HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020

FOOD FOR THOUGHT PLANTS TAKE CENTRE STAGE ON THE MENU

KEEPING MEMBERS CONNECTED racv.com.au/club IN THIS WELCOME ISSUE

Sweet spot for golf and digital activities 4 Insider News: New horizons 6 Cover Story: Food for thought

JOHN SLATTERY Club & Membership Committee Chairman 8 Meet & Connect: Winter tales

The beauty of living in a digital age is that we have multiple and innovative 10 Eat & Drink: Trophy wines ways of staying connected. From virtual workshops using Zoom, to online 12 Wellness: Low and behold videos of exercise classes and regular updates via Facebook and email, the Club has managed to create a virtual presence that wouldn’t have been possible a couple 14 Escape: Favourite trails of decades ago. In this digital issue of Highlights for June, we catch up with one of our book 16 Family Time: Mini explorers groups and get their recommendations for winter reading, we talk to Blue Tree Grill head chef Rupert Rose about his sustainable approach to food, and because cycling is one of the best ways to travel at the moment, we get the lowdown on ’s best tracks from the Club’s Cycling Group. Make sure you take advantage of our online recipes and activities and stay in touch.

ROB EVERETT RACV Club General Manager

Throughout this period of closure, keeping Club Members connected and informed has continued to be a focus of the RACV Club team. Opening the golf course at Healesville Country Club was a great first step to welcoming Club Members back and I thank everyone for supporting the measures put in place to keep Members and staff safe and healthy. Live online events are a new initiative for us, and it has been heartening to see so much engagement from our Club community. Keep an eye out for Winter8 upcoming online events, as well as more videos and articles on the Club Highlights webpage. tales Our kitchen teams have been busy too, with the launch of RACV Food@Home in addition to the CLUB MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES meals they continue to prepare for local charities. I appreciate and thank all Club Members for l 1300 501 501 their continued support. It has been wonderful to see so many of you interacting on our various l racv.com.au/club platforms and it is a testament to our strong Club community. I wish you all the best and look l [email protected] forward to seeing you back at the Club in the near future. 12 Low-impact MEMBERSHIP ONLINE exercise l racv.com.au/login

SHARE YOUR STORIES CALL US OR SEND AN EMAIL Stay connected and share your stories with us.

CIT Y CLU B HEALESVILLE COUNTRY CLUB l Email: [email protected] C l 9944 8888 H l 5962 4899 l [email protected] l [email protected] l #shareyourClubmoments on Facebook and Instagram

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK RACV Board Of Directors l John Slattery* l Graeme Chipp* l Julie Green* President and Chairman: Geoff Cosgriff facebook.com.au/RACVClub l Patricia Kelly l Jodie Leonard l Merran Kelsall Deputy Chairman: Greg Robinson l Graeme Willis l Denice Pitt* Managing Director and CEO: Neil Taylor *Club & Membership Committee FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM instagram.com/racvclub Favourite 14 bike trails 2 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 3 INSIDER NEWS

With a can-do attitude and a bit of nous, our multi-talented staff have rolled up their sleeves to help spruce up the Club for your return

