Voice On Pako April 2015

32
Essential coffee shop reading! free monthly APRIL 2015 ON PAKO VOICE Get to know the locals of festival street

description

Voice On Pako: Free monthly lifestyle magazine for Geelong West and Newtown.

Transcript of Voice On Pako April 2015

Page 1: Voice On Pako April 2015

Essential coffee shop reading!

free monthly APRIL 2015ON PAKO

VOICE

Get to know the

locals of festival

street

Page 2: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au2

Page 3: Voice On Pako April 2015

3

Page 4: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au4

Want toadvertise?

Michele0431 149 020

or emailads@

oceangrovevoice.com

For allour

ratesand

specialdealscall...

PAKO BRIEFS

Stylist scoops another gong

Have your say on Pako bus routesBUS users are being urged to register their views in the last days of a second round of consultations being held by Public Transport Victoria.

Geelong West and Newtown services are among those being reconsidered.

Geelong Public Transport Users Association spokesman Paul Westcott said the second round of consultation was welcome as he believed the first was not well publicised.

He said a review was necessary because the 2011 census had shown bus patronage to be very low.

He encouraged locals to make their views known either at the PTV hub at Westfield or online at PTV.

The consultation is open until the end of this month with the changes due to come into force in June.

House offers a hive of activities

Essential coffee shop reading!

free monthly APRIL 2015ON PAKO

VOICE

Get to know the

locals of festival

street

THIS month's cover of Voice on Pako features Geelong West's Derek Ryan. Derek who runs the beekeeping courses at the Neighbourhood House was also involved in its foundation back in 2010. He is also a member of the organisation's committee.

SALON Sojourn hairdresser Hayley Parker has added yet another award to her long list of achievements, winning the Apprentice of Year at Gordon TAFE.

“I’m so excited,” she said.“It’s something I’ve wanted since I

started working as a hairdresser.”Hayley won the hairdressing

category earlier in the year and was one of three finalists interviewed by a panel for the institute’s top award.

She travels to Sao Paulo this

August to compete against the best in the world in the WorldSkills Competition.

The young hairdresser will take on her competitors in tests of styling skill, using dollies with a mixture of yak and human hair.

Before then she will sharpen her skills in a training competition in China, against three Chinese hairdressers, followed by the WorldSkills Oceania in New Zealand.

Page 5: Voice On Pako April 2015

5

A highlight of WestFest in March was LAINEY Carr’s much anticipated head shave for the Leukaemia Foundation. It was worth the wait. See page 5

Cut above the rest

PAKO BRIEFS

Booming NewtownNEWTOWN is abuzz with activity - and there's more coming our way.

Observant locals will have seen the recent demolition of properties on the corner of Mervyn and Pakington Street.

A look at the architect's website suggests there are

plans for "a quality landmark retail and office development."

The original site, consisting of four separate disjointed properties, were demolished to make way for a lively retail-lead mixed use development that integrates sensitively with the adjoining

residential area. The design plan

will consolidate the streetscape by providing 1054m2 of transparent retail interface and space for five offices at first floor level with rear car parking to service proposed uses.

The architect states: "The sophisticated

design with its reverse slung verandahs and striking corner tower provides a unique landmark within the shopping precinct.

"The exterior treatment combines composite aluminum panels, rich timber cladding and expansive glazing panels at ground level.

The site on the corner of Mervyn and Pakington streets.

Page 6: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au6

Page 7: Voice On Pako April 2015

7

PEOPLE OF PAKOSimon Bryant 63 Degrees By Madelin Baldwin

AFTER establishing a super busy and successful café in Highton in 2006, Simon Bryant decided to expand and start up another venue of the same name two years later.

“The building on Pako didn’t go to market, I had the inside scoop on it – we’d just got so busy in Highton, I thought why not”.

From an old petrol station back in the day, to a place named 'Tarts on Pako', 63 Degrees in Geelong West

started and quickly gained momentum. After a slight hitch when they burnt down after a kitchen fire in 2009, they ‘rose like the phoenix, renovated and got really busy’.

