All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueFriday marks the 110th anniversary of the national day of remembrance Hosted by our local club Shellharbour Sharks RLFC there will be two-up from 11am and the rugby playing live and loud on the big screens in The Whale Bar Bring a gold coin to purchase Rosemary pins in support of Legacy Australia and the footy in the Illawarra this Anzac DayWe'll be pouring cold ones and keeping the Anzac spirit alive from 12pm tails or just waving your cash for the thrill of it there's no better way to commemorate than with good people and a classic Aussie tradition Celebrate at the best beer garden in the Illawarra - whether you're raising a glass to our heroes or just enjoying the day with friends it's the perfect spot to soak in the atmosphere Bring the crew and settle in for a big one Then spinning the coins from 12pm with two-up hosted by the Figtree Crushers Come along and join in the fun and celebrate Anzac Day together The footy will also be playing live and loud Join the Warilla Sporties as they honour our heroes and keep the tradition alive with two-up The bistro and club will be open from 10am When: from 10am with two-up to start at 11.30am and the footy in the Illawarra this Anzac DayHead down to TBH for a day of commemoration and celebration with the largest two-up arena in the Illawarra and live DJs until sundown is cooking up a pig on a spit which should be ready from roughly 3pm onwards There will be free t-shirts to giveaway to all the successful 'spinners' in the two-up while stock lasts and the footy in the Illawarra this Anzac DayFrom the Illawarra Hotel: On this Anzac Day we commemorate the 110th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings Their bravery in the face of unimaginable challenges that shaped the legacy of our nation ensuring that their selflessness and dedication are never forgotten Two-up will run from 12pm to 5pm and the kitchen will be open all day There is two Reschs eskies up for grabs in the raggle and live music as well Join the Balgownie Hotel this Anzac Day as it comes together to remember and honour our heroes Grab your mates and keep tradition alive with a classic game of two-up and soak up the atmosphere of this special day and the footy in the Illawarra this Anzac DayJoin us this Anzac Day for two-up from 12pm The Dragons game will be live and loud from 4pm and there will be all-day cocktail and chef specials Woonona Bulli RSL Club will be hosting a family-friendly day for all as it honours and pays respect to our service men and women and the footy in the Illawarra this Anzac DayJoin in for a game of two-up in the Sinclair Function Room a cherished tradition synonymous with Anzac Day commemorations When: Two-up will start from 12pm and go until 4pm Join in the Main Lounge for a game of two-up a beloved tradition that is closely associated with Anzac Day The Stovies will be performing a range of Scottish Irish and Australian folk tunes with spectacular three-part harmonies and a whole host of singalong songs Anzac Day is Wombarra Bowlo's biggest day of the year It's one it likes to commemorate and celebrate what Diggers have done for the country DJ's playing from 12pm and two-up from 1pm Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Love footy? We've got all the action covered. The latest news, results & expert analysis. Get the latest property and development news here. Find out what's happening in local business. Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Picture suppliedA popular Bendigo winery and hospitality venue has sold Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBendigo's oldest working vineyard Balgownie Estate was recently sold for an undisclosed amount with a nine-month settlement It means the business will cease operating at the property in April 2025 Balgownie's head of Bendigo operations Harry Wellborne said the decision came down to the "current economic climate and rising ownership costs" "We had no choice but to put the property on the market," he said "We have negotiated a long-term settlement so we can look after our 33 staff members and guide them through this process giving them time to look for new career paths and offer support and guidance on sourcing future employment." The business could not confirm the buyer of the property at 46 Hermitage Road Balgownie wine operations will move offsite and long-term head winemaker Tony Winspear will stay with the company at its Yarra Valley site and other properties The change was an opportunity to restructure wine operations for sustainability into the future and better serve the overall business's needs "Where appropriate we shall bring our staff over from Bendigo into Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley operations with the resort in Victoria's premier wine region that is set for expansion in the ensuing 18 months" It was expected to be "business as usual" until the end of April 2025 with the cellar door and restaurant open seven days a week All gift vouchers would be honoured by Balgownie Estate Bendigo until that time and could be transferred to the Yarra Valley sister property Jonathon has been living and working in Bendigo since March 2021, currently working as a general reporter. Contact him on jonathon.magrath@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Latest in your inboxView allDaily Today's top stories curated by our news team. File pictureA suspended Balgownie GP who was acquitted of committing sex crimes against patients has been banned from providing healthcare for 10 years after admitting to unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDr Thean Soo Chin was charged in 2019 and 2020 with sexual offences against three patients but was found not guilty following trials This year the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) brought action against Dr Chin in relation to inappropriate conduct with these same patients The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) has now deemed Dr Chin's conduct towards one patient as "wholly inappropriate" and condemned his "manipulation and his predatory conduct" in relation to the other two patients Dr Chin was accused of touching one patient's buttocks on a number of occasions when he did not have consent nor clinical reason to do so as well as grabbing the patient by the ears and thrusting his hips towards his head while saying "Yeah baby" and wearing an apron depicting a naked man with a rubber penis protruding from it Dr Chin did not make admissions to the allegations but NCAT accepted the evidence of the patient and his partner and found these details had been established But the doctor did admit to engaging in "inappropriate behaviour of a sexual nature" with another patient This included taking photos of the man's penis and touching it without clinical reason; sending the patient photos of his own penis; performing oral sex on the patient and receiving it; kissing the patient; and making sexual comments This patient had become dependent on pain medication after a surgery and previously gave evidence he was concerned Dr Chin would not prescribe him the drugs if he did not accede to his demands NCAT also accepted there was an "extremely strong inference" that Dr Chin had prescribed an "enormous" amount of oxycodone for sexual favours from a third patient This patient recorded a consultation with Dr Chin in which the latter received fellatio after telling the man he would prescribe him 10 boxes of prescription drugs if he kissed and sucked his penis Dr Chin told the patient he could engage in sexual intercourse "for your next ten boxes" While Dr Chin's lawyer argued he'd used an "unfortunate turn of phrase" the tribunal said it was not persuaded the doctor had not meant exactly what he'd said NCAT accepted that Dr Chin had also pinched and squeezed the patient's nipples Dr Chin was found to have improperly prescribed drugs of dependence and addiction without regard for the safety of these patients NCAT also determined he was guilty of unsatisfactory conduct due to his unprofessional attitude and disrespect towards patients as shown in his notes he wrote that he would do a prostate exam without lubricant if he was lying about a a matter referred to another patient as "chicken shit" and said it was "funny" that the third patient's wife hadn't left him Dr Chin also failed to record certain aspects of the patients' medical histories NCAT labelled his sexual conduct towards his patients an "egregious breach of his professional obligations" rejecting his assertion he had a relationship or friendship with two of them The tribunal said his prescription of the drugs without authority nor attempt to wean patients off them was "disgraceful" admitted he was guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct and professional misconduct and indicated that he did not want to practise again NCAT cancelled his registration and banned him from providing a health service for 10 years Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs and education. Our Watch award winner. If you've got a story, let me know. Today's top stories curated by our news team Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters Get the latest property and development news here Find out what's happening in local business tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert Your digital replica of Today's Paper Test your skills with interactive crosswords It's a good question - Let's try and list the clubs in Aberdeen City - Royal Aberdeen Royal Aberdeen has been host to numerous significant tournaments over the years In 2005 the club welcomed the Senior Open championship The Walker Cup visited in 2011 and GB&I were victorious Justin Rose won the Scottish Open at Balgownie in 2014 and in 2018 the club hosted the Amateur Championship won by Jovan Rebula A high-quality course at an historic club that the links purist will love Royal Aberdeen is ranked 17th in our Top 100 UK&I courses in association with Peter Millar http://www.royalaberdeengolf.com 1780 (club founded) 1888 (move to Balgownie) beautifully conditioned out-and-back links delivering true forging out along the coast delivers as good a stretch of links holes you will find anywhere often played into the wind presents a daunting and suitable finish to a hugely solid test of golf REASONS TO PLAY ROYAL ABERDEEN GOLF CLUB BALGOWNIE – Fabulous setting played out to and alongside the north sea coast and the boats waiting to get into the busy harbour – Playing surfaces that remain in great shape all year round UK & Ireland Top 100 Golf Courses 2025/26 - 17 Archie and Robert Simpson from Carnoustie designed the first layout at Balgownie before James Braid advised on alterations to the greens and bunkering in 1925 Hawtree and Company have more recently added their touches It’s an excellent out-and-back layout with a selection of highly memorable holes The first strikes out from directly in front of the old-school straight towards the North Sea and a flag seemingly perched right on the shoreline There’s an eclectic selection of holes asking for power protected by 10 bunkers that seem