Table of contents for December 2018 in Country Style

At this time of year, many of us are sitting around the table celebrating with our family and friends. Some of us may even be lucky enough to set up a table outside in a paddock under a gum tree like the one on our cover. It’s likely that the table will be laden with food produced by farmers like the ones we feature in our pages throughout the year — and, with the drought, what a year it has been for many of them. I don’t think I will ever stop being inspired by the spirit of people on the land. Their determination, strength, courage and intelligence. Their drive to do the best they can. We acknowledge a few of these remarkable people in The 2018 Country List on…

THE FAIRY LIGHTS had been turned on and the trees down the main street were shining. It was opening night at the inaugural Peter Allen Festival in the small town of Tenterfield. Not that many people had turned up — it can be hard to get people to change their ways for something new. Dignitaries were there to open the event, including our federal member Barnaby Joyce. He walked to the stage to take the mic and just as he started speaking a well-dressed man in his 60s, sitting next to me in the scattered crowd, picked up two sheets of cardboard and stood up. He walked out in front of Mr Joyce chanting “Stop Adani!” and held the anti-mining signs high above his head. He continued for about a…

WEEKEND AWAY NSW Arafel Park This elegant 1930s home in the Southern Highlands is just five minutes’ drive from Bowral. Set within cool climate gardens that date back to the property’s former life as a farming estate, Arafel Park can sleep up to 12 guests in six bedrooms and has indoor and outdoor living areas and a swimming pool. From $791 per night. Minimum three-night stay, book online. arafelpark.com.au foodie feast WA Manjimup Cherry Harmony Festival, December 8th Around a three hour drive south of Perth, this food and wine celebration includes farm tours and cooking demonstrations. A highlight is the Long Table Lunch where guests can enjoy local produce beneath the cherry trees of Newton Orchards. Some events are ticketed, to book visit cherryfestival.com.au FOR WINE LOVERS…

RACHEL CASTLE’S JOYFUL designs are instantly recognisable. From screen prints and hand-stitched embroideries to homewares, patterned bedlinen and acrylic art pieces, her wares are highly coveted. Although born in Melbourne, Rachel grew up near Sale, in Gippsland, Victoria, and it was here she developed an early fascination with pop culture. “As a little kid in a small country town, I devoured magazines and watched Countdown and Rage like my life depended on it,” says the 48-year-old, who grew up with younger brother Chad and parents Stephen and Jillian. “My mother had beautiful clothes, she had her hair blow-waved and nails done every Saturday morning. She was very well presented, whereas I was always a scruffy little kid,” Rachel says. “If she said to me once, she said to me a…

BEING ABLE TO WATCH their children head off across the paddock, with their 10-month-old heeler cross Rosie running alongside, is one of the reasons Edward Rawlings and Jeanie Wylie are farming their verdant 48-hectare property in subtropical Nashua, NSW. That the children — Frederick, seven, Evelyn, four, and Arthur, two — can make a detour up the hill to their grandparents’ place in time for morning tea is an added bonus. Andy and Sandra, Edward’s parents, are partners in the Byron Bay hinterland property and divide their time between the farm and Brisbane, around two hours’ drive north, where their other children, daughters Emma and Polly, live with their families. “It’s like having fairies at the bottom of my garden,” says Sandra. “The only rule is that the children need…

• The walls of the house are painted in Dulux Super Hide Lexicon Quarter and the floors are Berger Jet Dry AquaTread in Silver Tassel. The exterior is Dulux builders white with Grey Pail trim. dulux.com.au; berger.com.au • Most of the furniture in the house is painted in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. Sandy hosts painting workshops at her store in Mudgeeraba. anniesloan.com; paintmewhite.com • The Domsjo farmhouse sink in the kitchen was purchased from IKEA and the Kado Classic tapware in the bathroom is from Reece Plumbing. ikea.com.au; reece.com.au • The kitchen cabinet was made by Cabinet Connections in Bundaberg. cabinetconnections.com.au • Sandy’s grain-sack cushions, the arched frame mirror and the rugs are available at Paint Me White. Shop 3A, Mudgeeraba Village Shopping Centre, Swan Lane, Mudgeeraba. 0408 276 762;…

