniture and Bedding in Katoomba is a must-stop shop for those looking for quality furniture and bedding, home decor and the latest in Sleep Technology by A.H. Beard. If you’re in the market for a new mattress, Pearce Furniture and Bedding is the smart choice, with an impressive range of new mattresses on offer including best selling brand A.H. Beard. Not only are the prices competitive, Pearce Furniture and Bedding are well known for looking after locals with their $1 local delivery fee and outstanding customer service. Your local Blue Mountains destination for Bedroom Furniture, Mattresses, Ensembles, Lounge Suites. Ask us about our Home Styling and Interior Design services. FURNITURE MATTRESSES BEDDING Come see us today to browse our comprehensive range displayed, or give Sasha or Don a call…

Our story started in 1936 with revolutionary cosmetic chemist, Madame Baché. She was a modern woman – determined, intelligent and ambitious – who knew that improving the condition of a woman’s skin could not only improve her overall appearance, it could also make her feel great and more confident about herself. Madame Baché recognised that the standard way of diagnosing skin types by dry, oily or normal was over simplistic. Instead she moved skincare into a new era, where solutions were individually tailored based on the skin’s condition at a cellular level. Ella Baché has become a uniquely Australian story thanks to the inspiration of Edith Hallas. Married to Madame Bache’s cousin, Edith brought Ella Baché to Australia in 1954, leading her on a lifetime journey resulting in the creation…

KORANDO SsangYong has unveiled its all-new Korando. It will go on sale in Australia in the third half of this year, with an all-electric version to follow. Inside, the company says the new model offers more head-room and rear seat space than its competitors, with a high-tech premium feel interior. It is also driver-orientated with a range of features such as a nine-inch and 10.25-inch full-colour LCD cluster dual navigation to provide all the information needed and four-way adjustable seat with lumbar support for comfort. BMW 3 The new-generation BMW 3 Series has been launched. Starting with the 320d model, which cost $67,900 before on-road costs it comes with a host of new features such as a digital instrument display. Safety wise, the 3 Series features a raft of features,…

Bathurst born, musical theatre star Ainsley Melham started performing at age three and has never looked back. He remembers his mother telling him that as a young child, music would always make him move so she put him in dance lessons. “I don’t remember a day when performing hasn’t been a part of my life.” Trained at WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts) and graduating in 2013, Ainsley’s first role was as a cast member of the international children’s pop group Hi-5., as part of their Australasian tours, and Hi-5 House TV series. He began his musical theatre career in 2016 skating into the Hayes Theatre as Sonny Malone in Mathew Managements’ Xanadu. Soon after he traded skates for a magic carpet and opened Disney’s Hit Broadway Musical and…

Originally built in 1903 and named after Queen Alexandra, the consort of King Edward VII, the Alex incorporates a grandiose, traditional design masterminded by local architect F.C. Goyder, combining it with all the modern features one might expect from a destination hotel. Recently renovated and updated the Alexandra has hit new heights when it comes to accommodation and cuisine. Leura’s only licensed hotel, the Alexandra, features stunning views, multiple dining options and accommodation. Visit the historic Alexandra Hotel to enjoy award-winning food in a beautiful setting. The chefs at the bistro work hard, producing a range of sensational menu dishes as well as daily specials to delight any palate. Taste the pizza everyone is talking about for yourself. Our delicious handmade wood-fired pizza comes straight from the oven to your…

Kristy and Kerrie are a mother & daughter team who have lived in the Mountains for 30 years. Kerrie has worked locally in Real Estate and is very excited about this opportunity. To make a positive difference within the local community she has known and loved for so many years, and to work alongside her daughter is a dream. Kristy who has spent many years working in the corporate world now has two young children, is finishing off a business degree and has a passion for healthy, nourishing foods and zero waste. "I feel truly proud to be able to bring The Source Bulk Foods to Katoomba. The thought of being able to stop plastic bags, reduce packaging & general waste as well as employ local people is so exciting…