to completely surround the green The course moves slightly inland as the run for home commences the back nine can be extremely challenging The stretch of long par-4s from the 13th to the 16th is particularly tough The back nine has an unfair reputation for being weaker than the front nine Each of these holes requires two fine shots if a player is to reach in regulation Over the years Royal Aberdeen has played host to many memorable tournaments. Recently, Tom Watson won the British Senior Open at Balgownie in 2005, GB&I defeated the USA in the Walker Cup over the links in 2011 and Justin Rose triumphed in the AAM Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen in 2014 Royal Aberdeen hosted the 2018 Amateur Championship Royal Aberdeen should be near the top of the must-play list for links connoisseurs Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts Andrew OliverGolf Monthly Top 100 PanellistThe course is brilliant Much like the off course atmosphere which just fits so perfectly a club with such a long and illustrious history Everything was presented in first class condition The course speaks for itself and those that play golf here know and appreciate what a special place it is If I were looking to be a member anywhere in this area Cathal DevlinGolf Monthly Top 100 PanellistRoyal Aberdeen is a fantastic place to visit It feels like a storied and classic golf club and comes with a stunning golf course to match particularly form the staff in the professional's shop They take pride in providing a quality visitor experience here is an instant favourite with its splendid teeing area overlooked by the clubhouse bar and its tantalising drive and approach shot played towards the North Sea This is a fabulous and traditional links with elevated tees The course really enters its stride down by the shoreline from the par-five 4th great and engaging golf continues all the way A spectacular modern links designed by Martin Hawtree just 8 miles up the coast from Royal Aberdeen it's a spectacular layout delivering a unique and memorable golfing experience it delivers luxurious accommodation and fine dining A lively and stylish place to base yourself Featuring a brasserie and sneaky whisky snug The Walker Cup visited in 2011 and GB&I were victorious Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god? Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe property, which is also Bendigo's oldest working vineyard was recently sold for an undisclosed amount with a nine-month settlement It was sold due to rising costs associated with ownership and the economic climate The property was then acquired by Villawood Property which has now appointed real estate company HTL Property to handle the sale or leasing of the land The winery is located on Hermitage Road and is on a massive 16-and-a-half hectares of land It boasts more than 55 acres of established vineyards and includes the already established restaurant bar and outdoor dining areas used when it was still titled Balgownie Estate Potential owners would also be able to have guests stay at the property with seven rooms for accommodation and glamping sites dotted around the vineyard There is also large wine barrel storage and cool room facilities said potential owners would have everything they needed upon purchase with the property already fitted out from its previous operators "The opportunity to acquire the improvements of (the former) Balgownie Estate will ideally suit a hospitality operator or wine producer," he said "The current accommodation and glamping operations combined with restaurant and function areas have proved popular for many years "The current wine production and associated improvements could also be repositioned as a brewery or for spirit production." Mr Callow said the popularity of the establishment in Bendigo would put potential owners in good stead "The history and goodwill attached to this location is the perfect platform to create freehold and business of the future," he said The expression of interest campaign for the property closes at 4pm on Thursday WA boy in Bendigo, happy to be in Central Victoria. Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBed 5 | Bath 4 | Car 2 This fabulous multi-level residence in Balgownie offers substantial space Listing agent Jeff Scholtens from JV Residential Property said the much-admired home is located on the high side of a sought-after street "It enjoys an outstanding outlook year-round "The craftsman-built home will be embraced by even the largest family Dual-family living also beckons as it offers a perfect solution for large or multi-generational families looking for a spacious residence." The tri-level home features an incredible central staircase connecting all levels Upstairs and downstairs living options include a self-contained ground-floor studio with a large kitchen and bathroom There is a separate entry to the ground floor making it ideal for older family members Upstairs you will find four generous bedrooms the main with a large en suite and access to its own private balcony with views a study (or potential fifth bedroom) and an upstairs family area that opens onto a large viewing platform with stunning views of the surrounding mountains and sea "The property must be inspected to appreciate the overall craftsmanship and fine features including classic chandeliers and period details," Jeff said there are many opportunities to enhance the magic of this 'mansion style' family home." Be impressed by the classic open plan living with high ceilings and sun-filled balconies BalgownieThere is a huge eat-in period kitchen offering an island and plenty of storage as well as an adjoining formal dining room A charming well-appointed bar services the ballroom-style rumpus/family entertainment room which opens to a courtyard featuring a substantial sun deck covering an in-ground pool Completing the home is a large garage with additional storage and wine cellar below The property is set on 557 square metres and includes 386sqm of internal living space "It is located close to the vibrant Balgownie Village with cafes the historic Balgownie Hotel and much more all close at hand," Jeff said Read the full Illawarra View real estate guide here I enjoy highlighting businesses and events in our community through features and special publications and have been doing so for more than 21 years. If you have a story for me email ndavey@austcommunitymedia.com.au When he started at the Balgownie Estate as a vineyard hand Tony Winspear had some gardening experience and an arts degree under his belt Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinue"My expectations were that I hoped I would enjoy it," he said instead he's overseeing wine production across the estate's two vineyards bringing their product to the top echelons of quality The estate's chief winemaker has seen the estate grow from a mostly agricultural venture to a business that also specialises in hospitality and accommodation Mr Winspear began as a vineyard hand at the estate in 1994 when it was a "small but well-regarded winery" of 33 acres In 1999 it was purchased by brothers Des and Rod Forrester who expanded the operation to just over 70 acres established a cafe and a small amount of accommodation A birds-eye view of the Balgownie estate in Bendigo Picture: Supplied Changing tastes It's a reflection of a shifting industry people would get in a car on a weekend - 'oh let's go to a few wineries and taste a few wines and buy a few bottles'," he said people have matured and they're after an event "We all know that Victorians love their food and if they hear that there's good food being served these changes have been matched by shifts in the industry Mr Winspear said the estate restaurant was a further opportunity to showcase their products by matching seasonal menus with their wines Tony Winspear has worked at Bendigo's Balgownie Estate for 30 years "We've moved from having a fairly simple cafe to having a very "That gives us free reign to make really top-end wines to match excellent food." it was awarded five red stars by the Halliday Wine Companion marking an "outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity" Mr Winspear said he has relished getting the best out of the vineyards "Even though the last vintage might have been an absolute cracker the following vintage you want to do even better "The fruit was absolutely sensational and we'd made some fantastic batches." Mr Winspear recommends starting with wines you like "Don't let anyone tell you that you should be drinking a particular wine - if your palate doesn't enjoy it then you might just have a sneaky try of a nice white." "Just trust your own palate and enjoy the wines that you're drinking." Balgownie Estate chief winemaker Tony Winspear said working for the winery has been "a fantastic challenge". Picture by Darren Howe. As for where wine tastes are going next, Mr Winspear said the trend towards, lighter, low-alcohol drinks will continue. "I think it's quite exciting, actually, because those sort of styles are really food-friendly." with their kindergarten teachers Anna Scott and Alison Kerema Picture by Adam McLeanIt was almost seven years ago that a group of new kindergarteners sat down for a photo with their teachers and shared their aspirations a "koala saver" and a "dad with 60 hundred children" The Mercury has it on good authority that one child dreamed of becoming captain of the Titanic Now these students are about to embark on the next stage of their education as they finish up year six and prepare for their first year of high school The Balgownie students on their first day of kindergarten in 2018 Picture by Sylvia LiberSitting in the same room where they once posed for the Mercury photographer on their first day of school there were a few changes: a smartboard replaced the whiteboard and the tiny children in their fresh uniforms had grown taller and wiser "I don't really want to be that anymore but I still like koalas," the once-aspiring koala saver wanted to work for the government as a kindergartener; now Becoming a professional athlete is a dream for a few of the students Ashling Johnstone has pivoted from her wish of becoming a princess to becoming an author; Reuben Rossetto once thought he'd like to be a firefighter but now he thinks being a mechanic would be better Aria Woodward has remained steadfast in her goal: she still wants to be an actor remember teaching the students in their first year of school with fondness Balgownie Public School's year six class of 2024 Picture by Adam McLean"I remember that crew vividly," Ms Kerema said "They were really energetic and into their learning." you get to see that real child spirit and then they grow up but you [still] remember that," Ms Scott said It is emotional for the teachers to farewell their one-time students as they finish year six the prospect of leaving primary school is bittersweet Harrison Wall said he was happy to be going to a new school but he was sad to leave the place where he'd spent seven years they are going from being the oldest kids in the school to the youngest Ava Baldwin said she would