THE ENTERTAINER Kiki reclaimed ash dining chair in Natural, $590, and Cica reclaimed oak dining chair in Natural, $490, both from MCM House. Flannel flower wreath, POA, from Grandiflora. Bay linen tablecloth in Dark Grey, from $179, from Papaya. Linen tablecloth in Natural, from $145, from Cultiver. ON TABLE, FROM LEFT Medium Porcelain Dusk bowl in Dark Grey, $45, small dinner plate in Light Blue, $40, and large dinner plate in Dark Blue, $50, all from Studio Enti. Linen napkin in Charcoal Grey, $50 for set of four, from Cultiver. Morphy Richards Accents Rose Gold Collection four-slice toaster in Matte Black, $109, Nespresso by DeLonghi Lattissima One Capsule coffee machine in White, $349, and Heritage metal jug vase in Black, 30cm, $19.95, all from Myer. Porcelain Dusk round beaker in…

FOR THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY, 2018 was a year of rapid evolution and major innovation. We saw a rise in the popularity of exotic ingredients and skin supplements, while anti-pollution and bespoke skincare solutions moved into the mainstream. But bigger — yes, much bigger — changes are just around the corner. “We’re about to see a powerful change in the ‘natural’ beauty category and there will be a mass culture shift,” says Deryll Naidoo, founder of Future Hub, a Melbourne-based company that forecasts industry-disrupting trends. “Taking care of yourself is in. Unhealthy habits are out. Phrases such as ‘irritant free’ and ‘zero irritant’ won’t just be used by natural skincare brands, they will become standard for mass skincare.” “It is people, rather than brands, that have become the biggest cultural trend…

AUSTRALIAN FICTION THE SHEPHERD’S HUT Tim Winton, Hamish Hamilton, $39.99 Winton’s finest. A boy flees cruel father and finds a mentor in the the outback. UK FICTION TRANSCRIPTION Kate Atkinson, Doubleday, $32.99 A truly superb spy thriller set in London during and after WWII. AMERICAN FICTION MRS. Caitlin Macy, Simon & Schuster, $29.99 Three women battle modern life but this take is original, revelatory. GARDENS GARDEN LOVE Simon Griffiths, Thames & Hudson, $59.99 Beautiful photographs of 22 gardens with lively commentary. COMEDY ABSOLUTE PROOF Peter James, Macmillan, $29.99 The Holy Grail, pure evil masquerading as religion — what’s not to like? HISTORY WEDNESDAYS WITH BOB Bob Hawke and Derek Rielly, Macmillan, $29.99 Rielly charms our revered ex-PM and now we have this warts-and-all memoir. POLITICS THE WORLD AS IT IS…

NICOLA SEVITT Our talented editorial co-ordinator styled both The Barn in Wolgan Valley on page 38 and a farmhouse on the Rawlings family’s Nashua property on page 46. Although she’s usually in the Country Style office supporting the team and running the administrative side of the magazine, Nicola sometimes assists on photo shoots. For this issue she travelled to Capertee, NSW, to style The Barn (right), and was blown away by its design and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. “I love that each member of the family played their part in helping it come together,” says Nicola. She also visited the Rawlings family’s farm near Nashua in northern NSW. “I’d been to the area before, but it was nice to explore this lush little oasis.” And she was pleased…

IN CAMERON MACKENZIE’S childhood home, Christmas preparations started on Derby Day, the first day of the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne. That was the day Cam’s mother Wilma would make Christmas puddings, a ritual he and his brothers would participate in every year. “Mum would buy the ingredients, cut the pudding cloth, and get the bowls and the Kenwood Chef out in preparation,” Cam recalls. “It was just routine. As a kid, I thought it was a drag. She made loads of puddings and it was too big a task for her to do on her own, so my four brothers and I were called on to help chop fruit. Dad would have the racing on in the background and do jobs about the house. He wouldn’t step into the…

NSW Sunset Cinema Wollongong, December 13th–February 23rd Wollongong Botanic Gardens is screening films on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings during the summer months, with a bar and food trucks onsite. Tickets are $18 for adults, $11 for kids and $40 Premium Lawn Lounge tickets are also available. Take a look at the full program and book tickets at sunsetcinema.com.au VICTORIA Barefoot Cinema, December 26th–February 16th Pack a picnic blanket and head to one of three leafy venues — Portsea’s Point Nepean National Park, The Briars in Mount Martha or the gardens of heritage-listed Ripponlea Estate — to take in a film under the stars. Classics such as Grease, Pulp Fiction and Dirty Dancing will be showing and there will be food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are…

