inside the riverina summer 2014-15

Get the inside scoop on the Riverina’s food, wine and agritourism.

Summer 2014-15

Inside the Riverina

Fresh summer produce abounds in the Riverina and is served from paddock-to-plate in eateries across the region.

Known recently as the ‘Powerhouse of food production in Australia’, the Riverina is abuzz with activity this season – harvesting expanses of cereal grains, daily milking cows, hay-making, citrus and ripe vegetable picking, and later in the season nuts, prunes, and wine grapes set for the next vintage.

Riverina’s summers are also filled with locals who treasure the presence of the Murrumbidgee and Edward Rivers, the local pool or nearby lakes, channels and creeks where families and friends gather to water ski, fish, camp and celebrate reunions during the hot summer holiday season.

A favourite pastime of BBQ delights partnered with locally produced beverages is often enjoyed in the cool of the day. The long days are a time for recreation and alfresco dining. Summer is a great time to discover the food, wine and agritourism gems across the region.

In this edition of Inside the Riverina, we’ll give you the ‘inside scoop’ on the region’s most innovative eateries, popular with locals and their visiting friends and relatives.

There are many more great experiences to be found right across the region – to explore more visit www.insidetheriverina.com.au.

Discover the Riverina and its local treasures

Provedores 4 Green Seeds Café & Store, Temora

Rivadestra Pizza & Pasta, Darlington Point

The Blessed Bean, Wagga Wagga

Thom, Dick & Harry’s of West Wyalong

Meet the Maker 8 Codemo Smallgoods, Griffith

Leeton Farmers Market, Leeton

Riverina Fresh: Stewart and Rebecca Cole, Ladysmith

Experiences 12 Ellamatta Lamb, Wagga Wagga

Jerilderie Historic Residence, Jerilderie

Cycle Hire, Narrandera

Huff ’n’Puff Constructions, Ganmain

Summer 2014-15

This edition of Inside the Riverina proudly brought to you by Riverina Fresh

4 | SUMMER 2014 www.insidetheriverina.com.au

provedores

Green Seeds Café & Store, Temora

Sustainable, fresh and seasonal are the values behind the winning formula of the Green Seeds Café and Store in Temora.

The popular café and store took on the challenge of providing a diverse and innovative offering to Temora locals and travellers alike. Owner Gail Harris had a desire to serve only meals that could be made from scratch featuring produce straight from the local community. In doing so, Gail revels in the ability to regularly change the café menu to reflect the seasons and all they have to offer.

Known for her sustainable approach, their food is fresh, local and inventive, providing an alternative to the standard hamburger and chips so often served in rural areas.

The earthy atmosphere of the café paves the way to an exquisite store, offering eco-friendly shopping choices such as wooden kid’s toys, décor, ecological and socially responsible household cleaning and body products and a range of non-perishables from local enterprises.

Sit down and enjoy the new summer dish, Fresh Green Chicken Salad or a quirky pizza, cooked by head chef Dave Parry, before perusing the array of items on offer.

181 Hoskins St, Temora / (02) 6977 2858 / www.greenseeds.com.au / Mon - Fri 8.30am - 5pm / Friday nights until 10pm / Saturday 8.30am - 2.30pm

Sustainable, fresh and seasonal.

www.insidetheriverina.com.au SUMMER 2014 | 5

provedores

Rivadestra Pizza & Pasta, Darlington Point

Rivadestra Pizza and Pasta in Darlington Point is a true family affair, with owners Nicole and Ross Carlo owing inspiration for their establishment to Nicole’s father, Graham Moon, whom would often comment that the area was calling for a good pizza restaurant.

Nicole and Ross established Rivadestra in 2008 with the help of their mothers, Ruth and Carmel, and although Graham sadly did not live to see the restaurant open, there is no doubt that he would be incredibly proud of what his family has brought to Darlington Point.

The restaurant offers a delectable menu of traditional Italian pizza and pasta, as well as a selection of seafood and children’s options, all made at the experienced hands of Ross, Nicole and Nicole’s aunt, Roslyn. As parents themselves, Ross and Nicole aimed to create a haven for parents who knew what a struggle it can be to wine and dine with children. As a result, the atmosphere in Rivadestra is similar to that of a home – always filled with chattering voices and children’s laughter.

