Secrets MagazineSecrets Magazine | The Window to Central Victoria

Craft Lover’s Treat

admin — Sun, 05 May 2013 03:37:44 +0000

The Queens Birthday Weekend is a traditional time for the opening of an exhibition of the works of the members of the Ballarat Crafts Council. Held in the Robert Clark Conservatory, Ballarat Botanical Gardens from 8^th – 16^th June, 9am – 5pm daily. Entry is free with tea and coffee available in the Conservatory.

Taking inspiration from the “Exotic” Council, members will re-imagine and refresh their work which includes woodwork, mosaics and lead light. photography, knits, textile and felt work, paintings and multi-media, embroidery, sewing and jewellery. Most items are for sale. Expect the unexpected. Delight in the renewed vigour of the work currently on display at the historic cottage, which is also in the Botanic Gardens, which honours one of our earliest colonial poets, Adam Lindsay Gordon. The Cottage is closed weekdays over winter 16 June to 31^stAugust open weekends and school holidays only, 10am-4pm.

Works from ‘Froth & Bubble’ Exhibition

Your Invitation to Preview Rike-Design’s New Range

admin — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:38:36 +0000

European Style in Castlemaine

Warm colours meet cold climate! Enjoy our new range of winter fashion, together with a glass of sparkling.

Fashion show: Friday 17/05/2013 7pm

Salon preview: Sat 18/05/2013 4pm

Bookings essential - 5470 6014 - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rike-Design/251004341643500?fref=ts

Ulrike von Radichevich – Uli to her friends – is an extraordinary woman. She has brought European fashion and style to a country town, where it doesn’t in the least seem out of place. Her shop, Rike-Design in Castlemaine goes far beyond being a dress shop, it’s where soft flowing fabrics, feminine colours and style take every woman to a place where fashion is her friend, where she is encouraged to find and be comfortable with her own brilliance. Uli doesn’t believe that fashion trends should dictate what people wear, it is all about the individual.

One could believe that Uli fell out of the cradle thinking fashion, but not so. Describing herself as a “pappa’s girl, she was fascinated by machinery and wasn’t afraid to get grease under her fingernails, which led her to choose a career as an engineer. Spotted by a teacher who recognized her talent for art, she was encouraged to apply for a scholarship to an International art college in her native Austria. This led her to becoming a set designer where she could combine her passion for art and love of engineering. It wasn’t long before she could see how costuming could tell a story about a person or character, thus exciting her interest in fashion. Her talents in set and costume design saw her working throughout Europe and exhibiting her artwork. Uli now has the best of both worlds, combining her continuing work in Europe and the more casual lifestyle she has found in Australia.

Rike-Design sells a wide range of garments including vintage and Euro-designer wear with one off pieces from many international fashion houses, as well as Uli’s own designs, they also carry an impressive range of accessories – and all very affordable. Rike-Design is at 54 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine and you can follow them on Facebook.

The Face Behind The Fashion

Stay Amidst Wondrous Art & Fashion

admin — Thu, 02 May 2013 04:44:19 +0000

Opening on weekend of 11th & 12th May – Allendale Studio Bed & Breakfast. A mix of art, fashion and relaxation. A unique place to stay.

Well-known sculptor and ceramicist Dianne Coulter is opening her studio on special days throughout the year or by appointment. A visit to her Allendale Studio is a chance to see many of her sculptures and ceramics, but also to see and obtain one of her individually hand dyed and sewn garments. Simple designs, earthy colours and all made from natural fibres, Di’s range of fashion ware is unique and each piece is a “one off”. The styles aren’t for the faint hearted, they are bold and make a statement about the designer and the wearer – each garment says “this is me, I’m not shy and I love to be seen” and isn’t that every woman. Allendale Studio is on the Creswick/Newstead Road, at the corner of Ryan’s Junction Road, Allendale. Open to the public throughout Easter, Mother’s Day and other days by appointment. Sure it’s off the beaten track, but well worth the visit. Call 5345 6378 or email allendlestudio@gmail.com. Group bookings are welcome.

