These Autumn days are perfect for wandering the markets, the garden centres and the foreshore paths of Jervis Bay. Start planning your weekend, and the week ahead with these ideas.
Markets Galore
FIRST NATIONS The first Blak Market in Huskisson is happening this Sunday 21 April, 9-2pm in White Sands Park. With more than 20 stalls, plus performances of dance and music, demonstrations of traditional crafts such as weaving, and plenty of things to sample including bush foods.
PIES, DIPS, CAKES Tomerong Markets is on this Saturday 20 April from 8-1.30pm in and around the School of Arts. There will be loads of delicious food, some to eat on the spot and some to take home for later. Look out for potential Mother’s Day gifts while you’re there too.
COMMUNITY GARDENS The Clifton Community Food Garden Sanctuary Point is holding a fundraiser this Saturday 20 April 10-12pm at 15 Clifton St Sanctuary Point. Meet friendly members and support the gardens by buying preserves and produce – get in quick for the passionfruit butter, it’s the hot item of the day. Or try some edamame beans, yum.
MORE GARDEN FUN It’s time for the monthly Friday night Sunset Session at Schutz Landscape & Garden Supplies this Friday evening in Tomerong, from 6-9pm. Get comfy on the beautiful lawn and sensory garden near the big red bus. There will be Banh mi rolls, an atmospheric fire pit and music. Vegan and gluten free available but limited so get there early to order.
MAKE YOUR OWN GARDEN Grow your own food with greater success after this two-day permaculture experience on this weekend, 20-21 April with Budawang Earth Care. For $300, your hosts will introduce you to the benefits of permaculture on their 10-acre property at Termeil.
Do Something Different – such as …
MINI TRAINSPOTTING The Model Railway at Lake Tabourie is open this Saturday 20 April, perfect for the little and big kids alike. It’s free entry to museum at 45 Princes Highway from 10-3pm every Saturday during school holidays. Entry to the layout exhibition is $5/$15 for a family.
BREATHE Practise mindfulness with One Breath Evolution on Friday mornings from 9.30-10.30am at Tomerong Hall, $15 with meditation guide Jaine Alston. Bring a journal to capture your experience on paper with a coffee from Four Feet Expresso coffee van. Contact Jaine on 0406310660 for bookings or more information.
BUY ART Huskisson Framing & Gallery is having a closing down sale. Look for the A-frame sign on Owen Street and head up the stairs for art, gifts, greeting cards and more from local artists.
MAKE ART Join an art class designed for letting loose with local JB artist Jenny McIntosh’s Stress Buster class this Saturday afternoon 1.30-4pm, $90 includes materials. Unblock yourself and discover your own unique creative voice.
WALK ON COUNTRY Walking Bundanon with Gadhungal Marring is on this Saturday 20 April from 10am, pre- book your place on this gentle walk full of stories, bush medicine and likeminded people connecting to the unique culture and place of the south coast through the eyes of its traditional custodians. JBW went last month and is already planning to go again. It’s on in May and June, too.
For the Foodies
CELEBRATE Shoalhaven celebrates food in Autumn, have you booked your tickets yet to one of the region’s foodie special events, tickets selling fast. Some hot tickets already sold out. JBW recommends the Shoalhaven Food Network’s calendar of special events to peruse the mouth-watering options.
NEW CAFÉ & SHOP Blak Cede Gunyah café, a First Nations women-led enterprise is celebrating its opening from Monday 19 April, 7.30am-3pm (it will be open 6 days a week, closed Sundays) at 39a Kinghorne Street Nowra. Enjoy bush food and high quality products, while supporting an important enterprise. You can also shop online.
PRIDE DRINKS Rainbow South Coast and The Common South Coast are hosting a Pride Meet Up this Saturday from 2pm in Culburra. Each month, a meet up is held at different locations up and down the coast. Keep an eye on RSC Facebook for details.
ANZAC Day Thursday next week, 25 April
MARCH Honour those who served. March and remembrance ceremony in Voyager Park Huskisson, ROAD CLOSURES from 10am for a 30-minute march starting in Hawke Street near White Sands Park. Details of services around the Shoalhaven can be found on this link from the Council.
PLAY There will be 2-up from midday till sundown at the husky Pub with proceeds to Legacy. Enjoy a true-blue Aussie menu on the day.
EAT All your friendly local RSLs and the Husky Pub will be serving delicious food, support your local club.
CELEBRATE The regular farmers markets on Thursday afternoons, Nowra Fresh Food Markets will have a very special twist on ANZAC Day, a showcase of the Autumn Celebration of Food by the Shoalhaven Food Network, 2-7pm in Nowra’s Harry Sawkins Park.
Interesting tidbits
INVEST Seaweed innovator PhycoHealth is raising funds for a genius part of their business, PhycoLife skincare that offers a genuine alternative to hyaluronic acid. Called Phyaluronic acid molecules, you can find out about this new product, and how to invest, from their listing on the Swarmer crowdfunding site.
SCULPTURE FOREST Local JB artist Akira Kamada has installed a new sculpture, ‘Spirit Run’ in the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, which opens this weekend with a fantastic program of events celebrating art, food and wine. Make the trek to the sculpture forest at the Pilot Hill Arboretum.
STAY UP TO DATE Friends of Vincentia Golf Club now has a new website that aims to keep anyone interested up to date with the future of the land and club.
Plan ahead – These hot tickets won’t last long
25 May Photography masterclass with 2023 Australian Geographic nature photographer of the year Samuel Markham, for $199 for a one-day landscape photography adventure in the stunning environs of Jervis Bay. Limited places still available.
31 May Berry’s answer to TED, the Ignite Berry talks is back for one night only. Apply to be a speaker and/or buy your tickets now to enjoy a wide range of 5-minute lightning-fast presentations that are guaranteed to blow your mind.
25-27 October is the Berry Writers Festival, which promises to be provocative and illuminating.