Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/95079
bushtelegraph Happy boarder Moving from Tumut to board at Barker College in Sydney has proved to be one of the best decisions that Devan Stoltz, a keen rugby player, has made in his young life. At Barker, Devan has been able to combine his sports commitments with his academic studies. This year, in particular, was an exceptional one for Devan, as he was part of the winning rugby team at the CAS Premiership. "Living at the school gives boarders opportunities that day students don't get to enjoy," Devan says. "We have boarding staff, who are also teachers at the school. They're available to help with my studies as well as access to facilities, such as the gym, almost any time I like." The school's director of boarding, Mike James, believes boarding at Barker offers a rich breadth of experience. "Part of this is due to the academic support on offer to students after school hours," he says. The co-curricular program at Barker is diverse and designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle balance between study and out-of-class activities such as sport, music, drama, debating and cadets, to name just a handful. Mad, wicked brews Despite being just five years old, The Little Brewing Company in Port Macquarie is internationally known for its excellent beers, including its Mad Abbot ales. Having won 59 national and international medals in its relatively short history, as well as regional Business of the Year, this craft brewery makes a point of prioritising quality over quantity. Visit the cellar door and taste a range of the brewery's offerings, from the light, refreshing Wicked Elf Pilsner to the stronger Mad Abbot Dubbel. www.thelittlebrewingcompany.com.au DELICIOUSLY Paint the town green Melbourne's Federation Square has converted part of its car park into a rooftop organic garden in collaboration with The Little Veggie Patch Co. The Fed Square Pop Up Patch has 140 plots available to subscribers for $25 a week. Subscribers receive a ready-to-plant crate and benefit from tips, training, seasonal seed packs and access to the tool shed. Fed Square's restaurants and cafes will also have plots available to provide fresh greens for their dishes. What's more, Melbourne City Rooftop Honey will be installing the Fed Square bee village, one of the biggest rooftop apiaries in Melbourne. www.popuppatch.com AUTHENTIC In her second book about the Italian coastal region she adopted for two decades, Australian fashion stylist and writer Amanda Tabberer offers a mouth-watering collection of authentic local recipes generously shared by Amalfi Coast cooks and chefs. Coupled with her knowledge and love of the region and its personalities, Tabberer's experience of being welcomed to the tables and into the kitchens of passionate local cooks has enabled her to hand-pick the best dishes for Amal fi Coast Recipes. Meet the stars of the local cuisine – namely fresh seafood and the famous Amalfi lemon – as you re-create timeless regional dishes. www.penguin.com.au XV