Issue 66 Aurora Magazine March 2024

FREE
Aurora
Issue 66
GREAT SOUTHERN Lifestyle, People, Happenings March 2024
THE DENMARK
DANCE COMPANY
ARTS ADVOCATE
ANNETTE DAVIS
THE GREAT SOUTHERN
FILM CO-OP
VINEYARDS OF
FRANKLAND RIVER
PLUS MORE
LOCAL FOOD,
HISTORY
AND
WHAT’S ON
ALBANY | DENMARK | MOUNT BARKER | WALPOLE
LOVE LOCAL
www.auroramagazine.com.au

contents
Aurora
Great Southern Lifestyle, People, Happenings
www.auroramagazine.com.au
Our cover
On our cover this month are dancers
FREE
Aurora
Manager and Editor
Amanda Cruse
0438 212 979
amanda@auroramagazine.com.au
Advertising Sales
Amanda Cruse
0438 212 979
sales@auroramagazine.com.au
Production and Layout
Vanessa Pribil
vanessa@auroramagazine.com.au
Photography
Jordine Raine and Dor Shira. Jordine and
Dor have blended their internationally
acquired skills in dance and movement
with their philosophy of helping people
become more active and less lonely
through their Denmark Dance Company. For
the full story, turn to page 4.
PHOTO SERENA KIRBY
Issue 66
GREAT SOUTHERN Lifestyle, People, Happenings March 2024
THE DENMARK
DANCE COMPANY
ARTS ADVOCATE
ANNETTE DAVIS
THE GREAT SOUTHERN
FILM CO-OP
VINEYARDS OF
FRANKLAND RIVER
PLUS MORE
LOCAL FOOD,
HISTORY
AND
WHAT’S ON
4 SPOTLIGHT DENMARK DANCE COMPANY
Jordine Raine and Dor Shira Moving Together
8 ACHIEVE ARTS ADVOCATE ANNETTE DAVIS
2024 Community Citizen of the Year, Albany
10 HOST STATE OF THE MARKET
Martin North Talks Tourism
12 THE DENMARK HOTEL
Restoration Begins for Iconic Hotel
4 SPOTLIGHT 8 ACHIEVE
editorial@auroramagazine.com.au
ALBANY | DENMARK | MOUNT BARKER | WALPOLE
LOVE LOCAL
www.auroramagazine.com.au
14 FOCUS THE GREAT SOUTHERN FILM CO-OP
Editorial
editorial@auroramagazine.com.au
“We Used to Shoot Whales, Now We Shoot Movies”
Our Contributors
Amanda Cruse
Serena Kirby
16 REFELCT TROOPER WILLIAM BAXTER
Soldier Stows Away on Ship to Egypt
Allen Newton
Anne Skinner
Distribution
Tim Cruse
0438 004 408
distribution@auroramagazine.com.au
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Distribution
GREATER ALBANY | MOUNT BARKER | DENMARK | WALPOLE
We distribute our free paper strategically to ensure we are well placed for strong readership
amongst both locals and visitors to the Great Southern region.
You can pick up a copy from the Albany and Mount Barker visitor centres, and Walpole-Nornalup
visitors centres, as well as the Albany ANZAC Centre. We are also available from the Albany,
Denmark, Mount Barker and Walpole public libraries. Almost 1000 copies are put directly into the
rooms of accommodation venues throughout the Great Southern.
We also have the following major distribution points:
Albany: Chester Pass Mall, Clarks News Agency, Coles (Albany Plaza and Orana), Dome Cafe, North
Road Shopping Centre, Plaza Lotteries, Puma Service Station, Royale Patisserie, Spencer Park IGA,
The Naked Bean, and York Street IGA.
Denmark: Raven’s Coffee. We are also available at The General Store at Youngs Siding and the
Elleker General Store.
Mount Barker: Supa IGA and the Plantagenet Wines Cellar Door.
18 TASTE TASTE GREAT SOUTHERN
Shane Osborn Coming to Albany
19 ALBANY FARMERS MARKETS
What’s in Season Now
20 FRANKLAND RIVER'S MARELIZE RUSSOUW
International Winemaker at Alkoomi Estate
22 FRANKLAND RIVER'S CHERUBINO WINES
Edwina Cherubino’s Family Connection
to Frankland River
26 WHAT’S ON GRAZE MOUNT BARKER
10 HOST 14 FOCUS
in Australia. It is 100% recyclable.
Please dispose of thoughtfully.
Walpole: Pioneer Store IGA and the Treetop Walk Gift Shop.
We have over 100 smaller distribution points, so there’s a good chance your favourite local cafe,
vineyard, boutique, hotel, gallery or corner store will have some copies on hand.
27 GIG GUIDE SPECIAL EVENTS, MARKETS
AND EXHIBITIONS
20 TASTE 26 WHAT'S ON
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2 LOVE LOCAL
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3

spotlight
spotlight
DENMARK DANCE COMPANY
Jordine Raine and Dor Shira Moving Together
STORY SERENA KIRBY | PHOTOS SERENA KIRBY
Jordine Raine lives to dance. She also dances to live. Dancing is something Jordine has
Jordine’s work also took her to Israel and it was there that a chance meeting at a
done from an early age as she grew up twirling and leaping around the house with her
movement class led her into the arms of capoeira expert, Dor Shira.
two older sisters and putting on elaborate dance performances at home. She’d also tag
along to watch her sisters take dance classes before joining in as soon as she was old
enough to do so.
Jordine says, “Despite the cultural and language differences it instantly felt like our love
for dance, movement and play transcended any kind of barriers that were there. We
were speaking the same language and that language was ‘body’ language.”
Jordine was passionate about dance, as well as gifted, and her local dance school soon
became her second home. There was no question about the path Jordine would take
when she left school.
The language that Jordine speaks of revolves around movement in all its many shapes
and forms. It’s no surprise then that, after moving to Denmark with Dor last year, she
quickly established a local dance company.
“I moved from WA to Victoria and studied at the University of Melbourne within the
Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) to do a Bachelor Degree in Dance and a Masters in
Choreography and Creative Arts Therapies,” Jordine says.
“Denmark is a town that embraces the arts and there’s an incredible number of
professional artists here - that’s one of the reasons we were drawn to this place,”
Jordine says.
“After I graduated from VCA I was awarded a travel scholarship and headed to Europe to
start the audition circuit. I performed with a number of companies, worked with some
“There’s also a gap in the provision of professional dance work with children and youth.
We’re certainly a dance school with a difference as I established it with the intention
students in just nine months.”
screens. They’re the mega-sedentary-generation.”
brilliant choreographers and freelanced as a dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, and
yoga instructor for nearly 20 years.”
of creating an encouraging environment for all movers in Denmark. We have classes in
contemporary dance, hip hop, jazz, capoeira and ballet and we’ve gathered nearly 100
Dor is an integral part of the dance school as he has extensive experience in capoeira
and has worked as a teacher and educator of children and youth.
Research backs up what Dor says about the growing rate of loneliness as a 2023
survey across 142 countries by a US company revealed that nearly one in four people
“Capoeira is something I’ve been doing for more than 25 years,” Dor says.
“It’s a really dynamic Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines dance, acrobatics, music,
and culture. I’ve taught and competed in Israel, Europe and Brazil and ran a big, busy
studio in Tel Aviv. I’ve also done a lot of work as an educator with youth at risk and with
those in marginal communities.”
After moving to Australia with Jordine three years ago, and after the sudden death of
his highly successful but highly sedentary father, Dor started to look more closely at the
range of physiological and social implications of having an inactive body.
“There’s a huge amount of sedentarism in the world; you could also call it a physical
inactivity pandemic,” Dor explains.
“It’s also closely linked to the increase in loneliness. There’s a growing disconnection
from our bodies, from other people’s bodies and from the world. Children of today,
especially in Western cultures, are the most sedentary generation of all time. They are
worldwide feel lonely. That translates into more than a billion people - with younger
people experiencing more loneliness than their older counterparts.
With this in mind, Jordine and Dor wanted to blend their love of dance and movement
with their philosophy of helping people become more active and less lonely. They knew
they could easily do this at a local level through dance classes but they wanted to reach
more people; they wanted to “move the world”.
To achieve this mission the couple combined their talents and skills and founded the
playful movement program, Moving Creatures. And, as the program is based online
through an interactive website, Jordine and Dor can now help get everybody’s body
moving without the impediment of distance or location.