A recent extension of the restaurant has seen the addition of Villa by Rivadestra: a beautifully renovated three-bedroom apartment set above the eatery itself. The accommodation is perfect for couples or families visiting Darlington Point.

8 Punt Rd, Darlington Point / (02) 6968 4881 / www.rivadestrapizza.com / Wed - Sun 5pm - late / Open for lunch by request

Italian food at its finest


The Blessed Bean, Wagga Wagga

Coffee: one of those truly important discoveries in our society, with the ability to recharge and reshape people’s attitudes towards the day ahead. The Blessed Bean in Wagga Wagga is the definition of a great coffee.

With the perfect blend of world-sourced beans, community involvement and enthusiasm, Jason and Simone Dowding first opened The Blessed Bean’s door in 2011 after spending over 10 years in the café industry. Since then, the wholesalers have made a mark on the town through the introduction of a second coffee shop at the Wagga Wagga Airport, and via a portable machine that appears at most local events. They have also developed a diverse breakfast and lunch menu, complemented by a selection of cakes to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Their slogan ‘Live, breathe and love the bean’, depicts the passion behind the brand, with the team looking to form stronger connections with overseas farmers and help develop infrastructure and educational programs in much needed countries.

10 Best St, Wagga Wagga / (02) 5908 3158 / www.theblessedbean.com.au / Mon - Fri 6.30am - 5pm / Sat 7am - 3pm/ Sun 8am - 2pm

Blessing the Riverina one cup of coffee at a time

provedores


Thom, Dick & Harry’s of West Wyalong

A favourite amongst locals and travellers alike, Thom, Dick and Harry’s has been a West Wyalong institution for as long as most can remember. A perfect blend of homely comforts and gourmet produce, Thom, Dick and Harry’s certainly lives up to its name.

Situated in prime position on the main street of West Wyalong, the store is a welcoming retreat filled with the scent of flowers, candles and freshly ground coffee. The combination of a homewares store, florist, gourmet grocery and trendy café, Thom, Dick and Harry’s provides a relaxing atmosphere for customers to gather.

As a well-known stop along the Mid-Western and Newell Highways, West Wyalong sees its fair share of travellers. Current owners, Pam Clark and Naomi Nicholson, took over in 2007 and say the long-time lunch tradition of freshly baked baguettes has kept the customers coming in, many passing through Thom, Dick and Harry’s several times a year for their coffee and baguette fix.

143-145 Main St, West Wyalong / (02) 6972 0393 /[email protected] / Mon - Fri 9am - 5.30pm / Sat 9.30am - 1pm

Freshly baked baguettes in good company

provedores


Codemo Smallgoods, Griffith Authentic Italian meats

Codemo Smallgoods in Griffith specialise in Northern Italian air-dried fermented salami, prosciutto and capocollo (or more commonly known as coppa).

The family business has been operating in the area for more than 50 years and has quite the reputation for their authentic tasting Italian meats. Owner, Steven Codemo, cures his meat the old-fashioned way and is part of the rare few licenced in the region to manufacture salami.

Codemo prides itself on sourcing all produce locally and traditionally using the whole pig carcass for its salami, leaving nothing to waste. Positioned on the outskirts of Griffith, Codemo’s is an artisan’s haven, setting the scene for a true Italian style experience. With Christmas fast approaching be sure to place your order for the mouth-watering smoked hams.

Codemo’s products are sold direct to the public and also are available from delicatessens throughout the Riverina, Canberra, Tasmania and along the eastern seaboard.

Mitchel Ln, Griffith / (02) 6962 3044 / 0428 696 664 / [email protected] / Mon - Fri 7am - 5pm / Sat 7am - 12.30pm / Sun by appointment only

meet the maker


The Riverina is often referred to as the ‘food bowl of Australia’, however in recent times there has been an increasing disconnect between farmers and consumers of the region. Leeton Farmers Market is one of many initiatives aiming to strengthen the relationship between producer and consumer, and has grown since its beginnings in May 2014.