carry the memories of Balgownie with her "It's been a great school to go to and I've enjoyed every moment," Ava said Picture by Adam McLeanA 21-year-old cyclist was flown to hospital with serious injuries on New Year's Day after being hit by a car in Balgownie Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueEmergency services were called to the Princes Motorway at Mount Pleasant about 4.30pm on January 1 following reports of a crash involving a car and a male cyclist An off-duty doctor assisted the man before paramedics arrived and treated him for chest He was transported via ambulance to Judy Masters Oval in Balgownie where a Toll rescue helicopter airlifted him to St George Hospital in a serious The 32-year-old female driver was taken to Wollongong Hospital for mandatory testing with inquiries into the circumstances of the crash continuing A crime scene was established by officers from Wollongong Police District "Anyone with dashcam footage or information is urged to come forward and contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," a NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement HomeTributes & FuneralsDeath NoticesSPARGO2024 • Balgownie, 2519 Adored daughter of Bill and Nancy Moses, late of Balgownie, Roslyn passed away peacefully on Sunday, 1st September 2024 Mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother Roslyn will be sadly remembered by her brother Graeme and sister-in-law Bronwyn, both of Balgownie. She remains a very much loved and cherished aunt of their children, Jonathan, Jane, Kate and Julia and their respective families. Fondly remembered by Lesley Darbyshir, of Corrimal. Roslyn will be so sadly missed by her many life-long friends and relatives across Australia. HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsDUNN, Anne Isabelle1946 - 2025 • Kembla Grange, NSW Passed away peacefully on the 7th of April 2025. Dearly loved wife to Christopher. Devoted mother and mother-in-law to Elizabeth & Guy, Jennifer & Jason, Katherine & Steven. Adored Gran to her grandchildren Charlotte, Hamish, Scarlett and Quinn. Anne will be missed dearly by all her family and friends. Relatives and friends of Anne are invited to attend her Funeral Service to be held in the Northcliffe Chapel at Hansen & Cole, 634 Northcliffe Drive, Kembla Grange on Thursday 24th of April 2025 commencing at 2pm. Picture suppliedBalgownie JFC's U15 boys will go in search of another grand final berth in the Football NSW State Cup when they take on Collaroy Cromer this Sunday All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Earle Canvin-coached team are still well in the hunt for back-to-back Cups after claiming the trophy in 2023 Sign up: To the new Illawarra Football Weekly newsletter Not much has changed in that time with the team still winning games and most importantly "The big reasons why we've been so successful is because the boys have played together for a while," he said "They're actually best mates off the field He turned his garage into a barbershop and they all go there every Saturday "The journey for them is as much about friendship as it is the football." Canvin said reaching another final would be no formality however, with the northern suburbs-based Collaroy Cromer set to be a tough test. The coach said his Rangers team were quite familiar with their upcoming semi-final opponents "We beat them in the semi-final of the State Cup before and also the Champions of Champions as well They won the Manly association league four years in a row I went and watched them last week in the quarter final and they won the game with 10 players "They've got some guys that are technically very good and have got massive motors on them Bulli FC's U13 girls team have already qualified for State Cup grand final set to be played at Cromer Park Manly next weekend on July 13 They will face either Dee Why or Belrose-Terrey Hills with that semi-final set to be played on Sunday Illawarra Mercury sports journalist. Feel free to get in touch jordan.warren@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Gulio and Adrian Giuliani celebrate 25 years of Il Nido restaurant in Balgownie Main picture by Anna WarrThere's a story Alcide Giuliani likes to tell about his early days as a restaurateur All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinue It was Easter 1983 and diners were greeted by delicious Italian aromas as they piled in for the grand opening of his new Windang pizzeria Alcide's furniture order had landed on a public holiday and wouldn't be delivered until after the break everybody sat down with their plate and ate on the floor," he said It's a funny anecdote that goes a long way to explaining why Alcide - who customers know as Giulio because "back in the day no one could say his name" - has thrived in the fickle the born entertainer has done his best to keep things light (both the food and the mood) in his many eateries and derives great joy from seeing others enjoy his warm Italian hospitality But his adventures in food have never been a one-man show View +3 PhotosIl Nido - the beloved Balgownie restaurant he established in 1999 - is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month with the family members who helped turn the place into an institution still at the helm who continues to work alongside him in the kitchen on a casual basis and their youngest son who has taken over management of the venue "It's now third generation with myself," Adrian said "And I've also got my nieces and nephews starting to work so it's coming into the fourth generation of the family business." the woman they credit as the brains behind the mouth-watering dishes straight-shooting and widely revered Italian mother Homemade gnocchi on top of a giant cheese wheel Candida learned to cook for her large family while growing up in a village in northern Italy she worked behind the bar at the Fraternity Club in Fairy Meadow before going into partnership with Alcide and Diana "Nonna just had this rich way of cooking that was amazing," Adrian said but she left a legacy that's continued on and on." Look no further than the continued popularity of her signature fluffy "We don't go too crazy with ideas because it's worked and it's still working today," Adrian said Guilio Giuliani with the first pizza he made in his Windang restaurant The Giuliani family has been bringing food to the Illawarra for more than 45 five years across from a small restaurant where he would clean and make pizza bases he worked as a fitter and turner at the Port Kembla Steelworks before deciding it wasn't the life for him raised three children while working alongside each other in multiple prominent restaurants Chianti in Bowral and Costa Azzurra in Fairy Meadow he gets itchy feet so he just likes to move around sell up and find the next one," Adrian said but instead fell in love with a little 20-seat pizzeria in Balgownie called Fernando's Inside the restaurant celebrating its 25th anniversary "Mum and dad took that on and we've grown the business into what it is now a 90-seater restaurant and the food trucks that we started during COVID," Adrian said Il Nido means Nest in English and Adrian believes his restless father set down roots in the little village "It's a beautiful little area and just the great support we get from our local from seeing the little kids grow up in our restaurants and now they're all big kids bringing in their kids." Adrian and his brother and sister also grew up in their parents' restaurant working there as casuals from the age of five or six Old family photos adorn the wall at the Balgownie restaurant we were there pretty much every night because my grandparents worked there so we had no one to look after us after school," he said "So we helped around the restaurant clearing tables and cleaning dishes." Adrian went on to become an air-conditioning technician before his passion for food and hospitality pulled him back to the family business in 2005 Throughout COVID and the cost-of-living crisis he has overseen a period of growth for the restaurant "We've picked up so much new clientele through that time." Il Nido's popular potato and sausage pizza.Adrian describes COVID as a "scary but interesting period" for the food industry Il Nido was already set up with delivery and takeaway when state-ordered lockdowns hit and he quickly took on a business partner to set up two food trucks for wood-fire pizza pop-ups "It still blows me away how busy we were during that period," he said Adrian puts their enduring appeal down to his dad's ability to make everyone feel like they belong his insistence on using the best local produce his mum overseeing the kitchen operation - and his late Nonna's cherished recipes 'Nonna's legacy goes on': Balgownie stalwart Il Nido celebrates 25 years500g of 00 flour3 eggsPinch of saltKnead all together until dough is firm and well formed Run each piece through a pasta machine at least four times until thin and smooth (the thinner the setting Keep using the flour to coat the dough each time you press through machine Hang the pasta up to dry over a thin stick or something similar For the past 15 years I've been toiling away behind the scenes on story ideas, web production, headline writing, home page editing and social media management. I'm passionate about passing the mic to Illawarra residents who find themselves with no power and no voice. Picture by Robert Peet.Balgownie and University remain the only undefeated teams in the one-day Illawarra cricket competition after recording round three wins over Wests Illawarra and Port Kembla on Saturday Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBally bowlers Charlie Flanders (4-27) and Alexander Williams (2-29) led the way as Wests were bowled out for 176 after 46.1 overs Then one of Illawarra Cricket's all-time greats guided the Magpies to a comfortable five-wicket win hammering a quickfire 85 as the home side responded with 5-177 Batty's brilliant knock at Judy Masters Oval included six boundaries and two massive sixes The high-flying Uni also had several brilliant contributors in the Students commanding eight-wicket win over Port Kembla at King George V Oval Uni bowlers Darcy Knight (4-36) Blake Mackrell (3-22) and Alec Dobson (2-8) ripped through the Blacks' batters dismissing Port for just 138 after 38 overs Uni captain and opener Luke Huard then exploded with the bat hammering an unbeaten 65 from just 51 balls More than 50 of his runs came from boundaries Huard also shared an unbeaten 63-run stand with Lachlan Coughlan-Ryan (36 not out) as Uni cruised to 2-139 from just 18.3 overs Wollongong handed the Northern District Butchers a third-straight loss with a comfortable four-wicket win at North Dalton Park Daniel Wark (60) and Isaac Warburton (42) were the only Butchers' batters to reach double figures as the visitors were dismissed for 178 after just 35.5 overs Lachlan Maddinson (4-33) and Lucas Kay (3-25) were the pick of Wollongong's bowlers The Lighthouse Keepers then made little work of the run chase thanks mainly to opener Jayden Zahra-Smith (77) and skipper Toby Dodds (46) Reigning champions Keira also won on Saturday