The state government will make working from home a right.

Premier Jacinta Allan has announced the government will introduce legislation to protect the ability of an employee to work from home.

Under this proposed law, if you can reasonably do your job from home, you will have the right to do so for at least two days a week – public sector or private sector.

Working from home works for families and it’s good for the economy.

It’s popular. Flexible working arrangements are utilised by workers and businesses alike, with more than a third of Australian workers – including 60 per cent of professionals – regularly working from home.

It saves families money. It saves Australians on average $110 a week or $5,308 every year. That’s more money back in the pockets of hardworking Victorians at a time when every dollar makes a difference.

It cuts congestion. Victorians are now spending less time commuting, saving more than three hours in their week on average. That’s three fewer hours sitting in traffic and three more hours back in your life.

It gets more people working. Work from home supports women with children, carers and people with a disability to work. Thanks to work from home, workforce participation is 4.4 per cent higher than before the pandemic.

It’s good for business. Those who work from home are working nearly 20 per cent more hours than those who are working in the office full time.

Work from home has changed millions of lives. While not everyone can work from home, everyone can still benefit.

To develop these laws, the government will undertake consultation led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Consultation will focus on ensuring the law reflects the real-world experience of working from home: what’s fair, what’s practical, and what’s already working in many workplaces today.

Following consultation, the government will introduce and pass this legislation next year, with several legislative options available.

Quotes attributable to Premier Jacinta Allan said work from home works for families and is good for the economy.

“Not everyone can work from home, but everyone can benefit. If you can do your job from home, we’ll make it your right – because we’re on your side.”

A unique program offering a “one-stop support shop” for those facing homelessness has expanded, as demand for assistance increases by nearly half.
As we mark National Homelessness Week (4-10 August), one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit providers of social housing, Link Wentworth, has revealed a 47 per cent increase in the number of people attending its Community Support Hubs compared with the previous financial year.
Link Wentworth CCO Margaret Maljkovic said the not-for-profit’s Community Support Hubs bring together more than 30 services that someone who may be experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness might need.
“It’s often hard to know where to turn to for help or even if it’s possible to access assistance when you’re doing it tough,” Ms Maljkovic said.
“Our Community Support Hubs remove that barrier to seeking assistance by having everyone in one location. Help includes support finding a home, seeking financial advice, and medical and mental health assistance.
“Over the previous year, we’ve hosted 37 hubs and achieved just shy of 4,000 outcomes for attendees. Services accessed included government assistance, material aid, mental health, aged care, family, and drug and alcohol.”
To meet growing demand, a monthly Community Support Hub is now held in Ryde, in addition to Penrith, the Blue Mountains, and the Hawkesbury.
Some of the service providers in attendance include Mission Australia, Sydney Water, Service NSW, Hearing Australia, and the Benevolent Society.
“These are all well respected organisations with teams of experts. It means people can be confident the advice they’re getting is correct and that action can be taken to help them navigate a tough time,” Ms Maljkovic said.
“Our hubs are also about showing vulnerable people that they’re not alone. Snacks and refreshments are provided, and often gifts are given too, the most popular of which has been blankets and pet food.”
Link Wentworth provides 10,000 Sydney residents a safe, secure, and affordable place to live.
To help women and young people experiencing homelessness, Link Wentworth is aiming to raise $300,000 through its Home Sweet charity sleep out event. Around 100 ‘sleepees’ will spend the night at Sydney International Regatta Centre on 5 September to raise funds for Link Wentworth’s scholarship program, and fellow not-for-profit organisations Platform Youth Services and Women’s Community Shelters.

As many of us seek relief from the bite of the winter chill, Ambulance Victoria (AV) is educating the community about burn prevention and correct treatment.

AV Grampians Director Regional and Clinical Operations Steve Doyle said burn prevention should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

“When the temperature drops, we often reach for products to help ease the cold, whether that be warm food or drink, heaters or hot water bottles and heat packs,” he said.

“While these are all common household items, they can be dangerous if used incorrectly or by unsupervised children.

