Real strength: the power of community

Sometimes it is easy to wonder if there is such a thing as a real community these days.  With 24 hour news, social media and the internet, our own local communities can seem irrelevant.

However, our local communities are not weak, insignificant, or meaningless.  We only need to look at the recent bush fires around Tasmania to see the power of local communities: people giving, volunteering and helping others to get through difficult times.

It is easy to get on board when the news crews are there.  The test is when the news cycle has turned to the next tragedy, the next hot spot, and the rest of the world moves on.

What has really struck me (and made me proud to be a human being!) is seeing the plethora of small, grass roots' efforts to help local bushfire victims.  In my community of Taroona, the local bakery was donating their tips to the bushfire effort, while the Taroona Community Association held a fundraising auction last weekend.

There are more, but the point is that none of this would happen without people deciding to do something in their own way.  They’re not screaming about their efforts on the news, on facebook or twitter.  They are just doing it because they care.

This is not to say that Tasmanians are more caring or altruistic than other people.  My family in Queensland has been flooded for the third time this year, and they have also experienced the generosity of spirit of their local community.

What is important is that perhaps it is through these difficult and dark times that we see what we really have, and what is important: community.

From international banker to jewellery maker: the story of Yin Mei Kelly and My Sinfonia

 When Yin Mei Kelly made her first sale at the Woodbridge market, sitting at her little card table beside a vegetable stall, she may not have realised just how far it might take her. Two years later, she is a successful designer maker, selling online and distributing into six boutique stores around the country. After talking to her for an hour however, I'm not surprised at anything!

Born and raised in Singapore, Yin Mei worked as a banker and later, a Manager with Accenture, an international business and IT consulting company. After working on a large banking merger however, where many people lost their jobs, Yin Mei decided it was time to take some time off.

It still seems a long way from a life nestled in the countryside of southern Tasmania!

She laughs that her change in lifestyle took her by surprise too. Planning on a move to Melbourne, she and her husband bought their property while on holiday in Tasmania. 'When I saw the countryside in the Channel area, my jaw just dropped'.

The move to Tasmania has had its challenges. Arriving in mid-July, to a house needing renovations, seems madness for us seasoned locals - let alone for someone who had not experienced a winter before. 'We had one gas heater for 3 weeks, with a director's chair, while we waited for our furniture', Yin Mei reminisces. 'I can laugh about it now!'

Experiencing the seasons, having a garden, pets, the quiet, are all new experiences which Yin Mei has had to learn about. When her friends visit, they marvel at the space, and the children love the animals and lifestyle. She cautions however that while it is quiet, it is busy. Running chooks, lambs, ducks and cats and a vegie garden can be quite demanding!

Yin Mei still tries to visit Singapore each year. 'It is my roots' she says. 'And my parents feed me up, and my friends take me to all their favourite places so it is also a lot of fun!'

But how does a banker end up as a jewellery designer and maker? Watching a lady make jewellery in Richmond proved the inspiration. Yin Mei had never done handicraft before, other than some self-described 'horrible' knitting for scarves. Well, her scarves may be bad, but her jewellery is a delight! 

Delicate, feminine, and inspired by the 1920s, it is easy to see the appeal of Yin Mei’s business, My Sinfonia.  So how does Yin Mei remember her feelings at her first sale that day in Woodbridge?  Relief! 

To visit My Sinfonia and Yin Mei's beautiful range of jewellery, just click here

Vegan life, love and belly dancing... meet Adriana Bellemans

Bellydancing isn't perhaps the most mainstream of dancing past times, but Adriana Bellemans has never been one for mainstream.  She took up belly dancing in Adelaide because she'd always wanted to learn.  When she arrived in Tasmania 21 years ago, she decided to offer classes. 

It was certainly a great conversation starter!
 
Adriana Bellemans is an inspirational lady.  While many of us try to follow our principles (at least most of the time), Adriana really lives them.  This animal lover set up Vegelicious with her partner Kate last Christmas after an opportunity arose at the Island Market.  And despite only being open 6 months, they have already attracted a loyal following and a HOFM award as Hobart's Best Takeway!

Adriana has always enjoyed cooking, especially beautiful vegetarian and vegan food.  She loves it when she is asked what is vegan at Vegelicious, only to tell them that everything is!  'Their eyes nearly pop out of their head!' she laughs. 

Vegelicious offers vegan food for everyone.  Adriana, with Kate's help, makes just about everything themselves.  As a result, everything is fresh and high quality.  The favourites?  Vegan cakes, and brekkie bagels (vegan bacon and scrambled tofu).  And of course, hot chips! It is amazing how many vegans order hot chips, happy knowing that they are not cooked in animal fat (like many takeaway shops).  Even carnivores seek out the Vegelicious hot chips because they taste better...!   
Her big tip for anyone interested in eating more vegetarian food or vegan food?  'If you treat tofu the right way, it can be very tasty.  People make the mistake of tasting it straight from the pack... blurrrgh!  Don't do that - it is very easy to cook with!'

So does she miss anything?  Yes, cheese!  Fortunately Adriana came across a recipe for vegan cheese, kindly shared by a friend who operates a vegan B&B.  You can find the recipe on the Vegelicious facebook page, and we've included it for you below.  And, Adriana can also make you up a tub of vegan fetta to take home on request!