‘It’s all shined he aroma of coffee, the hum of conversation and the “We have staff from different departments helping us: bustle of people may be temporarily absent, but this Erin from One Spa, Monica from the Conference and and polished and hiatus has given our RACV Club staff the chance to Events team and Lauren from the gym.” develop their hidden talents. waiting for people T “We have been painting and polishing the restored Barbers have become painters and decorators, sales staff furniture,” says Restaurant Supervisor Boaz DelaCruz, to return’ have developed green thumbs, and housekeepers have “We don’t have the expertise, but we learnt how to do it, turned their hands to furniture restoration. the result is amazing, and I’m proud of what we’ve done.” It turns out RACV Club staff are skilled in more ways The last time Healesville Country Club was this quiet, than one, and although some have been unable to was 2009 when the building was completely renovated. perform their normal roles, they have been polishing the “I was here when we refurbished the Club and it feels a silver and giving the properties some extra TLC, ready to little like that, just a ghost town,” says Sunny. welcome back Members and guests soon. Boaz is still happy to be working. “Seeing people healthy Steve Stasinos and Harry Argyropoulos miss the and happy gives me the confidence to keep going.” interaction and laughs they used to have with clients in RACV City Club’s Barber Shop. Director of Sales Kylie Shorter occasionally takes Member calls in the office, otherwise she is outside gardening. NEW HORIZONS “We have gone from working in the Barber Shop, to doing a lot of painting and decorating!” says Steve. “After a “Club Members have been calling up to see how we are; month in One Spa, we have freshened up Le Petit Gateau, they’re curious to see how we are going and when we the Barber Shop and then helped maintenance when might open,” says Kylie. “They like to reach out to a place they’ve needed a door painted.” that’s familiar; it’s nice to still talk to them.” Barbering and painting may not have many cross-over Another quiet achiever is Brad Williams, who usually skills, but both Steve and Harry had on-the-job training works as a valet and car park attendant. Brad’s keen when they were younger. interest in film and editing sees him working now as the Club’s resident videographer, producing the videos you “I’ve been painting with my Dad since I was ten years can see via our Club website and weekly emails. old, so I’ve had a bit of practice,” says Steve. Club Operations Manager Amanda Rottmann is Harry’s experience comes from helping friends and his impressed with the staff’s resilience and can-do attitude. own home renovations over the years. “The staff have shown that no matter the circumstances, “We both felt competent and fortunate to be able to do they will get things done with a great attitude, they make this,” says Harry. “It’s a nice change from the normal but me incredibly proud,” she says. we miss our clients.” “I can’t wait for the day we welcome our Members back to He’s looking forward to when the Club reopens and hopes the Club,” says Amanda. Members notice the difference. “It hasn’t felt the same without them.” “Everything has been freshened up. The leather has been conditioned and carpets have been steam cleaned. It’s all shined and polished and waiting for people to return.” RACV Club staff look forward to welcoming At Healesville Country Club, staff have been busy in the you back to the Club. Until then, stay safe and garden or helping restore and decorate amenities. keep in touch. You can share your memories “I have just finished restoring all the chairs and tables in or personal milestones by writing to us at 80 accommodation rooms,” says Housekeeping Manager [email protected] Sunny Tadi. “And I have to say, they are amazing!”

PHOTOS: ( L-R FROM TOP) AGAINST A YARRA VALLEY BACKDROP, SUNNY TADI AND BOAZ DELACRUZ HAVE BEEN HARD AT WORK REVITALISING ROOMS AND FURNITURE AT HEALESVILLE COUNTRY CLUB. 4 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 5 C O V E R STORY

Club chef Rupert Rose’s natural approach includes locally sourced produce and minimal waste

lue Tree Grill head chef Rupert Rose (right) has been teaching his 11-year-old daughter how to cook, taking delight in their time together at home. B“We’ve been making nice stocks and broths and I’ve been teaching her to make scrambled eggs, simple things like that,” he says. “We usually go out in the garden with a basket and pick some herbs and other ingredients and throw them into the dish.