IN DENMARK, IT’S A TRADITION for couples to celebrate their copper wedding anniversary (which is 12-and-a-half years, or halfway to their silver anniversary). In a quaint but symbolic ritual, friends, neighbours and family will decorate an arch around the couple’s front door — but it will only go halfway. When Michael T. Hansen, then-Danish Consul General, and his graphic-designer wife Kristine reached this important milestone they were based in Sydney — halfway around the world — so they chose a romantic weekend in NSW’s Wolgan Valley instead. Little did they know, this trip would set their family’s future on a totally different trajectory. “On that weekend we just fell in love with the valley and the nature,” Kristine recalls. “Those valleys and rolling hills were breathtaking — Denmark is just…

• Sandra and Andy worked with interior designer Mary Durack on the colour scheme for their cottage. White walls contrast with colourful and patterned furnishing such as a sofa and ottoman covered in William Yeoward fabric (07) 3369 3384; marydurackinteriordesign.com.au • Brisbane-based architect Chris Hills added and removed walls to open up the interior of Sandra and Andy’s small cottage, added a bedroom wing to the north and linked the two with a deep verandah. (07) 3870 7855. • Encouraged by interior designer Mary Durack, Sandra brought a lot of her furniture from Ipswich to the new house. “She understands that you can make old things look good again and that it’s all about memories.”…

CREATIVITY, IN ITS MANY FORMS, has been the continuous thread running through Camila Serrano’s life. Originally from Colombia, Camila lives in Castlemaine, Victoria, with her husband Todd Neale and their children Maya, 11, and Max, 10. It’s here in her backyard studio that Camila hand-makes exquisite felt figures and decorations. Needle felted and moulded in soft merino wool, Corriedale wool and silk, her creations for her label Felt and Grain make unique gifts or Christmas decorations. Among the many different forms she felts are fairies, masks and nativity sets — as well as Christmas angel tree toppers, which are her favourite creations. “I love angels,” says Camila. “I’m not religious, but since I was a little girl I’ve always really loved angels. Most people put them on their trees, regardless…

NONIE’S PANPEPATO, NSW Nonie’s Panpepato is made in Sydney from great regional produce, including Malfroy’s Gold Yellow Box honey from NSW’s Blue Mountains and hazelnuts from Carboor Harvest’s orchard in north-east Victoria. Similar to the medieval Italian panforte, these ingredients, along with almonds, organic cacao, sultanas, citrus peel and a blend of spices are shaped into an indulgent and highly addictive festive treat which is gluten- and dairy-free. Buy online or at the Precinct 75 Summer Design Fair in St Peters on December 8 ( precinct75.com.au ). $24.50/300g. noniesfood.com.au BOOKS FOR COOKS FOR THE COOKING NOVICE When you’re young and starting out as a home cook you may not think that cookbooks can become lifetime companions. But some, like the first book you learn to cook…

MEDIAN HOUSE PRICE $340,000 MEDIAN RENTAL PRICE $400 per week (for a standard three-bedroom house) According to Brad Williams, director of Kimberley First National Real Estate (kimberleyfirstnational.com.au), the investor market is expected to return to Kununurra, given the rental returns and the ability to currently buy at less than replacement value. “The next big project for Kununurra is Project Sea Dragon, a proposed large-scale land-based prawn aquaculture project to be constructed on Legune Station, with a processing plant based in Kununurra,” says Brad. “It is anticipated it will be a staged development of approximately 10,000 hectares of prawn production ponds. A project this size is a fantastic addition to the local economy, which has always been diverse, thriving on a variety of sources such as farming, tourism, mining and now…

1. US brand Rejuvaphyl is taking advantage of the abundance of vitamins and antioxidants in chlorophyll, and its ability to repair and recharge skin, using it in products such as their Rejuvaphyl Rejuvenating Complex HS (30ml, $217.80). 2. The Neutrogena Visibly Clear Light Therapy Spot Treatment ($39.99) is like a magic wand for blemishes. It uses red light to calm inflammation and blue light to target acne-causing bacteria. 3. Diet, stress, sun exposure, pollution and other lifestyle factors not only affect our skin and the way it ages, they’re believed to have an impact on our genes. Sisley’s latest research in the field of epigenetics has produced their Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Âge Firming Concentrated Serum (30ml, $600). The result of around five years’ research and development, the serum reactivates an enzyme…

