Tracey Spicer has done something pretty remarkable. With all the stories bursting forth in the wake of #MeToo and #TimesUp campaigns, she has recognised that we need to seize on the momentum for change and do something practical. We need more than just words.
That means taking action that will keep the issues of inequality and sexual harassment in the spotlight AND help victims with support and the right tools to seek justice and protection.
Tracey Spicer has launched the NOW Australia campaign
Tracey has formed NOW as a nationwide organisation supporting survivors of sexual harassment and through crowdfunding, and is hoping to raise $250,000 to fund its work for twelve months. Just click on the blue link here to donate.
Can you chip in and help NOW reach its target?
Here is part of the Now campaign’s brief:
“Across Australia, one in two women, and one in four men, have experienced sexual harassment. Many people may not be getting the support they need, simply because they don’t know where to go. While there are a number of specialised counselling and legal services available, laws and services differ from state to state. When people do come forward, navigating this landscape is a daunting experience. NOW will provide a first point of call for everybody, no matter who they are or where they come from, to connect with the support they need.”
I am thrilled to have been asked to be an Ambassador for NOW. Given how many instances of sexual harassment and discrimination I have witnessed over the years, I am excited to be part of a movement that is keeping the momentum for change going with such an important initiative.
Tracey is spearheading the organisation, which will be a non-profit, non-partisan network for people across all industries who have been sexually harassed, assaulted or intimidated.
NOW will help people understand their rights and options, and support them if they wish to tell their story. The money raised will go to fund to pay for counselling and legal services, including a growing network of lawyers around Australia.
Please donate NOW – it’s so important we make this work!
The other way you can help is by purchasing a brilliant song written and performed by one of Australia’s greatest singers, Melinda Schneider, called MY VOICE, on iTunes.
You can buy My Voice on iTunesAll proceeds from sales of the song will go to NOW Australia.
So there you have it. If you’ve ever wanted to take action but been too afraid, NOW you really can help. This is an initiative that will be a game changer. Help make it work.
I know I’m superstitious and love believing in ‘signs’ when they suit, but sometimes the universe really DOES seem to be sending a message you can’t ignore.
Just last month, a wise woman in New Orleans told me I needed to reboot certain creative aspects in my life. I couldn’t agree more. The writing, painting and music passions have dwindled away in the past year as life’s problems and repetitive domesticity eat into the hours that could have been spent at the piano or easel.
Then two weeks ago another wise counsellor told me to look for ‘inspiration’ and to do what truly makes me happy when being creative.
AND to truly drive the message home, I turned up at a cocktail function last Thursday night where I won a prize. This wasn’t just any old prize like a meat tray at a school fete – but a seriously beautiful piece of art.
Dior – 70 Years of Haute CoutureFletch and I had been invited to a glamorous cocktail party at the SOFITEL Hotel, celebrating the upcoming DIOR Exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria – DIOR – 70 Years of Haute Couture.
Dior cocktail – The Flower
The hotel’s talented sommeliers designed cocktails inspired by Dior’s most famous creations. This one in particular, cradling a frozen ball in rosewater in Creme de Violette and Grey Goose Le Citron, was a work of art in itself.
But what really caught my eye was a young woman, painting a fashion illustration in the corner. Estelle had been enlisted to produce a work inspired by a famous Dior gown, that would be won by a lucky guest at the party. Her hands worked quickly and confidently, bringing the garment to life with a sweep of the brush, transforming fashion into art and creating a work of beauty.
Turns out it was my lucky night. My name was announced as the winner and I couldn’t have been more delighted.
Estelle presents her Dior inspired paintingHere’s a closer view so you can appreciate the finer detail.
THE Dior inspired PaintingAnd now it is time to pick up a paintbrush myself. Thanks Estelle for the inspiration.
