Run Melbourne, Run!

As a proud Melburnian and passionate runner, it would be unacceptable not to participate in the Melbourne Marathon event in some way. With 5.7km, 10km, half marathon and full marathon distances, as well 4km walk and 2.5km run for kids, there’s something for everyone. It’s been too long since I last ran a half marathon, so this is my distance of choice. Now it’s time to get serious and start training like I mean it.

I have always been a fan of Runner’s World magazines, subscribing to the monthly UK publication to keep my enthusiasm up through the endless winter months when running outside was less than appealing. The magazine soon led me to the Runner’s World website - a wealth of practical, realistic information that will keep you on track. This plethora of info really comes into its own with the training schedules on offer. A comprehensive training schedule takes the guess work out of what you need to do to drag yourself round the course on the day, or set the next event record. You can even program it with your Garmin! http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/hmnewsletter0/schedules

I plan to bore you with more training stories in the lead up to the event, and hope you return the favour. I would love to hear your comments, challenges and advice if you are participating in the event, or supporting/coaching someone who is.

To register (go on, you can do it!) go to www.melbournemarathon.com.au

Now, where did I put my trainers???...

Melbourne loves you

Ah the quirks of Melbourne...the above message bought a smile to my face yesterday - wonder if you can identify where it is? (Hint: it's located near Melbourne's art precinct). And for all those going through a tough time at the moment, take heart, Melbourne loves you!

Uh oh, we're in Trouble...

There is an explanation for the sporadic posts on My Melbourne lately. I have been slightly pre-occupied with a fabulous little publication called Trouble.

Trouble may be small in size, but its message is mighty and it’s the essential monthly guide for art exhibitions, particularly Melbourne.

Produced monthly, Trouble is available from numerous art galleries, museums, cafes, theatres, libraries and various stores around Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Tasmania as well as regional Victoria and NSW. Check Trouble’s website for a complete list of distributors.

Look out for my monthly column, Melburnin’, which reviews what’s hot on Melbourne’s exhibition circuit

I have also written a feature article on the delicious exhibition, Sunday’s Kitchen Food and Living at Heide in this month’s issue.

I hope you enjoy them…now go get into Trouble!

Spit or swallow?

It’s ‘the-morning-after’ when I always vow to learn to spit ‘nicely’ at the next wine tasting event I go to. As unattractive as it is, spitting should also occur before I inadvertently consume the best part of several bottles of wine (all in the name of ‘education’ and broadening my palette, of course!). However, I still haven’t learnt and the Fed Square Yarra Valley Wine Showcase on Weds 5th and Thurs 6th May proved to be no different. But who can resist sampling a great drop (or thirty) from producers in one of Victoria’s premier wine regions?!

With around twenty producers showcasing over fifty wines, the $25 entry fee which included limitless wine tasting, as well as a tasting plate with several different food choices proved pretty good val.

Producers who participated in the event included Boat O’Craigo Vineyard, Coldstream Hills, St Huberts Vineyard, Fergusson Winery, Five Oaks Vineyard, Giant Steps, Hirsch Hill Estate, Long Gully Estate, Millers Dixon Creek Estate, Oakridge Wines, Olsen Wines, Outlook Hill, Rochford Wines, Seville Estate, Seville Hill, Sticks Yarra Valley, Warramate Wines, Yileena Park, Yarra Burn Wines as well as Purvis Cellars who showcased some of their current favourite fine wines.

With event specials such as 10-15% off half dozen and dozen bottle purchases, coupled with the try-before-you-buy opportunity, you can’t beat this approach to purchasing wine, whilst discovering varieties you may not have tasted before.

Highlights we discovered included the Oakridge Chardonnay with its zesty citrus flavour, as well as the Fume – beautifully clean crisp on the palate. We also loved the Seville Hill 2006 Pinot Noir, which tasted remarkably like a strawberry Chupa Chup!

Millers Dixon Creek Estate offered some delicious Bordeaux style wines including the award winning 2005 Quatrain (70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Petit Verdot, 10% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc) with “lovely drying tannins, a complex nose and a multi-layered palate of blackberry, liquorice, spice from the Petit Verdot and a hint of dark chocolate.” The 2005 Petit Verdot was also a delightful drop with “rich red and black fruit, spice and floral undertones.”