Riverina residents have been flocking to the markets, held on the first Saturday of every month, to stock their shopping bags with the freshest seasonal produce and home-grown treats. Market-goers have been delighted to find gourmet produce including hand-rolled gnocchi, delicious sauces and marinades, and various meats and cheeses. The markets have become more than just a shopping opportunity, with many taking the chance to meet the provedores, while sampling paella made with local organic rice.

The only way is up for the Leeton Farmers Market, with plans for cooking demonstrations to be added to the bill in the coming months. It’s even the place to go for your Christmas shopping, with a special market day to be held the Saturday before Christmas.

Leeton Jockey Club / (02) 6953 6481 / First Saturday of the month 8am - 12noon / facebook.com/LeetonFarmersMarkets

Direct from the farm gate

Leeton Farmers Market, Leeton

meet the maker


Travelling along the cropped-filled highways of the Riverina, it’s sometimes hard to spy the dairy herds dotted amidst this colourful landscape, but Riverina Fresh is making sure that this local dairy industry is not overlooked.

Multi-award winning Riverina Fresh produces approximately 40 million litres of milk annually in the Riverina, coming from some 20 farm suppliers around Wagga Wagga and Finley. More than 6,000 cows produce the milk, with several of the herds being registered studs and used by farmers all over Australia for their source of superior genetics.

Having been in production since 1922 and well known locally as a quality, great tasting milk, the company’s success stems from their delivery of a consistent, high-quality product. The Riverina Fresh processing plant in Wagga Wagga is now also producing a range of natural and flavoured milks, yoghurts and creams.

Riverina Fresh milk comes from a small, dedicated group of dairy farmers and, as a result of the temperate climate, the cows graze on similar grass all year round. The milk is processed quickly so it’s fresh and with less ‘working’ of the cream. The company has an unrelenting focus on ensuring the consistent quality and performance of its milk at every stage – from sourcing farmers through to testing and processing.

Unknown to those without a trained eye for coffee making, Riverina Fresh has been recognised by baristas right across Australia as a top-brand for delivering rich and ‘perfectly silky’ milk. These savvy baristas know that when it comes to delivering the best coffee experience, not all milks are created equal. Riverina Fresh is loved by baristas for its consistently beautiful ‘stretching’ ability – delivering small even bubbles for a dense and unmistakably rich taste.

meet the maker

Riverina Fresh: The industry behind the milk

Producing consistently outstanding milk for some 92 years


meet the maker

Stewart and Rebecca Cole, Ladysmith Legen-dairy Riverina provedores

A third-generation dairy farmer, Stewart Cole, along with his wife Rebecca, are no strangers to the hard-working environments of farm-life and livestock care. Their farm, ‘Yirrkala’, is located in the township of Ladysmith (20km east of Wagga Wagga), and has been a dairy farm for over 40 years. With the rich history of their land lending a hand, the Coles produce over 1.3 million litres of milk annually.

Rising daily at 4:30am to start the milking and feeding (not to mention getting the kids off to school on time), may seem like a chore to some, but Rebecca says she couldn’t think of a better lifestyle:

“Dairy farming is every farming industry tied into one operation. We grow pasture, rear calves, fence the paddocks - there is so much scope for learning new things.

“We love it all. As a family operation we get to spend time together – the kids learn responsibility and life skills from a young age, plus who wouldn’t enjoy spending every day outside in nature, surrounded by animals?

“And whilst we do rise early, I do manage to sneak in a nanna nap most days to keep me going.”

As a boutique operator supplying to Riverina Fresh, Rebecca believes that the superior end product is a result of a combination of factors. Locally sourced, their milk is quickly bottled within 12 hours. It is this level of care and attention to detail which she feels contributes to delivering the award winning milk.


experiences

An ethical approach to premium produce

Ellamatta Lamb, Wagga Wagga

Ellamatta Lamb resonates all that is great about living in the Riverina through the creation of their sustainable business and utilisation of home-grown quality produce.

Established just over a year ago, Tim and Camille Sides have been busy running the show on their small farm just outside of Wagga Wagga. Having come from five generations of farmers, their approach to the business is that which only comes from experiencing the best produce themselves their whole lives.