2 duck trading 2ducktrading.com.au Adore Beauty adorebeauty.com.au Alfresco Emporium alfrescoemporium.com.au All Fired Up Pottery instagram.com/allfiredup.pottery Allen & Unwin allenandunwin.com Amperna amperna.com Antique Emporium (03) 6423 3316 antiqueemporium.com.au Antique General Store amazingfindz.com Appliances Online 1300 000 500 appliancesonline.com.au Aura Home 1300 304 269 aurahome.com.au Bang & Olufsen bang-olufsen.com Batch Ceramics batchceramics.com.au Bunnings (03) 8831 9777 bunnings.com.au Bushman Tanks 1800 287 462 bushmantanks.com.au Cactus Hill Project (02) 6684 6110 Camp Hill Antique Centre (07) 3843 4837 camphillantique centre.com Canon 13 13 83 canon.com.au Casa e Cucina (02) 9958 3271 casaecucina.com.au Castworks castworks.com.au Chanel 1300 242 635 chanel.com Cocorepublic 1300 000 220 cocorepublic.com.au Cotswold InOut Furniture 1800 677 047 cotswoldfurniture.com.au/en Country Road 1800 801 911 countryroad.com.au Cult 1300 768 626 cultdesign.com.au Cultiver 1300 016 772 cultiver.com.au Curious Grace curiousgrace.com.au David Jones davidjones.com Dog & Boy (03) 8538 1533 dogandboy.com Domo (03) 9277 8888 domo.com.au Dulux 13 25 25 dulux.com.au Ebay ebay.com.au Edible Beauty Australia ediblebeautyaustralia.com Erin Malloy erinmalloy.com Fabrics Traders fabrictraders.com.au Fallenbroken…

NO, I’M NOT GOING AWAY for a relaxing summer break. Does anyone these days? Everyone I know waits for mid-winter and escapes somewhere warm. The way global warming is going, we’ll be lying comfortably on the beach at home come mid-winter anyway. But look, I can’t just blame global warming. The real reason we don’t go on holiday anymore is the cat. “Woo hoo,” I exclaim to The Chosen One, “we’ve just won a 21-day all-inclusive ultra-luxury seven-star European cruise in a penthouse stateroom with gourmet dining and free unlimited shore excursions at every port. It was under the lid of the peanut butter jar.” “Well that won’t work, will it?” she sneers. “What would we do with the cat?” “Hey, hang on a minute,” I say. “This is a…

COMING HOME I arrived back from yoga today to find Country Style waiting on my doormat. For the last year I’ve been living in England with my partner. However my family and friends are all in Australia and New Zealand. I’m coming home for a couple of months and I can’t wait to smell the Aussie earth, walk by the ocean and catch ups with kids, grandkids and friends. Country Style has been so special to me. I subscribed when I moved away and every month it’s helped me feel closer to home. The exceptional photography manages to capture the light and essence of Australia, the stories are about real people and the recipes keep me busy in the kitchen. Time for a cuppa with my copy as I recover…

QLD Iconic Queensland at Childers Arts Space, November 6th–January 6th This touring exhibition showcases artworks from 28 regional and remote artists from Queensland whose works were selected for inclusion from more than 200 entries in the Queensland Regional Art Awards 2017. The exhibition challenges perceptions of what Queensland icons are through unique interpretations of the artists’ communities, environments and characters. Free entry. 72 Churchill Street, Childers. (07) 4130 4876; bundabergregionalgalleries.com.au NSW Newdesign 3 at Sturt Design Centre, December 14th–Febraury 10th Find inspiration for your home at this showcase of craft and design work, including textiles, wall coverings, ceramics and furniture. Makers such as paper artist Gunjan Aylawadi, ceramicist Sarah Ormonde and furniture by Aidan Morris are on display. Open 10am–5pm daily (closed public holidays), entry is free. Corner…

• Kristine chose the sleek Morsø wood fire because it produces lots of heat and is very efficient. Available from Castworks. (03) 9588 1169; castworks.com.au • Reproduction reclaimed timber flooring in European Oak Dryden from Havwoods is used throughout the home. 1300 428 966; havwoods.com.au • The couple chose Voxtorp cabinets in the kitchen and an Ektorp sofa, both from IKEA. ikea.com.au • Kristine imported the Diamond bathroom tiles in Storm from Danish company Marokk to match the stone sink made by Michael’s father. marokk.dk • Rylock glass and Velux skylights let light in throughout the house. rylock.com.au; velux.com.au • The property’s water tanks are from Bushmans Water Tanks. 1800 287 462; bushmantanks.com.au…