Together they’ve filled the kitchen with the aromas of fresh sourdough bread and pizza and the cupboards with “We’ll concentrate on good quality and what’s jars of kimchi and bottles of kombucha. available at the time. We’ll try to use fish that’s more interesting, not just salmon and barramundi.” It’s a world away from cooking professionally, but Rupert’s philosophy of keeping dishes simple and letting An important part of Rupert’s food philosophy is a “the ingredients speak for themselves” will follow him reduction in waste, which means he’s more creative. back to Healesville Country Club when Blue Tree Grill “For example, I’ve got a dish on the menu—pan-fried reopens to Club Members and their guests. blue eye with roasted cauliflower purée and leaves with In March, Rupert’s new approach to food was evident foraged fennel top oil (left). Usually people would throw with the introduction of a new menu that showcased out the leaves of the cauliflower, but they’re actually nice local produce and the versatility of vegetables. It blanched with a bit of olive oil and salt, so we’ve been incorporated wild-growing herbs and smoky flavours putting them in the dish, too.” from the mountain ash bark collected during his foraging Rupert takes his inspiration from nature and what’s trips around the Club’s grounds. But few Members had a in season. Even the way he plates dishes is influenced by chance to try the menu before the Club was closed due to the plants and ingredients he finds growing wild in the the COVID-19 situation. Yarra Valley, such as onion weed, pine mushrooms and Rupert’s emphasis is on locally sourced produce and dandelion leaves. He says many chefs are adopting this minimal wastage, moving away from big expensive “hyperlocal” approach. cuts of meat and what he views as “unsustainable “It is a more humble approach to cooking that makes agriculture”. ‘It is a more humble flavour the most important part of the dish,” he says. “I think it’s our responsibility to take that approach as approach to cooking chefs and to be a bit more mindful about the ingredients we use,” he says. LIN ON E

that makes flavour The Blue Tree Grill menu will include sustainably

Our chefs share some of their

caught seafood from Bass Strait, organic vegetables and

favourite recipes at

leafy greens, edible flowers and herbs from Rupert’s

the most important racv.com.au/club-highlights small garden at the Club. This approach also means R part of the dish’ dishes on the menu will change more frequently. E S C I P E FOOD FOR THOUGHT

6 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 PHOTOS: SHANNON MORRIS HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 7 MEET & CONNECT

Curl up in front of the fireplace or heater with a great book, as recommended by one of our dynamic book groups

lub Member Monica Hayes and the book group at

Healesville Country Club haven’t let the tyranny Club Members receive an additional of distance stop their monthly meetings. 5% (total of 20%) off the RRP for COUN IS T selected books when they subscribe D to Northern Books’ new Books on Their May meeting went ahead via Zoom and they loved

C Subscription service. Order at www.

being able to see each other as they discussed the book,

%

20 northernbooks.com.au/b-o-s and

Invented Lives by Australian author Andrea Goldsmith. use CODE RACV5 at checkout. B OFF O S Delivery excluded, terms and “It was one of those unusual occasions where each O K conditions on Northern Books’ member of the group had enjoyed the novel without website. Cannot be used in reservation,” Monica says. Invented Lives is one of five conjunction with any other offer. books the group recommends to other Club Members.

“We enjoyed the local setting and references to Melbourne and Healesville,” Monica says. “But we didn’t all agree on interpretations or techniques. Some members of the group thought the author’s comments on BOOK GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS WINTER TALES the concept of exile were naïve, while others didn’t think Invented Lives by Andrea Goldsmith the Russian uncle was quite believable.” This is a provocative tale of a young Russian immigrant and her impact on a Melbourne family The Zoom meeting was an advance on the WhatsApp in the 1980s. group they hastily set up to replace their March meeting at the Healesville Country Club library when the Club Educated by Tara Westover unfortunately closed due to the COVID-19 situation. A memoir about growing up in a survivalist family in America and the transformative power Monica says the book group is looking forward to of education. returning to the Club because their meetings usually The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver progress to morning tea or lunch. The book group started A longer novel, narrated by the wife and four in 2012 and has 12 members, five of whom are in their daughters of an evangelical Baptist, which is set ninth year of sharing literary views. in Belgian Congo in 1959.

