Local baker part of global competition - CKNX News Today

Local baker and owner of Bakery Bliss in Blyth, Jess Miners, has made the final cut for a global competition for her cake-making skills.

It's called "The Greatest Baker", presented by Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro.

"It was actually just an ad on Facebook that I saw, quite honestly," said Miners, speaking about how she got involved. "It looked like a lot of fun. It's low risk, high reward. Even if I don't win, it's really great to get my name out there and share with the community, even on a global scale, these are my skills and this is what I do."

The contest is all voter based, meaning Miners needs the community's support to win. Voting opens on Monday, November 27, and contestants will be eliminated, until January, when the winner will be announced.

The winner will walk away with $10,000, a two page spread in Bake From Scratch, a very popular baking magazine, and will have the opportunity to meet Valastro.

"I grew up watching him," said Miners. "Right now, I could see myself winning and would be super ecstatic. But if that were to happen, I would be so speechless and wondering how I got there."

If she wins, Miners plans on investing in herself and her business.

"I would like to be able to open my own bakery here in our community," she said. "I love the idea of being able to bake and put smiles on people's faces. That's why I bake to begin with."

Miners calls baking as a full-time job the "ultimate dream." Putting smiles on people's faces is what initially started Bakery Bliss.

"I'm just a small town girl who just really loves to bake," she said. "For anyone out there who has something they're passionate about, don't be afraid of the risks. Follow it. Sometimes something as crazy as a Facebook ad will help you really focus in and decide it's time to follow that passion."

Voters can get one free vote a day. Additional votes can be purchased, with all proceeds going to the Andrew McDonough Be Positive Foundation, supporting families experiencing childhood cancer.

If you're interested in supporting Miners on her journey, you can vote here. You can also follow Bakery Bliss on Facebook to keep up with her journey.

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Local Spotlight: Draculesti Is A Gothic Romance-Horror Dream - Kotaku Australia

Aussie-made visual novel Draculesti posed a very important question at PAX Aus 2023: what if Dracula, but make it gay? Beyond the interesting implications of lawyer R. M. Renfield beginning a sordid love affair with Vlad Dracula himself, this intricately illustrated game spins a dark narrative in the “decadent world of vampires, tragic heroes, and demonic contract law.”

Draculesti (stylised as Drăculești) has you take control of Roger M Renfield, a “lawyer on the brink” who becomes trapped at Castle Dracula after a job gone wrong. Renfield must survive or “risk it all for love” in what developers Fine Feathered Fiends describe as a horror-romance visual novel with “strong LGBTQI+ themes.” 

In this reimagining of the classic novel Dracula, your choices all count in both matters of the heart and in retaining your own humanity. With so many different routes to explore, the game looks primed for multiple playthroughs to see how many different ways Renfield’s tale can pan out.

Draculesti, of course, involves Dracula himself, but he’s not the only character you come across as Renfield, nor the only one vying for your heart (or perhaps your life). Each of the four love interests comes with their own goals, desires, and intricate backstory for you to unravel and learn over multiple hours of gameplay.  However, each choice you make impacts the castle’s inhabitants’ actions – meddling in the affairs of ghosts, vampires, and brides of Dracula is no easy task. As the Draculesti’s description says, “friends in one playthrough may be foes in another,” making for fraught negotiations as Renfield tries to make it out in one piece.

Image: Fine Feathered Fiends

While the romance element of Draculesti’s gothic story is at the forefront, this isn’t to say that the horror takes a backseat. After all, Renfield is a nervous wreck, stuck in a castle with a powerful vampire and inhabitants who could all just as easily kill him as they could romance him. With the ever-looming threat of death and the dire circumstances Renfield finds himself in, he’s prone to dreams that lean into the abstract and horrific. 

Even these dream sequences lean into the decadence you’d hope for in any sort of lavish gothic tale, with terrifying images that look like hand-painted masterpieces peeled away to reveal something that you can’t quite comprehend in a way I’d describe as akin to a glitch, but make it old-timey and moody.

Much like a vampire (and excuse the Twilight reference), everything about Draculesti invites you in; the beautiful art style of both the characters and backdrops, the sound design and music, the flowery prose, and the enthralling characters. Queered gothic storytelling never looked so good. 

While Draculesti doesn’t yet have a confirmed release date, it’s one to watch. You can wishlist it on Steam now and follow along with the developers on X (formerly Twitter) here for updates. 