“There are a few simple steps that can significantly reduce the risk of burn injuries in high-risk places such as kitchens, bathrooms, around heaters and campsites.”

Burn prevention tips:

• Always supervise children in the kitchen and keep hot items out of reach, such as the kettle or coffee mugs, and turn pot handles so they can’t be pulled down.
• Always test bath temperatures before letting your child enter.
• Remain vigilant around open flames, keep them out of reach of children and away from flammable materials.
• Make sure safety guards are around fireplaces and always use water to fully extinguish campfires.

All burns can be serious and it’s important to know how to treat them properly and when to call for emergency assistance.

Treatment is the same for all burn injuries and should begin with holding the burnt area under cool running water for 20 minutes. Clothing or jewellery that is not stuck to the burn should be removed.

Do not apply ice or food products, such as butter, to the burn as these can make the injury worse.

For minor burns, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) is a great resource available 24/7 via video link.

“VVED is a convenient, free service that virtually connects you with doctors and nurses from the comfort of your home with no need to attend an emergency department,” Steve said.

“It can be used from anywhere in Victoria, all you need is a device with internet and video connection.”

For serious burns or emergencies, call Triple Zero (000).

Translated resources for non-emergency care can be found on the AV website.

Victorians will soon be able to access free pads and tampons at even more of the state’s most iconic venues.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins recently joined the Melbourne Vixens to launch the expansion at the State Netball and Hockey Centre in Parkville, where three vending machines are already installed.

More than 500,000 people visit the Centre each year and more than 80 per cent of them are women and girls. It’s one of more than 20 major venues now providing free access to period products, including:

• Royal Botanic Gardens
• Royal Botanic Gardens – Cranbourne
• Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
• South Melbourne Market
• Queen Victoria Market
• Melbourne Cricket Ground
• John Cain Arena
• Rod Laver Arena
• Margaret Court Arena
• State Library Victoria
• Melbourne Museum
• IMAX Melbourne
• Scienceworks
• ACMI
• Melbourne Recital Centre
• IKON Park
• Mission Whitten Oval
• MARS Stadium
• GMHBA Stadium
• Royal Exhibition Building
• North Melbourne Football Club Recreation Centre
• Melbourne Immigration Museum

From sporting stadiums to museums, hospitals to TAFEs, the Labor Government’s $23 million program is making it easier for women and girls to fully participate in public life – whether that’s work, study, sport or fun.

One in five women and girls report that they can’t afford the period products they need every month. Since the launch of the program in November 2024, more than 90,000 packs have been dispensed – saving families hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Councils across Victoria were asked to help nominate venues, making sure products are available in every corner of the state. Victorians can find the nearest location using the interactive map at vic.gov.au/free-pads-and-tampons.

Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins said whether females were at a footy final or on a school excursion, they shouldn’t have to worry about access to pads and tampons.

“We’re delivering free pads and tampons in public places right across Victoria, and now we’re making it a reality at some of our most iconic venues – saving Victorian families thousands of dollars every year.”

As Loneliness Awareness Week kicks off, (4-10 August, 2025) a new technology solution powered by the TeaTime platform is being rolled out across aged care homes to combat loneliness – with Medical & Aged Care Group (MACG) first to adopt.

Messages for Good is a new community-powered channel on the TeaTime platform – an app that helps families, aged care residents and carers to stay connected by sharing photos, videos and messages. Created in partnership with Friends for Good, Messages for Good allows volunteers to send photos and video messages to aged care residents, especially those without regular contact from family and friends and who are at high risk of loneliness. 

Medical and Aged Care Group – one of Australia’s leading family-owned and operated aged care providers – is a founding partner of TeaTime and is the first group to implement the app across all nine of its homes. MACG is also the first aged care provider to integrate the Messages for Good channel into its care model.

Loneliness: A quiet crisis still facing older Australians in care 

Research from Friends for Good shows that nine in ten Australians report feeling lonely at some point in their lives. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to multiple age-related risk factors. 