With Jordine also being a registered Dance Movement Therapist the program includes
a range of movement resources to enhance physical, cognitive, social and emotional
development.
less social, with less developed social skills, due to spending so much time in front of
Dor says being ‘playful’ is definitely at the core of Moving Creatures and that we can
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4 LOVE LOCAL
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5

spotlight
advertorial
COMMUNITY
LIVING
ASSOCIATION
INC
Broaden Your Perspective
Through Connection
STORY CLAUDIA SIMPSON
move together more, and move more of our body parts, through the power of play.
“The games we’ve developed create opportunities to move with others, to mirror
others and become more attuned to others,” he says.
“Through workshops, speaking engagements and online resources we work with
children, caregivers, professionals and communities all around the world and we
know that you can develop deeper emotional connections when you let your body do
the talking. We’ve also created a movement card resource so that parents and their
children can connect through reciprocity; where they’re changing roles and meeting on
the same level.”
Dor adds that Moving Creatures is not just for the young but also for the young at heart
and that movement has immense cognitive benefits for older bodies.
“There’s a large amount of evidence-based research showing the benefits for the brain
when you move, play and dance. As we age we get stuck in these cognitive grooves and
through play, movement, and dance we’re able to experiment and create new pathways
in our brains.
6 LOVE LOCAL
That’s why they tell elderly people to pick up and learn an instrument or learn to juggle
because moving your body to learn something new is actually the best solution for the
prevention of Alzheimer’s.”
As a way to further engage with an older demographic the Denmark Dance Company
will be running an intergenerational dance program later this year. Its intention is to
bridge the generational divide through dance by including anyone from age 12 with no
upper age limit and the program is aptly called, ‘Dance Generators’.
Fostering exploration and curiosity are also key and the couple say playful movement is
a great reliever of depression. Dor’s students will often hear him tell them to embrace
awkwardness, embrace silliness and that “if you’re the last to finish a movement then
that’s all good because that means you’re learning the most”.
Jordine and Dor will also tell you that, at the end of the day, it’s all about having fun.
And let’s be honest, in this era of increased loneliness and isolation, moving together is
way more fun than moving alone.
www.jordineraine.com/denmarkdancecompany
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Working as a Support Worker for people with disabilities offers a rich and rewarding career.
Community Living Association (CLA) is the Great Southern region’s leading provider of
high quality, person-centered services, and community support for people with disability.
For over 30 years CLA has provided support enabling participants to actively engage in the
community, live independently, and develop the skills to live their best life.
Dawn, a dedicated member of the CLA team for over a decade, shares the essence of
this fulfilling career. “I always felt I was a caring, empathetic, and patient person and so
when the opportunity to work with people with disability came up, I felt I had the right
skills and personality to do the job. It’s a good feeling to support people that have a
disability and need the help,” she said.
Providing support creates a sense of fulfillment by making a positive difference in
someone’s life while assisting them to achieve their personal goals. Whether it’s
assisting with daily tasks, facilitating social interactions, or simply lending a listening ear,
a support worker’s role has a big impact on the life of a person with disability.
Our support workers foster genuine human connection built on trust, respect, and
understanding. Through meaningful interactions and shared experiences, both the support
workers and the participants share a journey of mutual growth and personal fulfilment.
Working as a support worker also offers invaluable opportunities for personal and
professional development. Every day presents unique challenges that encourage
adaptability, problem-solving, and resilience. The dynamic nature of the role cultivates
empathy and broadens one’s perspective, developing essential skills that improve all
aspects of a support worker’s professional life.
In addition, the sense of community and camaraderie among the staff fosters a
supportive environment where experiences are shared, knowledge is exchanged, and
friendships are formed. The collective passion and dedication of our staff create a
nurturing work environment where everyone thrives.
As in Dawn’s experience being a support worker is not just a job, it’s a chance to spread
warmth, create lasting bonds, and share in the joy of making a difference in others’
lives. If you’re curious to learn more about work opportunities as a support worker,
reach out to CLA or explore our website at mycla.org.au.
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ABOVE: Support Workers Dawn Munday (back) and Sue Stock (front).
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Join our Board of Directors and play a key role in
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Please forward your resume and single page cover
letter to the CEO: Russell.Nelson@mycla.org.au
Together We Thrive
7

achieve
experience achieve
ARTS ADVOCATE ANNETTE DAVIS
2024 Community Citizen of the Year Award Albany
STORY ALLEN NEWTON
Annette Davis has art running through her veins.
After moving to Albany in 2002 with husband Brad and two children, Annette went on the
hunt for arts organisations she could join. In 2004 she discovered the then fledgling visual
arts group MIX Artist Incorporated and has been a passionate advocate for the arts since
then, something that has earned her the 2024 Community Citizen of the Year Award.
Annette has curated 15 exhibitions in Albany with six of them a part of the Perth
International Arts Festival Great Southern and two state-wide tours with Art on the Move.
In 2022 she was appointed lead curator of the Open Borders Project, providing an
opportunity for regional artists around WA to showcase their works.
She grew up in the Perth foothills but had been living in Karratha when her husband
Brad took a job at the Port of Albany.
“I was really excited to be coming to Albany because it’s such a beautiful spot. I could
never imagine I’d be so lucky to be able to live here.
BELOW: Albany Mayor Greg Stocks, Annette Davis with her award and Rebecca Stephens MLA.
PHOTO: Krysta Guille Photography
“We had two children who were six and three at that stage.”
Even prior to coming to Albany Annette had been involved with the arts.
“I hadn’t studied arts at uni, but I’d studied history and then started working with arts
organisations in Perth.
“From my late twenties, I was doing art exhibition work and then I curated the City of
Fremantle art collection for a couple of years.
“I’d always been involved with doing art type things. It’s just always been a love,
something that I’ve always really wanted to do. But when I’d left school, I didn’t imagine
how I could do art type stuff.
“So when we moved to Albany I just wanted to get involved with art activities.
“I was fortunate in that MIX Artists, which is the group that have ended up nominating
me for this award were in their early days.
“A curator I knew from Perth had been contracted by MIX to organise or to curate an
exhibition, so I knew that it was happening.
“Through that I met a woman called Sharon Dubignon who was a real driver for MIX
Artists in the early years. Sharon was very welcoming to me and asked me to get
involved with MIX, which I did.
“I was so excited to come to Albany and because there were people with ideas and
things were happening. I put myself forward for any committee that was going in
the arts, which looking back, is a bit foolish because I really didn’t know Albany, but I
wanted to meet people who were involved in the arts.
“The Albany community has so many talented and interesting people living here, who
are ready to engage with ideas and creativity. It makes for a great community. As with
anywhere, the arts rely on volunteers to make things happen, and there are many
people here who contribute to making Albany a vibrant place to live.
“Receiving the Citizen of the Year Award has been wonderful recognition of the value of
the visual arts to our community. “
As well as organising exhibitions Annette is also an artist in her own right.
“Probably for the first eight years or so of being in Albany, I wasn’t being an artist
myself, I was just on the organizing side of things.
“Then it got to a point where I thought, ‘I really want to be doing this as well’.
ABOVE: Detail from one of Annette’s pieces A Walk on the Hill 2 - natural dyed cloth, woollen blanket, thread and found sticks.
“I had been doing art classes over the years, but to call myself an artist was quite a big “We’re not looking to become the biggest art group or anything like that. It’s really
leap, but I got brave and started to do work myself and now I do consider myself an about the ideas that we are actually pursuing.
artist as well.
“Each exhibition generally has a theme. Our process is usually that having set a theme,
“I like to create things that are very much about place. I’m interested in the significance we then would meet two or three times over six to nine months in developing our
of place and layers of history within a place, because my first degree was Australian artworks for that exhibition.
history. I find I just naturally am interested in finding out about a place. I love the bush
“It helps with sharing ideas, it’s helpful to share techniques as well as giving everyone
and think about who’s been here before and what the trees have witnessed, what the
a chance to see what other people are doing. And it seems that when we do that, have
rocks have witnessed.
that process, the exhibition somehow is stronger and more cohesive.
“I try and find ways to express the layers of a landscape and I do that through lots of
“Even though the works are very different, it all kind of hangs together really well.
different media, painting, printmaking, textiles, and drawing. It’s the idea that really
drives what materials I’ll use or what techniques I’ll use.”
Annette says while she knew she had been nominated for the Citizen of the Year Award
she said it was a huge surprise to win.
