Published in Discover Australia magazine Issue 1 March 2010

By Darren Stones


I'm thrilled to have my various articles and travel photography published in Discover Australia magazine Issue 1: March 2010. The magazine is the official magazine of the Australian Travel Photography and Writing group which has 766 members.

As founder, host and journalist of the Australian Travel Photography and Writing (ATP&W) group, I'm pleased to see this free publication come to fruition as it's providing a rare opportunity for budding and experienced Australian travel writers and photographers to showcase their skills, and inform a worldwide audience of Australian travel and tourism experiences.

Discover Australia Issue 1: March 2010 is available for viewing in PDF format via the following link and by clicking on the front cover graphic below. The publication can be saved to your computer and shared with family and friends.

Discover Australia magazine Issue 1, March 2010

The magazine has an appointed volunteer editorial team consisting of: Leanne Nelson, Editor; Darren Stones, Journalist; Susan Adey, Deputy Editor; Nerida Smith, Assistant to the Editor. Their responsibility is to publish the magazine, seek and provide quality content, seek interesting and informative travel writing from group members, search for and seek quality travel photography from group members, communicate with contributors, conduct a photography competition, arrange sponsorship, and promote the magazine via email, and various websites including RedBubble, Facebook and Twitter.

I had the vision and concept for the magazine, and with the support and dedication of the editorial team, and contributions and support from members of the ATP&W group, Discover Australia has become a reality.

Articles which I've had published in the first issue of the magazine include:

* From the journo's desk
* What's happening in the ATP&W group
* The journey chronicled
* Travel Bites
* 5 tips for photographing Anzac Day

The magazine has impressed many people and they have kindly expressed their thoughts in writing within the Australian Travel Photography and Writing group and other areas on the internet.

Greg Barton, Editor, Australian Traveller magazine - which is Australia's best-selling travel magazine - has described Discover Australia as "Top Stuff!" Greg was appointed as Patron of the ATP&W group by me in May 2009.

Enjoy reading Discover Australia Issue 1: March 2010. I sure enjoyed being part of the first issue.

Shear Outback - Hay, NSW

By Darren Stones

Every so often a sense of anticipation washes over me about a far away tourist attraction. Planning a trip which encompasses a visit to a sheep shearing shed – one which requires a fee to be paid – may not be at the top of everyone’s list of things to do. The intrigue surrounding Shear Outback was enough for me to drive from Melbourne to Hay to check out what it was all about.

Shear Outback

Located in the New South Wales outback town of Hay, on the Long Paddock touring route, Shear Outback is an attraction that is Australian to the core. With a Shearers Hall of Fame, a windmill the size of a baby wind turbine, and an ornate indoor display of sheep shears, how much more dinky-di could it be?

Rebuilt Southern Cross windmill with 7.7 metre wheel on a 13.9m tower

As an Aussie bloke in his forties, I’m embarrassed to say I’d never witnessed a sheep being shorn, so Shear Outback provided me the chance to witness Glen, a professional shearer and about-to-retire Aussie rules footballer, using some fancy motorised clippers. Unfortunately, there was no clicking of the shears in the shed with its dappled light, just the humming noise of the clippers and a slight struggle from a couple of sheep.

Glen the shearer

I was given a brief lesson from Glen about a day in the life of a shearer. From the equipment they use, to the way they dress, it was all news to me. In many respects, the life of a shearer has changed from the old days where they now travel locally to give a flock of sheep their free haircut.

Shearing action

Sashes

Wool rack

The Shearers Hall of Fame features mounted boards containing profiles and achievements celebrating various shearers who have given back to the trade. Henry Salter MBE, Kevin Sarre and John Hutchinson OAM may not be household names, but their achievements are noteworthy.

Shearers Hall of Fame

Henry Salter (1907-1997) was inducted into the hall of fame in 2002. He learnt to shear sheep at age 16 at Kerang in Victoria. At 18, he landed his first job as a shearer and sheared only 41 sheep on his first day. On his third day, his tally had reduced to 30 due to being that sore he could hardly move.

Henry Salter MBE

Kevin Sarre (1933-1995) a five-time Australian shearing champion sheared 200 sheep in a day with his left hand, just to prove he could do it. His tally-hi shearing technique reduced shearing time by up to 30 seconds per sheep. On 26 October, 1965, he set an Australian record by machine-shearing 346 full-grown merino sheep in 7 hours and 48 minutes at Batesworth Station near Penshurst.

Kevin Sarre

John Hutchinson, born 1943, is a third generation shearer and was taught to shear by his father. A six-time Australian shearing champion, John found satisfaction in training and teaching, and was awarded the OAM for doing so. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 2002.

John Hutchinson OAM

For kids, and kids at heart, there’s a beaut opportunity in store. You can pretend to be shearing a sheep and have your photo taken by a relative or friend; however grabbing the sheep around the throat and smiling for the camera is a look which had me in stitches.

Bronwyn pretending to shear

I came away from Shear Outback with a greater knowledge, respect and understanding of farming families and their lives in the bush. An experience I highly recommend.
Further information:
Shear Outback: http://shearoutback.com.au/

Lorne is for lovers

By Darren Stones

With classy boutiques for the ladies, and a collection of fine restaurants to satisfy the romantics, Lorne is an idyllic weekend getaway for lovers.

Located on the Great Ocean Road just two hours from Melbourne, the lush Otway Ranges provide a beautiful backdrop to the area’s coastal scenery. The new Lorne Pier is a leisurely 15-minute stroll from the shopping precinct and an abundance of centrally located accommodation options.

Lorne Pier

The ever-popular and tastefully decorated Lorne Hotel is an ideal spot for a cocktail, bottle of fine wine and an evening meal. The local cafés are modern, offer a range of healthy light meals which are reasonably priced, with most providing intimate indoor and outdoor dining areas.

Superb sightseeing opportunities are located at Erskine Falls and Teddy’s Lookout. Further information is available at the Lorne Visitor Centre, 15 Mountjoy Parade, Lorne, Victoria, 3232. Phone: 03 5289 1152 or 1300 89 1152.