[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #8F9F59;”] O [/dropcap]ld-fashioned cooking techniques and recipes are making a comeback, although perhaps without the levels of salt, fat and sugar that were all considered normal before a life sitting in front of computers made it harder to work off such nasties.

This week, Michaelie Clark, from Warrnambool Books, has chosen a gem that explores the history of one such book that was a must for all housewives, and yes, most married women were called housewives.

Ahh, those were the days…not! Over to Michaelie…

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #8F9F59;”] ‘T [/dropcap]he name of the recently published history of the PWMU Cookbook could not be more appropriate. From Suet to Saffron by Melbourne author Fiona Bligh celebrates the evolution of the book since its first edition was produced by a group of Victorian women in 1904, when offal and raw animal fat were well-loved staples, to the current day, when the menu is infused with multi-cultural cuisine.

As well as giving a good overview of the origins of Australia’s oldest, continuously in-print cookbook and the changes it has undergone to achieve that designation, From Suet to Saffron also provides a snapshot through the ages of our country’s socio-cultural norms and prescribed gender roles.

Amidst advice for ‘invalid cookery’, priceless ‘observations on soup’, recipes for sheep’s head broth and instructions for cleaning ivory are replications of the advertisements that appeared in the book over the last century.

These range from macaroni ads in 1904 which ask ‘Do You Love Your Husband and Children? If so, feed them on Rinoldi’ (with a side serve of house-wifely virtue) to flyers by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria declaring in 1943 that ‘Electric Cooking is Now Every Woman’s Right!’

Whether you’re a long-time fan of the PWMU Cookbook or just want to take a look at Australia’s past from an interesting perspective, From Suet to Saffron is definitely a book you can sink your teeth into.”

[box] Keep up to date with new releases from Warrnambool Books on their Facebook page. [/box]

 Catch up on our other Bookmarks …

The Dressmaker still winning fans

Preserving Indigenous stories: Fiona Clarke

James Laidler’s star-studded novel

Matt Porter: the lighter side of teaching 

At last, a cookbook you can use! 

Ben Sanders: Retro meets whimsy

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DDCE8D;”] E [/dropcap]ach week we like to celebrate a quiet hero in South-West Victoria – somebody or something that is making a difference, if only a small one.

This week, we have found Warrnambool’s answer to the Gosford Anglican Church, which has been lighting up Facebook with its witty church board postings that are, often, quite political (you can find them on Facebook here).

While not quite as public as Gosford Uniting Church, the Warrnambool Uniting Church, in Koroit St, has been making its views known about the treatment of asylum seekers who turn to Australia for refuge.

A window display at the front of the church chastises both major political parties for their lack of compassion on an issue that, because of the politics being played, deeply divides Australia.

For what it’s worth, we agree with them.

But there is more to the Warrnambool Uniting Church than making statements – they also act to help those in need, even if it is the need for company.

The church holds a Wednesday lunch for anyone to attend, creating a safe, non-judgmental space for people to gather and talk. It helps.

For these things, the Warrnambool Uniting Church and its leaders – Rev Geoff Barker, Rev Malcolm Frazer and Pastor Marjorie Crothers – are our quiet hero for the week.

[box] Our quiet hero will receive a voucher for coffee and cake from this week’s sponsor, Lozzar’s Lounge Cafe, Kepler St, Warrnambool – thankyou for your support, Lozzar’s.[/box]

 Meet some of our other quiet heroes…

Gary Webb – Bidding for the arts

Kylie Thulborn – pushing boundaries

The Drylies and creating art with kids

Susie Alexander fights cancer…and aims for a fun run 

Holden Club helps out

Caring for the environment

Embracing diversity

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”] C [/dropcap]reators like Johanna Glennen have found a way around balancing their craft with raising their children: they are taking their work online.

Johanna, of Warrnambool, is behind the hugely popular joeyjellybean label of children and infant wear that she makes at home and sells, mainly, through an online store and Facebook.

The funky outfits – including bibs, baby onesies, hoodies, t-shirts, bandanas and dresses – have sold by the thousand since Johanna started her business about five years ago.

At that time, she only had one child – Ezekiel – who provided the inspiration for joeyjellybean.

“It was after I had my first born that I realised there wasn’t a lot of interesting clothing out there for babies, and especially for boys, there was a real gap in the market,” Johanna says.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”] W [/dropcap]hile Johanna’s mother, Oriel Glennen, is an established artist, Johanna says she “missed out on the artistic gene”, but she did teach herself how to sew.

She began her venture by making children’s clothes from interesting and eye-catching fabrics, but has soon branched out into drawing her own designs and screen-printing them onto plain fabrics.

“I grew up with a lot of Native American Indian stuff around the house, so I have a lot of those types of designs in my work,” she says.

“I am obviously not an artist – I can’t draw that well – but I think the naivety of the designs have become part of their appeal. They are a bit quirky and a bit different.”

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”] S [/dropcap]ince the launch of joeyjellybean, Johanna has had another three children, including her first daughter, Esmae, who was born just a couple of months ago.

With four children aged six and under, Johanna should technically not have much time for anything, but she has proven to be the ultimate multi-tasker.

“I taught myself how to screenprint and bought a screenprinting kit that can be set up on the kitchen table,” she explains.