Messages for Good offers a low-barrier, scalable way to bring connection to people who may otherwise be overlooked. Messages from volunteers can include a song, a kind note or a photo of a loved pet. Messages are reviewed and then shared with residents through participating aged care homes. 

While working as aged care placement consultants, Co-Founders Jimmy Leishman and Ed Trick saw first-hand the toll that loneliness can take on elderly residents. This prompted the idea for TeaTime, which was first piloted with MACG in April 2024. In the past 12 months, TeaTime has delivered over 35,000 moments of connection between families and care providers.

”We are excited to launch Messages for Good in partnership with Friends for Good. This is a powerful step towards TeaTime’s mission to improve emotional wellbeing across care. It’s a beautiful reminder that connection doesn’t need to be complicated to be powerful. Even a small message can mean the world to someone who is experiencing loneliness. This new channel gives everyday Australians a chance to help the elderly feel seen, valued and remembered,” says Jimmy Leishman, Co-Founder and CEO, TeaTime. 

Leishman highlights MACG’s leadership in technology solutions to improve resident experiences, having been early adopters of TeaTime. “MACG has truly been a pioneer in bringing TeaTime and Messages for Good to life. The residents genuinely look forward to receiving the messages and updates, and we love that we can help to brighten their day,” adds Leishman. 

Cameron McPherson, Chief Executive Officer, Medical & Aged Care Group (MACG) says, “We’re proud to be working closely with TeaTime and Friends for Good to roll out the Messages for Good initiative across our homes. At MACG, we are incredibly passionate about building meaningful connections for our residents, and TeaTime shows how technology, when used thoughtfully, can play a powerful role in tackling loneliness in aged care while strengthening human connection.”  

“MACG carers have seen first-hand the positive impact that TeaTime has on our residents. It helps them to stay connected to loved ones, as well as the wider community and now Messages for Good is making the app more inclusive by helping those residents who don’t have regular contact with family and friends,” adds McPherson. 

Friends for Good is a volunteer driven not-for-profit organisation with a network of over 124 volunteers. “Friends for Good is delighted to be working in partnership with TeaTime, MACG and other aged care providers to bring messages of hope and happiness to seniors via the TeaTime platform. Our amazing volunteers are thrilled to be delivering these messages of joy that we hope will help many to overcome loneliness,” says Patricia Lauria, CEO and Co-Founder of Friends for Good. 

A 2022 Volunteering Australia report found that overall volunteering has been declining overtime. This decline has had an impact on aged care settings, where volunteers often play a vital role. Leishman believes that Messages for Good will help to build a national network of volunteers to deliver digital moments of connection.

“During COVID, aged care saw a sharp drop in volunteer participation, and we believe the Messages for Good channel will spark a new era of modern, meaningful volunteering,” added Leishman. 

To find out more, visit https://www.maacg.com.au/about-us/our-technology 

Urea use has proven to be a successful option to boost winter growth, helping farmers to grow more grass, which is vital during the current drought conditions.
Agriculture Victoria Livestock Industry Development Officer Nick Linden said after a poor spring and summer and a late autumn break, the need to grow more feed was a top priority.
‘AgVic is holding a webinar on Monday, August 11 at 12 pm, for livestock farmers focused on using urea to boost pasture growth this winter and spring.
‘Urea is a proven option for increasing pasture growth rates through winter. For those who haven’t used urea before, this might be the year to try it.
‘In similar conditions to this year, the Weed Managers Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) trialled urea test strips on a fertile annual ryegrass paddock in the Upper Murray. Urea was applied in early July and late August 2024 using two different rates, 75kg urea/ha and 100kg urea/ha.’
Pasture growth and accumulation were measured 6 weeks after each application.
Mr Linden said where there was no urea applied, daily pasture growth rates through July and into August averaged 5 kg DM/ha/day; typical for mid-winter pasture growth.
‘Pasture growth rates increased with urea applications and were greatest at the higher urea rate (100 kg Urea/ha), however, the higher rate did not give the best cost/benefit.
‘We found that a 75kg/ha urea application lifted pasture growth rates to 17kg DM/ha/day, and the 100kg application lifted growth rates to 23 kg DM/ha/day, compared to 5kg DM/ha/day without urea.
‘This increase in pasture growth rate and subsequent availability represented the difference between a pasture that would not maintain weaners or lactating stock, to one that would fully feed either stock class.’
Learnings from the urea application trial include:
• Select a pasture that has sufficient leaf area, is not lacking in fertility or soil moisture and has a high proportion of desirable species
• Applying urea early, when the pasture is growing, provided increased early growth and higher residual growth rates in late winter/early spring
• An early application of 75kg/ha urea in mid-winter, delivered the best cost/benefit
• Later application delivered little difference in growth between 100kg urea/ha and 75kg urea/ha, especially when growth rates had increased due to higher temperatures and longer days
• In all cases, the energy cost from additional feed grown using urea was cheaper than the cost of energy if sourcing grain or hay.
Find more information about available drought support visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or call 136 186.

