Bohemian Rhapsody Art Magazine

BUSH TUKKA EVENT

by La Moneta Foundation

on 26-27 June 2026

at De Aurora Estate Retreat

location: DeAurora in Dean / Hepburn Shire

Led by: Rodney Carter and Cassie Fisher Paterson


organiser: Yibei Jessie Shen with PA Lisa

Bush Tukka Event talk was conducted by Cassie Fisher Paterson, Djaara cultural knowledge holder and educator : explore native plants, bush medicine and traditional native wisdom; discover native ingredients, harvesting, preparation and traditional flavours; learn essential skills, build shelters, navigate with nature; a hands-on cultural experience that brings us together

The Bush Tukka event hosted by La Moneta Foundation at De’Aurora Estate was much more than a food experience—it was an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with Country, and gain a deeper appreciation for Australia’s Indigenous knowledge and culture.

What made the day memorable wasn’t simply learning about native ingredients; it was the way those ingredients were presented through stories, tradition and respect.

Cassie Fisher brought warmth, knowledge and genuine passion to every part of the bush tucker experience. Rather than treating native foods as a culinary trend, she shared their cultural significance, traditional uses and the connection between food, land and wellbeing. It felt educational without ever becoming like a classroom lecture.

Rodney Carter’s contribution added another important layer to the day.

His insights into Country, culture and history encouraged everyone to think beyond the meal itself. There was a real emphasis on listening, understanding and acknowledging the thousands of years of knowledge held by First Nations peoples. Those conversations were, in many ways, just as meaningful as the food.

The setting at De’Aurora Estate couldn’t have been more fitting.

Surrounded by nature, away from the noise of everyday life, the environment encouraged people to slow down, breathe and genuinely engage with the experience. It wasn’t rushed, commercial or overly scripted. Instead, it felt intimate and authentic, going with the flow, giving people space to ask questions, connect with one another and appreciate the landscape around them. The retreat was designed around nature immersion, Indigenous knowledge and native food experiences, and the location complemented that vision beautifully.

One thing I appreciated was that the event wasn’t trying to impress people with elaborate presentations or luxury for the sake of it.

The focus stayed where it belonged—on culture, community, learning and respect. You could tell that the organisers cared about creating meaningful experiences rather than simply hosting another weekend event.

If I had one suggestion, it would be to allow even more time for discussion and storytelling.

Every conversation sparked curiosity, and it often felt like there was so much more to hear and learn from the presenters.

Overall, this was one of those experiences that stays with you long after you’ve gone home.

You leave with a greater appreciation of Australia’s native foods, but more importantly, with a deeper understanding of the cultural knowledge that surrounds them. Congratulations to the La Moneta Foundation, the team at De’Aurora Estate, Cassie Fisher and Rodney Carter for creating an event that was thoughtful, welcoming and genuinely enriching. It’s the kind of experience that reminds you food is never just about eating—it’s about people, history, place and connection.

tea ceremony conducted by : James Shen of Australia Tea Culture Society

event sponsor: James of H2O

special thanks: Jessie Shen and all the event guests

photography below :
Robert Wilson of Angelite Photography
Chierchia Gerardo

2026 Millinery Australia Design Award Gala

by Millinery Australia

on 3 July 2026
at The Bank on Collins, Melbourne https://millineryaustralia.org/event/millinery-australia-design-award-gala/

review: Mina Mohamadi
for Bohemian Rhapsody Art Magazine / Marquis Artbook

The Australia Gala Millinery Awards, held on 3 July 2026 at the historic The Bank on Collins in Melbourne, was a beautiful celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and Australian fashion. The evening brought together talented milliners, designers, photographers, fashion enthusiasts, and industry professionals to showcase some of the country’s most imaginative headwear. (Millinery Australia⁠)

This year’s competition featured the inspiring themes “Enchanted” for the Design Award and “Curiosity” for the Student Award, resulting in an impressive collection of artistic and technically outstanding creations. Each piece demonstrated exceptional attention to detail, originality, and the remarkable skill that defines contemporary Australian millinery. (Millinery Australia⁠)

Beyond the awards ceremony, the gala provided an elegant atmosphere for networking and celebrating the industry’s achievements. Guests enjoyed cocktails, canapés, and the opportunity to connect with established and emerging creatives while admiring the exhibition of award entries. The announcement of the Design Award, Student Award, People’s Choice, and other special honours made the evening both exciting and inspiring. (Humanitix⁠)

Overall, the Australia Gala Millinery Awards continues to be one of Australia’s premier millinery events, highlighting innovation, artistry, and the enduring importance of handcrafted fashion. It is an unforgettable experience for anyone with a passion for fashion, design, and wearable art.

special thanks: Georgia Skelton Designs, President, Millinery Association of Australia, and Rachael Hart Millinery

Ciccio pizza

Opening hours are
Tuesday to Sunday between 5:00 PM and 9:30 PM
and it's located at 98 Kent Road, Pascoe Vale
https://www.cicciopizza.com.au


please read our review:

If you’re looking for flashy interiors or a restaurant that’s chasing the latest food trends, Ciccio Pizza isn’t trying to be that.

What it does exceptionally well is focus on the pizza—and that’s exactly why it has built such a loyal following in Pascoe Vale.

From the moment the pizzas arrive, it’s obvious that quality comes first.