While the children are sleeping, Johanna sets to work filling orders and making new lines: by the time they awake, the kit is packed away and the kitchen table has been restored to its normal self.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #DC943C;”] A [/dropcap]side from screenprinting, Johanna has decided to also design her own fabrics -that are digitally printed by another company – before she sews them into gorgeous garments.

While Johanna sells through the Baby Bird Boutique in Warrnambool and at various art and craft markets in the area, the vast majority of her sales come from online.

It is a micro-business model that is being repeated around Australia.

“There is definitely a trend where there are a lot of young mums getting into making their own products and selling them on the Internet,” Johanna says.

Life may change, however, when Johanna’s children are older.

“I actually have a commerce degree and I am supposed to be an accountant,” she says with a laugh.

“I love accounting, so when the kids are older, I will probably go back to that.”

[box] The online store for Joeyjellybean can be found here and on Facebook. [/box]

 If you enjoyed this story, you might like…

Stitching it all together: Joella Hill

Udderly beautiful: Make Mine Milk

The sensational drawings of Ella Webb

Meet the Port Fairy artist behind Claybody ceramics

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] G [/dropcap]iven Kylie Carter works as a master watchmaker, it is surprising she hasn’t been tempted to change her name to Kylie Cartier.

But such a highbrow name change would not be in keeping with Kylie’s down-to-earth approach to her work, which is among a group of highly skilled trades that are becoming harder to find.

Not that Kylie, 35, grew up with a desire to keep an eye on the time: instead, she more or less “fell into” the job after deciding to leave school at 16.

“I wanted to get out of school and work, and this was something that the school (Brauer College, in Warrnambool) put me onto,” she said.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] K [/dropcap]ylie secured an apprenticeship with what was then Hogg’s the Jewellers, in Warrnambool, and spent three years learning from Roger Hogg and attending classes in Melbourne.

During that time, she learnt how to repair watches and clocks using an array of fine tools that require a steady hand and a keen eye.

“I do get tired eyes sometimes, I must admit,” Kylie said.

Kylie has remained with Hoggs, which is now run by Roger’s son, Peter, and operates under the name JAWS (Jewellery and Watch Service) in Koroit St, Warrnambool.

Her work desk is scattered with watches of all shapes and sizes – new, old and very old – that Kylie handles with dexterity.

The microscopic metal parts of a watch are disassembled and reassembled using tweezers and tiny-headed screwdrivers, while watch cases and faces are removed and replaced using special tools that look like they have not changed in decades.

“I actually prefer working with watches to clocks. Clocks are far more complicated,” Kylie said.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] W [/dropcap]hile some jewellers also do watch repairs, there are only three master watchmakers in the district, including, oddly enough, two named Peter Hogg.

And although many people still bring in watches for repair, especially those that have sentimental value, the times, well, they are a changing.

Metal watches with mechanical parts are being replaced by cheap, plastic watches that are usually thrown away once they stop working and there is a new threat on the horizon.

“Some people are apparently not buying watches at all, because they use their mobile phones to check the time,” Kylie said.

Kylie still wears a sturdy, metal watch (a Swiss-made Candino, for the record) and prides herself on being punctual.

“Always, always,” she said, smiling.

[box] Jewellery and Watch Services, 54 Koroit St, Warrnambool. (03) 5562 2831.[/box]

 If you enjoyed this story, you might enjoy…

Murray Simper and the craft of bookbinding

Life as a soul sister

Art as medicine: Glenn Morgan

From Panmure to Dubai: the art of Kathryn Ryan

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #8F9F59;”] T [/dropcap]here is a great story behind this week’s choice for Bookmarks, The Dressmaker.

It was published 13 years ago as the first novel for Melbourne author Rosalie Ham, who has managed to carve out a wonderful career, despite not being a ‘big name’ in writing or having a huge marketing machine behind her.

The novel was published by a tiny publishing house that no longer exists, but gave Ham the springboard she needed.

It is now listed on VCE reading lists and is about to made into a movie, starring Kate Winslet and Judy Davis.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #8F9F59;”] T [/dropcap]his is what Michaelie Clark from Warrnambool Books has to say about her choice:

“Rosalie Ham’s first book, The Dressmaker, has been steadily gaining momentum for over a decade. Far from being a seasonal sensation, the award-winning novel has been quietly adorning more and more bookshelves with a classic style that will never lose its lustre – and now it’s about to grace the big screen.

Set in rural Victoria in the 1950s, the book tells the story of Myrtle ‘Tilly’ Dunnage, the disgraced daughter of a madwoman, who returns to her hometown after fashioning a life abroad that the residents of Dungatar can barely imagine.

Escaping the secrets and tragedy of her most recent past by confronting the traumatic events of her childhood, Tilly struggles to remain aloof as she faces the seething malice of the townspeople, her mother’s deranged outbursts – and the romantic advances of her neighbour.

This is a decadent, unusual gothic novel that sticks with the reader, making them question some of the more poisonous threads that can hold a small community together.”

 [box] Keep up to date with new releases from Warrnambool Books on their Facebook page. You can also find out more about Rosalie Ham on her website. [/box]

 Catch up on our other Bookmarks…

Preserving Indigenous stories: Fiona Clarke

James Laidler’s star-studded novel

Matt Porter: the lighter side of teaching 

At last, a cookbook you can use! 

Ben Sanders: Retro meets whimsy

Gorgeous working dogs