SANDY AND TIM PALMER and their children Paige, 21, and 16-year-old Jordan regularly holiday in Bundaberg, near the south-east coast of Queensland, but it was a fortuitous detour down Goodwin Street 10 years ago that set them on a new creative venture. Halfway along the street an open for inspection was underway, so they pulled over to have a look at the Queenslander which was built in 1910. “It was a spur of the moment thing. I absolutely fell in love with the beautiful fretwork and wide verandahs, and I had a vision of what it could turn into,” says Sandy, 47. “It was pink and burgundy with yellow trim — a bit of a liquorice allsort — but it had beautiful bones.” When the family purchased the house, Sandy…

A NATIVE CHRISTMAS Nestled amongst the hills of Mangrove Mountain, a rural locale in the hills behind the Central Coast of NSW, lies the most colourful farm I’ve ever seen. Row upon row of native flowers — kangaroo paws, f lowering gums, banksias and plenty more — grow tall and strong. Shadehouses overflow with delicate wildflowers, such as flannel flowers and Sturt’s desert pea. This floral wonderland is tended to by Craig Scott, a flower farmer with a passion for native blooms. Craig has been supplying flowers to Sydney’s top florists for more than 30 years. With such an abundance of beauty, I ask Craig what blooms he puts on his family’s festive table. “We always have some flowering gum, Christmas bells and Christmas bush on our table,” he says.…

HUNTER VALLEY CHEF Troy Rhoades-Brown is prepared for an early start on Christmas morning. “Hudson, who’s five, and Edie, even though she’s only two, understand all about Christmas and they are very clear on who Santa is,” he says of his children. “They’ll be excited before going to bed on Christmas Eve and will be up very early.” Christmas Day at Troy’s Branxton home, a 130-year-old weatherboard that looks north to the Barrington Ranges, will unfold as it does every year. “Once we’ve opened the presents we’ll have fresh fruit and yoghurt for breakfast and then get started,” he says. Troy likes to get into the vegetable garden early to pick greens and herbs “while it’s still cool”, collect ripe fruit from the orchard, and feed Lulu and Daisy —…

ERIN MALLOY WOODWORKER AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER, 28 Erin works as a graphic designer then spends her weekends in her Macedon studio, in central Victoria, creating beautiful wooden wares. What do love about the country? I love the way it makes me feel more mindful. I notice the weather more, listen to birdsong and smell the freshly sprouting wattle; the sounds and scents of nature are enhanced and force me to be present. How would you describe your style? Delicate but bold, elegant but functional. What are your wardrobe essentials? A flattering pair of jeans, simple linen shirts, summer slips and a leather jacket. What do you always pack when travelling? Edible Beauty No. 2 Citrus Rhapsody Toner Mist and The Beauty Chef’s Beauty Fix Balm. My skin gets pretty dry…

THE WAITER Matias Faldbakken, Doubleday, $29.99 This slim novel set in Oslo cast a spell on me. It’s narrated by a waiter who has spent all his working life in an elegant restaurant. He’s a loner, does a splendid job with the regulars and knows exactly how to engage with his bosses but ordinary socialising is beyond him. One day a young woman comes in. She’s laid-back yet a weird potency emanates. She throws back a quadruple espresso with no visible effect. And? Lots of laughs along the way but don’t expect a tidy ending. THE GIRL THEY LEFT BEHIND Roxanne Veletzos, Simon & Schuster, $29.99 My first boss, a Brit, ran away as a teenager and joined King Carol of Romania’s bodyguards. They had splendid plumed helmets but the…

PERFECT SETTING Create your perfect outdoor setting just in time for summer with the Lucy Modular range. Made from man-made rattan and fit for any type of weather, this range looks chic all year round. POA; cotswoldfurniture.com.au HOME BREW Enjoy barista-quality coffee at home with DeLonghi’s PrimaDonna Class coffee machine. In sleek stainless steel, it has a touch-button start and is easy to use. $1849 at Harvey Norman. delonghi.com/en-au/products/coffee IN BLOOM Join Jacqueline Coates in rural France (April 26–May 5) to learn the Blooms Painting Method. $7697; artscreativehub.com/art-workshops-events/france/blooms-paintingworkshop-france LUCKY CHARM Fine white diamonds are set in 18ct white gold in the Lannah Dunn diamond horseshoe necklace. This symbol of good luck and protection is sure to bring joy to the wearer. $3999; lannahdunn.com ALL WHITE NOW Provincial Home Living’s Sorrento…