“Members hail from Buxton, the Yarra Valley and the The Mandibles by Lionel Shriver eastern suburbs,” Monica says. “We have daytime This story, told with dry wit, examines what meetings and most members are retired – but not all. happens to a family when the dollar collapses. As a group, our careers cover health, education, law, Scrublands by Chris Hammer finance, sciences, agriculture and welfare. Our broad A compelling crime novel about a journalist who range of backgrounds and life experiences also make for discovers the accepted story behind a church animated discussions.” attack conceals a darker truth. She says that each November book suggestions go into Want to join a book group? Call 9944 8180 a hat and the first 10 drawn out make the grade for the or email [email protected] following year’s list. It results in a broad mix of genres.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES l Northern Books also has recommendations for “I love the anticipation of picking up the next book winter reading at racv.com.au/club-highlights with no idea of what I might encounter,” group member Mathews says. PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES 8 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 9 6 HIGHLIGHTS MAY 2020 E A T & DRINK

TROPHY WINES RAISE THE BAR Victoria’s International Cool Climate Wine Show reflects the CHRISTIAN MAIER growing appreciation of more elegant and subtle wines Our in-house sommelier shares his hot tips on cool-climate wines E YO he climate greatly affects the wines we AC U L R P enjoy. Over the past 20 years interest has hen a sommelier describes a wine

grown in “cool-climate” wines, which

coming from a cool climate, it’s a bit

grow in regions of specific climatic conditions T like a real-estate agent describing and include varieties such as chardonnay, pinot O R a house in an upmarket neighbourhood. Cool noir, sauvignon blanc and many others. R E W D is better, and many winemakers are chasing International Cool Climate Show chairman Paul cooler-climate conditions either by establishing White says wines from cool climates tend to Purchase award-winning cool-climate vineyards on higher slopes away from the valley have more subtle flavours, lower alcohol and a wines as part of the Sommelier’s heat, changing vineyard orientation to the more refined and complex body than those from Recovery Pack south, or in some cases investing large sums of warmer regions. cash to acquire land in Tasmania. RACV Club Gift Shop “It’s harder to ripen grapes in cool-climate wine So why is the vine, a sun and heat-loving plant, View products at racv.com.au/ regions but the results are a greater intensity seen as making better wines in cooler areas? club-highlights. To place an order, of flavours,’ Paul says. “These wines are more contact Club Events on 9944 8888 or Grapes from cooler regions typically don’t sophisticated, elegant and refined, in my view, [email protected] ripen as quickly, which results in lower natural than those jammy fruits you get from some sugars and higher acidity. These wines are often warmer-climate regions.” described as elegant, nuanced and fresh. The International Cool Climate Wine Show was There are four panels of judges, each consisting Not all grapes are born equal and some do love due to celebrate its 20th year this year, with of a panel chair and three other judges, all the heat and will do best in warmer climes, but the judging taking place on 28-29 May on the overseen by a chief judge. International judges looking at the benchmark wine styles in France Mornington Peninsula, with RACV Club hosting also provide a global perspective. we see that regions located on the borderline of the Trophy Presentation Dinner in June. “We bring in a range of judges, including achieving ripeness are the ones producing some But the committee of management was masters of wine, wine merchants, wine writers, of the best wines. “crushed” when they had to cancel the show, and so on, because they have a bigger picture of The famous and expensive pinot noirs from along with the VIP and public tastings leading what the market is interested in.” Burgundy are within a cool region that in up to the major event at the Club, because of the RACV Club Sommelier Christian Maier was to some years can fail to achieve full ripeness. COVID-19 situation. step up to the role of panel chair, an honour he’s Champagne is almost at the northern limit of “So much work goes into the show,” Paul says. disappointed to miss out on this year. grape growing and you wouldn’t try to ripen “We have a fantastic group of stewards who cabernet sauvignon north of Bordeaux. “It’s the chance to meet like-minded people who do all the behind-the-scenes work for months, have a lot of knowledge to pass on,” he says. It is not so much a case of cooler versus warmer dealing with all the entries, collecting and viticulture, only what you prefer to drink … warehousing the wines from March and then He loves judging sparkling but says pinot unless you ask for a sommelier’s advice! classing them before the show in May.” noir has become the “sexiest” variety, closely followed by nebbiolo. The show has grown from 370 entries in 2000 to Cheers 702 entries last year, with wines from , “Pinot noir can channel power with elegance,” Christian Maier, Club Sommelier New Zealand and parts of Europe and the US. Christian says. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