If you’d like to see more of Estelle’s work, or to order one of her works for yourself, check out her website @thebespokeillustrator.com
It’s a little galling when someone is granted more than their fair share from the talent pool. I’m sure you know the types – the ones who can’t decide whether to play professional tennis OR football; the musician with a hit album who also scores a lead role in a movie or the academic with a host of degrees who leads a secret life as a professional snowboarder…
Yep, these particularly gifted people really are a tad annoying. I know they are because I live with one. My husband. And yet I can’t also help but be proud. Let me explain…
Hubby – aka Alan FletcherMany of you probably know him as Dr Karl Kennedy – aka extremely talented actor Alan Fletcher. Before his life in Neighbours, Fletch played roles in dozens of plays for the Melbourne Theatre Company, made several notable films and was nominated for an AFI award for his role in the TV series EMBASSY. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s about to embark on a new TV show which he will film alongside Neighbours and THIS program is designed to showcase his talents as a PHOTOGRAPHER.
See? Bet you didn’t know he was also a talented snapper now, did you? Although many actors DO know this because taking headshots of other performers used to be a sideline job for Fletch. Over the years he’s studied his craft and worked on his techniques to the point where he’ll now be travelling the world and sharing with audience his best tips and his most inspiring photographs.
Here’s one of another ‘snapper’ from our recent trip to the United States:
Giant Alligator – by Alan FletcherThat was taken during a swamp tour outside New Orleans. Well worth doing if you happen to be in town. We booked with Honey Island Swamp Tours – known as the oldest and best in the business. Who would have thought they’d jump so high just for the taste of a marshmallow? Yep, that’s what they feed ’em…
Here’s another ‘gator snapped by Fletch which I thought was pretty impressive… and cute. Funny how we all love baby pictures, no matter what species.
Baby gatorHere are a couple of other favourite photos I chose that Fletch took on our recent trip to the Deep South in the U.S.
This is an arty snap from a wet day on the streets of New Orleans:
New OrleansThen there’s one of a steamboat on the Mississippi:
Steamboat on the Mississippi… And a couple from a bikie gathering in Memphis:
Bikie gathering in MemphisBikies on Beale Street
Of course, the photos look even better when viewed in a professional format but I’m sure you get the idea – he’s pretty talented, right?
So if you’d like to see more of Fletch’s work, stay tuned for when PHOTO NUMBER 6 takes to our TV screens sometime next year. It’s a travel show with a difference that will take you on a wild and wonderful ride.
For more details, check out the show website at www.photonumber6.com
It’s a never-ending topic of discussion among those of us who work in brekkie radio – SLEEP.
If only we could all sleep like the babies…How much did you get last night? How DID you sleep? Were you woken up? Did you get to bed on time? For some reason, our sleeping habits provide an endless source of conversation and fascination.
Even if you have a regular job, the yearning for a decent night’s sleep is an all-too common problem. Finding the solution to achieving a good quality night’s shut-eye is like a search for the Holy Grail.
Well now I can offer some SCIENTIFIC PROOF that should help you on your way.
I use a FITBIT that monitors my sleeping habits with a graph. Basically it shows a blue graph that is interrupted by light blue lines when I am restless. Pink means I’ve actually got up and out of bed to go the bathroom or get a glass of water.
Here’s what happens when I use an electronic device – mostly my iPhone – before turning out the bedside lamp:
My sleep pattern last nightAnd here’s what happens if I read a book instead:
My sleep pattern after reading a bookNO BREAKS AT ALL!!
Books beat phones hands down.
I tried it again the following night and here’s proof:
Sleep pattern last Wednesday nightYou might think it’s obvious, but if you’re like me, you’ve heard the advice before and ignored it. Now I’m convinced the experts are right and I hope you are too.
So it’s simple – PUT AWAY YOUR MOBILE PHONE AND i-PAD and READ instead.
Happy sleeping!
Cold winter days like today make me just want to snuggle up under a doona binge-watching TV series and eating comfort food.
Ah, comfort food – the stuff that takes us back to our childhood – when treats from the bakery were vanilla slices and jam tarts with not a sniff of salted caramel in sight. As for school lunches, it was a special day when you were allowed to order a basic meat pie for lunch. With tomato sauce, of course.
So you imagine my delight when daughter Veronica took up an apprenticeship this year at Brighton’s oldest bakery – WILD HOLLY. Now this is a store where baking traditionalists will be in pure heaven. It’s been running since 1937 and while much has changed over the years, what comes out of the kitchen still has lashings of good old-fashioned quality and style.
Come with me and I’ll take you on a trip down the foodie world’s memory lane. But be warned – you’ll be drooling.