Annette exhibits her work often.
“I’m absolutely delighted for the arts to be recognised because it is very important for
“It’s often with MIX Artists, but also I’ve had a few solo exhibitions.
many, many people in Albany.
“I am actively making art and I’m going to be having a solo exhibition at the Albany
“Over the years, the City of Albany’s presence in the arts and investment in the arts has
Town Hall later this year.”
increased. There are many art groups in Albany which are all dependent on volunteers.”
MIX is a group of contemporary artists from the Great Southern. It emerged from the
So what more can be done to help improve the art scene?
closure of the Albany TAFE art department.
“Our gallery spaces have improved with the Albany Town Hall having been renovated.
“The TAFE art department gave people an opportunity to learn artistic techniques and
However, that is still quite a limited size space and for decades there has been an ebb
to engage with ideas. There is so much evidence that an art education fosters problemsolving,
as well as being good for one’s mental health. Creative people contribute to a
and flow of energy towards advocating for a purpose-built regional art gallery, which I
think is still something that Albany deserves.
community in many different ways. It is tragic that it closed.”
“It’s a big investment, but I just think it would be a great step forward if we had that.”
A small collective of artists got together around 1999 and MIX was incorporated in 2005
to enable the group to apply for funding under its own steam.
www.mixartists.org
Rebecca Stephens
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8 LOVE LOCAL
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host
STATE OF THE MARKET
Local Accommodation Provider Martin North Talks Tourism
More accommodation options in Albany with greater capacity is bringing in more
visitors, according to Martin North, owner of Quality Apartment Banksia Albany.
“Since Covid, we’ve seen demand for accommodation that we’ve never seen,” Martin says.
“I think there’s certainly room for all players. The addition of Hilton has brought more
people and more profile to Albany, which is great, but that’s only small compared to the
Airbnb market that’s grown substantially in the last three years.
“That’s really come from a very, very low base. There are currently hundreds of short
stay options available.
“I think the market coming into the region has definitely increased and that’s helped to
absorb some of the excess accommodation.”
STORY ALLEN NEWTON
Banksia also has a foot in the Airbnb type accommodation with a fully-fledged shortstay
accommodation management business called the B&B Collection. Banksia manages
Airbnb for absent owners.
“We do everything from the marketing, the cleaning, and everything involved with that
type of property.
“It’s been very handy for us because as a hotel when we’re full we use those other
dwellings to accommodate our own market.
“Back in 2018, we could see that Airbnb was coming into our market and there were
more and more people converting their back sheds and whatever into short-stay
accommodation, very unregulated.
BELOW CLOCKWISE: Banksia owners Ailan Tran (centre), and Martin North with general manager Kristeen Ko. Banksia Albany can host up to 120 people. A range of short term rentals are managed as
part of the BNB Collection. The interiors at Banksia Albany have been refurbished.
host
“We set up a side business at the time and started to manage two or three Airbnb
properties for people who lived away.”
Martin says there has been a softening in that Airbnb market over the past 12 months.
“When I say softening it hasn’t softened a great deal. But we’re coming off that very,
very high base since Covid. It’s still going very strong. We just had a really good January,
really good December, and even February is looking pretty good. It’s going to be
interesting to see how that goes.
“It is a different market. You have more families, you’ve got definitely more leisure, but
we’ll see what interest rates and the economy does in the next 12 months.”
Martin says that from a tourism perspective Albany has always had fairly distinct
periods in the year that are really strong for tourism.
“Obviously the best time of year is from about mid-December through until Anzac Day.
That’s a very strong leisure time.
“The off-season has been a little bit hit and miss.
“We believe that Albany tourism is getting stronger, more people know about us. We’re
very grateful for the period that followed Covid where people rediscovered the region
and we hope that continues.
“We’re starting to see some more functions, some more events throughout the year
like we’re a real fan of Taste Great Southern. That’s one we believe does bring people
into the region.
“We’re also fans of the Shanty Festival or the Maritime Festival and all of those offseason
events are terrific for the region.”
Tourist numbers drop significantly during winter.
“We’re a coastal location so people want to come here when the weather is good. The
off-season tourists still come here but not as much, which is why we rely on those offseason
events to put profile on the region.
“We’ve also got the big event coming up in 2026, that’s the City of Albany, 200 years, which
we believe is going to be really important and is going to put a lot more focus on us.
Martin and partner Ailan Tran bought the motel in 2015.
“We searched the country for a suitable sort of accommodation type business and
we settled on Albany for the beauty and the potential and that it has good corporate
business and good leisure.
“So then we went into a period of refurbishment and we basically refurbished what was
an old run-down motel into a serviced apartment business as it is today.”
The property has 40 apartments and comprises of a studio and one, two and three
bedroom apartments.
“We can have anything up to 120 people when we’re fully booked if all of our
apartments and all the bedding is used.”
Martin says the serviced apartment business has fluctuated in the time they’ve been in
Albany.
“It’s like any hotel business, it’s fluctuated a little bit. We feel it’s been very, very strong
the last few years and it’s looking very, very strong into 2024.
“We feel we’re in a good space being in the serviced apartment category which no one
else does in Albany.”
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Banksia primarily targets corporate long stay guests.
“Normally, people stay with us for more than three nights.”
When Martin and Ailan took over Banksia it operated as a motel and was marketed as
Banksia Gardens Motel.
“Obviously, that attracted a very different market. It was more of a one-night stay, more
of your sales rep or that type of thing where we certainly have used the property to
its full potential by putting in kitchens and taking out spas and putting in washers and
dryers and really converting them into apartments.
“We’ve done a lot of work in terms of new kitchens, new bathrooms, new bedding, new
TVs, all that type of stuff. It’s better than what it was three years ago.”
“So the market has done a full 360 degree change since we’ve been here.”
These days the business is marketed as Banksia Albany.
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host
host
Don’t be too surprised if on your next visit to the Denmark Hotel there’s a beer tap on
the bar that doesn’t seem to be set at the right height for bar staff to be able to use.
Hotel Manager Jared Strike says the tap is being installed at “Luc Longley height”.
The 2.18m, former Chicago Bulls professional basketball player, who has lived in
Denmark since 2015, along with his wife, celebrity cook Anna Gare are among a
group of 12 investors who have bought the iconic hotel and have begun work on its
restoration.
THE DENMARK HOTEL
Restoration Begins for Iconic Hotel
Jared says he’s expecting to see a fair bit of the celebrity couple between Luc’s
commitments in the United States and Australia – hence the Luc Longley beer tap.
Anna will take on a consulting role and the pair will both be involved in events at the hotel.
“Anna won’t be in the kitchen day to day, but she’ll definitely have a big influence over
what that menu looks like and who we’re working with in the region and being part of
the ownership group she’ll have a big influence over the venue,” Jared says.
“She’s lovely and obviously she’s got so much experience and knows a lot of the local
producers and really has roots in the community so it makes total sense.
STORY ALLEN NEWTON | PHOTO NIC DUNCAN
BELOW: New owners of the Denmark Hote Jack Montgomery, Matt Rawlinson, Luc Longley and Anna Gare.
“What we’re trying to do is become that place for the Great Southern to shine.”
The hotel has a special place in Luc’s heart and this is not the first time he has tried to buy it.
“He tried to buy the pub a couple of times back in the day, but I think it wasn’t the right
timing,” Jared says.
“It’s now come full circle and it’s happened at the right time with the right group of
people, and it’s all working out.”
The group paid $3.7 million to buy the hotel which has been a landmark in the area
since 1926.
It’s already had a lick of paint.
“But it was pretty bare bones when we took it over. It needed a bit of love and basically
bringing in everything that you need to run a venue.
“The fun stuff is to come now, now we can start to plan properly for the full renovations.”
Jared says while the pub was run down its structure is solid.
“The main thing for the renovation moving forward is going to be maintaining that
history and that old feel to the pub, but just revitalising it and giving it a fresh lease on
life because the location is unreal in town on the river, it just needs a bit of love.”
Planning and design work is under way with the refurbishment being carried out in stages.
The first stage will be the revitalization of the motel.
“We’ll be keeping the structures the same, but totally refurbishing the rooms and the
externals. Then on to the bottle shop, which will have a big focus on local wines, beers
and spirits with about 70 percent wines from the Great Southern, a 20 percent focus on
the rest of Australia and a little bit of international stuff as well, but we’re really wanting
to be a hub for Great Southern produce.