10 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 11 WELLNESS LOW AND BEHOLD

Club personal trainer Fran Furci explains the benefits of low-impact exercise, which include getting a workout without straining your joints

ity Club personal trainer Fran Furci is a NLINE O fan of the phrase “exercise is optional, but

You’ll find our

movement is essential”.

online fitness videos at

C“A lot of people think of exercise as some kind of racv.com.au/club-highlights F regimented thing you need to do, but it’s basically S I S movement,” she says. T N E “We were meant to move on a regular basis. Sitting in a chair all day and minimising movement is going to result in tight joints, tight muscles and tight ligaments, which in turn will limit the amount of movement you can do and how efficient your Fran also teaches Body Pump, which is a body is at moving.” strength-training class. Fran says high-impact exercise is anything that “As long as you are using lighter weights, involves jumping or running or “taking both feet off strength training is low impact,” she says. the ground”, while most other exercise is considered FRAN’S TIPS FOR HOME low impact. “Extremely heavy weights will put stress on the joints, but otherwise that is the kind of training l Use a diary to make a “I teach classes in the gym and work as a personal I would do with the bulk of my clients and it’s schedule for your workouts trainer and 95% of the training I do with my clients basically the type of training I do to maintain my or daily movements. would be low impact,” she says. fitness and strength.” l “Low-impact exercise is anything that is easy Listen to a podcast while She says strength training increases muscle on the joints or it may be something you are doing going for a long walk. tissue and bone mass and a doctor may recommend where your body is supported, such as riding a bike It will distract you and you’ll this type of exercise to help control blood pressure, or using a cross trainer or rowing machine. walk for longer than you cholesterol or diabetes. perhaps intended. “A cross trainer (also called an elliptical trainer) “As you get older, it is normal to lose muscle is a great piece of equipment, it simulates a running l mass and that happens from as young as your late To get away from your movement without that impact on your joints (hips, 20s. If you’re not strengthening your muscles, you desk and increase your knees and ankles).” heart rate, schedule a time will lose that muscle tissue and the only way to Fran’s stretch-and-mobility session on the Club maintain and regain strength is to do some form of to do 10 squats, 10 lunges, 10 website is another good example of low-impact strength training.” push-ups and 10 mountain exercise. Other examples include walking, yoga, climbers each day. This includes using weights in the gym (machine Pilates, and even dancing – as long as one foot is weights or free weights like barbells and dumbbells), l still on the ground. If you’re sitting for long resistance bands or just body weight by doing periods, stretch every 30 She says low-impact exercise can still be high simple things such as squats, lunges, push-ups, minutes or so. intensity and provide a good cardio workout. pull-ups and mountain climbers. l If you’re on the phone, “Impact and intensity are different things,” she “Abdominal core work, crunches, all those kind of walk and talk. says. “I take a cycle class called Rev It Up, which is things are going to increase your muscle strength l low impact but can be high intensity, depending on and you don’t need any equipment or have to jump If you have children, kick your fitness level and how hard you push yourself. up and down,” Fran says. a ball around outside or put music on and dance. “If people think low impact is easy, no it’s not, “It will increase your fitness and strength, and you can make it as hard as you like.” improve your energy and your mood.”