Keira needed only 30.4 overs to hit 2-153 in reply to the 9-155 IPCC made batting first at Rex Jackson Park Zach Churchill (49) and Troy Coleman (21 not out) batted well in the Lions' comfortable DLS victory Jasmeet Singh Sodhi was the pick of the bowlers for Corrimal snaring 5-11 from 8.4 economical overs to keep opponents Dapto to just 9-99 from 28.4 overs Corrimal needed only 17.3 overs to reply with 4-101 Alex Osborne (30 not out) and Jake Osborne (25) led the way with the bat for the visitors at Reed Park Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsSTOKOE, Archie2025 • Wollongong, NSW Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBalgownie were chasing back-to-back Football NSW State Cup titles but will have to settle for a top-four finish after losing 1-0 to Collaroy Cromer Canvin was disappointed not to progress to the grand final but stressed his Rangers side could hold their heads high "We lost the game yesterday but the boys can hold their heads high "At the semi finals stage of the State Cup you're playing against very good teams "Unfortunately we were a touch below our best and conceded a soft goal early on and it made it hard for us for the rest of the game because the other team are very well organised and were happy to sit back and let us come at them "In the end we weren't good enough to get a goal even though we had numerous opportunities but that's how it goes sometimes." Canvin though couldn't fault the support his team enjoyed from one of the biggest crowds he has ever seen at a stand-alone under 15s game I don't know that I've seen a bigger crowd for a one off under 15 game for a long long time unless it was potentially a grand final," he said "But the crowd and support we had yesterday from the seniors and juniors and other football people was superb "I really want to thank John Whiddett and Football South Coast for allowing us and Bulli U13s to play at Ian McLennan Park If they hadn't allowed us we wouldn't have been able to play and we would not have had such a great crowd Despite the loss, this Balgownie side the majority who been together since under 12s "I think it's only the third game they've lost in four years," Canvin said "It's one of those things where you learn a lot more from a loss than what you ever do a win "Our success has been built more on our players have belief in what we're trying to do If you have belief and you buy into the process you get good results "They understand that the process that they've been on has enabled them to create the success "It's not necessarily because they're great players "That's why you get results because of how hard you're prepared to work "I often say that when we're out training in the rain or at indoor or in the gym we're out training when other people don't They are pictured with their four children Sophie (13) Picture by Adam McLeanPaul and Skye Barlow are highly-trained professional firefighters who work full-time serving their community Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe Balgownie couple have four children and in the past year or so their mortgage has jumped by an extra $2000 a month They are both Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters - Paul at Wollongong station While Mrs Barlow would love to work closer to her family it's about a 10-year wait to get a position at an Illawarra fire station They say being a firefighter simply doesn't pay enough amid the soaring cost of living so they're forced away from precious family time to work a second job - Mrs Barlow as a nurse every one I know has to take on a second job just to try and get some more money," Mr Barlow said "We do not have the financial means not to have a little bit extra come through It's just one of those things that I think everyone has to do at the moment." Like paramedics and police, they're among the state's public sector employees to be offered a 10.5 per cent pay rise over three years but the firefighters' union is calling for a 20.5 per cent over three years Firefighters rallying outside the office of Wollongong MP Paul Scully on Friday they were among more than 60 firefighters rallying outside Wollongong MP Paul Scully's office on Crown Street "I feel that we're totally undervalued for the work we do; we do so much more than just do fires," Mr Barlow said finding $2000 extra a month [for their mortgage] Stuart James and Justin Beckman at the rally on Friday Pictures by Nate ScurrDuring Friday's rally Wollongong firefighter Stuart James called for action "After a decade of being neglected and our pay falling way below the cost of living we campaign hard to get this government in we feel like we've been abandoned," he said Firefighter Kylie Sharman said the government has failed to recognise what it takes to serve the community Click on the photo below to see more pictures from the rally View +17 PhotosFire and Rescue NSW firefighters at a rally outside Minister Ryan Park's Corrimal office on Friday FRNSW"We give so much of our lives and time to stay fit and I think it's just about time that's recognised," the Wollongong Station firefighter said Firefighter Justin Beckman said firefighters are asked to do more every year "During the COVID period firefighters were on the frontlines of that assisting other emergency services we weren't rewarded for that work or all the challenges and risks we faced," he said Firefighters' industrial action will continue with Illawarra firefighters to travel to Sydney next week for a rally at NSW Parliament Locally, they've already rallied outside the offices of Health Minster Ryan Park and Shellharbour MP Anna Watson. Fire Brigade Employees Union Illawarra sub-branch secretary Andrew Clark said the campaign is far from over. "The work we've been doing has increased astronomically over the last 10 years; it's never been remunerated, never been paid for; it should be taken into account." Paul Scully MP was unable to attend Friday's rally and would not be drawn on whether a 20.5 per cent pay rise over three years was realistic for the NSW Government. He will meet with FBEU officials next week and said the negotiations were ongoing and he was happy to be a part of that. Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au SaveLog in or Subscribe to save articleShareCopy link Share via...Gift this articleSubscribe to gift this article Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe kitchen and cellar door of Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley about one hour’s drive north-east of Melbourne That led to a major refurbishment of the whole venue which is open to visitors in the market for a relaxing place to turn off their notifications and unwind Gift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe. Follow the topics, people and companies that matter to you. AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeaths & FuneralsGALAXIDIS, Georgia2025 • Wollongong, NSW Passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th January 2025. Beloved wife of Arthur. Dearly loved mother and mother-in-law of Nick and Linda, John and Clare, Tony and Kylee. Cherished Yiayia of Saki, Gina, Kayle, Poppy Eva, and Alexandria. Georgia will be sadly missed by her loving family and many dear friends. Prayers will be held in the Chapel, H Parsons Funeral Home, 34 Belmore Street, Wollongong on Monday 3rd February 2025 at 4pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Georgia’s funeral service to be held at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, 18 Stewart Street, Wollongong on Tuesday 4th February 2025 at 11am. Following the service her funeral will proceed to Wollongong Lawn Cemetery, Wyllie Road, Kembla Grange. Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinuePlans have been lodged with Wollongong City Council for a Terry White chemist at the site of the former newsagent on the corner of Balgownie Road and Church Street Read more: Illawarra's newest camera makes a motza Just metres away on the other corner of that intersection is the Balgownie Pharmacy which has been in the village for more than 30 years Rather than it being the flashpoint for some chemist competition it is understood the existing pharmacy will rebrand and move into the new location While plans for the pharmacy itself have already been lodged these latest plans propose the demolition of the shopfront The plans include a new concrete ramp to remove the need for customers to have to step up into the chemist The existing awning will remain but be rebranded with new signage "The proposal is a pharmacy fitout to an existing vacant tenancy," the statement of environmental effects lodged as part of the application stated "Due to the age and dilapidation of the existing building and lack of accessible access the proposal is to improve the building amenity by providing a new shopfront fit for purpose and accessible access into that tenancy "Being a retail business that serves the needs of the local and wider community and provide a service in high demand the proposal will bring a much needed amenity to serve the people." The development application is on public exhibition until September 21 Our news app has had a makeover, making it faster and giving you access to even more great content. Download The Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store and Google Play I'm an award-winning senior journalist with the Illawarra Mercury and have well over two decades' worth of experience in newspapers. I cover the three local councils in the Illawarra for the Mercury, state and federal politics, as well as writing for the TV guide. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time a tennis court and a giant outdoor chess board but the award-winning wine at the cellar door holds the greatest appeal for most One of the two luxurious Balgownie winery estates It also features the tranquil and new Endota Spa which includes sublime face and body treatments it's a one-hour drive from Melbourne's CBD Accommodation is apartment style with most of the 4.5-star rooms due for an upgrade next year Balgownie has risen from the ashes of its previous incarnation after a 2020 kitchen fire destroyed the restaurant The foyer is adjacent to the cellar door with a modern aesthetic; the floating fireplace and curved velvet lounges provide a vibrant space to pause The restaurant beyond beckons with views of the winery and the nearby Yarra ranges is a welcoming pitstop for diners who arrive before their party Endota has moved into the existing spa premises and a refurbishment and upgrade has transformed the tired space A soothing colour scheme and eight treatment rooms for singles and doubles offers facials and a range of packages and Endota's signature fragrance (rose patchouli) whirls gently around the spa reception area It's a relaxing space open to day visitors and overnight guests My spacious one-bedroom spa suite has a balcony facing the rolling vistas of the wineries and hills of the Yarra Valley The bathroom contains a circular spa bath with a window into the suite's living room It seems odd at first glance but once I'm immersed in it and absorbing the view the kitchenette has space for cheese and wine and the lounge is roomy enough for you to invite guests for an afternoon tipple Restaurant 1309 has a new chef at the helm Irishman Aidan Gallagher has decades of experience in overseas restaurants including the Merrion Hotel in Dublin and award-winning Irish pub McGettigan's in Dubai Pumpkin cornbread is light and fluffy with a whipped jalapeno butter that melts in the mouth My favourites are the Buxton trout served with an avocado lime mousse on black quinoa puffs and a chicken ravioli with local asparagus The dry-aged Gippsland rib eye with a chilli tomato relish makes the tastebuds zing but the dessert a Coldstream sorbet presented in a floral ice bowl containing tiny violas The accompanying freeze-dried strawberries juxtapose with the creamy sweetness and finish the meal with finesse We opt for matched Balgownie wines which have us in fine spirits for the walk back to our suites The Yarra Valley is predominantly wine country but it's also home to the popular Yarra Valley Chocolaterie where there are walls lined with specialty chocolates chocolate on tap and chocolate education classes Nearby are art galleries within wineries at Tarrawarra and St Huberts and the Yarra Valley Dairy has tasting platters of handcrafted goat and cow's cheeses Hot air balloons sail the skies at sunrise on clear mornings and on weekends there are craft markets with live music For an easy-to-access wellness retreat with a splash of wine From $345 for a one bedroom standard spa suite and $795 for a two bedroom spa suite. Refurbished one bedroom deluxe suites start at $595. Book your Escape wellness package (including infra-red sauna and spa treatments) as soon as your accommodation is confirmed. 1309 Melba Hwy, Yarra Glen, phone (03) 9730 0700. See balgownie.com Complimentary wine tasting at the Cellar Door is the icing on the cake Commercial station radio in the infra-red sauna More soothing tunes would improve the experience Danielle Norton was a guest of Balgownie Estate and Endota Spa Sign up for the Traveller Deals newsletter Get exclusive travel deals delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up now it's a one-hour drive from Melbourne's CBD and a range of packages and Endota's signature fragrance (rose It's a relaxing space open to day visitors and overnight guests The bathroom contains a circular spa bath with a window into the suite's living room It seems odd at first glance but once I'm immersed in it and absorbing the view including the Merrion Hotel in Dublin and award-winning Irish pub McGettigan's in Dubai but it's also home to the popular Yarra Valley Chocolaterie and the Yarra Valley Dairy has tasting platters of handcrafted goat and cow's cheeses From $345 for a one bedroom standard spa suite and $795 for a two bedroom spa suite Refurbished one bedroom deluxe suites start at $595 Book your Escape wellness package (including infra-red sauna and spa treatments) as soon as your accommodation is confirmed This is probably not the page you’re looking for Buyers have been handed a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase one of the most incredible homes in Wollongong Featuring a Ferrari themed garage, a triple tier swimming pool with swim up bar, tennis court and a home cinema, Villa Carla certainly ticks the boxes for those after the perfect “lockdown retreat” MORE: Inside Karl Stefanovic’s waterfront mansion Nicole Kidman leads celebrities moving to this NSW region 18 year-old buys $5m Sydney mansion The tropical home on 12,180sqm in Balgownie already has buyers hooked with it the most viewed property in NSW on realestate.com.au this past week Villa Carla was the most viewed property listing in NSW on realestate.com.au this past week With close to 10,000 page views on its listing it was also the fourth most popular home in Australia Of those that have inquired with Ray White — Helensburgh’s Mattias Samuelsson Sydneysiders after a weekender and locals who want the best of the best “We’ve never had so much Sydney interest in Wollongong property than what we are seeing at the moment,” he said “There are so many buyers looking because they see it offers greater value for money.” The Ferrari-themed garage has polished floors Mr Samuelsson is yet to confirm a price guide but said 65 Wellington Dr would sell for significantly above the current Balgownie sales record CoreLogic reveals that benchmark is $2.8 million which was set by 56-58 Wellington Dr last year The Ray White agent said Villa Carla was unlike any other property he had come across in the Wollongong region before “I’ve sold some spectacular homes that have got records before but this property blows everything out of the water,” he said “What the owner spent to renovate this house is more than most houses I have sold.” At the end of the palm tree lined driveway is the two-storey mansion that feels more like a five-star resort than home a main bedroom with a dressing room and a massive ensuite Sip on champagne at your very own swim up bar marble floors and a dozen or so chandeliers There is also a triple car garage with polished floors a Ferrari mural featuring Michael Schumacher plus plenty of space to park the owner’s Maserati and Ferrari Outside there are three cascading pools including one with a swim up bar as well as a fully equipped alfresco kitchen manicured lawns and sweeping district views of the Pacific Ocean third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Picture by Robert PeetWhat a 2024 it has been for Balgownie Rangers FC and now they have an incredibly valuable piece of history to show for it All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAfter recently being confirmed as Australia's oldest registered football club the Rangers now have a commemorative jersey from the Club of Pioneers group Balgownie joined some of the most globally known football clubs such as Sheffield FC and Queens Park FC in the Club of Pioneers group Established in 1883 and playing out of Judy Masters Oval Balgownie has an array of history to show as a club and now they can add another piece to the collection The Mercury was given a first look at the framed jersey sent to Australia by the Club of Pioneers Balgownie president Steve Buckley said the committee would find a special place for the framed possession "We'll definitely be hanging it on a wall within the clubhouse," Buckley said "It will be up there with a couple of other things There is too much to put up there because you can imagine what's been accumulated over 140 years "So there will be some photographs dating back to the early days to the current and obviously that jersey will be in the middle of it all." It was a historic year in 2023 for the club as they celebrated their 140th anniversary In 2024, the club has made its vision clear. Junior development is one of the key components in their close partnership with the junior club as well as having a community feel about their senior teams Female football is also taking off with Elizabeth Correia leading Balgownie's first top grade women's side in years Something even more exciting potentially around the corner is a proposed 'Trans-Tasman' men's fixture between fellow Club of Pioneers team North Shore United (based in New Zealand) and theRangers We've just been accepted and there was a conversation about having a Trans-Tasman game," Buckley said "At the moment we're just concentrating on our 2024 season in the Football South Coast competition but we've got a little bit of energy to talk to the Club of Pioneers and making some arrangements for that to happen "But I'd say that game would definitely be on the cards Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueNSW Ambulance paramedics were called about 3pm Monday to the Balgownie bushland track after a man aged 45 reportedly rode off a two-metre jump and hit a tree at speed The Mercury understands the man's children were looking on as he came unstuck and lost consciousness He regained consciousness by the time medicos including a specialist operations paramedic reached him to assess him for a head injury A Toll rescue helicopter landed at nearby Judy Masters Oval and was on standby for about two hours before the man could be carried out and a decision was made to fly him to St George Hospital said NSW Ambulance's chief inspector Norm Rees The injured rider and emergency services emerge from the bush at Balgownie Monday evening Picture: Robert Peet "When it was established he'd lost consciousness for five minutes; that's a concern," Insp Rees said A NSW Fire and Rescue walking party helped paramedics carry out the man using a mule - a wheel-mounted caged Stokes Litter The emergency was the second at Possums on Monday About 9.55am crews were called in for a 13-year-old boy who also came unstuck on a jump He was transported by road ambulance to Wollongong Hospital A 19-year-old male rider also suffered a significant facial injury at the site on Sunday He was taken by road ambulance to Wollongong Hospital All three injured riders were wearing helmets Crews arrive at Doonan Place Reserve, near the bottom of the track, Monday evening. Picture: Robert Peet The recent emergencies come after National Parks and Wildlife flagged plans to remove jumps at the site. Earlier this month an NPWS spokesman told the Mercury the works were due to safety concerns and were to begin today - June 14 "The jumps are illegal and cause environmental impacts and safety issues in the Illawarra Escarpment State Conservation Area and also affect surrounding private property," a spokesperson said at the time The plans were put on hold after members of the local mountain biking community voiced their outrage and Keira MP Ryan Park brokered a stay of execution to allow for talks between riders and the department Proudly Illawarra Mercury since 2008; these days covering crime and justice issues. UOW alum. Thrilled by the chase and sobered by some of the things I see and hear when I stand still - sometimes in the same day. ang.thompson@austcommunitymedia.com.au Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIn doing so the Shellharbour U18 women and Balgownie U14 boys teams have won their fourth trophy in a highly productive 2023 football season Balgownie were crowned champions after they downed Eschol Park FC 2-0 in Sunday's grand final at Valentine Sports Park Shellharbour were just as impressive in their grand final at the same venue It was the second time this year that Shellharbour got the better of Manly Vale in a big game after lowering their colours to win the NSW State Cup earlier this year Read more: Jackomas puts under-performing Hawks stars on notice ahead of Cairns clash Shellharbour coach Ben Thurgar said he couldn't be prouder of his record-breaking team Shellharbour U18 women celebrate winning the 2023 Champion of Champions football tournament."It's been such a great 12 months really for this team grand final winners and now winning the Champion of Champions tournament We also won last year's Champion of Champions tournament with this same group of players really they've worked really hard and have had a very successful year "The success they've had