“That goes through the whole project. The idea is to be that sort of hub where people
can come and stay, go and explore the region and then come in at night and dine.
“So after the bottle shop, which will have that tasting element to it, it’ll be refurb of the
restaurant.
“We plan to have a more upscale restaurant, once again sourcing local produce and
then keeping the old pub, classic front bar as is.
“We’ll do counter meals in there and then a more refined offering next door.”
There are plans for the upstairs area to be turned into an upscale backpackers.
“There seems to be a lot of demand for cheaper accommodation around and we think
there’s some beautiful space upstairs we could use.”
Jared hopes it will only be necessary to shut the hotel for a couple of weeks for the
refurbishment which will take place around Easter.
“Ideally we have all the tradies lined up, all the plans in place so we can just get it done
and be back up and operational.”
Jared, who had been running his own wine brand for the past seven years, was taking
some time out from that when a friend who is part of the hotel’s ownership group said
he was looking for someone to come down to Denmark and oversee the project.
“I jumped at the chance, it was a pretty good opportunity, a lot of different interests of
mine converging and then the chance to come down and spend more time in Denmark
because I’d always holidayed down here but I never really got to spend a solid chunk of
time so it seemed like perfect timing.”
Jared moved from Perth to Denmark in November last year and is now waiting for his
girlfriend to finish some consulting work before she also moves down south.
“It’s certainly a great little community to get involved with. Oh man it’s lovely, we went
up to the local soupy last night, they do it Tuesday night up at the RSL where you have
the soup kitchen on.
“It’s really nice coming from Perth, I’m sure there’s plenty of that stuff around but it’s
harder to find. Whereas here it seems to be front and centre which is so lovely to get
involved with.”
Jared says it’s that community vibe that the hotel wants to pick up on.
“What we’re really trying to do is not come in and impose on the community something
that only appeals to tourists. We really want to be part of the fabric of the town.
“Obviously we want to appeal to people coming from further afield as a bit of an
experience, but we also really want to be that sort of heart of the town where people
can feel comfortable coming in and getting good value and still feeling welcome.
“That’s the balance we’re really trying to strike at the moment.
“It’s about community consultation and not dictating what’s going to be the right way
to make this venue what it should be.
“We’ll be doing a lot of events that are focused on mountain biking, fishing, all the
other stuff that makes the area amazing as well.”
IN-STORE NOW:
Browse or shop local online at www.thehubalbany.com.au
176 York street 9841 1880 www.thehubalbany.com.au
Trading hours Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri: 9am to 5.30pm. Thur: 9am to 8pm & Satuday: 9am to 4pm.
12 LOVE LOCAL
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focus
focus
The Great Southern Film Co-Op
“We Used to Shoot Whales, Now We Shoot Movies”
The Great Southern Film Co-Operative (GSFC) has proudly announced its mission to
champion independent West Australian cinema, uniting a diverse group of individuals,
businesses and arts patrons across WA.
Founded by Albany author and filmmaker Adam Morris, the Co-Op is set to produce
one film annually over a decade (from 2022 to 2032) showcasing the breathtaking
landscapes and rich culture of the Great Southern region. This year will see the third
film Frederickstown being shot right here in Albany and stars Peter Rowsthorn, Myles
Pollard, Trevor Jamieson and Travis Jeffery.
Adam describes the film as a vanta-black comedy in the tradition of the Coen brother’s
Fargo (1996) or Guy Ritchie’s Snatch (2000). It’s a very dark comedy about the hapless
Burke brothers, a missing greyhound, and a handful of very sneaky murders.
FREDERICKSTOWN – THE PREMISE
Jimmy and Harry Burke have a problem. Their lawn rolling business is going under and the
business loan they secretly took out using their mother’s home as equity is being called in.
If they don’t come up with ninety thousand by the end of the month they’re all out on the
street. They only have one option . . . call Freddy.
STORY AMANDA CRUSE | PHOTO LATA WRIGHT
Peter Rowsthorn plays Freddy, the lifelong criminal and just released-from-prison
psychopath who is enlisted by his estranged brothers to help them out of a tight
financial jam. It’s Peter’s first role of his entire career where he gets to play a seriously
disturbed and deranged mad man trying his best to save the day. He’s joined by Travis
Jeffery, fresh off the set of the latest Planet of the Apes movie as well as Myles Pollard
and Trevor Jamieson coming back to Albany following their triumphant lead outings in
Frank and Frank.
Frederickstown is the third feature film to be financed by the Great Southern Film Co-
Op and is yet another example of the overwhelming community support for a local film
industry.
“The Co-Op allows us to engage directly with the community, both for the financing of
the films and for the creative act of making them as well,” explains Adam.
BELOW: Albany author and filmmaker Adam Morris has an incredible vision for the future of the Great Southern’s burgeoning film-making industry.
“Traditional funding models have limited funds to spread across all of WA and as we
are a relatively small regional centre, we can often get overlooked. But we hope that
now that we’re demonstrating our ability to raise our own financing, as well as attract
incredible cast members like Pollard, Rowsthorn, Jamieson and Jeffery, as well as having
such strong community support, that funding bodies will want to assist us with our
future projects.
“We had some very positive meetings late last year in Perth with Screenwest so
hopefully we can work together very soon to make some truly memorable movies going
forward”.
The GSFC works by raising money through sponsorships through the likes of Bendigo
Bank, The Hilton Garden Inn, Stirling Ranges Beef, Paperbark Books and The City of
Albany, as well as through smaller investments from businesses and local individuals
wanting to buy shares in each film and finally through donations from people wanting
to support the films and the Co-Op on a more modest scale.
“We raised just over $70K to make Frank and Frank in 2022/2023 and that was all
through the Co-Op, for Frederickstown to date we’ve raised just over $230K and we’re
hoping to raise another $70K in sponsorship to cover the last of the post-production.
“The three tiers of sponsorship, investment and patronage allows everyone to be
involved at whichever level suits them best, we’ve had people contribute $20 through
our donation page and as a local filmmaker, that’s really heartwarming.”
The Co-Op’s commitment also goes beyond making feature films, with initiatives
that include filmmaking workshops covering screenwriting, editing, acting and crew
development for local cinephiles and younger people wishing to break into the industry.
The Co-Op aims to foster a vibrant and sustainable film culture in the Great Southern
region and the very first of these workshops is being planned for the Albany Summer
School at the end of this year.
Adam sees the burgeoning Albany film industry to be in a similar stage of its growth
to the region’s wine industry in the early 1970s. Adam would like to see in fifty years
time, multiple production companies, alongside his own Kinjarling Films, making
feature films, documentaries, children’s television and animation all here in The Great
Southern.
“We went from predominantly farming sheep and growing apples in the late sixties to
now producing some of the best pinots and rieslings in the world and it only took us a
few years to pull it off. There’s no reason we can’t do the same with our own local films.
“It’s an inspiring industry to be a part of and it would enable us to keep our best
creative minds in the region, as well as tell our own stories for the whole world to enjoy.
Films which will put a spotlight on Albany and will only benefit the community going
forward into the future.”
The Co-Op allows us to engage
directly with the community, both
for the financing of the films and for
the creative act of making them
as well.
Adam Morris
ABOVE: The new Great Southern Film Co-op’s logo “Orson Whales” was designed by Talarah
Pedrocchi Roelofs. BELOW: A QR code to take “Orson community Whales” members designed who would by like Talarah to contribute Pedrocchi Roelof
straight to the project’s Go Fund Me page.
The Great Southern Film Co-Op
“We Used to Shoot Whales, Now We Shoot Movies”
The leadership team of The Great Southern Co-Op includes Bruce Manning, Adam Morris,
Talarah Pedrocchi Roelofs, Angela Bristow-Baohm and Janet McArtney. Businesses,
The Great Southern Film Co-Operative (GSFC) proudly announces its mission to champion independen
organisations, and individuals are invited to contribute to this cultural endeavor,
West
whether
Australian cinema, uniting a diverse group of individuals, businesses, and arts patrons acros
through funding, in-kind support, or one-off donations. Every contribution, big or WA. small,
plays a crucial role in building and celebrating the local community on-screen.
Frederickstown will be filming in Albany and Mount Barker from 26 February until Founded 22 March. by Albany author and filmmaker Adam Morris, the Co-Op is set to produce one film annuall
over a decade (2022-2032) showcasing the breathtaking landscapes and rich culture of the Grea
www.adammorris.net
Southern region. This year will see the third film “Frederickstown” being shot right here in Albany and
stars Peter Rowsthorn, Myles Pollard, Trevor Jamieson and Travis Jeffery.