Dine & Wine at Mount Buninyong Winery

admin — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:05:42 +0000

Some things are just made to go together – sugar and spice, moonlight and roses, food and wine and now that Mount Buninyong Winery has their new kitchen up and running you can have the complete package. This family run, boutique winery is relaxed and unpretentious. They don’t conduct tours or master classes, but they can personally guide you through their extensive range of table and fortified wines with tastings most days and dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner Thursdays to Sundays. Chef (and one of the family) Sandra Armstrong says of the menu “It’s a bit of everything, including a respectable range of vegetarian and gluten free dishes.” To keep up with the digital age, WiFi is also available in the restaurant.

And coming soon is a wood fired pizza oven, extending your choices even further.

Mount Buninyong Winery is at 210 Platts Road, Scotsburn, only 20 minutes from Ballarat and Sovereign Hill and 45 minutes to Geelong. Visit the website http://www.mountbuninyongwinery.com to make a booking or buy online.

Luxury Trail for Mountain Bikers

admin — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:50:53 +0000

Hundreds of local mountain bike riders will brave the elements this weekend for the second year in a row on the trails around the Novotel Forest Resort’s for the first round of the Interwinter Series. The Interwinter Series is a inter-club series of events, held in combination with 4 local mountain bike clubs; Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club (BSCC), Geelong Mountain Bike Club, Castlemaine Rocky Riders & Full Gas Pedallers.

Each club takes its turn to host one event, but is encouraged to make its event unique and individual, thereby giving participates a wide variety of riding experiences. Round 1 of the series is the responsibility of Ballarat-Sebastopol Cycling Club and is themed on Ballarat’s history. The event is called ‘The Ballarat Rebellion’ and will see riders following a 7km circuit in and around bushland surrounding Novotel’s golf course for 3 hours. The rider who completes the most laps wins. In keeping with the ‘Rebellion’ theme the race will start with a Red Coat soldier firing his traditional Enfield musket. Event organiser Paul Mathers said “We would like to thank Sovereign Hill for their generous support in helping us start our event in a way that is unique to Ballarat.”

In the mountain bike community the Novotel trails are a bit of luxury in Ballarat’s own backyard. Normally mountain bike riders have to travel to remote locations and endure sparse facilities, but with the Novotel’s trails that is not the case. Riders can relax in 4.5 star facilities, take in some riding then wash off with a hot shower, and then get a cool drink at Springs Bar or a meal at the a la carte Harvest 383 restaurant. Round 1 of the Interwinter Series will be held on Sunday 5th of May from 10am.

Resort General Manager, Michael Daviss, said “The team at Novotel Forest Resort Creswick are excited to play host to such a great sporting event. This event is set to cater for all levels of fitness and determination, set among the amazing back drop and 150 acre playground that is Novotel Forest Resort. Our idyllic Creswick location is perfectly positioned to host the ultimate recreational and entertaining weekend for sports and outdoor lovers”

http://www.novotel.forestresort.com.au/

Clunes Booktown – 2013

admin — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:08:01 +0000

Clunes Booktown – 2013

Tens of thousands of rare, second hand, new, small press and collectable books will be on sale at the annual Clunes Booktown Festival over the weekend on 4-5 May 2013. This newly acclaimed International Booktown will see its eight permanent book stores joined by around 50 visiting book traders, offering a weekend of book browsing unmatched anywhere in Australia and all set against a genuine gold-era streetscape. Some of Australia’s greatest writer’s appear at the Booktown Festival and this year the program will feature Kate Grenville, Ramona Koval and Gary Crew over the weekend with Anne Summers speaking on Sunday. New this year will be a Booktown eve event on Friday 3 May, which will feature Peter Fitzsimons speaking about his big new book Eureka. The Clunes Booktown Festival now attracts between 15 000 and 18,000 and the town’s old-world atmosphere is enlivened by street theatre, food, wind and music. The ever expanding Children’s Booktown held as part of the weekend will again see the return of the popular hay bale maze and Punch and Judy show, while young readers will get to view the world of books and imagination through the eyes of Alice in Wonderland. Open 9am to 5pm, entry $5 or $15 for families. For full program details visit clunesbooktownfestival.com.au