Previous to owning these well know cafes, Simon spent five years working on yachts in Europe. When he came back, he met his wife and quickly had three kids under four, his youngest being just trhee months old! “I have to split my time between the two cafes and

find time for my very young family, and at the moment family definitely have to come first – we come in for breaky on our days off, make sure everything is running smoothly and that everyone has come in.” he says. With two boys and a girl, plus the two cafes, he ‘feels like I have five children. I reply heavily on my wife and my staff to keep everything running smoothly! It’s definitely a struggle sometimes”.

Now very much established

on Pako, Simon is really happy with their ‘exceptional’ location. “It’s the best area in Geelong by a mile, let’s face it! We’re lucky we have a set back front so we don’t have to have al fresco on the street, but we still have a heap of outdoor seating – that was the main appeal.”

After getting the chance to do the catering for the Rip Curl Pro, they got wind that one of the surfers had requested Paleo food. After a quick google of

what this actually meant ‘it’s just gone boom. We now have a huge range of Paleo food, raw food and vegan meals. Everything is baked on site and I actually do the baking myself. We have raw cakes, and we’ve really seen a huge movement in the vegan and Paleo options”.

With an incredible menu featuring everything from tacos, to nasi goreng, ricotta cakes and a full licensed alcohol list, 63 degrees is definitely a place for every season.

High degree of popularity

Page 8: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au8

Pictured: Top left: Olly Friend, top right, Zoe, Alexis, Eve, Nina and Kristen.

Above: Geelong West Rotary's Chris Walsh, John Nelson, Trish Roberts and Michael Clyne.

Left: Heather and Bruce Rookes with Lucy and Isla.

Page 9: Voice On Pako April 2015

9

BIG crowds and some very kind autumn weather were just reward for the organisers of this year’s WestFEST in West Park.

A welcome to country and encouraging words from Deputy Mayor Michelle Heagley launched a full five

hours of community fun, stalls and music.

The vibe was low key, and invited visitsors to amble around randomly, taking in mellow sounds, snack foods, sharing coffee with friends or just lying in the shade.

Bands and singing groups featured

on two stages and included Famous Will, Residual, Yorke, Olly Friend and Acabellas Strings and Things among others.

The event is organised by Geelong West N e i g h b o u r h o o d House.

WEST FEST

Park lifeAbove: Ian Royce drove his registered 1951 David Brown Cropmaster to WestFEST.

Time Goeby got the chance to meet her hero Libby Tanner. Syama Trickey and Sheena Hoffman.

Famous Will.

Page 10: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au10

Ken and Merrilyn Best with rescue greyhouse Flo.

Mitch Miller, Pierce Johnson and Meg Shannon. Samantha Hopla and Sienna Germano.Bridget Gooda, Deb Kairn and Willow.

Page 11: Voice On Pako April 2015

11

Artist Louise Taylor capturing the festival scene.

Pictured top left: Anna Host of Fickle.

Pictured top right: Geelong Cycling's Nancy and David Jones and Ron Charles.

Pictured below: Acabellas Strings and Things

LAINEY Carr’s much anticipated head shave for the Leukaemia Foundation lived up to expectations and was a highlight of the WestFEST afternoon.Lainey and actor Libby Tanner gave the big crowd a hilarious treat as the All Saints star assisted in the dirty deed for a big cause. Going the full bald shave Lainey didn’t balk for a moment with the total raised so far exceeding $17,000. The death of Lainey’s mum to the disease has prompted her to help others.

WEST FEST

Page 12: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au12

WHEN I met up with Jeff Steele, musical director of the Geelong West Brass Band, he mentioned they go around at Christmas time and perform for the pubs and restaurants to help ‘spread the Christmas cheer’.

Co-incidentally, I had taken a photo of just this for the Voice on Pako Instagram, when they turned up at the Fyansford

Hotel where I was enjoying a meal – when I showed Jeff this picture, he spotted himself.

