Feb 1 newspaper standard

New beginning – new name

KNOWN for its luxury accommoda tion, amazing view and fine dining, Toms Cap Vineyard and Restaurant has been a jewel in the crown of the local tourist industry for many years. Late last year the couple who created

on hot, dry, windy days and plan for all sit uations. To learn more about the risk of grass fires on the CFA website at cfa.vic.gov.au/ plan-prepare/am-i-at-risk/grassfire-rural Safety tips • If you’re using farm machinery or ve hicles, ensure it is free from any faults and mechanical defects, fitted with an approved spark arrestor and carrying a water fire ex tinguisher. • Be aware hot exhaust pipes, mufflers can start grassfires. • The accumulation of grass around the underbody of vehicles can create a fire risk. • If you live next to grassland and a grassfire starts, walk at least two streets back from the fire. • If you live two or three streets away from grassland and a grassfire starts, stay where you are; Grassfires are unlikely to spread into built-up areas. • Never drive if you can see smoke or fire. Thick smoke will make it hard to see and traffic jams and accidents are likely. • Keep roads clear for emergency ser vices. • The most common cause of harvester and mower fires is material collecting on hot engine components such as the manifold, exhaust and turbocharger. • The key to avoiding harvester fires is diligence in clean-down and inspection. • Check the Fire Danger Rating by vis iting www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restric tions/total-fire-bans-and-ratings. • Download the VicEmergency app for real-time updates about emergencies across Victoria. ously the kitchen and hot water is gas now but over time we are hoping to reduce that,” Adrian said. They are all committed to sourcing the best local food to serve in their café and restaurant. “From sustainability point of view our aim is to source goods from as many local suppliers as possible for the restaurant and café reducing food miles. We will be com posting on site. it’s not all going to happen on day one but over time our aim is to be as sustainable and carbon neutral as possible,” he said. Rebeka and Ivy have already been out and about in the community seeing what is available. “We went to the Traralgon market on Saturday and made ourselves known to the stall holders and came away with lots of great contacts,” Rebeka said. “We want everyone in our community to feel that they can come and have a meal in the café or the restaurant and enjoy this amazing and beautiful facility,” she said “John and I have small children so we are very conscious of having a space where families can go and enjoy a quick meal, we have plans for a playground to be built be side the café, while Adrian and Ivy are at a different stage and their needs are differ ent, the restaurant will be focused on those wishing to enjoy a long lunch or dinner with a glass or two of our wine,” she said. As well as a new playground, the cou ples are hoping to feature their menagerie of farm animals they inherited when they brought the property. “The pigs, the chickens, the goats and the lamas we inherited when we brough the property, and we have managed to get a couple more goats since the settlement,” Ivy said. “The kids love them, so we will be intro ducing something like feeding the animals as a treat for the kids as well,” she said. As for the vineyard, Adrian oversaw the picking of grapes last season and liaised with the winemakers, with great outcomes. “We were delighted with the results,” he said. “We were even more please when we got the tick of approval from Graham.” The Cellar Door is open by appointment. Phone 51942215

this amazing facility, Ann and Graham Mor ris, sold the property to two young couples who are now planning to take this premier eating, accommodation, and wedding ven ue to the next level with a new name, Carra jung Estate and a new Farm Store/cafe The Restaurant is currently closed, how

ever new owners Rebeka, John, Ivy and Adrian are hoping to reopen at Easter time along with a new addition, their farm store / café. “We are in awe of what Graham and Ann created here it is a beautiful facility, we are not intending to do any structural changes to the buildings, just give them a freshen up,” Rebeka said. “While the restaurant is closed at the moment, we are still taking bookings for the accommodation and our cellar door is open by appointment,” Ivy said. “Works are currently underway to turn, what was once known as the chapel, into a farm store/ café which will be open every day, while the main restaurant, will be given a fresh new look and our plan is to open for lunch and dinner,” Rebeka said. The new owners are very aware of the reputation, Toms Cap had as a wedding venue, they intend to maintain that reputa tion as the number one Wedding venue in Gippsland. The couples have only been on site for a couple of weeks. In that time, they have been working on securing quality staff. “We have already secured the services of a top chef from New South Wales, which we are really excited about,” Adrian said. “And we have retained the services of a number of Toms cap staff, we hope that a few more will be able to return once we re open and we will be looking for more staff as well,” he said. As for the planned renovations, Rebeka is an interior designer and John a builder so they will be doing most of the renovations but will be engaging local tradies to do work they cannot. “There are no structural changes need ed, everything has been done to a very high standard, we just want to give it a bit of a freshen up and put our stamp on it before we reopen it to the public,” Rebeka said. Some areas that will see change will be environmental. Adrian who has worked installing solar systems right across Australia is passionate about making their property environmental ly friendly. “We are very environmental conscious; we are aiming to generate as much power on site. Trying to get off gas ultimate, obvi

John and Rebeka, Ivy and Adrian owners of Carrajung Estate, formerly Toms Cap Vineyard and Restaurant, along with Emily (one of John and Rebeka’s children and their family dog) are looking forward to launching their refurbished restaurant and new Farm Store/Café at Easter.

CFA warning to avoid driving through dry grass

CFA has warned Victorians to avoid driving vehicles, farm machinery, mowers and motorbikes through dry grass in coming weeks as con ditions heat up and vegetation dries out. Following a string of hot weather over recent weeks, grassland areas have com pletely dried out in the state’s northern ar eas and fuels in the South West region are curing just as quickly. CFA has responded to a number of sig nificant grass and stubble fires started by mowers, vehicles, or machinery over the past fortnight. On January 13, crews in the state’s west stopped a 300-acre grassfire in its tracks in Illabarook, believed to be started by a seized bearing on a header. The fire quickly spread to dry grass, with flames reaching approximately nine metres tall and required air firefighting appliances to support a significant ground response to bring the fire under control. CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the recent fires across the state serve as a timely reminder for people to be aware of the fire risks associated with using vehi cles and other machinery in and around dry grass. “Victoria is expected to experience a grassfire-dominated fire season once again but we’re asking the community to do all it can to prevent these fires from starting,” he said. “In many areas across the state, the risk of starting a fire from hot exhaust system or other hot parts from farm machinery is

high,” he said. “Even pulling over onto tall, dry grass on the side of the road during your travels could start a significant grassfire. “Awareness is key to preventing grass and crop fires. We also want farmers to en sure their machinery and equipment are reg ularly inspected, maintained and cleaned.” High-risk and agricultural activities such as harvesting, grinding, welding, slashing or mowing can quickly ignite fires in hot, dry

and windy conditions. In the right conditions grassfires can move at speeds of up to 25km per hour and spread across roads and highways. Victorians should stay prepared and in formed this fire season; this means down loading the VicEmergency app and getting familiar with the new Fire Danger Rating System by checking the rating in your area. For your safety, you need to understand your risk and plan ahead. Know what to do

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