Charlotte Belle and Blake Farrow from Circus Monoxide at Viva La Gong

Charlotte Belle and Blake Farrow from Circus Monoxide at Viva La Gong
Originally uploaded by Vanessa Pike-Russell

I met Charlotte Belle and Blake Farrow at Viva La Gong celebrations in MacCabe Park. They have been in Circus Monoxide for over a year and a half and I asked them to pose for a few photographs and wish I had spent more time learning about their story.

Circus Monoxide, Viva La Gong, MacCabe Park, Wollongong

Circus Monoxide, Viva La Gong, MacCabe Park, Wollongong
Originally uploaded by Vanessa Pike-Russell

Maryann's One of a Kind Crafts

Maryann's One of a Kind Crafts
Originally uploaded by Vanessa Pike-Russell

I met Maryann through Auslets, a 'local energy trade scheme' where you post your wants and your offerings and network with others and create your own currency.

I spend time teaching Maryann how to use her digital camera and how to blog, she makes me a dress which I commission for my young friend Siobhan. Everyone has skills and talents which are worth something. In these days of financial insecurity it is good to be focused on finding a way to work at what you are good at, collaborating with like-minded individuals and meet a lot of nice people along the way!

Maryann loves to make jewellery and children's clothes. She lives in Kiama Downs and has travelled to Lake Illawarra and Windang to work on her photography with me. Recently I travelled down to Kiama Downs to her home and enjoyed her view of Cathedral Rocks, sharing a wonderful lunch with Maryann and her mum Frances. The first of many visits, I am sure.

http://oneofakindcrafts.blogspot.com/

I met Shana on the Boonerah Point jetty on Lake Illawarra and then saw her happily walking along in the mud. I asked her if I could take her photo and she happily posed for me.

I met Shana on the Boonerah Point jetty on Lake Illawarra and then saw her happily walking along in the mud. I asked her if I could take her photo and she happily posed for me.

Brian Jackson, the owner of Crooked River Winery, Gerringong, NSW 2535, Australia

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Brian Jackson, the owner of Crooked River Winery, Gerringong, NSW 2535, Australia

“I think this is the place closest to heaven,” says Brian Jackson, owner, with his wife Narelle, of Crooked River Wines at Gerringong, north of Shoalhaven Heads on the New South Wales south coast.

From the vineyard’s handsome visitor centre we look across to tree-covered hillsides and dairy farms, a pastoral landscape in many shades of green. The little Crooked River winds through the Jacksons’ 14-hectare vineyard, and eventually empties its mountain-clear water into the ocean at Geroa.

Brian was a businessman who wanted a change in lifestyle “but not too far from Sydney because we have 16 grandchildren living there”. He looked at many wine regions - the Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Orange, and Cowra - and then he found this property, which had been a dairy farm for more than a century. “We are close to beaches and a golf course, and only 20 minutes from the lovely rain forest in Budderoo National Park,” said Brian

(Text Source: Winestate Magazine )

Greg's got meat - Wiseman Park Wollongong City Bowling Club

Every Friday Night Greg is giving away his meat.

Wait, let's rephrase that! Wiseman Park Wollongong City Bowling Club runs a meat raffle every Friday night. Greg from WafeFM is the compere and does a wonderful job of calling out the numbers and giving general club announcements.

The meat trays are supplied by Keiraville Butchers.

I first met Greg when he ran the Tuesday trivia night. He has a very easy going and caring attitude and made the night an enjoyable one. The trivia night is now hosted by Dave Gore from i98.



"He asked me to press his button!" says Stan

If you win a tray Greg will invite you to press his button - the button to generate the next number in the raffle.



We often go to the Friday meat raffle and have dinner at The Park Restaurant. They offer a fantastic 'finger food combo' which is perfect raffle fare. A platter of buffalo wings, spring rolls, potato skins, samosas and salad which is a good appetizer for up to three people.

After the raffle enjoy some music. Every Friday night there is a band.


[ Acousticatz - http://acousticats.blogspot.com}






Location:

Wiseman Park Wollongong City Bowling Club
Gipps Road (cnr Foleys Road)
Gwynneville NSW 2500 Australia

Artist: Ron Vale at Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival

Ron created the Pond Skater, Rubbish Monster interactive sculpture made from recycled materials for the 'On The Shore' section of the Thirroul Seaside Arts Festival held March 31st to April 1st, 2007





For more photos of Ron's creation please visit the set of photos at Flickr