Adam describes the film as a vanta-black comedy in the tradition of the Coen brother’s Fargo (1996) o
Guy Ritchie's Snatch (2000). It’s a very dark comedy about the hapless Burke brothers, a missin
greyhound, and a handful of very sneaky murders.
The Inspire Studio
Join us in our beautiful workshop space, The Inspire Studio, for one of
our Flourish Eclectic Workshops or hire the space to run your own
inspiring workshops.
We feel strongly that creatives should be paid what they are worth, so we
have a Love Local Rate for Great Southern creatives who book the room.
Save on venue costs with Flourish Eclectic and increase your profit margin
from ticket sales.
MORE INFORMATION INCLUDING HIRING RATES AT
www.flourisheclectic.com.au/creative-events
138 YORK STREET, ALBANY WESTERN AUSTRALIA
14 LOVE LOCAL
LOVE LOCAL
15

eflect
reflect
TROOPER WILLIAM BAXTER
Rejected Soldier Stows Away on Ship to Egypt
STORY ANNE SKINNER
When William Baxter was discharged from the 10th Light Horse Regiment in the first
weeks of November 1914, he figured out another strategy to join the war – he’d stow
away. The 19-year-old Albany farmer, who had four months’ service with the pre-war
Australian Light Horse Citizen Military Forces, had enlisted at Guildford on 3 November,
passed his medical with flying colours and begun training. The reason for his discharge
is uncertain and the date he was ordered to hand in his kit and depart the Australian
Imperial Force is unknown – neither detail survives in his military file. What is known
is that he was found aboard the troop transport Surada within 24 hours of the vessel
clearing Fremantle Harbour on 17 February 1915, possibly wearing his old CMF uniform.
Perhaps a soldier reported his unauthorised presence to an officer, or maybe the
determined young would-be trooper presented himself cheerfully to the authorities,
probably reasoning the ship was unlikely to turn back a full day into the voyage north.
He was right. Any reprimand the stowaway received was never recorded. Instead,
a brief note in his file states: “This man stowed away on transport Surada 17-2-15,
though discharged earlier in Melbourne”. What he was doing in Melbourne at the same
time as his comrades in arms were learning how to shoot rifles while on horseback at
Guildford and Claremont showgrounds was not clarified. Now aboard the troopship and
regardless of any past misconduct, William was formally assigned as 604 Trooper Baxter
to the 10th Reinforcements of the 10th Light Horse Regiment. The Surada docked in
Alexandria in early March and the men went directly into desert training outside Cairo.
On 16 May, leaving their horses in Egypt, the regiment embarked for Gallipoli where
they were thrown into the thick of the fighting against the defending Turkish forces.
Less than two weeks later, Tpr Baxter was evacuated to an Egyptian hospital after
he was shot in the thigh. His parents were never formally notified. One unintended
consequence of Trooper Baxter’s unorthodox second enlistment while on the high seas
was that his name had never been recorded on the regiment’s nominal roll, nor did it
appear on the embarkation roll. As he did not feature in any of the Army’s formal lists,
his next of kin could not be informed of his wounding, and none of his parents’ letters
reached him. Frank and Laura Baxter first discovered their son had a bullet wound in his
thigh when he wrote to them from his hospital bed complaining about his lack of letters
from home.
But it was only when his father wrote to the Army’s Base Records office in Melbourne
asking for more information about their son’s wound that the family learned of the
stowaway saga. The officer in charge explained: “On the nominal roll of that unit being
searched, no trace of your son’s name could be discovered; consequently, I was unable
to inform his next of kin (of his wounding). A cable message of enquiry was accordingly
dispatched to Egypt, soliciting reply that your son, though discharged earlier in
Melbourne, had stowed away… The non-receipt of letters from home is, no doubt, due
Advising the Great Southern since rural sector 2012
to the irregular manner he left Australia.” He assured the Baxters that from then on
they would receive all necessary communications from the AIF.
After almost a month in hospital, Tpr Baxter was sent to a convalescent camp at
Mustapha, just outside Alexandria. After his discharge he spent several months in depot
before returning to the peninsula in November, a few weeks before all the Anzac troops
were evacuated. Back in Egypt, the regiment was brought up to strength with new
recruits and sent to defend the Suez Canal from the advancing Ottomans. Throughout
1916, Tpr Baxter remained in Egypt guarding the vital waterway, while the majority
of the Allied mounted divisions drove the Turks back across the Sinai Peninsula in the
major battles of Romani and Magdhaba.
Stationed at Moascar Camp near the banks of the canal, William managed to get
himself into some trouble. For 46 days in July and August, he was absent from camp
without leave. When he was finally apprehended, he forfeited the same number of
days’ pay and was sentenced to 26 days Field Punishment No. 2. Shortly afterwards, he
was back in hospital with a fractured bone in his hand. No sooner had he returned to
duty than he was sentenced to a further 28 days Field Punishment No. 2, this time for
drunkenness. In early 1917 he was in hospital once more, suffering from diarrhoea.
In May 1917, Tpr Baxter, now a temporary driver, was ordered north to take part in
preparations for the Third Battle of Gaza. When his unit reached Shellal in Palestine,
he reported sick with gastro-enteritis and was consigned to a hospital train bound for
Cairo, where he was admitted to No. 14 Australian General Hospital. For the next nine
months, he was in and out of hospital with the stomach condition, a very common
illness among soldiers during the war. The authorities judged him too chronically sick
to continue to serve and, in July 1918, he embarked for Australia to be discharged from
the AIF for the second time in four years. William Baxter returned to Albany where he
joined the local branch of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. He married in 1920 and
passed away on 5 July 1969. He was buried in the Fremantle Cemetery.
Sources: National Archives of Australia; Australian War Memorial; Western Mail, Perth;
Albany Advertiser.
Leases and Share Farming Pre contract Agreements; advice; We know and understand the rural sector
Personal Wills and Estate Planning;
• Advising Leases and Share the Farming Great Agreements; Southern
Sale and Purchase of Probate farming and properties, Estate Administration; other and
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evel 1, 184 Aberdeen We agricultural know Street, and Albany business understand • Telephone: assets and the (08) residential 9841 rural 5634 sector
Advising Email:albany@wapropertylawyers.com.au
properties;
the Great Southern since 201
• Pre contract advice;
Probate and Estate Administration; and www.wapropertylawyers.com.au
• Leases and Share Farming Agreements
• Personal Wills and Estate Planning;
the Great Southern • Succession since Planning2012
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We know and understand
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Albany • Telephone: and business (08) 9841 sales 5634 and purchases
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Leases and Share Farming Pre contract Agreements; advice; : properties; (08) 9841 5634
Email:albany@wapropertylawyers.com.au
Personal Wills and
Pre contract Estate advice; Planning;
Personal Wills and Estate Planning;
Sale and Purchase of Probate farming and properties, Estate Administration; other and
Probate and Estate Administration; and
agricultural business assets General and Property residential Law
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evel 1, 184 Aberdeen Level 1, 184 Street, Aberdeen Albany Street, • Email:albany@wapropertylawyers.com.au
Telephone: Albany • Telephone: (08) 9841(08) 5634 9841 5634
Email:albany@wapropertylawyers.com.au
Level 1, 184 Aberdeen albany@wapropertylawyers.com.au
Street, Albany • Telephone: (08) 9841 5634
www.wapropertylawyers.com.au
Probate and Estate Administration; and
www.wapropertylawyers.com.au
Email: albany@wapropertylawyers.com.au
Succession Planning;
the Great Southern since rural sector 2012
www.wapropertylawyers.com.au
ABOVE: Trooper Baxter stowed away on the troopship Surada after he was discharged from the
AIF after only a few weeks in 1914. (Courtesy Australian War Memorial PB1019).OPPOSITE,
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Trooper William Stephen Baxter suffered chronic illness during his
time in Egypt and Palestine. (Courtesy Western Mail, Perth). Recuperating patients at the 14th
Australian General Hospital play billiards, while other patients rest in deck chairs. Tpr Baxter
spent many weeks in this hospital recovering from gastro-enteritis. (Courtesy Australian War
Memorial B02440). This convalescent ward in the 14th Australian General Hospital contains 350
beds. (Courtesy Australian War Memorial B02448). Light Horsemen line up for kit inspection at
Shellal, in Palestine. Tpr Baxter fell ill here and was sent back to hospital in Cairo. (Courtesy
Australian War Memorial A05015)
Advising the Great Southern sin
Leases and Share Farming Agreements;
Succession Planning;
Sale and Purchase of farming properties, other
agricultural business assets and residential
www.propertylawyers.com.au
16 LOVE LOCAL
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taste
taste
TASTE GREAT SOUTHERN
Michelin Star Chef Shane Osborn to Visit
It can take months to create and test dishes world class restaurants put on their menus. But
that won’t be the case for renowned international chef Shane Osborn when he turns up at
the Albany Farmers Market on Saturday, May 11 from 9am to 10am.