The dough has that perfect balance that’s surprisingly hard to achieve: light and airy around the crust, yet crisp enough underneath to hold every slice without becoming soggy. Every pizza tastes like it’s been made with patience rather than rushed through a busy service. The ingredients are fresh, generous without being overloaded, and chosen because they complement each other instead of competing for attention. We ordered two: prosciutto and prawns and they were way above our expectations.

What I appreciate most about Ciccio is that it respects traditional Italian pizza while still feeling approachable.

Whether you order a classic Margherita or something with richer toppings, every pizza has the same attention to detail. The tomato sauce is vibrant, the mozzarella is balanced rather than overwhelming, and the wood-fired cooking gives each pizza just enough char to add flavour without overpowering the rest of the ingredients.

The atmosphere is warm and relaxed.

It feels like a genuine neighbourhood restaurant where regulars are welcomed back by name and first-time visitors are treated just as well. And locals adore it. The staff are friendly, attentive and clearly proud of what they’re serving, which makes the whole experience feel personal rather than transactional.

One of the biggest compliments I can give Ciccio is its consistency.

Plenty of pizza places can make an incredible pizza on their best day, but the real test is whether they can do it week after week. Ciccio has earned a strong reputation for exactly that, with many locals returning because they know what to expect every time they order. Reviews consistently praise the quality of the dough, fresh ingredients and welcoming service.

Of course, it’s not perfect.

Because it’s a popular local favourite, weekends can be busy, and you may need to wait a little longer during peak dinner hours. But honestly, good pizza is worth waiting for, and the kitchen never gives the impression that it’s sacrificing quality just to push orders out faster.

In a city filled with great pizza, Ciccio manages to stand out by staying true to the fundamentals.

No gimmicks, no unnecessary complexity—just excellent dough, quality ingredients, skilled cooking and genuine hospitality. It’s the kind of place you recommend to friends without hesitation because you know they’ll leave understanding why so many locals consider it one of the northern suburbs’ hidden gems.

special thanks: Taran, Mandy , Suji

artwprks below: Chierchia Gerardo

PRELUDE: Bachelor of Fashion Design Graduate Exhibition and Runway

by RT RUNWAY , RMIT School Of Fashion And Textiles AND FRD CONCEPT

on June 25, 2026
at RMIT-Brunswick Campus, Brunswick
and rmit.fashionandtextiles.design part 1

please follow review by Ximena Ibeas Diaz

I recently had the pleasure of attending PRELUDE, Bachelor of Fashion Design Graduate Exhibition and Runway and I absolutely loved the experience.

The word Prelude means an introduction or the beginning of something greater to come — and what a perfect name for a showcase celebrating our future fashion designers.

From start to finish, I was so impressed by the artistic vision, creativity and individuality behind each piece that came down the runway. You could really feel the passion and hard work that had gone into every design.

Held at RMIT, the event had such a cool, creative atmosphere, with VIP seating, champagne and nibbles, as well as incredible designs exhibited throughout the venue.

One of my favourite parts was simply being surrounded by so many artists and creatives, all there to support and see what the next generation of designers has to offer.

I left feeling inspired, excited and very impressed by the incredible talent coming through. The future of fashion is looking very creative indeed, can't wait to attend the next one!

Thank you RMIT for having me. x

MUAHs: Elite Hair and Makeup Academy

designers:
ZIRUI XUE
FELICIA TAN
KATRINA KAN
HIRUSHA MATHANGADHEERA
ALVIN CHIO .CHIO
YUANCEN XU (KIM)
YU HAN (HANNA)
DUOER ZHOU
LUVINI SUMANAWEERA ._S
SHELY ROSSELYN
BENEDICTA LEVINA .LEVINA
DANISH RIZAL .RIZAL
ELOUYRA HOVING
PHOEBE JOAQUINE TRIXIE .TRIXIE

special thanks: Fay

photography below: Reniel Torres of RGT Photography - Ren Torres
Chierchia Gerardo
Pics by Lance by Lance Wilson

Sesame Street Circus and Cavanagh PR invite you, your family and friends to take part in

Elmo’s Circus Dream

DATES: until 2 August
LOCATION: Big Top in Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre at 179-199 Pioneer Rd, Waurn Ponds VIC 3216 (Corner of Colac and Pioneer Roads)
WEBSITE AND TICKETS: www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au
Phone: 0427 www.sesamestreetcircus.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sesamestreetcircus
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sesamestreetcircus/

This original production brings the beloved world of Sesame Street to life in a spectacular fusion of circus artistry, music, and imagination. Join Elmo as a magical bedtime story whisks him away to a whimsical circus world— where anything is possible and dreams really do come true! Alongside Abby, Cookie Monster, Grover, Bert, and Ernie, Elmo sets off on an unforgettable journey full of toe-tapping tunes, vibrant costumes, and heartwarming moments. The show features a circus-style remix of the iconic Sesame Street theme, and performances are packed with thrilling acrobatics, hilarious clowning, dazzling illusions, the adrenaline-pumping wheel of steel, motorcycle daredevils, and world-class juggling acts.

All thanks to our friends at the cavanagh pr, Bohemian Rhapsody Art Magazine covers the production (media: TBA ) please stay tuned

As an additional treat has one family pass for 4 to give away . The family pass to be used any day for the duration of the production . To be in the run please tell us why you'd like to see this production . You can comment under this post, email [email protected] or text your answer to 0425716427 . We select the winner randomly (no calls please! ) Please send your answer by Monday, 13 July 1200pm Melbourne time. The winner will be contacted privately and their name will be sent to the PR agency.

special thanks : Larissa A