Vegan Fetta
courtesy of Nikki from Bed and Broccoli 
250 g block of tofu (Nikki uses Blue Lotus, Adriana uses the Firm King Land brand )
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
3 tablespoons herbed vinegar (plain also works)
1 tablespoon of miso powder (or 1 small sachet)
½ teaspoon salt
2 cloves of garlic, whole & smashed (Or use crushed garlic)

Drain tofu. Cut into cubes or crumble. Don’t crumble it too fine or it will become mush! Mix all ingredients together and pour over tofu. Marinate in the fridge for at least a day. A couple of days is best. But I have done this in the morning and cooked with it that night when in a hurry. Store in the fridge with olive oil."

 

Adriana also adds chilli and fresh rosemary and has also used miso paste. Like Nikki - Adriana is yet to work out how long this will keep as it hasn't lasted more than 3 days before it's gone!

You can find information about Vegelicious in the Your Market Place business directory, or visit them at their Vegelicious facebook page.

A dog's best friend - a chat with Cathy Craw, Welfare Manager Hobart Dogs' Home

Cathy Craw was one of those lucky kids. Growing up in Kingston, her family had a property in beautiful Kaoota with lots of animals: ducks and chooks, a Shetland pony and then a Welsh pony.  There was one pet however that Cathy always wanted but didn't have.... a dog.  Since then however, Cathy has made up for lost time!

First, it was bringing strays home from the Kingston area, and finding them new homes.  Then it was taking dogs into her apartment in Singapore and socialising them; and fostering dogs in the United States when her husband and two children moved there from Singapore.  Her time with the fostering program in America would later provide invaluable experience for her return to Australia.

When the family returned to Tasmania, Cathy got involved with the Hobart Dogs' home as a volunteer dog walker.  Her role expanded to dog masseur, when she did completed a pet massage course in Victoria to help rehabilitate her own dog, and she needed to build her practical hours! 

She was soon working 1 day a week as a fundraising coordinator, when the Dogs' Home secured a grant to start a fostering program.  'I'd been talking so long about the fostering program, they told me that I should set it up'.  So, she quit her job and took it on.  That was 3 years ago, and the Dogs' Home now has over 100 foster carers across the south and north west of Tasmania. 

The foster program puts dogs with a carer for a short time, typically 8-10 weeks.  It may help them socialise, recover from surgery, or just give them a break.  It also means that the Dogs' Home can care for even more dogs. 

Cathy's greatest reward?  Seeing a dog, that has lost hope, regain hope and trust.  Seeing a dog start a new life.  That is priceless.

Not surprisingly, Cathy and her family have 2 dogs at home.  They also however have 2 fish which Cathy rescued from a stall at Salamanca.  'The fish were almost belly up, and I wasn't sure whether they'd survive,' she says. It sounds like Cathy's compassion for animals is universal. 

The Dogs' Homes of Tasmania
The Dogs' Home has centres in Devonport, Burnie and Hobart, and they all have dogs looking for a new home. 

When you adopt a dog from the Dogs' Home, you save two dogs - one that comes home with you, and one new dog that can be looked after by the Dogs' Home.

How you can help:
Each centre relies upon the assistance of dedicated volunteers: dog walking, dog washing, administration, or assisting with events.  If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact the Dogs' Home near you.  They would also welcome donations of towels, blankets, toys and treats for their dogs.  For more information, check out their profile on Your Market Place:  Dogs' Homes of Tasmania

Talent. Art. Passion. Meet Josie Allyson Birchall

There may have been some who thought Josie Allyson Birchall was brave when she left a good job as a graphic designer to start a Diploma of Contemporary Art. Josie Allyson Birchall however believes that if you have a dream, then you've got to hold onto it and go for it.

From the way that her paintings seem to forge a connection with people, we are fortunate that she took that different path! At a group exhibition in November last year at the Mill Providore and Gallery, Josie sold six of her seven paintings - and her following continues to grow.

Josie's style may be described as a little quirky and original. Reflecting her own experiences and emotions, each piece is also personal. Josie likes her paintings to have their own story or narrative, and she often includes little clues or symbols for interpretation. In the end however Josie paints for herself first. 'I don't know if I could capture the essence and emotion if I was just painting for someone else' says Josie.

It was almost by accident that Josie got into painting; she actually majored in printmaking in her TAFE Diploma and only dabbled in painting. From there however, with the encouragement of one of her teachers, Josie moved to painting as her chosen medium.

So how did it feel when you sold your first painting? 'It was such a buzz' laughs Josie. My first painting was sold before the opening night of a group exhibition. It was so satisfying to know that people were responding to my painting, willing to go with something a little risky'.

Not surprisingly, in the future Josie would like to paint full time and live near the coast. 'It is something I've always had a strong feeling about; wanting to be near the water and paint'. Sounds like a worthy ambition to me.

If you'd like to see some more of Josie's incredible range of work, you can see her profile at Your Market Place:

You can also visit her FaceBook page on:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/josie.allyson.birchall.artist