ALBANY FARMERS MARKETS
Autumn Brings Lovely Variety of Fresh Produce
STORY RUTH SPELDEWINDE
Shane has been challenged to go for a stroll around the markets keeping an eye out for
fresh, local produce that he can whip up on the spot to create a tasty treat for visitors to
the markets on the day.
He says it will be an interesting challenge.
Not much of WA’s fresh produce makes it as far as Shane’s Arcane restaurant in Hong Kong.
“One of the things I’m really looking forward to exploring is the very small plots and farm
holdings that are not producing enough to export,” Shane says.
“Unfortunately in Hong Kong the only produce we really see from Western Australia
is what they can afford to export at scale but I know that there’s incredible produce
throughout the South West.”
Shane, who was born in Perth and completed his apprenticeship at what was then the
Hilite 33 revolving restaurant and is now C Restaurant before heading to London where
he became Australia’s first chef to lead a restaurant winning a Michelin star at Pied a
Terre in London where he was part owner.
He was awarded a second Michelin star in 2003 and since his move to Hong Kong to set
up Arcane where he earned another Michelin star in 2017.
While in Albany for Taste Great Southern Shane will also be cooking at Catch of the South
at the Albany Boatshed on 9 May 2024.
People are flocking to farmers markets around the country to buy produce direct
from farmers because it is super fresh and great value. Albany Farmers Market is no
exception, and as autumn begins there is a huge variety of Great Southern produce
available.
Capsicums and tomatoes are in abundance, along with cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini and
eggplant. You can buy all your staple veggies of course, with potatoes, carrots, onions,
celery, leek, celeriac, beans, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower all on offer.
Pumpkins are coming into season, with more varieties appearing as autumn progresses.
There’s always lots of healthy fresh greens available at the market to add flavour and
nutrients to your meals, with the current choice including kale, chard, bok choy, kang
kong and mizuna. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are available every week and look out
for fresh chillis as the season continues.
It’s melon season and you will find juicy watermelon, honeydew melon, rockmelon and
some interesting varieties that you probably won’t see elsewhere! Passionfruit and
figs make an appearance at the start of the season and there’s still time to get fresh
blueberries and plenty of plums. Strawberries will continue right through autumn.
It’s the start of apple season and you’ll find plenty of apple varieties to choose from
including Gala, Golden Delicious, Braeburn and many more. Don’t forget to pick up
some avocados while you are at the market too. The fruit offering will change with the
seasons of our region throughout the year, meaning it’s always fresh.
But it’s not just fruit and vegetables on offer. You’ll also find free-range chicken,
grass-fed lamb and locally caught fish. Two local bakery stalls provide heaps of choice
including sour dough breads, baguettes, Turkish bread and more, along with plenty of
sweet and savoury pastries. There’s milk, cream and yoghurt from a local dairy, freerange
and organic eggs, honey, and a great range of jams, pickles and preserves made
from local produce to choose from.
Don’t go home without a colourful bunch of fresh flowers from one of our two flower
farmers. You can also grow your own produce with herb and veggie seedlings to fill your
veggie patch. Top the morning off by picking up a delicious pastry, muffin, slice or dried
fruits as you shop around the market and then head to the coffee van (they use locally
roasted coffee beans) and enjoy a break in our seated area.
Everything is sold direct from farmers of the Great Southern by the people who grow or
produce it. We welcome you to join us each and every Saturday from 8am to noon.
Celebrating 20 Years
JOIN THE FEAST
JOIN THE FEAST
2 -12
MAY
2024
THE HEART OF
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
FOOD & WINE
Albany | Mt Barker | Denmark
Katanning | Frankland River
Enjoy fresh clean produce, fine wines, combining amazing flavours
with the landscapes of the Great Southern.
Don’t miss the many local, state and nationally acclaimed chefs
across a range of amazing experiences over 11 days.
The festival features a regional food & wine event, long lunches, unique
dinners, degustations, premium pairing events, community markets,
music events, wine and craft beer sessions and more.
Get your tickets now at TASTEGREATSOUTHERN.COM.AU
Proudly sponsored by
Featuring international
guest chef Shane Osborn
from Hong Kong’s
Arcane Restaurant
Fresh and delicious seasonal produce
directly f rom the farmers to you.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT
ALBANY FARMERS MARKET:
HUGE RANGE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUIT – FRESHLY PICKED!
• VEGETABLES
• FRUIT
• FARMED MEATS
• SEAFOOD
• DAIRY
• BAKERY
• JAMS AND SAUCES
• SEEDLINGS
• HONEY
• EGGS
• FLOWERS
• SPECIALTY GOURMET
PRODUCTS
• COFFEE
• HOT FOOD
WWW.ALBANYFARMERSMARKET.COM.AU | EVERY SATURDAY, 8AM-12 NOON, COLLIE STREET, ALBANY
18 LOVE LOCAL
LOVE LOCAL
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taste
taste
MARELIZE RUSSOUW
International Cool Climate Winemaker Settles
at Alkoomi Estate
STORY ALLEN NEWTON
With two brothers already working on her parents’ farm in South Africa’s Western Cape
– and a third brother planning to join the team - Marelize Russouw knew there was not
going to be a place for her.
So instead of wheat, canola and lupins Marelize turned towards grapes. As well as
growing crops, running a dairy and sheep, the family had around 80 hectares of
vineyard on the farm which sparked Marelize’s interest in viticulture.
“I love the farm life, so I would have loved to be a farmer, but I had three brothers, so I
didn’t really think there was going to be any room for me on the farm itself,” Marelize
says.
“So I went to study. I was more interested in viticulture at the time so in Stellenbosch
our degree is viticulture and oenology, and then later down the track in your third year
you have to choose your main subject.
“I went with viticulture with the thought of becoming a viticulturist in the area or
anywhere and then I became more interested in the wine side of my studies and
decided to major in winemaking.
“So, again, it was still a farm life, I couldn’t really see myself doing anything else other
than working in a farm environment, even if it’s not my own family farm.”
Marelize completed her Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Oenology in 2006 and
spent two seasons working on the same winery cooperative her family’s farm provided
with grapes so she knew the winemakers well.
“I did my first vintage there. I really loved it and it showed me that’s really what I
wanted to do,” Marelize says.
She caught the travel bug while studying at university.
“One of our subjects was wineries or wine areas of the world and I was young and I had
nothing that kept me in South Africa at the time.
“I was pretty keen to get out, go and see what’s out there. I wasn’t even planning to
stay overseas. I just wanted to learn different things and be a bit more hands on.
“In South Africa we tend to head straight into a winemakers role whereas overseas you
Winemaker Marelize Russouw is happily ensconced at Alkoomi Wines.
normally start lower down and you will be a cellar hand for many years and then work
your way up.
“I wanted to learn that bit, to be a good cellar hand first and on top of that, of course,
to see different areas, different styles, different regions and just learn a bit more before
I went back to what I know and where I’m from.”
Marelize’s overseas journey started in New Zealand.
“I went to Marlborough first. I was in a massive winery, it was another cooperative
winery. They do big contracts, so they only do a little bit for themselves, but mostly they
were a contract winery.
“I was quite interested in New Zealand because where I’m from in Darling, sauvignon
blanc is the main variety and in New Zealand it is the sauvignon blanc region that
interests me.
“Sauvignon blanc was a variety I was familiar with. It was the wine that I drank as an
adult with my parents, my parents loved sauvignon blanc. It’s the first wine I drank.
“I wanted to see a different region with a cold climate sauvignon blanc.”
Marelize stayed in New Zealand for about six months and then travelled to the United
States
“I went to the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California. It’s another cool
climate-ish area, but they are more known for pinot and chardonnay.