Lead Image Credit: Fine Feathered Fiends

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Tennant Creek Local Court list, Monday, November 27 - NT News

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The Second Studio Podcast: Local Architecture and Natural Landscapes of the Southwest - ArchDaily

The Second Studio Podcast: Local Architecture and Natural Landscapes of the Southwest

Courtesy of The Second Studio Podcast

The Second Studio (formerly The Midnight Charette) is an explicit podcast about design, architecture, and the everyday. Hosted by Architects David Lee and Marina Bourderonnet, it features different creative professionals in unscripted conversations that allow for thoughtful takes and personal discussions.

A variety of subjects are covered with honesty and humor: some episodes are interviews, while others are tips for fellow designers, reviews of buildings and other projects, or casual explorations of everyday life and design. The Second Studio is also available on iTunes, Spotify, and YouTube.

This week David and Marina of FAME Architecture & Design discuss the local architecture, adobe buildings, and natural landscapes of the southwest region of the United States. The two cover the role nature has in cities, designing experiences, how architecture can co-exist with the natural landscape, craftsmanship, and more. Destinations included the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West, and Paolo Soleri’s Arcosanti.

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Related Article

The Second Studio Podcast: Interview with Anthony Laney

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Highlights & Timestamps

(00:00) Experiencing national parks and modern cities.

Monument Valley is a 360-degree uninterrupted experience of nature. There, nature is the principal actor of the space and if there is any architecture it is very much in the background. If you look at bigger cities, such as Los Angeles, you have to search for nature. Nature is in the background or it is the thing you see out of your window looking at the ocean. It is not this uninterrupted experience and perspective which makes me wonder what was the point [of building if it destroys the beauty that was already there]? (10:20)

Monument Valley. Image Courtesy of The Second Studio Podcast

(15:48) Creating local and meaningful architecture

The adobe architecture of the southwest is fascinating not just because of how it looks aesthetically. It looks the way it looks because it was built that way out of necessity. With the adobe houses, the relationship between their structure (the thing that supports the architecture), their construction methods, and their aesthetics, and therefore their design, are one and the same. They were conceived as not separate things. That is what makes them beautiful. There's an intense honesty to that type of architecture, whether it be made with Adobe or anything else. (18:50)

A striking feeling that I had when we approached back to civilization (the big cities), it felt like we could have been anywhere. Everything looked the same. Everybody had the same cars. The houses could’ve belonged to anywhere. It didn’t feel like we were somewhere specific. It was sad. This is something that we've noticed, and it's one of my pet peeves, is that the way to build and develop many of the American cities is to have a crappy cluster of chains. There is always a Michaels, a Target, a Walmart, a Costco, a KFC, and a Burger King all within the same spot, and all the buildings that house those programs always look the same anywhere across America… except I think in Santa Fe, the McDonald's had turquoise color instead of the yellow and red. (21:01)

Taos Pueblo New Mexico. Image Courtesy of The Second Studio Podcast

(23:40) Creating experiences through architecture

We often say that we don't design buildings and that instead, we author and design experiences. I like thinking about architecture that way, and designing that way because it takes the focus away from that physical thing (the building) which is only a means to an end. (26:20)

Barrio Libre - Tucson Arizona. Image Courtesy of The Second Studio Podcast

(29:11) Avoiding superficial design decisions

Often what people think ‘beautiful’ is and what they consider to be desirable, is just based on what we have all seen a lot of or it’s based on what someone else has. […] In this mindset, design becomes a copycatting game where everyone's just copying things. One of the biggest challenges we (clients and architects) face is to get away from that. Don't copy what someone else does. […] Instead, let's create something that is specific to the place and to you. The real challenge of designing architecture is to find some truth within it. That's really what it's all about. (29:25)

Monument Valley. Image Courtesy of The Second Studio Podcast

(34:00) Should architecture blend with the natural environment?

How should human-made structures (architecture) relate to the natural landscape around them? […] In color theory, if you have a green color, an easy way to work with that green is to choose another shade of green. But in color theory, there's the word complimentary, which I’ve always found very interesting. For example, green and red, you would say that they're kind of opposites, but they're also complimentary. Blue and orange, are also very different, but also complimentary. So there's this idea that two things can be aesthetically and on the surface completely different things, but they attract and they work with each other. There's a resonance between them and the two of them actually empower each other. They define a new understanding of each other. I think that's really what architecture should be doing with the natural environment around it. (43:00)

Conceptually, architecture also defines our relationship to the natural environment. In a primitive sense, architecture provides shelter and protects us from the exterior. Because of this, it acts as a mediator between us and nature. (35:55)