The Geelong West Brass Band is one of the oldest groups in the area.They celebrated their 100th year as a group over three years ago. Jeff has been the musical director there since 1999, and has been with the band since he was about five years old.

“My grandfather and father were a part of the band, and now all of my children are as well. My daughter is a part of the senior band, and the youngest in the junior band”.

With 30 people in the senior band, they are always looking for new recruits for the junior band. The band has a rich history in Geelong, not all of it glamourous though.

In 1911 the band ceased for a while, after some players ‘got on the grog’ at some the Ballarat Street Competitions. They do have a rich past though, with their first official bandmaster TL Bulch being the man behind Walzing Matilda.

The GWBB has continued to make history, competing in many different events every

year. They are currently the Victorian State Champions in the B Grade Division, and the reigning champions at an annual competition held in the Blue Lakes, Mount Gambier.

“We do other major concerts during the year, we’re doing one in All Saints Church on the 28th June, fundraising for the church – later on in the year we are putting on a concert for the

Brass act with long history

corporate photography

styled food photography

lifestyle photography

[email protected] l 0400 721185

Page 13: Voice On Pako April 2015

13

BIG SOUND ON WEST

100th year of the ANZACS. We also go down to Point

Danger in Torquay at 5 am every year to do the ANZAC services, this year is going to be absolutely massive, we’re really looking forward to that – then we come into the city and do the Johnstone Park service, we’re one of the bands that help out with the main parade into the park”

states Jeff.A massive coup for the band

this year is being asked by GPAC to perform a musical called Rotunda with the New Zealand Dance Company. “It’s a big program for us. They’ve never had a brass band do a musical before, its usually more big band stuff – it should be interesting and exciting.”.

For Jeff, "it's always been in my blood, you can’t break it – it’s like one of those passion things. People who love sport are the same, and music is one of my big loves".

The GWBB practice every Tuesday from 7.30pm–9.30pm. ‘We’re always welcoming anyone who would like to come and have a toot.’

Geelong West Brass Band By Madelin Baldwin

Page 14: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au14

Page 15: Voice On Pako April 2015

15

PAKO COMMUNITYNoble Street Uniting Church by Madeline Baldwin

NOBLE Street Uniting Church has a rich history.

In fact, it’s actually an amalgamation of another four churches from over the years. St Phillips in 2001, Wilsons Memorial Church in 1987, Newtown Methodist Church in 1969 and Bond Street in 1929 all shut down and merged into the one Noble Street Uniting Church

- “Thanks to the merger with St Phillips we’ve really come along in leaps and bounds. We’ve got a very exciting future ahead of us” says Jeff Rankin, a member of the church council and one of the organists.

Co incidently the church was built the same years as Sladen House, and although originally made of

timber, it was remodelled 5 years later out of the same rare bluestone from the Newtown river.

I was lucky enough to sit with both Jeff and Andy Scholl (pictured left), who is the chairman of the congregation, to talk about how far the Uniting Church has come, and have a private tour. Not only do they hold regular services, but

the church lives up to it’s ‘uniting’ name being the base to huge amount of community groups including the famous International Harvester Choir, Geelong Calisthenics Group, Bravehearts (also featured this month), and as we sit down over a tim tam and a cup of tea, the ladies from the Tuesday Tai Chi class walk past and set up

in the large hall. The church is

celebrating it’s 160th year, at the same time as another old local Faggs Mitre 10 who used to be located half way down Pakington Street before its South Geelong relocation.

Aside from the vast meeting rooms, the actual Church congregational area

itself is stunning, with a floor to ceiling organ, pews to seta 200 people and a balcony which has unfortunately been out of commission for a few years now due to fire laws and its one exit/entrance.

“The fire brigade don’t realise it’s protected by a higher power though.” jokes Andy as we walk around.

A place of unity for all

Page 16: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au16

Page 17: Voice On Pako April 2015

17

Page 18: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au18

Page 19: Voice On Pako April 2015

19

THE early birds of Newtown were up for some dawn service networking last month.