Fed Square’s convenient location to the city makes it the perfect venue to host events such as this – ideal for the after work crowd to stop by on their way home. Fed Square plan to host similar events each month, featuring a different Victorian Wine region at every event.

Save the date and mark the next tasting in your diary: Weds 2nd and Thurs 3rd June, 4.30-8.30pm, where wineries from Sunbury and Macedon Ranges will be showcased.
Visit for more info.

Distilled and bottled for the future

Despite abundant regulations regarding the redevelopment of historical buildings these days, it’s always heartening to see the traditional features of a building embraced in the new design.

A pleasing example of old integrated into new is the Port Melbourne redevelopment of the original Joshua Brothers Distillery building. The old distillery has been converted into a trendy apartment block, but the origins of the building have been retained through a liquor-inspired façade. There are also plaques located near the building entrances detailing the building’s history.


Info plaque and painted façade of Joshua Bros Distilly building today
From 1863, “Victoria became the centre for Australian whisky attracting a number of large distilleries around Ballarat, Port Melbourne and the Yarra River” says Chris Middleton from Victoria Valley Distillery. Pot still malt whisky was produced in volume by Victorian distilleries and sold to liquor retailers and hotels. It was not until after the Great War that whisky was bottled, branded and marketed. Joshua Brother’s Boomerang became one of the first largest brands, with 1.5 million litres being produced from the Federal Distillery in Port Melbourne each year.

Whisky was held under Government bond, which assured quality for local distilleries and consumers and increased the positive reputation of Victorian whisky. “Southern Victoria was an attractive region to make whisky as barley cultivation favoured the colder climate in winter. The water quality was very good, with a limestone platform running from Melbourne across to South Australia and the volatility of the seasonal temperatures made ideal conditions for maturation” says Middleton.

The legacy of the lively whisky industry lives on through precious buildings like the Joshua Brother’s distillery. The building’s purpose may have changed, but its history has been distilled and preserved for future generations.

For more info, read Word from the Valley, from Victoria Valley Distillery, Aug 2009:
http://victoriavalley.com.au/docs/VicValleyNews-Ed8.pdf

A lovely Gesture

Gesture is a beautiful word, meaning a “sign”, “signal” or “nod”. With a “nod” towards days gone by, Gestures is also the perfect name for a gorgeous second-hand shop located on Bay Street, Port Melbourne.







Gestures specialises in pre-loved delights such as crockery, jewellery, glassware and other charming bric-a-brac items. This unique specialty store was an unexpected discovery and every time I jog past there is always something new and eye-catching in the window. The favourite so far has been the china polka-dot teacups and saucers.

Gestures, 354 Bay St, Port Melbourne, 3207
03 9681 7121

Rug up for winter with buyster and MyMelbourne

Autumn has well and truly arrived in Melbourne - it’s dark by 8pm, Easter is just around the corner and daily temperatures dipping into the low 20s are becoming more common.

As we start to contemplate our winter wardrobe (those new boots, jumpers and tights) our homes shouldn’t be neglected either. Fortunately they don’t have to be thanks to buyster rugs. buyster is an Australian company who offer an “unparalleled selection of great value products and excellent customer service”, which is always welcome!

The lovely team from buyster rugs are giving away a gift voucher to one lucky MyMelbourne reader. Email mymelbourneinfo@gmail.com and tell us in 25 words or less which rug you like and why for the chance to win a $65 buyster rugs gift voucher. With a great range of designs from contemporary to oriental as well as cute children's rugs the only problem is choosing one! Hopefully some of our favourites below will inspire you…

‘Dynasty’ Oriental Rug

‘Samira’ Contemporary Rug

Looney Tunes Hopscotch rug

These beautiful rugs are sure to warm up your winter and smarten up your home this season. Get in quick - competition closes on Sunday 18th April.

buyster also sell a great range of other homeware products. If your dwelling requires a more drastic makeover, check out the other hot pieces they have available at http://www.buysterrugs.com.au/ourstores.asp