Chapel of the Holy Cross, Sedona Arizona. Image Courtesy of The Second Studio Podcast

(45:35) Craftsmanship & Love

I often feel that craftsmanship has been lost. Meaning, how much care you put into something and how much care you put into making something good, and not just doing a quick deal to make money and move on. Architects can also be considered craftsmen. I'm always thinking about Europe as a point of reference, and in small towns there, people make their own things and they are very proud of that. The local guy who makes bread or the local cheese shop is passionate about what they do... they are craftsmen. Even the signage above the door of the cheese shop would probably be hand-painted and they would've picked the colors very carefully. I think if you put love in what you do, you can transfer that love to people and create more love around you. (46:46)

Taliesin West. Image Courtesy of The Second Studio Podcast

(56:03) Taliesin West by Frank Lloyd Wright and Arcosanti by Paolo Soleri

Check out The Second Studio Podcast's previous editions.

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Coopers celebrates being 'local everywhere' with giant-sized activation and campaign via Special - Campaign Brief

November 23 2023, 9:13 am | BY Ricki Green | 29 Comments

Coopers is ushering in a celebration of ‘locality’, with the launch of a new multi-touchpoint campaign from independent creative, design and PR agency Special Australia.

Coopers, the last locally owned and operated big-beer brand in the country, announced the findings to celebrate ‘Local, Everywhere’, a campaign set to mark the brand’s place as the local beer of Australia. Because although Coopers may be born in Adelaide, it’s raised by locals all over Australia, making Coopers truly Local Everywhere.

Throughout a storied 162 year history, Coopers has always remained loyal to their original beer making ways and loyal to the local towns of Australia, from Geelong to Glebe, Cottesloe to Cairns and every town between. That’s why you will find Coopers on tap, in the fridge, and in the hands of drinkers in every corner of the country.

And it’s locals everywhere that will be front and centre for the campaign launch as Coopers recognises those who’ve helped propel the brand from an Adelaide favourite, to the nation’s local beer.

And nothing says ‘local’ in Australia like a ‘Big Thing’. Coopers decided to play on this Australian tradition by gifting over 1200 towns and cities across the nation with their very own ‘Big Ale’—the next big thing, in big things: showing that Coopers is truly ‘local everywhere’, and to celebrate Coopers is running a selection of bar shouts across the country, showing that Coopers is truly ‘local everywhere’.

Says Ryan Fitzgerald, executive creative director, Special: “In Local Everywhere we got a platform that lets us celebrate the genuine connection that Coopers has established with drinkers right around the country off the back of 162 years of brewing exceptional beers. The Big Ales is our playful way of thanking Coopers drinkers, everywhere—leaning into something quintessentially Australian at a scale like never before.”

The AR experience will also be supported by online video, with a 30 second piece championing Coopers’ regional customers. The film, shot in Miles QLD, includes real community members, and centres around The Windsor Hotel, currently under the helm of Jaimee Neilsen.

Speaking about Miles’ involvement in the piece, Neilsen says: “Coopers have been part of our community for years now. For us, Coopers has been more than a brand, we feel like a real extension of the family, and welcoming cameras up in Miles and featuring so prominently as part of the brand’s campaign really shows their commitment to regional drinking spots just like us.”

In addition to the Big Ales launch, Coopers will also be celebrating what it means to be a true local, recognising the individual nuances of hundreds of cities, towns and suburbs around Australia with hyper localised ‘As Local As’ OOH messaging giving a shout out to what makes each location unique.

Launching via the interactive AR mobile experience, paid & owned social, earned media, influencer content, and large & small format OOH, ‘Local Everywhere’ will break new ground in augmented reality. The enabling of a geospatial AR experience, with dynamically occluding AR ‘Beer Cans’ in over a thousand locations nationwide will be an Australian first, demonstrating the brand’s ambition across the country.

Despite being born in South Australia, around 75% of the brand’s volume is now sold outside of the home state, with huge growth in locality throughout the nation. Coopers’ distribution strategy and ‘Local Everywhere’ approach echoes Australian consumer demand, with two in five looking for more Australian owned and made beer brands when they’re purchasing.

The Coopers ‘Local Everywhere’ Big Ales will be live from Monday 20th November in over 1200 destinations across South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, Canberra and Western Australia.