Blue Mountains Carpets and Flooring is a local family owned business servicing the Blue Mountains and surrounding regions. Their showroom is now open in Springwood showcasing the latest styles and ranges from the largest suppliers including Karndean, Quickstep, Kronoswiss, The Victoria Carpet Company, Redbook and many more. With extensive displays of Carpet, Timber, Hybrid, Laminate and Vinyl, their dedicated flooring team can assist you to find the ultimate solution for your flooring needs and turn your ideas into reality. Whether it is residential or commercial installation, their qualified and fully licensed installers have over 20 years experience. Come into the showroom and browse their range of products or call for a free measure and quote. If it’s carpets and flooring you want…. they’ve got you covered. Blue Mountains Carpets and…

There are 30 Lopi products available with countless design options to suit the décor of any home. The options and features are seemingly endless and overwhelming to many. Some people believe a fireplace is a fireplace no matter what design but that is not the case, so how do you choose between them? LOPI GAS FIREPLACES Lopi gas fireplaces are ‘natural draft direct vent gas fireplaces’ meaning they naturally draw their oxygen supply from outside of the home and expel all the bi-product back outside again. This process means that the air quality in the home remains the same whilst not being reliant on fans to assist in the process. The Lopi ‘Premium Linear Range’ features GreenSmart 2 technology which includes a Smart Thermostat mode that can modulate the flames…

Celebrate your special day with your family and friends in style at the Hawkesbury Race Club. We offer a magnificent modern wedding reception venue, with professional service, superb catering, breathtaking mountain views and a 4 star luxury motel with 30 spacious rooms. Located within the grounds of the Race Club, the Hawkesbury Race Club Motel features views of the racecourse, stables and the Blue Mountains, situated in close proximity to all the attractions of the Hawkesbury Region, including the historic towns of Richmond, Windsor and Pitt Town. Offering award-winning four star accommodation with an outdoor pool, undercover parking and breakfast restaurant. We pride ourselves on providing our guests with quality at affordable, competitive rates with every modern facility provided. Each of our suites offer full kitchen facilities, a spacious living…

ANZAC MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP St Stanislaus’ College announced that the successful Scholarship applicant representing Stannies for this year’s Premier’s ANZAC Memorial Scholarship is current Year 10 student Malcolm Bartlett from Wanaaring. In 2018, the College was drawn in the 2019 ANZAC Memorial Scholarship Ballot. Eight Year 10 History students submitted Applications for this Award with the successful applicant joining 19 other Year 10 students from around NSW to travel to Germany, France and Belgium during September and October. The focus will be on learning about the causes of the First and Second World Wars and visiting the battlefields where the ANZACS fought in order to learn about and commemorate their service. Congratulations also to the following Applicants for their fine submissions and responses at their Panel interviews: Hayden Maher; Jack Morrison;…

Volvo will be releasing the all-new S60 model at the end of the year. However, that hasn’t stopped the Swedish company from testing out a whole host of safety features. In Europe, the new Volvo S60 sedan received the maximum five-star rating in their 2018 EuroNCAP safety tests, continuing a five-star streak for the Volvo line-up. The result underlines Volvo Cars’ reputation for consistently putting some of the safest cars available on the road. All tested Volvo models currently on sale offer five-star-rated safety technology. The 2018 Euro NCAP testing regime was the toughest ever, with new and more demanding challenges on safety technology, including cyclist detection with auto-brake and emergency lane keeping systems. The S60 is among the safest cars tested under the new regime. “This result proves that…

Located on the stunning Jamieson Valley Escarpment, this new home build was not without it’s challenges; but challenges are what we at Against the Grain Building & Renovating thrive on and we were thrilled to be awarded the contract in 2016. The project included the demolition of the existing home and rebuilding within the same footprint to preserve the heritage gardens and ironstone walls. The vision for this home was to be single storey to the street and garden, though two-storey to the remarkable view to the south. Exterior walls include bagged concrete blockwork on lower levels to visually match the insulated rammed earth walls on the upper main level. Expansive double-glazing and roof windows are featured universally for natural illumination and passive solar design. The feature centre-piece of this…

