Penny Blazey – Enthusiast
Penny Blazey has the caffeinated energy of a double-shot macchiato and more buzz than a beehive. Her diverse interests have one thing in common: they are all pursued with passion. Where others express concern about sustainability, indigenous issues and social justice, Penny has genuine involvement. The petite powerhouse is equally energetic when it comes to her enthusiasm for gardening, heritage, bushwalking and family life. She embodies the slogan, 'Think globally, act locally', because most of her myriad of activities occur on the Mornington Peninsula, her personal heartland.
'I grew up in Melbourne, but my spirit place was always Sorrento,' she says. 'We couldn't wait to get in the car and come down to the Peninsula where my grandparents lived. There was an absolute passion about the beach – the wonderful treasures that are the bay beaches, and the wonderful wild back beaches.'
Penny and husband Clive Blazey own the Diggers Club, a mail-order garden club that has a focus on heirloom and organic seeds, dry climate and food plants. The business operates from the superb grounds of Heronswood, a National Trust-listed property in Dromana (90 minutes from Melbourne) where many of her interests intersect. 'Since turning 60 I’m semi-retired and now have more time to spend with our children Jol, Tessa and Matilda and our grandchildren.'
The beach
'I love the wild back beaches. When the tide goes out, you are left with these extraordinary rock shelves covered in amazing rockpools which can be explored until they are covered up again. Sometimes the water can be very calm, other times it isn't, but it is always fabulously clean. Cape Schanck is one of my favourite back beaches. I love its black pebbles, boulders, amazing rock formations and caves. St Paul's beach near Sorrento is a beautiful beach. Another very popular one is at the end of St Johns Wood Road in Blairgowrie, a huge pool called Bridgewater with rocks that kids dare each other to jump off. When I was a child we would take an egg and bacon pie with parsley in it, have a picnic and swim into the evening. It was bliss!'
Bon appetit
'I love white cheeses. Jan and Trevor Brandon at Red Hill Cheese make a wonderful variety and give them lovely local names like Portsea Picnic and Gunnamatta Gold. One of my favourites is a goat cheese, Misty Valley. Drum Drum Blueberry Farm behind Arthurs Seat grows organic blueberries. They have a totally different flavour when they are fresh picked. You can buy them from the farm gate in season.'
Walks and wonders
'The Mornington Peninsula has the most remarkable variety of environments, from the different beaches to the hinterland and the hills and dales. The hinterland is full of stunning walks, and even driving along Main Creek Road is a beautiful experience. There are great walks around Mount Martha, and up near Red Hill along the old railway tracks. One of our favourite places is Arthurs Seat State Park... When you are on top of Arthurs Seat all the vegetation is indigenous so it is green all year around. There are grass trees which flower with tall white spikes, lots of grey kangaroos, and it is a wonderful experience for visitors, especially at dusk or dawn.'
Wine and wineries
'My favourite wine is pinot gris from a little boutique winery called Winbirra. They do a lovely viognier as well. As far as reds go, we like Paringa Estate Shiraz. It is very peppery and reliable. There are a lot of lovely wineries across the region. Montalto and Willow Creek have particularly beautiful views. Jill and Richard McIntyre at Moorooduc Estate have a great winery with a restaurant and accommodation in a rammed earth construction.'