over the last 12 months will be very hard to replicate I know they're cherishing every moment and I couldn't be prouder for them They have worked hard and deserve everything they've achieved." Thurgar said he was confident the team would win the grand final even though it took Shellharbour a bit of time to get in the decider But once Bella Caldwell opened the scoring midway through the first half the coach was confident Shellharbour would run away with the victory with Mia Fleming scoring midway through the second period before Lucy Seaton sealed the win with a goal in the 86th minute "All the goals were pleasing from a coach's point of view because they all came from set plays," Thurgar said "It was good to see all the work we've done in training pay off like that." Read more: Six centuries highlight high-scoring South Coast cricket round Balgownie U14 boys celebrate winning the 2023 Champion of Champions tournament.Balgownie U14 boys' coach Earle Canvin was also "very proud" of his quadruple-title winning team "We looked back on our stats after we won the grand final and realised in 26 games we played this year we scored 95 goals and conceded only seven Even more impressive we didn't concede any goals in the Champions of Champions which is extremely pleasing because you're playing against the best," he said especially considering we lost last year's Champions of Champions grand final We had so many supporters at the ground and plenty of people watching the live stream Joel Buckley opened the scoring for Balgownie in the 14th minute but Bally didn't seal victory until centre-back Sam Burke headed in a second goal midway through the second half Canvan said while it was a scrappy game his team dominated most of the play "I thought we were always in control and the boys did what they had to win It was a final so it was always going to be scrappy but I have to give credit to the boys for still playing our football "They were a very big and physical side and lumped the ball forward quite a lot This actually played into our hands and let us play through them on the ground." Read more: Wollongong and Keira in line to win first trophy after booking T20 final spot making it faster and giving you access to even more great content Download The Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store and Google Play Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon The best of Melbourne straight to your inbox We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy Melbourne without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Melbourne Imagine rolling over in bed on a gorgeous morning in Yarra Glen and gazing out the window at endless rows of green vineyards This is what waking up at Balgownie Estate in the Yarra Valley is like.  situated a stone’s throw from Healesville recently had a swanky facelift with a comprehensive $7 million refurbishment The makeover came after the restaurant and cellar door were engulfed in a devastating fire in 2020 with the estate using the opportunity to refresh the on-site accommodation with 32 new suites and a brand new restaurant all designed by renowned Melbourne architect firm Bayley Ward.  guests are greeted by a sleek interior and welcoming atmosphere you can enjoy a tasting of the estate’s finest wines including those also made at their Bendigo location so as well as cool-climate favourites like chardonnay and pinot noir Balgownie also offers full-bodied varietals like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon offers contemporary dining that showcases seasonal local produce It's accompanied by beautiful countryside views and Choose from a two- or three-course set menu for lunch and dinner or dine from the grazing menu for lighter bites curated by esteemed executive chef Aidan Gallagher, you'll find dishes like cashew herb-filled zucchini flowers; cured ginger and lemongrass ocean trout; Gippsland pork fillet; and Southern Ranges porterhouse Not to mention the mouth-watering desserts including a Cuvee dark chocolate cremeux with CherryHill Orchard cherries the next morning you’ll wake to a bountiful breakfast buffet The restaurant overlooks the vines and rolling hills with a spacious outdoor deck that is perfect for enjoying golden hour.  you can ensure your health is looked after at the on-site Endota Spa You don't have to stay at the winery to make a booking but it certainly makes for an even more relaxing stay for guests Treatments available include soothing facials warm stone treatments and much more.  Inside the newly refurbished accommodation you’ll find eucalyptus and terracotta-toned interiors king-size beds and balconies with sweeping views There are suite options for all budgets with 70 rooms in total that cater to differing needs The estate is available to book for conferences With so much to see situated in these peaceful surroundings it’s the perfect locale for a truly idyllic getaway.  Time Out Melbourne was invited as a guest of Balgownie Estate.  Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twitterinstagrampinterestAbout us Contact us Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueFor more than 50 years Tony Vangelovskis put smiles on our faces and food in our bellies with his wife Anna and family at the Balgownie Fish Shop This week on a Facebook page in the iconic shop's honour a tribute post read: "It is with much regret to advise all that sadly Tony has passed away A true gentleman who made so many of us smile for so many years To Anna and other close family our thoughts are with you The world is not as good a place with out the likes of Tony . may you rest in peace my friend and hoping there is someone in heaven that can make you a hamburger or two." This story was first published in December 2015 We thought it appropriate to share again with you at this time Little has changed in 51 years at Anna and Tony Vangelovskis Balgownie Fish Shop orders are taken in pencil on notebooks and chips are still served in paper no digital ordering systems and no organic alternatives just a menu of fried favourites and Annas famous refrain of next order please Read more: The 15 new Illawarra suburbs where the median house price is $1 million The big change will come within three months when the Vangelovskis close the doors on their labour of love for the last time The store has operated seven days a week since 1964 winning over generations of customers and becoming part of the community fabric ''When we retire I say we’re going to be dancing the shops 1950s pastel interior is swamped by tradesmen and retirees a scene that transforms later into kids after school asking how many chips they can get for a dollar and then families coming in for a Friday night takeaway Tony said: I peel fresh potatoes every day I put them through the cutter and we fry them fresh; other places use frozen but its no good I worked there for six maybe seven years but not much money so I learned the business from my brothers fish shop and we opened our own Anna and Tony have been married since meeting in their village of Capari and spend every day working side by side When people ring us and ask if they can speak to the boss Tony and Anna are retiring what they call a big rest from early morning starts and late finishes were getting old and the pains are starting When we retire I say were going to be dancing Their Balgownie Road business has been bought by a developer who wants to build a boutique selection of.. apartments offering contemporary living design is already mourning the closure of the shop We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here landing on her nose and mouth.File pictureA Balgownie man who allegedly spat in his partner's face during a heated argument has been refused bail Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueBrent Adam Douglas is accused of fighting with his on-again-off-again partner of six years at his Balgownie home about 10am on Tuesday The argument allegedly escalated when he spat on the woman's face Read more: The Illawarra paedophiles and sex predators exposed for vile sex crimes in 2021 Douglas allegedly also raised his arm between his chest and head towards the woman with a clenched fist She contacted Triple 0 but when police officers arrived a short time later the woman swore at them and shut the door the woman told officers everything was fine and refused to let them in Other police officers arrived at a nearby nearby address a short time later for an unrelated matter where they found the woman physically upset in the common driveway She went inside her home and agreed to speak with police however would not provide a formal statement She told police what had allegedly happened Douglas had already left the home and he was arrested on Wednesday afternoon During a police interview at Wollongong Police Station Douglas allegedly denied assaulting or intimidating the woman however did admit to being in a heated argument with her raising his arms and making a loud spitting motion in her presence intimidation and contravening an apprehended domestic violence order The court heard on Thursday that there was a current AVO between the couple which prohibited Douglas from assaulting intimidating or harassing the woman and he was not allowed to be in her company for at least 12 hours after drinking or taking drugs Defence lawyer Anastasia Socorro said Douglas had mental health concerns he was trying to address and he would be "vulnerable" if remanded in custody She also said if he was convicted of the charges Douglas may not serve a custodial sentence Police prosecutor Sergeant Shannon Ryan said Douglas was on bail and serving an intensive correction order at the time of the allegation Registrar Bruiceen Coulthard refused to grant Douglas bail and the case was adjourned to January 10 The Illawarra Mercury newsroom is funded by our readers. You can subscribe to support our journalism here We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Fire has gutted the kitchen and restaurant at a Yarra Valley vineyard just three weeks after it reopened. The blaze at Balgownie Estate in Yarra Glen broke out in the kitchen of Ray's Restaurant just before 11am on Thursday. No one was injured in the large fire, which was attended to by 14 CFA crews and brought under control about 1pm. A CFA spokeswoman said there were no diners in the restaurant at the time. It had reopened on June 5 with the easing of coronavirus restrictions. Fire engulfed a restaurant at Balgownie Estate in Victoria's Yarra Valley on Thursday.Credit: Nine News Melbourne "We're really fortunate that staff were able to self-evacuate," the spokesman said. The 60-by 40-metre restauarant was extensively damaged. Footage from the fire shows parts of the roof of the building collapsing, and smoke plumes billowing over nearby properties. "The fire was contained to that one restaurant/cellar complex," the spokeswoman said. Two CFA vehicles remained at the scene at 4pm to help mop up. In a Facebook post, the estate confirmed that all 20 staff members had been accounted for and there was no damage to the accommodation section of the property. "Our amazing local CFA and fire brigades are doing a great job of getting the fire under control," it said. "There has been no damage to our accommodation and we believe limited damage to our events space. "Anyone who has booked accommodation or events with us will be contacted as soon as possible." A spokeswoman for the winery said accomodation at the estate had not been affected and would be able to receive guests from this Saturday again. She also said other restaurants and vineyards in the valley had offered to feed overnight guests at Balgownie Estate until restaurant facilities were rebuilt. "Everyone's banding together; thats' the spirit of the Yarra Valley," she said. Authorities do not believe the fire is suspicious and are investigating staff reports it started in a kitchen fan. Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley's Yarra Glen vineyard was established in 1999. The blaze at Balgownie Estate in Yarra Glen broke out in the kitchen of Ray's Restaurant just before 11am on Thursday. No one was injured in the large fire, which was attended to by 14 CFA crews and brought under control about 1pm. \\\"We're really fortunate that staff were able to self-evacuate,\\\" the spokesman said. \\\"The fire was contained to that one restaurant/cellar complex,\\\" the spokeswoman said. \\\"Our amazing local CFA and fire brigades are doing a great job of getting the fire under control,\\\" it said. \\\"There has been no damage to our accommodation and we believe limited damage to our events space. \\\"Anyone who has booked accommodation or events with us will be contacted as soon as possible.\\\" \\\"Everyone's banding together; thats' the spirit of the Yarra Valley,\\\" she said. Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley's Yarra Glen vineyard was established in 1999. Chinese-owned Grange Group has purchased the Balgownie Estates luxury resort and vineyard in Yarra Glen and Bendigo from FKP Property Group founders Des and Rod Forrester for about $30 million The Grange Group of event retreats is a subsidiary of Interactive Entertainment China Cultural Technology Investments Limited a Hong Kong listed company with interests spanning mobile internet Read MoreSoft commoditiesSalesLatest In AgricultureFetching latest articles is set to open its doors to the public ahead of the year-end holiday.  Taking its name from the winery’s address in Victoria’s premier wine region The restaurant features a new menu designed by Yarra Valley chefs the new multi-million dollar rebuild follows several months of planning and design led by ZWEI Interiors & Architecture.  “This space is a comfortable place to be in; it is personal connected and welcoming,” said  Hannah Richardson ‘like hugging your guests’ and yet the decor is timeless to endure throughout the years.” The ‘Balgownie Wine Room’ cellar door is located in the heart of the premises A private dining room is also available for larger diner groups if requested guests sitting at the sleek bar will be able to see the chefs cook and prepare meals at the open kitchen The outdoor deck bar overlooks the rolling Dandenong Ranges we have a clear focus on supporting our local regional producers and being able to deliver a fantastic authentic experience based around fine wine and delicious food,” said Grant Flack executive chef at Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley Contact our editorial team Octomedia publication Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIn the end the Rangers did just that with a 2-0 win against Gerringong in round three of the competition Max Allan put the home side ahead in the second half at Judy Masters Oval on Saturday March 16 with a rebound from his initially saved penalty before Ethan Hawken put the game to bed with a header in the 80th minute of the contest It's crazy how quickly things can turn in a week of football Balgownie coach Buckley said his team weren't clinical enough in front of goal in their 2-0 loss in round two against Shoalhaven "We felt pretty upset with our performance last week so we needed a response from the lads," Buckley said "Gerringong are a top team so we knew it was going to be a bit of a fight But I'm sure they will be up there this year "Honestly I felt like we were the better team against Shoalhaven So we needed a response [against Gerringong] and the boys delivered The Rangers are looking to not only make the top five in the first grade competition in 2024 but also improve the club as a whole which will see them reach their final goal of promotion to the Illawarra Premier League Buckley - who has strong historical family ties with the club - said it was the perfect time to be part of Balgownie "We're moving forward on and off the field," he said it's a big sense of pride to be the head coach of this club I've played with a lot of the boys that are still playing at our club Players brought in this year had parents that played for the club 20 ti 30 years ago View +23 PhotosAll the photos from round three of the District League Balgownie pics by Margaret Oliver and Berkeley v Shoalhaven by Mercury photographer Adam McLean"It's just a matter of really digging deep We're just one small chapter of that and that's what I'm telling the boys It's their turn to write the next chapter and to create their own legacy The shock result of the round was at Thomas Gibson Park where Thirroul defeated the defending grand final champions Fernhill 2-1 Unanderra were emphatic against University Shoalhaven also kept their stunning run of form going with a 2-1 win against Berkeley Bellambi and Oak Flats was postponed due to wet weather Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime ShareBuxton trout tartare with smoked trout mousse, citrus pearls and hazelnut.SuppliedIf 2020 was a difficult year for the hospitality industry, the team at Balgownie Estate Yarra Valley has had it tougher than most after a fire burnt the restaurant to the ground between lockdowns last June the name reflecting the estate's Melba Highway address Designed by ZWEI Interiors & Architecture the multi-million dollar rebuild includes a light-filled 100-seat dining room with huge windows overlooking the estate's pinot noir vines The light-filled 100-seat dining room at Balgownie Estate.Carly SoderstromAdvertisementThe kitchen team has just moved from the improvised marquee kitchen set up after the fire to their gleaming new kitchen with capacity to cook for restaurant guests as well as wedding parties of up to 120 people "It hasn't been easy but we've been really lucky to keep the team together," says food and beverage director Grant Flack "Now we're looking forward to showing off our wines and the local produce People come to Balgownie for the wines and the views but we want them to come back for the food and service." Highlights of head chef Beth Candy's menu include a Buxton trout tartare with Yarra Valley salmon roe and finger lime and another of locally grown heirloom tomatoes with whipped Yarra Valley Dairy goat's cheese they're cooking for in-house guests staying in the property's boutique accommodation as well as long-booked weddings and functions only they'll open daily to the public for lunch and dinner 1309 Melba Highway, Yarra Glen, 03 9730 0774, balgownie.com news and the hottest openings served to your inbox ShareLicense this articleMore: Picture: SuppliedThe boss of Sydney Harbour lives in Balgownie and the nation is about to get up close and personal with him via the small screen Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueDamian Logue is working his dream job as Sydney Harbour operations manager and stars in the new dramatic documentary series Sydney Harbour Force on Foxtel and Fetch Read more: Ain't Nonnas serving all-day Italian to Wollongong business crowd The 10-part series follows a varied group of individuals who keep the busiest waterway in the southern hemisphere running smoothly Each episode features a mix of construction rescue and salvage operations - from Port Authority Pilot's boarding massive container ships in rough seas to tracking down illegal fishing daring helicopter rescues and tagging sharks just metres from swimmers "It's great to highlight the complexity we're facing every day in keeping one of the busiest harbours in the world operating," Logue told the Mercury Picture: SuppliedThe Illawarra celebrity isn't in every episode but he does get his fair share of screen-time as the camera follows him through a number of vessel salvages how he manages New Year's Eve on the harbour and other "critical" incidents "Everything happens on the harbour comes across my desk," he said "It's odd to have a camera in your face when trying to do a job but it's also exciting to put maritime on the world stage." Camera crews spent five months on-and-off filming with Logue and the other documentary stars while he said it was great to highlight "the complexity" they face every day in keeping the harbour running Read more: What concerts are on around the Illawarra this April Logue began his love for water as a competitive sailor Over the years he has attended to serious boating accidents fatalities to VIP escorts such as world leaders and Prince Harry - who Logue described as "a nice guy" "One of the most rewarding things that I do is managing the New Year's Eve fireworks spectacular where you get to be there in the control room and see 12 months work of planning come to light," he said Sydney Harbour Force premieres Monday 11 April at 7.30pm on Discovery To read more stories, download the Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store or Google Play At the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueAs school headed back for the new year the Mercury checked in with the new Kindergarten classes at Balgownie Public School to talk to some of the kids about what they wanted to be when they grew up and enough rock-stars to start a small band. There were plenty of nurses and doctors but there were some answers that were a bit more unusual “A dad with 60 hundred children,” said one Yet another ambition: “A crab-scorpion monster.” (Which is completely different to a scorpion monster by the way.) K-2 Principal Sarah Steele says she is pleased with the students’ progress so far besides maybe some of the parents,” she said. “Kids now have done quite a bit of daycare and so settle in much faster.” The two new classes have started earlier than most getting their Best Start Assessments done in time to have a full day of school on Friday All articles from our website & appThe digital version of Today's PaperBreaking news alerts direct to your inboxInteractive Crosswords, Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueThe owners of Fuel Power Plus, a company based in Belmore, now have until early June to remediate the site at 99-100 Balgownie Rd. The previous deadline had been last week. The pollution included petrol, benzene, methane, and other volatile organic compounds. The EPA had given the owner an exemption from installing groundwater wells, as was required for petrol storage. In 2017 he notified the EPA that the site was contaminated. There had been a tank overfilled in 2016, as well