“I was keen to see a Northern Hemisphere cool climate area. At that time I thought I
might be nearing the end of my travels.
“I went back to South Africa after I went to California and I worked for a year in South
Africa, then in 2009 I came to Frankland River.”
Again, it was the cool climate of the region that was attractive to Marelize.
“I knew people in Frankland River, fellow winemakers, and they talked about the riesling
and the cold climate and that’s really what got me here, I was keen to learn about the
riesling, it’s a variety that I wasn’t that familiar with, but I did enjoy drinking, I just
hadn’t made it before.
“I never planned to stay. I meant to come for about six months, which turned into
almost 10 years at the same place.”
Marelize is now ensconced at the family-run Alkoomi Estate.
Having worked in four different countries Marelize says it’s easier to point out
similarities in their winemaking rather than differences.
“For me, what connected them was the cool climate.”
The differences were mainly in the way the individual wineries worked rather than
geographical differences.
“I’ve worked in very old wineries, and I’ve worked in state-of-the-art wineries.
“There are differences in the soil of course, and differences in how many people they
have working, how hands-on they are, or what equipment they have.”
I wanted… to be a good cellar
hand first and… to see different
areas, different styles, different
regions and just learn a bit more
before I went back to what I know
and where I’m from. Marelize Russouw
Marelize has loved working in the Frankland River.
“What I love is the fact that it’s such a small wine-growing sub-region.
“I feel like we have a very close connection with all our fellow wineries and winemakers
and we bounce ideas off each other.
“It’s a very close-knit community. You work with the same people for 15 years. It’s a
very warm environment to work in. You get connected, you get close to people you
work with and you trust the people you work with.
“We have one girl in the winery who I’ve worked with since she was 17 and she’s 25
now. Alkoomi gives me a real sense of a family winery.”
“And that is one of the things that kept me in Frankland, the people.
“It’s not for everyone, but I do think it’s the biggest reason I’ve stayed for so long, is
the fact that it really has that sense of community – and besides that, it’s of course an
amazing area.
frugal fox rural
maintenance • fencing • chainsawing • basic carpentry •
• brush & debris clearing • slashing •
• hands-on help • no job too small •
earthworks • 4t excavator • trenching • post holes • swales •
timber • portable bandsaw mill • firewood processing •
planning • holistic farm design • drafting & shire approvals •
• alternative agriculture advice •
• denmark • western australia •
• 0484 617 193 • frugalfoxrural@gmail.com •
ARCHITECTURE
WITH HEART
08 9848 3894
info@ptxarchitects.com.au
ptxarchitects.com.au
䄀 瘀 愀 椀 氀 愀 戀 氀 攀 愀 琀 琀 栀 攀 ǻ 渀 攀 猀 琀 挀 愀 昀 猀 Ⰰ 最 爀 漀 挀 攀 爀 礀 猀 琀 漀 爀 攀 猀 Ⰰ 漀 爀 漀 渀 氀 椀 渀 攀
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猀 琀 愀 猀 栀 挀 漀 û 攀 攀 ⸀ 挀 漀 洀 ⸀ 愀 甀
20 LOVE LOCAL LOVE LOCAL
21

taste
taste
CHERUBINO WINES
Edwina Cherubino’s Generational Connection
to Frankland River
STORY ALLEN NEWTON
“Compared to say, Margaret River, we get about half the rainfall daily, so we are
looking pretty seriously into planting varieties that are just going to do better in a drier
environment.
“We’ve actually planted a lot of Italian varieties now, which are turning out to be really
successful. They just absolutely love Frankland. So varieties like nebbiolo, fiano and
even a little Italian variety called arneis.
“They’re all proving to be really successful, which is exciting.”
Frankland’s unusual environment is unique according to Edwina.
“It’s still considered Mediterranean, but we get mild summers and very cool summer
evenings which is very, very good for those Italian varieties, along with riesling, shiraz
and cabernet.
We’ve actually planted a lot of
Italian varieties now, which
are turning out to be really
successful. They just absolutely
love Frankland.
Edwina Cherubino
Edwina Cherubino has a relationship with the Great Southern’s Frankland River region
that goes back five generations. For Edwina and husband Larry who operate Cherubino
A few years later in 2010 the opportunity arose to buy the neighbouring vineyard with
acres of prime river and vineyard country.
“We avoid chardonnay because the environment is not what we think is quite right for
chardonnay.
Wines that connection is also a wine connection.
Edwina’s ancestors, the Egerton-Warburton’s, migrated from England and settled
Frankland River in the mid-1800s. They also planted the first vines on the banks of the
river in 1875.
The couple have continued the family’s connection to Frankland River through the
ownership of the 70-hectare vineyard Riversdale which they bought around 15 years
ago and to which they are now bringing a taste of Italy.
“I think the vineyard itself must be at least 20 years old now,” Edwina says.
“When we bought the vineyard there were quite a few varieties on there that we didn’t
want, so we had to do quite a bit of reworking.”
They grafted five new clones of cabernet sauvignon and five new clones of shiraz along
with mencia, touriga nacional, grenache, mourvedre, malbec and fiano as well as new
clones of merlot and cabernet franc.
Frankland River soils are chiefly iron-rich lateric gravelly or sandy loams derived from
granite or gneissic rocks, and so are typically red in colour and of uniform depth. Some
areas carry loams derived from the native marri and karri eucalyptus forests.
The continental climate offers sunny dry days and cold nights and afternoon sea breezes
from the Southern Ocean can drop temperatures dramatically.
This diurnal variation delivers vibrant, deep red wines and white wines with freshness
and acidity.
“But the big thing for us is also soil management and mulching and cover crops and all
that kind of thing also massively helps with your water regime as well.”
Edwina says there will probably be more of the Italian varietals in coming years.
“They’re proving popular and people are wanting to drink different wines as well.”
Albany Harbourside
Apartments and Houses
Offers a range of fully self-contained accommodation
options, ideally located in the town centre and
Middleton Beach. Soak up the history and spectacular
scenery of the amazing South Coast.
That first purchase in 2004 was a small parcel that had originally been part of the large,
historic land holding of Riversdale.
BELOW: Larry and Edwina Cherubino.
“And while you are always working towards changing the way you do things to try and
improve yields, at Frankland River the biggest challenge is water.
The Frankland River journey for Edwina’s family is one that began when five brothers
came out from England and ended up farming in different parts of WA.
“That would have been in the late 1800s. My ancestors ended up originally in Mount Barker
and then out to Frankland River - you can imagine how remote that would have been.
Excellent facilities, great locations.
Welcoming corporate clients, families and couples.
www.albanyharbourside.com.au info@albanyharbourside.com.au
9842 1769 8 Festing Street, Albany
“Pretty colonial kind of stuff really, but what’s amazing, what’s really nice about that is
my dad, who was born and bred in Frankland River still farms there with my brother. I
grew up there and we were always sheep and wheat farmers.”
Grapes came later in the 1990s as a way to diversify the farm.
Edwina says she has always loved Frankland River and Larry also fell in the love with the
fishing • camping • workwear
region.
“He was always involved down there with grapes when he was working for Houghton.
“And now we find ourselves with our own vineyard. We absolutely love it.”
The original property from the 1800s which was called Yerrinup still operates as a farm
operated by Edwina’s second cousins.
“My grandfather grew up there with his older brother who got the Yerrinup homestead
and my grandfather got given the other end of the farm. My dad still lives on his bit of
farm there.”
Edwina’s wine journey continued in the early 1990s when she me Larry Cherubino who
was about to move to Adelaide and start winemaking.
“I ended up going over to Adelaide with him and we lived there for a few years.
And then he moved back here to make wine for Houghton which is now no longer.
He worked for Houghton for five years and then we decided to start our own wine
business.
An insulated water bottle
from frank green is perfect
for hot and cold drinks onthe-go,
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“That was about 2005.”
Cherubino began in Larry and Edwina’s spare rooms with the release of one wine and
has grown over the years into a lot of tiers within its brands, slotting into every section
of the market.
“We’re looking at things like a premium nebbiolo and a high-end fiano, which previously
you probably never would have considered. But there is a demand for it now, and that’s
great.”
The Cherubino brands will be at Taste Great Southern’s Great Southern Cellar Door on
Saturday 4 May from 11.30am to 4.30pm at Eyre Park in Albany.
www.larrycherubino.com
Open
6 days
a week
Albany’s largest fishing, camping and lifestyle store. 100% Locally owned and run.