The Australian and Victorian governments are making central Bendigo safer for everyone with work on new pedestrian-operated traffic lights now underway.

The lights on Chapel Street, near the Hargreaves Street intersection, are being installed as part of a $3.87 million joint investment by both governments through the Road Safety Program – making it safer and easier for everyone to cross the busy four-lane street.

The traffic lights, which will be located opposite the Bendigo fire station, will help pedestrians and cyclists cross the road safely, while raised safety platforms will also be installed on Chapel Street at the crossing to slow down vehicles.

The same program will also deliver new pedestrian-operated traffic lights on McCrae Street at the Mundy Street corner later this year.

The two new sets of lights form part of the City of Greater Bendigo’s planned Strategic Cycling Corridor which will provide a new protected shared user path along Mundy Street from Back Creek to McCrae Street in the Bendigo city centre.

Fire Rescue Victoria will also be able to operate the Chapel Street lights to ensure they can travel through the intersection efficiently in an emergency.

There will be changes to traffic conditions in the Chapel Street at Hargreaves Street area during construction with lane closures in place at times and the speed reduced to 40 kilometres per hour in the works area.

Victorian Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne said this important project was part of the Australian and Victorian government’s Road Safety Program which is designed to reduce road trauma and save lives.

The state government is backing grassroots initiatives that support unpaid carers – with grants available for projects that boost social connections and open up work and study opportunities.

Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence has opened applications for the 2025 Connecting Carers in their Community program, with more than $760,000 in funding available.

Delivered in partnership with Carers Victoria and the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), the program offers grants of up to $25,000 for small organisations, First Nations-led groups and community organisations.

More than 700,000 unpaid carers across Victoria provide vital care to family, friends and others, sometimes leaving little time to focus on their own health, connect with their community or pursue education and employment.

Last year’s program supported more than 40 projects across the state, including the Carers Cuppas program in Bendigo connecting carers with employment and health services, support for multicultural carers in Whittlesea to build new skills and pathways to study and a dedicated support group for First Nations carers in south-west Victoria.

Carer support groups, community health services, councils, neighbourhood houses and other grassroots organisations are encouraged to apply, especially those supporting carers in regional and rural areas.

Applications are open until August 18. For more information or to apply, visit carersvictoria.org.au or vaccho.org.au

Victorian students have achieved their strongest NAPLAN results ever, leading the nation and proving Victoria truly is the Education State.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll has announced that Victorian students are top of the class – ranking first or second in 18 of 20 measures and significantly improving on our 2024 results.

Victorian students are smashing records with an average of 70 per cent falling in the ‘strong’ or ‘exceeding’ bands while our primary students ranked first or second in all 10 domains.

In the Education State high performing students are supported to further excel and this year more students reached the two highest bands.

Thanks to our hardworking teachers and education support staff, the 2025 results also show that fewer students are needing additional support – with less students in the bottom band than in 2024 on 16 of 20 measures.

Victoria achieved its highest NAPLAN participation rate since 2008, with 96.6 per cent of students completing at least one assessment in 2025.

These outcomes are a testament to the rollout of key reforms by the state government – including the introduction of mandatory phonics and the grade 1 phonics check in government primary schools. The statewide government school rollout of explicit teaching will further strengthen student learning.