Owner and head baker Brett O’Callaghan says WILD HOLLY is not only Brighton’s oldest bakery, but the second oldest business in the suburb overall. His father, Brian, began as an apprentice baker with the first owner, Mr Perry, as a teenager. No one can remember Mr Perry’s first name – apparently he was never called anything else.
Wild Holly Bakery in BrightonWhile the shop has moved from several locations over the years, it’s been in its current position at 389 Bay Street, Brighton, for the past forty years. Brett has been at the helm for about ten years and we chatted about how the store has maintained its success.
JEN: I guess a lot of Wild Holly’s appeal comes from the fact that you still carry a lot of traditional cakes people can’t find anywhere else?
BRETT: Yes, we do a lot of older-style cakes, biscuits and pies – traditional stuff that we make on the premises. We make everything here. There’s only one biscuit we out-source and we make just under 200 lines.
Owner Brett O’Callaghan
JEN: Wow – that’s a lot of cooking! How many staff do you have?
21st birthday Croquembouche cakeBRETT: We have eleven staff with four bakers out the back, including myself and the rest are shop staff. I trained under Dad. Left school and didn’t know what I wanted to do so Dad said, ‘You can’t be a bum and come and work for me.’ So I did and eventually fell in love with it. Did a four-year-apprenticeship then worked at several other places but came back and managed the shop for a couple of years with Dad but that caused a few hiccups because we had some different ideas about how to do things. Then I went and opened up my own bakery in Hampton for twelve years, then moved to Sydney for ten years then came back and bought this off my father and have been here ever since.
JEN: Was you Dad a hard taskmaster?
BRETT: Oh yes, he was. He had high standard and an ‘It’s my way or the highway’ work ethic. He was President of the Bakers Association of Australia and went overseas, representing Australia in various competitions. And he still offers advice.
JEN: What drew you back to the business?
BRETT: Basically dad was getting older and wanted to sell. I wanted to keep it going too so bought it from him and it’s been mine ever since.
JEN: Do you ever think about updating the style of cakes and pastries?
A delectable selection…BRETT: I like to keep it as traditional as possible, using the recipes and the old-style way they’re made. We do make some new things – especially because of the cooking shows – and will give a few things a crack for a while but our clientele prefer the traditional stuff. The older-style biscuits are extremely popular. And the kids love the cupcakes and the older customers love the old-fashioned sponge cakes.
Popular Wild Holly biscuitsJEN: I love the cupcakes! Do you vary the designs?
BRETT: Yep, we do pigs and cats, frogs, faces. Easter we do little chickens and at Christmas we do reindeer and snowmen, then ghosts for Halloween, so there’s a bit of variety.
An assortment of cupcakesJEN: Christmas must be a busy time for you?
BRETT: Yes, we do Christmas puddings and cakes. We even started up Christmas cooking classes last year that were really popular, so we’ll start them up even earlier this year, around September or October.
JEN: How have your worked in such business for so many years with so much lovely food around you and not become fat?
Wild Holly is famous for its quality pies and sausage rollsBRETT: (laughs) Well I was very fat once, but decided I couldn’t go on like that so started physically training a lot – running and swimming and bike-riding – so that helped.
JEN: But do you still eat the cakes?
The cake Ronnie promises she’ll make for me one day!!BRETT: Oh, yes, I have to. I need to try everything. I mean, if an apprentice puts too much salt in something – which doesn’t happen a lot – I need to know. So I need to check the flavours.
Of course Brett would NEVER be speaking about Veronica, because it seems likes she’s doing pretty well. Most importantly, she loves her work – even though she starts before dawn. For us, it’s always a great day when she brings home extras to sample. Especially the meat pies! Now that’s something I can never say NO to.
That’s my girl! Veronica and her piesSo there you have it. If you’re looking for some respite from all those high falutin cooking shows and fancy pants restaurants and are hankering for a taste of the best from yesteryear – now you know where to go. Yep, Wild Holly. Still serving it up as good as it was nearly eighty years ago. YUM!
FOR ENQUIRIES, PHONE WILD HOLLY ON 9596 4915 or visit the shop at 389 Bay Street, Brighton.