Client: Coopers Brewery
General Manager – Michael Shearer
National Marketing Manager – Kate Dowd
National Campaign Manager – Amy March
Social & Digital Manager – Aaron Child
Social Media Coordinator – Grace Swift
Category, Insights & Innovation Manager – Duncan Ashcroft

Agency: Special Australia
Partner/CEO: Lindsey Evans
Partners/CCO: Julian Schreiber & Tom Martin
Partner/CSO: Bec Stambanis
Executive Creative Director: Ryan Fitzgerald
Creative Directors: Adam Ferrie & Peter Cvetkovski
Creative Technologist: Laurent Marcus
Managing Director, Special PR: Alex Bryant
Creative Strategist: Kate Wilkinson
Media and Communications Director: Georgia Thomas
Junior Strategist: Ollie Immurs
Team Lead: Georgia Newton
Business Director: Marnie Dunn
Business Manager: Ayesha Kithulegoda
Head of Film & Content Production: Sophie Simmons
Lead Producer: Charlotte Wren
Senior Integrated Producer: Glen Mcleod
Director, Digital: James Simmons
Digital Producer: Gigi Song
Design Director: Dan Jones
Head of Stills production: Nick Lilley
Studio: Jen Bailey & John Rivera

Media Agency: KWPX
Executive Director of Media: Natalie Morley
Senior Media Manager: Maddy Papilion
Digital Media Director: Luc Thomas
Digital Media Director: Oliver Whelan
Media Executive: Sarah Aboulhosn
Media Executive: Lucy Byrne

Augmented Reality Experience & Live Action Production: T&DA (Technology & Design Agency)
Executive Director: Tyrone Estephan
Producer: Caroline MacLeod
Creative Director: Ray Leung
Technical Artist: Sean Simon
Creative Technologist: Rhys Turner
Cinematographer: James Anderson

Post Production: Alt.VFX
Editor: Jon Holmes
Photographer: Jack Rocklife

Sound House: Gusto Studios
Producer: Brigid Giles-Webb
Sound Engineer: Colin Simkins
Music Editor: Cameron Giles-Webb
Composer: Vincent Pedulla

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'Very live discussion': Linda Burney says local and regional voices on the table after the failed referendum - SBS

Indigenous Affairs minister Linda Burney has said the government is actively exploring other framework options for consulting with Indigenous communities in the wake of the Voice to Parliament's rejection.

Speaking to the ABC, the minister said there is 'a huge agenda' going forward, alluding to the idea of local and regional voices, a sub-set of the proposed national body, and positive takeaways from the referendum's defeat.

"It's a very live discussion," she told RN.

"I'm a bit of a glass half full person and I think that the first thing to do is look at the silver linings in what was a very difficult defeat of the referendum.

"What we've seen is a group of young Aboriginal and Torres Islander people get involved in the political process. We had 6 million Australians say yes," she said.

Ms Burney also pointed out , particularly communities in the Northern Territory.

"What that said to me is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people wanted this change and those votes are really important ... so are the voices of those places," she said.

The minister said she was also committed to addressing those areas she had intended for the Voice to focus on: housing, education, health and employment.

She also pointed to existing structures, such as the First Peoples Assembly and Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria, which aim to improve the lives of First Nations people.

Closing the Gap targets not on track

The minister's comments come on the heels of the first post-referendum meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap on Friday.

With all state and territory Aboriginal Affairs ministers present, the minister pointed to the continuing disparities imposed on First Nations people.

Minister Burney says that one of the outcomes of the failed referendum was that it shone a light on the issues impacting First Nations people.

"The one thing we all learnt out of the referendum was that the situation for Aboriginal people in this country is not acceptable," she said.

"The important thing is that we change the life trajectory for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In a first world nation like Australia, it's unacceptable," she said.

Treaty talks

While Ms Burney pointed to the 'healthy' discussions around state and territory based treaties, a federal treaty remains up in the air.

"I am not saying I've got a model in my mind, but ... what I'm hearing very clearly from Aboriginal communities is the importance of truth-telling," she said.

"I think whatever the Commonwealth does, it has to compliment and work with state and territories," she said.

Despite it being revealed that Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk acknowedged that the path to treaty is a long way off after the result of the referendum, Ms Burney said that Queensland Minister Leeanne Enoch has "not given up"

"I have every faith in the Queensland government," Linda Burney said.

Ms Burney also addressed the rumours around her resigning.

"There is much to be done, I'm completely committed to my job and I am going to pursue it and make sure I deliver on the things I've talked about today... for the whole term.

"If there's anyone that thinks that the Aboriginal affairs portfolio is just about the referendum then they are very wrong," she said.

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Katherine Local Court list, Friday, November 24 - NT News

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Katherine Local Court list, Friday, November 24  NT News
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