as leaking bowsers. Formerly a Fuel Power Plus station, the property has since undergone a rebranding and now bears the colours of the Metro chain. Fuel Power Plus had sought the extension, saying there had been difficulty in gaining the owner's consent for the remediation works. However, despite the rebranding, property records indicate the site is still owned by Fuel Power Plus Pty Ltd. Play Duration: 10 minutes 10m Brought to you by This week the Socceroos once again qualified for the World Cup, 100 years to the week that they played their first game, in New Zealand. And in that team, that sailed across the Tasman Sea, to front up against the Kiwis at Carisbrook Park, Dunedin, were two players from Balgownie. Travis Faulks from the Illawarra Soccer History social media page and podcast, Football United vs Soccer City, explained all to ABC Illawarra. More EpisodesDrivePublished: 6h agoMon 5 May 2025 at 5:00am Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio Picture: Adam McleanWhen a rheumatologist first suggested undergoing a stem cell transplant to Balgownie's Claudia Sultan she said 'no' Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueGoogle had become her best friend and she had spent endless hours researching her rare disease she knew the risks and the mortality rate associated with the treatment Read more: Wollongong's century-old surf clubs at risk of closure I was working myself up in the corporate world I had just purchased my first home," the now 37-year-old recalled "I was trying to outlive the disease and maintain independence and not lose that autoimmune disease which affects the connective tissue and is mainly characterized by the thickening and hardening of the skin - turning an able body into the "Tinman from the Wizard of Oz" Claudia Sultan's last day at St Vincent's Hospital in 2015 - one of the rare pictures after undergoing stem cell transplant treatment Picture: SuppliedI was trying to outlive the disease and maintain independence and not lose that Ms Sultan said only around 6000 Australians live with the disease describing it as "a lifelong affliction of pain and ongoing treatment" It was nearly a decade ago when the first symptoms began to appear as Raynaud's phenomenon where her fingers and hands would turn blue and seize up with throbbing pain due to a change of temperature As time went on Ms Sultan began noticing changes to her skin while the pain crept through her joints making them sore and tight "It got to a point I started wrapping bandages around my wrists and ankles because they were so sore," she said Read more: The Illawarra residents fighting loneliness in lockdown Once the diagnosis of scleroderma was made she said the illness didn't waste any time and became quite aggressive Ms Sultan's health began deteriorating where everyday tasks were a challenge like trying to sit at a computer and type or even walk until one day the pain was so severe getting out of bed or holding a mug of tea was impossible "I couldn't control my knees and I was falling down the steps getting to the train," she said I couldn't do anything - like tying my shoelaces or having a shower Several opinions were sought from different rheumatologists in a bid to win this David and Goliath battle When a stem cell transplant was suggested as it could reverse the condition by 50 per cent Ms Sultan thought it was the worst news she could possibly hear But she wasn't the one to break down in the doctor's office it was her mother by her side - tears streaming down her face after hearing the only thing that could make her daughter well could potentially kill her is out now."Perhaps I was scared of dying," Ms Sultan said I wanted to watch my niece and nephews grow." Eventually Ms Sultan changed her mind after realising how much her illness was impacting her family Her room at St Vincent's Hospital had a "nice view" of Centrepoint Tower but that didn't make the process less daunting or less physically and emotionally exhausting The arduous treatment would take weeks and begin with chemotherapy; she would lose her hair She would be hooked up to a machine for nine hours with her blood going in and out so to extract her blood-forming stem cells for "regeneration" There would be more chemotherapy and hospital isolation before her "cleaned" stem cells were infused back into her system in the hope of breathing new life into her body there were late night visits to the operating room because I had a blood clot," Ms Sultan said For a long period there was also a feeling of "self hate and self pity" questioning why she had been chosen to be burdened with such a disease but learned to shift her mindset For the first three months after treatment she could not leave the house due to her low immunity and had to follow a strict diet though nausea and constant vomiting made it hard to put on any weight and enjoy food for months to come Read more: Kneading Ruby owners open boutique bottle shop in Globe Lane Ms Sultan was on 20 different medications but has finally made it down to one "About a year later I actually felt good about myself on all levels," she said "By then I had kind of regained my independence and I was in control of my mobility and I was able to do the things I used to do before [I got sick]." This October will be six years since that life-changing treatment which she paints a vivid picture of in her new book, A Life With Uncertainty "It took me along time to appreciate it's okay to not be okay and my life is the way it is," she said "When I started writing the book I didn't anticipate I would finish it Ms Sultan still has some ongoing health issues like being diagnosed with lung disease from fibrosis of the lungs but she is happy and blessed that her scleroderma is "in remission" but by sharing her story with the world she wanted people to realise they should "live their best life and not give up" "I'm just grateful I've been given a second chance at life A Life With Uncertainty, Shawline Publishing, is out now We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here On Saturday, January 13 and Sunday, January 14, diners can hit up the Balgownie Estate to try out a seafood-focussed high tea under a marquee by the rolling vineyards. Gorgeous. Guests will sit around a large shared table on the estate's grounds while DJs set the vibes for a summery day of indulgence. Mary Eats Cake has designed a not-your-average high tea menu featuring oysters with chimichurri and lime, a tuna sashimi tart and a mini prawn loaf alongside a series of desserts — think a fruit-laden pav and freshly baked scones. The $189 per person high tea will also include unlimited tea and two specialty cocktails made with the vineyard's wine. Get around the cuvée limoncello and rosé iced tea during the afternoon. A private bar will also be set up in the marquee for those choosing to sample more of the estate's wines. Pictures suppliedTwo Illawarra teams are one game away from being crowned Champion of Champions after progressing to the grand final in their respective divisions of Football NSW's prestigious tournament Sudoku and TriviaAll articles from the other regional websites in your areaContinueIn doing so the Shellharbour U18 women and Balgownie U14 boys teams will each be gunning for their fourth trophy in what has been a highly productive and fruitful season to date Shellharbour will play Manly Vale FC in the championship game after downing Rouse Hill Rams 2-0 in last Sunday's semi-final Balgownie will battle Eschol Park FC next Sunday on the back of an impressive 3-0 semi-final victory over Terrigal United FC Shellharbour coach Ben Thurgar will be hoping history repeats and his team again down a Manly Vale side they beat earlier this year to win the NSW State Cup Read more: Breakers to keep building as Brad Boardman remains in Gerringong "That's the goal but we know and expect a tougher Manly Vale side this time around," he said "It's been a big season for us and this is a big game for us coming up We're aiming for our fourth trophy of the year It would be a very special achievement if we could win and pick up our fourth trophy this year." View +13 PhotosPictures suppliedShellharbour who won the State Cup earlier this year and won their league and grand final double progressed to the decider of the prestigious statewide knockout Champion of Champions tournament on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Rouse Hill Rams Prolific striker Mia Fleming scored a goal in each half of the semifinal win but Thurgar was adamant Shellharbour's success in not only this game but throughout the tournament was due to solid contributions from all players But the girls dug in and performed really well and got the win and now we're preparing for another grand final," the coach said "It's obviously already been a great year for us but it would be ideal if we could finish the season with another trophy "The majority of these girls have been together going on seven years now These girls are super tight and they work hard for each other They deserve all the success that comes their way Read more: Jackomas backs Hawks star Justin Robinson to quickly reverse form slump Balgownie U14 boys' coach Earle Canvin was also "very proud" of his quadruple-title chasing team Balgowine also won the State Cup earlier this year as well as winning the league and grand-final double But having lost last year's Champion of Champions grand final Bally are desperate to go one better in 2023 "This is sort of what's been driving us to be honest We've only lost two games in three years," Canvin said In the under 12 we got to the quarter final of the State Cup I'm fairly confident we would have done well in that but COVID finished the season then and then there was no State Cup last year because of the wet weather "We did really well in last year's Champion of Champions but the other team was just too good on grand final day "We're hoping that potentially if we can get the right result this week we can go through the season undefeated Not many teams go through a season undefeated "It's been a great journey so far for everyone involved in the club grand final and State Cup is a huge achievement We'd love to become Champion of Champions winners also." Balgownie progressed to the decider after an impressive 3-0 win over Terrigal United FC Oscar Holden Kim opened the scoring for Bally with a a super strike from 30 metres out before fellow midfielder Ben Garbutt added a second goal just before the halftime break Oliver Smede scored the third goal late in the second half to secure the win much to the pleasure of Canvin "The boys played really well in what was trying conditions for both teams," he said "We are excited now for the challenge ahead Balgownie and Shellharbour will contest their respective grand finals this Sunday at Valentines Park Unfortunately two other Football South Coast teams' Champion of Champions' journey ended with semifinal losses last Sunday Woonona Sharks women's team were beaten 3-1 by Seaforth FC while Thirroul's over 30 females lost 3-0 to Forest Kilarney FC Read more: Champion of Champions 2023: Woonona Sharks reach the semi-finals