184 Albany Hwy, Albany
9841 7859
trailblazers.com.au
22 LOVE LOCAL
LOVE LOCAL
23

what's on
what's on
GRAZE MOUNT
COME AND ENJOY
SCOTSDALE VALLEY WITH US.
BARKER
Explore the Region this
Long Weekend
Graze Mount Barker is on again over the March long weekend, from Saturday 2 March
to Monday 4 March. A great way to spend the weekend is to get out, explore and graze
your way around the wineries of the Mount Barker region.
We serve delicious food with an Asian twist.
Restaurant Open Saturday & Sunday for lunch.
807 Scotsdale Road , Denmark | Cellar Door open: Thur - Sun 11 AM - 4 PM
www.estate807.com.au | Tel 9840 9762
Wine and food lovers will be able to travel between Plantagenet Wines, Gilberts Wines
and West Cape Howe Wines wineries sampling the best on offer from each, as well as a
grazing plate specially put together to perfectly match their featured wine. Tickets are
on sale now and a visit to each winery is $25 per person for the food and wine pairing.
Immerse yourself in all that represents this wonderfully rich wine producing region.
Come and meet the owners and the growers and ‘Graze’ the weekend away. Select your
itinerary...visit all three cellars or just visit one, all at your leisure over three days.
Gilberts Wines Pairing
Slow cooked lamb with pistachio and green olive tabouleh paired with a glass of 3 Lads
Cabernet. There is also a vegetarian option available. Book ahead through the QR code
or call (08) 9851 4028.
Plantagenet Wines Pairing
Plantagenet pulled pork slider with a side of Dutch oven potatoes paired with a glass of
Three Lions Chardonnay. Book ahead through the QR code or call (08) 6243 3913.
West Cape Howe Wines Pairing
Plantagenet pork belly on a red cabbage slaw accompanied with a glass of award
winning tempranillo or riesling. Book ahead through the QR code or call (08) 98 921444
The Katanning Harmony
Festival
The Katanning Harmony Festival runs over two days from 22 to 23 March in the
town centre, starting with the Friday Food Night ahead of the huge street festival on
Saturday. The festival showcases the positive aspect of Katanning’s cultural diversity
as the community comes together in a celebration that promises colour, culture,
connection and excitement. About 5,000 people are expected to attend.
ASK
ABOUT
STAYING AT
KARRIBANK
Karri on Bar
SMALL BAR IN PORONGURUP
The pizza oven’s on, local beers and wines are ready,
the tunes are playing! Join us here for a casual
evening drink and tasty food.
OPEN FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5PM KITCHEN CLOSES 7.45PM,
SUNDAY OPEN 12PM CLOSES 6PM, FOR UPDATES CHECK FACEBOOK.
GROUP BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY FOR OTHER DATES AND TIMES.
1983 PORONGURUP RD, PORONGURUP, WA. PH (08) 9853 1022
EVERYBODYʼS BEEN ON
ALBANYʼS RIVERBOAT!
www.albanyaustralia.com
9am Full 36k, 4 hour “SHELTERED WATER CRUISE”
Billy tea, coffee, wildlife &
Captain Kalgan’s famous HOT damper.
Aussie seniors $105 - we reckon you’ve earned the discount
BUT IT REALLY PAYS TO BOOK
9844 3166
Not so rough,
itʼs only
PLUS
Natural Raw
Honey Tasting
24 LOVE LOCAL LOVE LOCAL
25

what's on
Exhibition - Shelter with
The First Hug
Shelter is a solo exhibition of textile and multimedia installations by Verity
Byth, exploring notions and emotions of shelter in a climate-ravaged world. Shelter
is joined by The First Hug where choreographer Annette Carmichael has created
an immersive installation about our needs for intimacy and emotional shelter. The
exhibition is on from 23 February to 4 April 2024 at the Vancouver Arts Centre.
Everything we put in the Gig Guide is correct at the time of
printing, to the best of everyone’s knowledge. But be warned,
things can and do change.
WHO + WHAT WHERE WHEN
ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Mardi Gras Live Watch party Albany Entertainment Centre 2 March, 4pm
Forever Diamond Albany Entertainment Centre 7 March, 7.30pm
David Scheel in Mad Maestros Albany Entertainment Centre 13 March, 10.30pm
The Madonna Show Albany Entertainment Centre 14 March, 7.30pm
Jimmy Rees – Let’s Get Regional Albany Entertainment Centre 22 March, 6pm and 8.45pm
EXHIBITIONS
The Alternative Archive Albany Town Hall to 9 March
Shelter and The First Hug Vancouver Arts Centre all of March
Liza Stewart – Making their Mark Vancouver Arts Centre all of March
WHO + WHAT WHERE WHEN
gig guide
2024 Vintage Celebration Gilbert’s Winery, Kendenup 17 March, 12noon-4pm
Katanning Harmony Festival Various locations, Kanning 22-23 March
MARKETS
Albany Farmers Market Collie Street, Albany Every Saturday 8am to noon
Stirling Terrace Indoor Markets Old Auction Room Every Sat and Sun 9am to 3pm
Centennial Markets Centennial Park, Albany Every Sat and Sun 9am to 1pm
Albany Boatshed Markets The Boatshed, Princess Royal Drive Every Sunday, 9am to 1pm
Kwoorabup Community Markets Denmark High School, Denmark Every Sunday, 10am to 2pm
Walpole Community Markets Pioneer Park, Walpole 2 and 16 March, 8am-1pm
Midway Markets Narrikup Sat 23 March, noon-4pm
Easter Pottery Markets Rear Vancouver Arts Centre 30 March, 9am-4pm
OTHER
Digital Drop In Albany Public Library Every Wednesday, 10am-noon
A Taste of Living Smart -
Designing Biodiverse Backyards
Join Yann Toussaint for an exploration of how we can design our gardens to create
habitat and food sources for the benefit of birds, frogs, blue banded bees, quenda, and
many of the other species that call Albany home. This free event will be hosted by the
Albany Public Library on 11 March, upstairs between 1.30pm and 3.00pm. Book your
spot by emailing library@albany.wa.gov.au or call 6820 3600.
Great Southern Youth Art Awards Albany Town Hall from 15 March
Art in the Porongurup Porongurup Hall from 29 March
Hands on Colour King River Hall from 30 March
FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Albany Pride Festival Fair day Albany Town Square 2 March, 10am to 2pm
Graze Mount Barker Various Locations, Mt Barker 2 to 4 March
Rocky Gully Show and Shine Higgins Park, Rocky Gully 2 March, 9am to 3pm
Mt Barker Railway 100yrs Open Day Mt Barker Railway Station 6 March, 10am
International Women’s Day Breakfast King River Hall 8 March, 8.00am
International Women Day morning Tea Albany Public Library 8 March, 9.30am
It’s A Kinda Magic Port Theatre, Albany 9 March, 7.30pm
Great Southern Bingo Beryl Grant Community Centre Every Wednesday, 6pm
Film Harvest – Independent and Arthouse Films Orana Cinemas Albany Every Wednesday, 6.15pm
Let’s Go Surfing Middleton Beach, Albany 16 March, 9am-noon
Barmup Bushcarers David St picnic area, Albany 17 March, 10am-noon
It’s FREE to promote your event in the
AURORA MAGAZINE Gig Guide!
If you would like to be included for the APRIL edition,
contact us at gigguide@auroramagazine.com.au before
the 5pm Sunday 24 March deadline.
ALBANY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
7:30PM TUESDAY APRIL 9
A series of professional development
workshops designed to equip local
artists and creatives with the
business, marketing and practical
skills required to support their
success as arts practitioners.
Next workshop Thursday 7 March 2024
5:30 - 7:30pm at Vancouver Arts Centre
MANAGING YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
Wellbeing tips tailored to meet the
challenges faced by creatives.
To view the full workshop program
and register for workshops go to
artsandculture.albany.wa.gov.au/
workshops/business-side-of-arts.aspx
or call 6820 3740 for more info.
26 LOVE LOCAL
LOVE LOCAL
27

PROPERTY SALES | AUCTIONS | ADVICE
ALWAYS
WORKING
FOR THE
BEST OFFER
Know that the offer you get is the best available in the market.
Only through good planning, excellent marketing & promotion
and skilled negotiation can you be confident of the best sale price.
Welcome to Mason Realty.
Office (08) 6830 1854 | hello@masonrealty.com.au | www.masonrealty.com.au