They took advantage when the Chamber of Commerce held a successful ‘Before 9’ breakfast event at The Newtown Event Centre hosted by ANZ Bank.

A very positive and energetic

group of small business owners and some Chamber corporate partners enjoyed a positive experience of B2B networking and sunshine over delicious breakfast finger food.

ANZ Bank sponsored the event and outlined their commitment to Small Business lending and have pledged to

lend a further $2b over the next 12 months to small business.

Represented by Paul Cunningham and his team of business bankers, they were delighted with the event which gave a number of small business owners an opportunity to spruik their business and their ‘elevator pitch’.

EARLY STARTNetwork breakfast Newtown

Before nine

Page 20: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au20

My Wife and I opened our little pocket of joy in mid January after years of plotting and planning. I previously worked for Co�ee Supreme, a roastery in Abbotsford as a machine technician so deciding to use Co�ee Supreme was a no brainer. We use two blends, the Supreme blend as our milk co�ee and the seasonal 5 star

day blend as our black co�ee.Being a barista isn't just making co�ee, it's actually a

really social job! You get to know people really well with long chats over the machine. I like to help to educate people about co�ee and share everything I have learnt from working in a roastery, there is so much more to co�ee than a latte! I don't have a strong preference of what co�ee I drink. for some reason I tend to drink milk co�ees on the weekend and a lot of short blacks during the week.In the near future we are hoping to hold co�ee appreciation classes on Saturday mornings in the cafe, teaching people di�erent ways to brew and taste their co�ee, so stay tuned! We are open from 7am-4pm Mon- Fri and 7:30-2pm Saturdays.

GEELONGWEST

SOCIAL CLUB

GEELONG WEST SOCIAL CLUB

1B YUILLE ST, GEELONG WESTFollow @geelongwestsocialclub

5 Pakington St,Geelong WestPH: 5222 2522

The newest co�ee masters on the block are the guys down at V&R Fruit & Veg. After recently completing extensive co�ee training with Nathan from Cartel Co�ee, they are all set up down the very end of Pakington Street, with barista Olivia Kavanagh.Olivia has been with the team

at V&R for 12 months, and is 18 years old. As well as being able to head down and do all of your fresh produce shopping on the weekend, and enjoy the

fresh yoghurt van out the front, Olivia is now expertly trained to make you a beautiful Cartel Co�ee! Cartel source their co�ee from all over the world, with Nathan making many trips a year to get the best beans. You can �nd Olivia whipping up lattes during V&R’s opening hours, which are Monday – Friday 8AM – 6.30PM, Saturdays8AM – 5PM and Sundays 9AM – 3PM.All of the sta� down at V&R have completed the training, so if you don’t see Olivia’s smiling face, be con�dent that you’ll still get a great co�ee.

V&R FRUIT& VEG

GEELONG WEST

MEET THE

Baristas

FOR FURTHER DETAILS STALK USON INSTA & fACEBOOK

140 PAKINGTON ST, GEELONG WESTBOOKINGS ESSENT IAL: 5222 2889

63 DEGREESYou can sum up really in one word what 63 degrees means to me – and that’s passion.Ever since my upbringing in an Italian household I have been surrounded by just that. Growing up with an emphasis on family, friends and hard work, passion was always the cornerstone to maintaining success in everything that you attempted. Being Italian, the love of home brewed co�ee, Nonna’s cooking and an early

obsession with the creative soon became synced into my persona. Since starting back in 2007 as a casual co�ee maker I

had no idea that 63 was to become the thriving entity it is today. Early on it became apparent that the owners Simon and Carly Bryant wanted to ride the co�ee and food revolution wave and strive to be at the forefront. As I learnt more about co�ee and latte art skills, I progressed to becoming head barista.Together with the Mad Skills of our Champ Head Chef Lane and his tight crew working tirelessly to promote local healthy, fresh, organic, free range produce and the recent additions of our local co�ee roasters Carlos & Nikki at Roastcraft, it has been easy to maintain that sense of passion throughout my time here as everyone brings something di�erent and inspiring to the table every day.Hence why 63 degrees has been an integral part of my life for the past 8 years!