The Government is also funding the essentials so that no student misses out with free school dental checkups, free glasses and vision checks for young students and free school breakfasts.

While celebrating these excellent results, work continues in lifting outcomes for disadvantaged students and to close the attainment gap for First Nations students – the Government is rolling out targeted programs including the $18.5 million Koorie Literacy and Numeracy Program.

This year’s Words in Winter festival brings creativity to every corner of our town with the Around the Town program. Dive into Re-Page Art, a community exhibition transforming old books into stunning artworks, displayed across local venues from July 25 to August 31.
Don’t miss Phone-a-Poem, an interactive poetry experience at Paradise Bookshop, Daylesford Library, and the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre from July 28 – August 31, pick up a handset and let the words transport you.
Experience the spontaneous magic of Guerilla Poetry, where multilingual readings will pop up in cafés from August 22-24, blending languages and cultures in unexpected moments.
For a delicious twist, visit Two Fold Bakehouse at the Daylesford Sunday Railway Market on August 10 and 24 – every bread purchase comes with a free poem, story, or recipe, and two lucky buyers will win Golden Tickets to exclusive Words in Winter events.
From book art to surprise poetry and baked-in storytelling, this year’s festival invites you to explore, listen, and be inspired – all around town.
Check out the full festival program and book tickets: www.wordsinwinter.com

This August, the Words in Winter festival will bring to Daylesford and Hepburn Springs extraordinary tales of human resilience, featuring artists who have transformed war, displacement and trauma into powerful art. From besieged Sarajevo to Somali refugee camps and the Palestinian struggle, their stories offer profound insights into the human capacity to endure and create.

From Sarajevo to Safety
Edita Mujkić’s memoir Between Before and After recounts her harrowing escape from Sarajevo during the 1992 siege, when she fled with her two children while her husband remained trapped in the war zone. The book, which details their 600-day separation, has been recognised with several literary awards, including being shortlisted for the 2024 Memoir Prize. Mujkić’s upcoming conversation, alongside author Dani Netherclift (Vessel) and hosted by Sumitra Singam, will explore how to transform trauma into beautiful stories.
Edita Mujkić conversation: Light from the Dark – transforming trauma into beautiful stories: Saturday, August 23, 1.30pm-2.30pm

The Transformative Power of Poetry
Somali-Australian artist Mo Sudi brings his multilingual performance My Temporary Name Was Refugee! to Daylesford Hotel’s Bar Bamford on Saturday, August 23. The work combines spoken word in English, Somali and Arabic with live calligraphy, reflecting his journey from Kenyan refugee camps to becoming a celebrated poet in Australia. Drawing on Somali oral traditions and the communal ritual of shaah tea, Sudi’s performance creates what has been described as a therapeutic, immersive experience that bridges cultures and histories.
My Temporary Name Was Refugee! with Mo Sudi: Saturday, August 23, 4pm-5pm

Palestinian Stories Through Music and History
Yousef Alreemawi’s Understanding Palestine event on Saturday, August 30 at Spade to Blade Catering offers a unique blend of historical analysis and cultural performance. Yousef wears many hats: he’s a respected academic in Arabic language and culture, a translator, writer, proofreader, podcast producer, curriculum developer, refugee advocate, and political analyst – deeply engaged in the intersections of art, identity, and justice. Alreemawi brings both scholarly expertise and personal experience to his exploration of Palestinian identity. The presentation will include stories, music and Palestinian food, providing audiences with multiple pathways into understanding and learning about Palestine.
Understanding Palestine with Yousef Alreemawi: Saturday, August 30, 1pm-4pm