With a ‘back to basics’ style method which includes hand raising their sheep, frequent paddock migration to encourage regeneration of the local grass, and only using naturally shed fleece, Ellamatta Lambs are raised in a stress-free environment, which contributes to their tender cuts and succulent natural taste. Even the fussiest of carnivores can’t go past these flavours!

Through their partnerships with Junee Abattoirs and Knights Meats in Wagga Wagga, Tim and Camille pride themselves on always knowing who and where their meats have been handled. Their renowned whole and half packs, individual cuts, and mince sausages are all sold weekly from various Farmers Markets across the Riverina area, including Leeton, Wagga Wagga, and Albury.

02 6931 6602 / 0427 648 670 / www.ellamattalamb.com.au


Jerilderie Historic Residence, Jerilderie Experience a bygone era

Jerilderie is a town steeped in Australian history, widely known as the only NSW location visited by the Kelly gang in the 19th century. But there’s a lot more on offer in the town, including the beautifully restored Jerilderie Historic Residence.

Originally the Bank of NSW, the Residence was built in the 1880s in the typical Queen Victoria style of the time. In 2004, Riverina locals Beth McMeeken and Roy Chaplin purchased the homestead, recognising the value in the home’s history and its potential to bring new tourism to Jerilderie.

The Residence has been a labour of love for Beth and Roy, whose additions to the original homestead include a showroom containing one of the country’s largest collections of Australian memorabilia. Set within quaint cottage gardens, the Residence is, at its core, a home. An important element to Beth and Roy in their restoration of the old bank has been to make it feel lived-in and their tours often include Devonshire teas and personal anecdotes about their time in the homestead. The gasps of delight that can be heard as visitors enter the stunning homestead is proof that their hard work has most certainly paid off.

Of course, a visit to the Residence would be incomplete without a viewing of its claim to fame: the safe reputed to be the very same safe robbed by Ned Kelly during his raid of Jerilderie in 1879 (authenticated by historian Ian Jones). It would be a crime to miss it!

45 Jerilderie St, Jerilderie / 0499 849 320 / 0457 618 284 / Tours are by appointment only / Closed through February, June, July and August

experiences


experiences

Take a ride with nature

Cycle Hire, Narrandera

Over the past few years, Narrandera’s natural walking trails have seen a transformation into well-developed tracks suitable for all bike enthusiasts. With three trails on offer – town, wetlands and koala – there really is something for everyone. For the best that Narrandera has to offer, combine the wetlands and koala trails to ride through trees home to countless koalas and past attractions including the Historic Railway Bridge and the Sturt Memorial.

The friendly staff at the Narrandera Visitor Information Centre are on hand to assist with bike hire and share information about the tracks and trails. Bike hire is available from several businesses throughout the region including Barellan and Grong Grong.

The Narrandera Visitors Centre also has a selection of local produce available for purchase – perfect for a picnic on your cycle journey.

26 Cadell St (Newell Hwy), Narrandera / (02) 6959 5545 / Mon-Sat 9am - 2pm / Closed Christmas and New Year’s Day

Huff’n’Puff Constructions, Ganmain You’ll be blown away

This Ganmain business may contain straw houses, but the story of Huff ‘n’ Puff Constructions is no fable. The product of Susan and John Glassford’s innovation, Huff ‘n’ Puff has grown from an idea into a way of life for the couple over the past 16 years.

Huff ‘n’ Puff Constructions build sustainable straw bale homes and commercial buildings all over Australia. Inspired by straw bale constructions that have been commonplace in the United States since the 19th century, Susan and John travelled to Arizona in the late 1990s to learn the trade. They then brought their skills back to Ganmain, and the rest is history.

Dedicated to sharing their knowledge and encouraging people to take part in more environmentally sustainable building methods, the Huff ‘n’ Puff team also run workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand. With straw providing 4 times more insulation than your average brick veneer wall, it’s clear to see why some people would consider making the switch.

Prospective builders and tour groups are invited to visit the Glassford’s astounding property of 14 straw bale buildings in Ganmain. They may just blow you over with their inspiring work.

22 Moore St, Ganmain / (02) 69276027 / www.glassford.com.au / [email protected] /Homestead tours and site visits by appointment

experiences

inside the riverina summer 2014-15

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