Tallarook Art Exhibition is Heartfelt

admin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 01:20:21 +0000

Generations of Australians have grown up with the phrase “Things are crook in Tallarook” – a colloquialism believed to date back to the Great Depression – but there’s nothing ‘crook’ about the Tallarook of today. This very pretty town hosts one of the most popular Art Exhibitions and sale in regional Australia. Held at the tastefully refurbished Tallarook Mechanics Institute on the weekend of 18th & 19th May, the Tallarook Art Exhibition and Sale is presented by the Tallarook Art Society, known locally as TartS who have invited over 50 artists from Melbourne and beyond and showcases impressive local talent – ensuring the exhibition is a high quality art event for regional Australia.

Artist Gabriella Possum Nungurrayi

As in other years, Aranda Art is again presenting Aboriginal Art. The artists represented have painted in Tallarook over many years and hale from such remote areas as Warakurna, Papunya, Haasts Bluff and Harts Range in the Northern Territory. Michelle and Gabriella Possum who attended last year’s exhibition will again have works on show. Their father Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri is the world record holder for an indigenous art sale and their grandfather’s image is presented on the Australian $2 coin. The artworks are certainly indicative of this years theme – “Heartfelt” as they portray women stories associated with their Grandmothers Country. The inclusion of indigenous works demonstrates the magnificent diversity associated with our region – “Art from the Heart of the Goulburn”.

Other Highlights during the weekend include:

Bridget McDonnell showcasing art works from her Carlton Gallery, which will include highly regarded established artists.
Children’s art activities on Sunday between 1 & 4pm
Indigenous Art Walks Saturday & Sunday
And for something different, the Ferrari Club will be visiting on Sunday morning between 11am & 12 noon with 30 plus Ferraris parked on Main Street, Tallarook.

Local Artist Lynda Robinson (centre)

The Exhibition is open Saturday and Sunday 10-4pm entry is gold coin donation. Sunday will see the People’s Choice awards at 3.30pm. Eftpos available for art sales. All profits go to Tallarook Art Society and the Tallarook Mechanics Institute.

Gala Opening Awards night Saturday, 18 May 7pm:

An evening event aimed for the local community with finger food, fowles wines and entertainment for those to enjoy the community spirit and view the exhibition in a more personal way. Established artists will be presented with awards and scholarships for emerging artists. The night is fun and lively and not to be missed.

Tickets for the Gala Opening Awards – $40 www.tallarookartsociety.com.au

The Tallarook Art Society is proud to announce that their major sponsor for 2013 is

And supported by :

Short Story Competition Extended

admin — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 05:33:11 +0000

Competition Extended

We have extended the closing date of our short story competition to 17th May and the winning story will be printed in the winter issue of Secrets. There can only be one winner, but if stories are suitable we may print some in future issues of the magazine, with the writer’s knowledge and permission of course. To enter the competition email your expression of interest to secrets@knowersark.com.au and we will send you an application form.

Natural Soaps from Lakshmi

admin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 03:03:24 +0000

With so many people suffering allergies and reactions to commercial cleaning products, Lakshmi Circle has a fantastic range of natural soaps and beauty products. The range is extensive and includes products for personal use and gift giving and they are all very reasonably priced. Check out the website www.lakshmiscircle.com.au your bound to find something.

Magic Pudding at the Mill

admin — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 02:31:13 +0000

Creswick famous and interactive woollen mills is staging an event on 11th & 12th May in celebration of Creswick’s famous Lindsay Family. This family of writers, artists and raconteurs developed their skills whilst growing up in Creswick and many of the town’s landmarks are depicted in their works. The Creswick Woollen Mill showcases the Lindsays in a variety of events. This event includes activities for all ages including collages, colouring competitions and movie screenings of The Magic Pudding.