Simon “Chippa” Chiovitti

Page 21: Voice On Pako April 2015

21

THE year1854 was historic in Geelong, and particularly for Geelong West and Newtown.

Many historic houses and churches were erected from the rare bluestone from the Newtown River, and it was also the year that the wheels were set in motion for an orphanage to be set up. Originally two acres of land had been granted and set up for a school and church and by 1857 the Friendly Brothers, who were a Catholic organisation of laymen set up to assist and help alleviate the poor, opened the orphanage. This building today is actually part of St Josephs College, and at the time accommodated 20 girls and 15 boys.

Over the years, many extensions were made to the original building and by 1862 it housed 62 children. It was also this year that the Sisters of Mercy took the girls from the orphanage, and rehomed them at Our Ladies Orphanage, adjacent to the convent.

If you, or anyone you know was ever housed here, a full list of the masters and matrons is below for your perusal.

Master : Daniel O'Driscol 1857-1878Matron : Hannah Condon 1857-1858Matron : Catherine Crowly 1869Matron : Mrs McGovern and Mary A

Acton 1860Matron : M.A. Harty 1861Matron : Mary A. Harty and Margaret

Martin 1862Matron : Margaret Martin 1863 to

October 1871Matron : Margaret A Bennett October

1871 to November 1878.

St Augustines Orphanage, Newtown

HISTORY NOTESstory by MADLEIN BALDWIN

GRS 2009/00367Roman Catholic School, St. Augustine’s, c.1866

Geelong Historical Society Collection held at the Geelong Heritage Centre

Page 22: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au22

Hello fellow foodies,

I hope you have all enjoyed your summer holidays, and I’m hoping you all got to indulge at a few cafes, restaurants and bars around Geelong, I know I sure did.

This month we got to head down Shannon Ave and indulge in the flavours at House Iberia.

Inside you will find custom made timber benches and industrial style lighting and chairs.

House Iberia is influenced by Spain, the meal sizes generous and filled with plenty of flavours.

The menu itself is jam-packed with variety from Brioche French Toast for breakfast to a traditional Paella for lunch.

The one thing that I love about eating at places like House Iberia, is the fact they have a tapas menu.

People are often scared of tapas - don’t be, this is the time for you to sit down, pick a few things and share as a group.

I have been dining at House Iberia since it opened, and honestly couldn’t seem to fault the place.

The food is always

consistent by head chef Pat and the customer service is helpful and friendly.

On this occasion we were in a small group and got to order a few things from the all day breakfast menu.

We had the bacon and egg roll with mahon cheese and relish on a brioche bun, which was tasty and indulgent. The brioche bun was the show stopper being so glossy and soft with unstoppable flavours.

The second meal we had was the strawberry and watermelon salad with pedro ximenez syrup (sherry wine)

musk and mascarpone, which honestly reverted me back to my childhood.

The sweetness of the fruit and the homemade pieces of musk sticks were heavenly.

The final dish we had was the housemade spiced almond granola, which was topped with vanilla yoghurt and seasonal fruit. The granola itself was amazing, a very unique granola which is available to buy.

House Iberia also sells local and imported aged meats, cheeses, and unique produce that may be hard to come across. They also source local

suppliers as well as national and international which makes it a unique place to stop in.

Their menu prices vary from $3.00-$20.00 depending on your choices, with a variety of cold and hot drinks, as well as house made sandwiches, salads and sweets surrounding the cake cabinet.

Your experience will not be disappointing, owner Rosie and the team will take exceptional care of you.