12 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 13 ESCAPE

With so many scenic bike tracks in Victoria, the Club’s Cycling Interest Group is spoilt for choice when it comes to their social rides each month

ycling is enjoying a fresh surge in popularity, as Australians find a healthy way to abide by social- LI YC N G To join or find out more, distancing measures. C call 0414 788 254 or

A keen bike rider as a child and teenager, RACV Club

C email cycling@

Cycling Interest Group coordinator David Hobson took up

G davidhobson.com.au cycling again as a way of staying fit. R P He has always enjoyed riding for its ease and ability to O U take you places you can’t get to in a car. “I took up bike riding to keep up my fitness over summer,” says David, “I love to play hockey in winter, so I ride during the off season to maintain my fitness and be GREATER MELBOURNE’S BEST TRAILS ready for the season.” Warburton Trail The Cycling Interest Group has been exploring Victoria’s The Lilydale to Warburton rail trail is great for bike paths, rail trails and road rides since 2006. As the all fitness levels, families and children. It has coordinator, it’s David’s job to dream up the next riding varying degrees of difficulty, but there are expedition for the group. multiple access points and “station stops”. “We run rides once a month, usually on the last Sunday of the month,” says David, “Additional rides can always The Eastlink Trail be added if people are interested.” Wending through Mullum Mullum valley, this 35km trail connects to many other paths With a regular crew of 10 to 16 riders, the Cycling with open spaces, parks and reserves. Interest Group are always happy to welcome new members who enjoy a social ride and getting out into nature. A gentle 38km ride along the river from “We have been able to see lots of wildlife on our rides, Melbourne’s eastern suburbs to Southbank. you can sneak up on them without scaring them off when

you’re on a bike,” says David. A highlight for many in the group are the weekend rides, An enjoyable 23km ride on a safe off-road, with two to three days of consecutive riding. sealed path between Werribee and Brooklyn. “We will ride somewhere of interest, such as Bairnsdale A section around Williamstown Road is to Orbost,” says David, “My favourite so far would be currently closed due to road works. the Great Southern Rail Trail from Leongatha to Port Welshpool uninterrupted.” Novice riders are welcome to join. David sends out a A 27km picturesque track course description to help Members decide if the ride is from the Main Yarra Trail FAVOURITE TRAILS TRAILS FAVOURITE suitable for them and the group matches the pace of the in Kew to Bundoora. There slowest rider. are detours around West Heidelberg until July due to When asked to pick his favourite bike tracks, David has a long list, but he manages to whittle it down to five as a an upgrade of the track. guide for other Members interested in cycling.

PHOTO: CYCLING ON DAREBIN CREEK TRAIL

14 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020 15 FAMILY FAMILYTIME TIME

MINI EXPLORERS

pending more time at home with children has “Science introduces children to exploration and many parents searching for new ideas to keep them experimentation,” says Leanne, “Through skills of inquiry and entertained, without resorting to digital devices. prediction—and being able to stimulate these with practical hands-on fun activities—provides the impetus for children to SMy Creative Box founder Leanne Papadopoulos says engage, understand and learn scientific concepts.” structuring time away from devices, and encouraging sport, play, hands-on activities, experimentation, reading and Designed by child-development experts and a scientist, there cooking ensures your child can develop and continue to is Mini Explorers for 2 to 4-year-olds, Little Learners for 4 to nurture their curiosity and creativity. 7-year-olds and Big Creatives for 7 to 12-year-olds. “Children’s minds are like learning sponges, constantly “Each age group has up to six activities of age-appropriate absorbing and processing new information from every developmental art, craft and science activities in each box, experience they encounter,” Leanne says. which are underpinned by STEAM concepts,” says Leanne. With a background in early childhood education, Leanne wanted to create something unique and convenient to help children and families engage with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) activities. RACV Club Members receive 15% off their ILDREN first box when they subscribe to a monthly “When I started My Creative Box, I was like most parents H ’S C My Creative Box service using discount

looking for ways to engage my growing children with code RACV15 at checkout.

% meaningful learning experiences that they would enjoy 15 themselves,” says Leanne, “Our aim is always to inspire little A OFF Members can cancel the subscription Y service at any time at no cost. A 15% minds to explore, learn and create.” C T T I V I discount is also available for a one-off State and federal governments recognise STEAM education as purchase. Visit bit.ly/Createathome critically important for our productivity and community.

PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

16 HIGHLIGHTS JUNE 2020