Safeguard Your Heart
And for those seeking to channel personal or collective hardship into art while safeguarding their well-being, psychiatrist and writer Sumitra Singam will lead a transformative workshop, Writing Trauma Without Traumatising Yourself, on Saturday, August 23 at Radius Art, Hepburn Springs.
This practical session blends trauma-informed techniques with creative writing, guiding participants – whether memoirists, fiction writers, or poets – to explore difficult narratives without retraumatisation.
Attendees will learn how trauma shapes neurobiology, how to stay grounded during the writing process, and engage in live exercises to practise these skills. Ideal for anyone navigating trauma’s complexities, the workshop underscores the festival’s ethos: storytelling as a tool for resilience, recovery, and connection.
Writing Trauma without Traumatising Yourself with Sumitra Singam: Saturday, August 23, 10am-12pm

A Festival of Shared Humanity
These artists demonstrate how trauma can be reshaped through creative expression. Mujkić’s memoir transforms wartime terror into a testament of love and endurance. Sudi’s poetry performance makes language itself a home for those who have lost physical ones.
Alreemawi’s work shows how cultural preservation becomes an act of resistance. These artists don’t just share their stories – they invite us into deeper understanding.
Their work offers local audiences not just performances, but portals to build meaningful connections across lived experiences.
The artists’ varied approaches – through memoir, poetry, and discussion – demonstrate the many ways creative expression can help process difficult experiences while building bridges between communities.

Full festival program: wordsinwinter.com

Hey there, I am Patch.
I am bright, playful and full of energy, but still learning the ropes of the world and I can be a little shy in new situations. I am only one-year-old…
But I am very smart and pick things up quickly. Oh, I love to chase tennis balls. It’s my favourite thing in the world.
I have been told I have the classic kelpie drive so no wonder I really thrive when I have a job to do or an activity to focus on. I would love an active person or family and a big yard to run around in. Microchip no. 956000018509724
Come and meet me at MAAWs in Castlemaine. Ph: 5472 5277.

Field Notes – (Not quite Poetry)

You write poems disguised as emails.
I write dispatches from the dripping edge –
roof leaks, radiator clamps, surf forecasts.
Still, I read you.

Sometimes your words come in
on a different frequency,
one I catch late,
like a faint station just past the static.

But once it’s there – it stays.
You send the ache and the light.
I send the shape of the day
held together with cable ties.

It’s not poetry.
But it’s not nothing.

I don’t always hold the thread like you.
But I haven’t let it go.

There’s a stretch of beaches here –
unnamed on the maps. Somewhere between
the storm and the calm that follows,
maybe we meet there.

You with your metaphors,
me with my toolbox.
Bring a pen.
I’ll bring the duct tape.

Crido writes poetry on the land of the Dja Dja Warrung people where story telling is part of the landscape.

Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters.
Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

David Hastings is a journalist, writer and English teacher based in Auckland, New Zealand. He has worked in London, Melbourne and Auckland in newspapers and in broadcasting. He was TV news editor at the ABC in Melbourne from 1983 to 1987.
In his latest book he writes: “In the spring of 2022, an email with the subject line, ‘book thought’, dropped into my inbox. It was from Kevin Childs, an old friend and veteran journalist, who at the age when most old journos have long since hung up their quills, was still plying his trade on The Local, a lively news magazine that covers the Central Highlands of Victoria.”
This refers to a meeting between Kevin and my father Cliff Barnes, a man of many words and a frequent visitor to our piece of paradise. Who on this auspicious Sunday afternoon I was not terribly happy with. No big deal, just a father and son spat. So I got on with drinking and telling raucous jokes in the corner of the bar, like most Sundays after deadline, and left him to his own devices. He and Kevin started chatting…and this meet-cute was the catalyst to David writing a book about the adventurous old bugger. A New Zealand-based, risk-taking, commercial fisherman who sunk his boats on more than one occasion, used up all nine lives, and then some.
His story, through David’s amazing words, is now available from Daylesford’s Paradise Bookshop and you can feel the danger of the man through the pages. I am risk averse, quite the opposite to Cliff, perhaps from growing up around the man.