House Iberia -137 Shannon Ave, Manifold Heights

House of Iberia

FOOD ON PAKOwith ALLIRA POTTER OF GRUBB_GUIDE_GEELONG

Page 23: Voice On Pako April 2015

23

Ettika Design Consultancy was established in 2011 by Tim Westwood. After 10 years working in the creative industry on projects ranging from town branding signage projects, retail environment display products and various visual identity and branding projects, Tim decided it was time to branch out.

Since starting Ettika Design Consultancy, Tim has worked with various medium to large organisations including St John of God Hospital, Karingal, Parks Victoria, Whitehorse City Council, Geelong Conference Centre and Barwarre Gardens Retirement Village. From designing complex wayfinding signage projects for St John of God Hospital Geelong to creating a modern 150 page Annual Report for Karingal we have worked on and gained experience at the very top of our industry in Geelong and throughout Victoria.

As a design business we work on both two and three dimensional environments, which involves production drawings for manufacturing, 3D visuals for presentation and an excellent understanding of Environmental graphic design (EGD or Experiential Graphic Design). This is what makes

Ettika Design Consultancy so valuable to our clients.

Our new design studio at Pakington Street was established to provide our creative services to small business owners by incorporating the experience we have learned on larger projects and tailoring a range of solutions to strengthen your current visual identity.

Ettika Design Consultancy has worked with many small business owners whom are serious about their companies’ identity and how it can better communicate their services and product range towards current and future clients.

We use design as a strategic business tool that strengthens our clients visual branding to grow and expand their services in their selected industries. We teach our clients how larger businesses use design services to spread their message, present a consistent corporate identity and develop future visual aids to complement or grow a new division of their existing business.

We do more than just design great logos, we help create your brand by better understanding your business goals, the industry you would like to succeed in and how your brand

can grow with your business.

We can extend our services to provide designs and product services in other areas to help make your business stand out from the crowd, like modern shop front signage designs, vehicle branding, large format print media and portable promotional tools are just a few of our extra product and services we offer.

Combined with our in-house design studio, wholesale suppliers and our many service partners we can also handle all the production, print and installation works at a competitive price while maintaining a high standard of finish using only quality products as supplied to our larger clients. We take the stress away from our clients whom would otherwise need to source other services like signwriters to complete the job. We are working on projects from the conceptual stage to the finished product.

Call 5221 1662 to discuss any of design services and how we can provide results driven design solutions for your business. Office hours by appointment only and can be arranged over the phone or [email protected]

BUSINESS ON PAKO

Ettika Design Consultancy

Page 24: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au24

TRA

DES

& S

ERV

ICES

If you would like to advertise your

business in our Trades & Services section

please contact Madelin Baldwin on

0475 259 517

Building & Contruction

Automotive Building & Contruction

Excavation & Landscaping

Commercial Cleaning & Gardening

Plumbing

Roofing Solutions

WHEN I was a kid, there were four different video stores that I would regularly go to.

There was the Video Ezy, whose range was beyond anything I’d ever seen. I could walk in there at 3pm, and stagger out after 3 hours of reading blurbs and looking at covers with 10 weeklies in my arms, and a further 50 on the “next time” list.

Then I had Blockbuster, who were second to none when it came to providing me with newest content.

When my Dad and I wanted to watch “Twister” the day it was released, we knew where to go. There was a Leading Edge, where, at the risk of sounding much older than I am, in my day, $5 could get you two new releases and seven weeklies, and have change to buy microwave popcorn.

Last, but certainly not

least, there was Rad. Rad was my favourite type of video store guy, he ran his own business, had a love for movies, and was more than happy to let a 15 year old kid take home Pulp Fiction.

Next to my father, Rad was the only man I ever loved. He was also the first to die…not literally, of course,

but figuratively. You see, with every passing year of my life, owning a video store has become less and less profitable.

Nowa you’d be hard pressed to name two locals. And I have to admit, I was as much to blame as anybody. He was pushed out by the big chains whom I also frequented. I was

too easily drawn to their shiny lights and huge supply.

For years after that they gorged on the public. Video Stores the size of Bunnings opened on every block, promising that if it wasn’t in stock, it was free. But where are they now?

