fbpx
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT 03 9988 8200

Autumn is for Apples!

It’s that time of year to get orchard-fresh apples. The Mornington Peninsula has some brilliant local orchards to meet all of your apple needs!

If you’re after a great variety of local apples, family-run business Staples Apples in Main Ridge has what you need. The Staples family has operated the business for more than sixty years, providing scrumptious seasonal products from their orchard to the residents of the Mornington Peninsula. They grow every apple from Fuji to Pink Lady, and believe that their products speak for themselves, with sampling being an important part of their sales.

Staples also sells delicious cherries in December and January – perfect for your Christmas lunch! The sweet treats are well worth the hinterland drive.

http://staplesapples.com.au/about-us/

For a unique cider experience, I have to recommend the Mock cidery in Red Hill. They have an array of apple and pear ciders on offer, in a quaint farm setting. You can enjoy a tasting paddle of ciders made from freshly grown apples, either inside the rustic building with a crackling fire, or in the courtyard with chickens bustling around. They are open 7 days, and offer a large selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic ciders and juices.

The Mock orchards also produce my family’s favourite apple cider vinegar. The vinegar is also made using their certified biodynamic apples. Perfect for dressing salads or pickling your own vegetables at home.

http://mockredhill.com.au/about-us

 

If you find yourself with too many apples to eat, what better use for them than in the perfect autumn dessert – apple crumble! Here’s a tasty recipe to try, recommended by our Atticus GP Clinics experts  .

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 lady williams apples, peeled, cored, halved, thinly sliced
  • 375ml (1 1/2 cups) unsweetened apple juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sweetener (Hermesetas Gold brand)
  • 55g (1/2 cup) hazelnut meal
  • 2 tablespoons plain flour
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 1 x 200g carton no-fat vanilla yoghurt

METHOD

  • Step 1

Preheat grill to medium. Place the apple, apple juice, nutmeg and half the sweetener in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the apple softens. Spoon apple mixture into a round 20cm (base measurement) ovenproof dish.

  • Step 2

Meanwhile, combine the hazelnut meal, flour and remaining sweetener in a bowl. Add the water and stir until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Sprinkle evenly over the apple mixture.

  • Step 3

Cook under preheated grill, about 7cm from the heat source, for 2 minutes or until golden. Serve with yoghurt.

https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/apple-crumble-3/62a94be9-731f-4c30-a80e-8510d874e215

 

 

 

Wildlife Protection on the Peninsula

If you live on the Mornington Peninsula, you would have undoubtedly seen the wide variety of native animals around. From kangaroos to cockatoos, we live amongst a thriving indigenous ecosystem, that need wildlife protection. However, there are many dangers to these creatures, especially our busy roads. Many nights when I drive home, I see a lovely family of kangaroos that linger too close to the road.

So what can we do if we come across an animal in distress? Fortunately, there are several people and organisations putting themselves out there, willing to come to assistance for wildlife protection on the Peninsula. I have compiled a list of contacts who can come to your assistance in the case of an animal emergency.

 

Jenny Bryant – Koala rescue

0417 395 883

Jenny is known in the local area as the koala woman – the best person to call when coming across a koala that has been hit by a car, or otherwise appears injured. If you come across a koala that has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the best thing to do is give Jenny a call and wait with the animal to make sure it doesn’t come to any further harm.

W.H.O.M.P. – Wildlife Help On the Mornington Peninsula

0417 380 687

W.H.O.M.P. is the number to call for any animal emergencies, at any hour in the Westernport region.

 

Animalia Shelter

0435 822 699

Animalia Shelter is another organisation for all sorts of wildlife, available for emergencies at all hours. They will offer advice as well as come to help any animals that you find.

 

The Snake Catcher

0408 067 062 or 03 5975 0481

If you find a snake somewhere it ought not be, Barry and Karen are the people to help you out. They have a great amount of experience catching and relocating snakes.

 

In a non-emergency circumstance, Wildlife Victoria has a 24 hour hotline to give advice and answer questions regarding our native animals. 13000 94535

These numbers are definitely worthwhile saving into your phone for those unexpected situations. It’s great to be prepared any time to help protect our beautiful native fauna.

Please send us here at Atticus GP Clinics in Melbourne any photos of any furry or scaly local friends you see out and about!

 

Mother’s Day Classic

Mother’s Day is approaching, and what better way to celebrate than to take your mum on a fun run raising money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation? The event is held in many locations and offers different participation options to accommodate for varying fitness levels.

https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/

The Mother’s Day Classic is a fitness and fundraising event that has been ongoing for 22 years and so far has raised over $35 million for the NBCF. What a wonderful thing to be a part of!

You can forms teams with your friends, family, workmates or other groups. Fundraising is encouraged, and there is merchandise available online. One of the most important things to do is dress up in as much pink as you can find! There is just something about seeing hundred of men, women and children embracing the spirit of the event that makes you really feel a part of something special.

The Balnarring-Somers event begins at the Coolart Wetlands and Homestead and offers a 4km walk, a 4km run and an 8km run. The walk goes through the wetlands and park and is suitable for most fitness levels. Both runs will go through the surrounding roads and the paddocks in the homestead. My team and I will be splitting between the 4km walk and the 4km run and meeting up again at the end.

The Flinders event departs from the Flinders Yacht Club and has the option of 4.5km walk, 4.5km run or 9km run. The Flinders walk and runs both follow a course that wind above the cliffs of Flinders, offering spectacular views of the ocean.

For those wanting to support the cause, but unable to attend the event, you can either sponsor a participating friend or family member, or else donate directly to the NBCF through this link:

https://www.mothersdayclassic.com.au/how-to-donate/

I hope to see some of you at the Balnarring-Somers event! Send us any fun photos from the event, wherever you participate.