One of my first memories, around five, involved him asking me if I could swim. I said I had been learning to float at the Ngunguru Primary School, where a creek to the beach doubled as our pool. And like that he flung me over the side into the brine to see if I could or was embellishing my abilities. Unfortunately the latter was true.
Another time, eight now, he wanted to check if there was any voltage coming from the end of a spark plug, so asked me to hang on to it. As he kicked the engine over I gave out a yelp and he quickly returned to looking for the fault. Clearly no voltage issue. A spark plug produces 12,000 to 45,000 volts.
More sparks when I was 18 and he taught me how to test a battery by simply arcing a screwdriver from one terminal to the other, If the spark is white, it’s dead and if it’s blue, it’s okay. I took this knowledge to my marine engineer’s class and was told to get out – something about sparks not being desirable on boats. Thanks, Dad.
As his deckhand he usually was inside the wheelhouse with my step-brother and myself working out the back. I once found myself on fire as he had lit the stove in the wheelhouse with a paper towel and tossed out the burning remnant onto the back of my jumper where it quickly took hold.
Another time we were pulling up snapper in the freezing winter and I had a wrestle with a particularly big unit which smacked me in the nuts with its tail. At the same time the boat violently pitched and rolled which ended with me being washed around the deck, cuddling the snapper, covered in hooks. Dad (aka Slipper Skipper as he was eventually known) was standing at the door of the warm wheelhouse with Milo in hand yelling “get up there’s no sleeping on the job”.

For my part in the book there were plenty of fun adventures and hard knocks and reading it gives me a better sense of what made the man and how he came to be the briney battler that he once was and still is to a lesser degree. It also pointed out a few amazing parallels that I have had in my life at the same age as Dad – a cleaning business and skipper for Hikurangi Fisheries among many.
For your chance to win a copy of Hook, Line and Misadventures, let me know in 25 words or less why you want to read about an old man’s memories of nearly killing himself at sea a few times. Who knew he had a book in him, rant over.

Well here I am penning another article for you, the reader, to enjoy…
This time I’ll be featuring exotic plants with ornamental bark, flowers and foliage. FYI, I plan on championing Aussie native plants in an upcoming article that fits these categories. Stay tuned.
So let’s start with bark. Often this stunning character is overlooked when designing a new garden or adding interest to an established one.
Here’s what I think are a few gems: acer griseum (paperbark maple) from China (widespread), pinus patula (weeping Mexican pine) from Mexico (widespread) and ulmus parvifolia ‘Frosty’ (variegated Chinese elm) from garden origin. Each of these species have the added bonus of autumnal foliage (maple), weeping foliage (pine) and variegated foliage (elm).

Next are flowers – well just let’s just open Pandora’s Box shall we, I mean what was I thinking? Soldiering on I’ve chosen an eclectic group of climbers, perennials, shrubs and trees for your perusal.
I’ve had to truncate the list somewhat with the exclusion of popular plants such as camellias, hydrangeas, irises, Japanese flowering cherries, peonies and rhodies for example.
So here we go – akebia quinata (chocolate vine) from China, Japan and Korea, calodendrum capense (cape chestnut) from Africa (widespread in the south), clematis x jackmannii Daniel Deronda (Jackmann’s clematis) from garden origin, cornus Eddie’s white wonder (dogwood) from garden origin, leucospermum high gold (pincushion) from garden origin, magnolia Star Wars (magnolia) from garden origin and salvia corrugata (ribbed sage) from Southern America.
And now for something completely different (a nod to you know who and if you, the reader doesn’t, then I guess I’m showing my age (sob)). Ah, yes, foliage, which is yet another subjective category with all of us having our faves.

So I’ve decided to throw a few of mine into the mix. Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle tree) from Southern America (Argentina & Chile), catalpa bignonioides (Indian bean tree) from Northern America (South-Central and Southeastern USA), liriodendron chinense (Chinese tulip tree) from China and Vietnam, magnolia delavayi (delavay’s magnolia) from China, and paulownia tomentosa (empress or princess tree) from China and Korea.
So there you have it, a little snapshot into the myriad choices available to us all when we venture out to see what may be in our local nursery and beyond.

Cheers JB (Trees in Australia)

Next time: a stroll through some of the botanic gardens of the world I’ve had the privilege to visit

Scan the QR code to see JB’s instagram post