Like the dinosaurs before them, after

seemingly millions of years of ruling the Earth, they virtually vanished overnight.

A quick google search shows one video rental store in all of Geelong West. One.

And again, I, and we, are to blame. The explosion of torrenting has meant the death of the local video store.

See, that’s the real

problem with video piracy, it’s not the Robert Downey Jrs or Sony Studios that get hurt. Ultimately, it’s the guys at the end of the chain.

“I’ll wait for the DVD” has turned into “I’ll wait until I can torrent it.”

But piracy doesn’t allow for exploration of the unknown.

It doesn’t allow for friendships and discussions over the counter. It doesn’t allow for recommendations. And, bottom line, it costs most to the people who can afford it the least. Piracy may be easy and cheap, but like most things that are, it’s empty and hollow.

COMMENT ON PAKOBy Mitch Grinter

Where piracy hurts

Page 25: Voice On Pako April 2015

25

Horses, Cali and Eastern Cities of USAAS a passionate follower of thoroughbred racing and breeding, it was a thrill to visit the “Horse Capital of the World” and USA breeding in Lexington, Kentucky.

There are dozens of farms just outside of Lexington and each farm claims its own features. Some only breed stallions, some house broodmares and their offspring. There are also a couple of farms who are housing retired racehorse stars. Australia’s 1993 Golden Slipper winner, “Bint Marscay”, is currently retired there. Owners range from fifth generation family concerns to the international conglomerates and rich sheiks. There are several regular guided tours on offer. Of particular interest was a visit to the Keeneland Racecourse where America’s famous horse sales are conducted in September. The Kentucky Horse Park has two museums dedicated to the horse, both indoor and outdoor arenas and is a mecca for many American competition events. I had a visit “Behind the Scenes” to the Thoroughbred Training Centre watching the morning’s activities and met some of the local stars. Across to Louisville, it was fantastic to visit Churchill Downs Racecourse and Museum, where I “rode” a winner and designed my own jockey colours. The Kentucky

Derby at Churchill Downs is run each year in May with crowds of up to 160,000. I love the colour and excitement of race day, especially in Spring and Autumn when the elite horses are racing. Best of all is the beauty and courage of the horses.

My trip to America was not all about horses as I took in some of California and then onto some of the great Eastern USA cities. I had been looking forward to seeing San Francisco for a long time. No matter what city I visit, I am drawn towards the water. Lucky for

me, the weather was clear and the water sparkling, so the famous Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Bridge were looking magnificent on my bay cruise. San Francisco is bustling, vibrant and very picturesque. Union Square has lots of shops, cafes, restaurants and a mixture

of tourists and local workers as this is also the business district. From there, the cable car took me to lively Fisherman’s Wharf. There are plenty of sea lions basking in the sun at Pier 39 to fascinate the tourists. Excellent clam chowder is to be enjoyed both here and around Union Square.

A flight to Washington brought me to some of the famous American monuments—The White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Capital Building and the Washington Monument at or near the Mall. Lit up at night, they all took on a totally magical aspect.

Flying visits to Boston and Philadelphia for some early American history and then onto the “Big Apple”. New York is everything they say it is. Vibrant and crazy. It was exciting to see the major highlights—Times Square day and night, the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, Metropolitan Art Museum and the Highline. I finished my visit with a new Broadway show, “Beautiful, the Carol King Musical”, complete with live orchestra. They say you haven’t seen New York unless your feet are sore and when you can walk no more, hail a yellow cab.

TRAVEL Story by GAIL PALMER OF helloworld NEWTOWN

Page 26: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au26

Page 27: Voice On Pako April 2015

27

LEST WE FORGET

ALTHOUGH Geelong West is not hosting an offical RSL Anzac Day ceremony of its own there are none the less plenty of folk that are keen to take part in this year’s special set of services and parades.

So here Voice on Pako offers a guide to Anzac Day Centenary Commemorative Services across Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula on Saturday April 25.