With 8 boutique stores across Sydney, the Southern Highlands, Canberra and Melbourne, Nina Leon’s Shoe Boutique has opened in the shopping hub of Leura, in the Blue Mountains. After 37 years of success, Nina Leon’s owner Paul Hiscocks saw the opportunity to expand the business into the Blue Mountains, in what was formerly Shoes in the Attic, in the Strand Arcade on the Leura Mall. Nina Leon’s Shoe Boutique stocks quality international footwear and leather handbags. With an extensive brand list which includes Piazza Grande, Hogl, Ara, Sempre Di, Gabrielle, Django & Juliet, Amber Rossi, Peter Kaiser, Neo, Josef Seibel and Manus. NINA LEON’S Shoe Boutique now at home in Leura…

The last party you went to was a disaster. You skirted groups of people who were all looking like they were having the time of their lives. You wished you could be just like them. Don’t know how? Well here’s some pointers on how you can build your confidence before you get there. Follow this up with great conversation starters and you will be enjoying every party you go to. Remember good attitude, positive outlook as well as an armory of great conversation starters are all you need to make a good impression. The ability to attract friends like bees to honey comes from being a total package. Be on Your Best Physical Appearance This is commonsense advice. You cannot expect fellow guests and the party host to come anywhere…

As you begin planning your wedding, there can be confusion when it comes to budgeting, ordering specialised services, and choosing your vendors. There are so many variables, options, and price points to choose from, that the planning can quickly become overwhelming. Wedding planning should be fun, and a professional wedding planner’s expertise can really help you make sense of everything. This article will help you answer the question “ Should you hire a wedding planner? ” Many people never even consider hiring a wedding planner. You might view this service as a luxury you can’t afford, or you may simply think you don’t need one. The truth is, a wedding planner can fit into most budgets and will take a lot of stress off of you. Experienced in negotiating contracts…

The hardest part of death is not the dying but the living. Those who have loved the deceased are encouraged, no expected, to somehow pull themselves together and get on with their lives. The merry-go-round that we call our daily life might slow its speed or revolutions for a moment or two but then moves on even faster without the anchor of the loved one. An American poet, adored in her time but now forgotten, wrote these immortal words more than 75 years ago. TO ONE IN SORROW Let me come in where you are weeping, friend,And let me take your hand.I, who have known a sorrow such as yours,can understand.Let me come in - I would be very still beside youin your grief;I would not bid you cease your…

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX IN CONCERT Let the wizarding world enchant you all over again as the fifth film, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is projected onto a giant screen and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performs Nicholas Hooper’s wonderful score. Laugh, cry and cheer at your favourite scenes in this memorable event. Date: April 10-13 Venue: Sydney Opera House Phone: 9250 7250 BASEMENT JAXX VS THE METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA Esteemed electronic music duo Basement Jaxx will bring their orchestral live show to Australia. Comprising of magical reinterpretations of all the Basement Jaxx floor-fillers, as well as specially commissioned new work, the duo will perform live on stage with The Metropolitan Orchestra and legendary Jaxx singers Vula & Sharlene Hector. Date: April 14 Venue: Sydney…

POETRY FESTIVAL The 2019 Banjo Paterson Australian Poetry Festival was held in Orange. In addition to the signature events of birthday breakfast, poets brunch, night market, poetry competition, Festival dinner and a Rotary Market, there were some great events hosted by individual cellar doors, pubs and organisations. TRIATHLON NSW The 2019 NSW Club Championships returned to Orange. Following the success of previous events and the continued strong support of Orange City Council, Orange was an overwhelming choice as host. The annual Club Championships is one of the most keenly anticipated events of the Triathlon calendar with over 1000 participants from over 50 clubs in NSW taking part in the day. POETRY SLAM An enthusiastic crowd gathered at Lithgow Library to hear 11 local poets and wordsmiths perform at this year’s…