Geelong4:15am - Wreath Laying

Ceremony and Service at the Geelong Peace Memorial, Johnstone Park, Geelong.

6:30am - The Alpha Company 8/7 RVR's Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Boer War Memorial. Corner of Kilgour Street and Latrobe Terrace, opposite the Kardinia Park main entrance.

9am - Annual Commemorative Mass

at St Mary of the Angels Basilica, Geelong.

9:30am - Wreath Laying Service at Geelong RSL War Memorial in Barwon Heads Road, Belmont.

Norlane9:30am - The Norlane

RSL March and Wreath Laying Ceremony. The march starts at the corner of Melbourne Road, (within the service lane) and Sparks Road, Norlane, followed by Wreath Laying at Norlane RSL, Rose Avenue.

11am - Geelong RSL Sub Branch March and Commemorative Service. The march starts on the corner of Malop Street and Yarra Street to proceed along Malop Street to Johnstone Park.

Bellarine Peninsula6:00am - Portarlington

and St Leonards RSL Sub Branch Dawn Service at the Portarlington Cenotaph at WG Little Reserve / Cannon Park.

6:15am - The Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads RSL Sub Branch Dawn Service, assembles at 6.05am in the Ocean

Grove Park. Piper Call to Arms at 6.10am. The Ocean Grove War Memorial is now located in the Ocean Grove Park,

The Avenue, Ocean Grove.

8:45am - The Barwon Heads March and Wreath Laying Ceremony. The march starts at the corner of Hitchcock Avenue and Bridge Road and proceeds to Barwon Heads Community Hall. A commemorative and wreath laying ceremony follows around the Drysdale Cenotaph.

10am - Drysdale RSL Sub Branch March and Wreath Laying Ceremony. The ANZAC Day service takes place at the Drysdale Primary School Assembly Hall at 10.00am.

Following the service at 10.45am, a march leaves from outside the CFA hall on Princess Street to proceed down High Street, turning left into the Springdale Car Park at the Cenotaph.

A commemotative and wreath laying ceremony follows.

9:45am - Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads

RSL Sub Branch March and Wreath Laying Ceremony.

The march starts in The Terrace to proceed west to Presidents Avenue, turns right into Presidents Avenue and right into The Avenue to conclude around the Cenotaph in the Ocean Grove Park.

A commemotative and wreath laying ceremony follows.

11am - Portarlington and St Leonards RSL Sub Branch March and Wreath Laying Ceremony. The march starts outside the Portarlington and Drysdale RSL Sub Branch on the corner of Fenwick Street and Harding Street to Newcombe Street and conclude at the Cenotaph on W G Little Reserve / Cannon Park. A commemotative and wreath laying ceremony follows.

"Lest we forget"

Geelong West War Memorial was erected by the citizens of Geelong West to commemorate those who served in The Great War 1914 -1918. The memorial was unveiled by the Governor, Lord Somers on the 18th September 1927. The right side inscription commemorates Gallipoli. However, there is no official Anzac Day ceremony at this memorial, alternatives are listed on this page.

Anzac Day in Geelong

Page 28: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au28

The world

Page 29: Voice On Pako April 2015

29

MUSIC, food and dance from every continent, rubbing shoulders, smiling together, singing together. Pako Festa paints a picture for the world to follow – and demonstrates the similarities as much as the diversity. From the parade with no

hierarchy to enthusiastic queues all eager to try the spicy, colourful and steaming hot foods, the shared spirit was a model for getting along together. Perhaps the biggest task for those attending was getting from one end of the festival to the other in order to see as many acts as

possible. Rock bands, folk dancers, drum workshops, displays and costumes, Pako Festa’s kaleidoscope of cultures continues was basking in the Autumn sun and another successful event in the exotic land of Geelong West.

PAKO FESTA

comes to Pako

Page 30: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au30

Page 31: Voice On Pako April 2015

31

PAKO FESTA

Global music, food and dance

Page 32: Voice On Pako April 2015

www.voiceonpako.com.au32