Entries by Tikka Wilson

The juicy world of succulents

by Mark Evans

Succulents are unique plants known for their thick, fleshy tissues that store water, helping them survive in dry or arid environments. Many of these plants have special features, such as waxy coatings, spines or rosette formations that minimise water loss. This diverse group includes familiar species like cacti, aloe and jade plants, each with its own characteristics.

Found all over the world, succulents are especially common in dry climates. In Australia, one well-known succulent is Carpobrotus spp, also called pigface. While succulents are often praised for being low maintenance, not all thrive in the same conditions. Some … Read more »

My Triangle – Sonia English

by Jacob Round and Flick Ruby

Sonia English starts work at 4.00 am to have all the bread, pies and goodies we enjoy from the Tilba Bakery ready when it opens at 8.00 am. The tables were all full when we went to see her, so we had to wait for many scones, roast beef and gravy rolls, mushroom pies and muffins to be washed down with coffee by customers before we could sit down.

Many moons ago, Sonia’s … Read more »

Australian Gospel

Cover of Australian Gospelby Lech Blaine

reviewed by Wendy Tucker

Lech Blaine spent eleven years researching and writing his family’s story. He had access to his mother’s diary, thousands of official documents, and letters. He interviewed hundreds of people to ensure this work of creative non-fiction was balanced and nonjudgmental. It’s difficult to review this hilarious, heartbreaking memoir without making it sound like a potboiler about an Aussie battler family overcoming the odds. It is so much more.

Dalithoy (Konkani lentils)

by bhagya

Bowl of Dalithoy (Konkani lentils) - yellow lentils with leaves, seeds and a green chili podIngredients:

1 cup toor dal (available at Coles)
a pinch of turmeric
2 green chillies, split lengthwise or sliced
coriander leaves

For the tadka:
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 dry red chilli
8 to 10 curry leaves
½ teaspoon asafoetida (available
at Candelo Wholefoods or Gulaga Organics or just skip it)
1 … Read more »

Mangalore Fish Curry

Bowl of fish curryby bhagya

Ingredients:

500 grams firm white fish in large boneless chunks (kingfish, swordfish, marlin, ling are good)
1 onion, very finely chopped
4 green chillies, slit
¾ cup coconut milk
oil, as required
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon ground red chilli
25 grams tamarind*
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
a handful of curry leaves
salt to taste

Method:

1. Toss the fish with a pinch … Read more »

More photos from WILS

The front page of the March 2025 issue features the Wagonga Inlet Living Shoreline (WILS) project.

WILS combined Sydney Rock and Native Flat Oyster reef restoration at a single location and has enriched the foreshore with oyster reefs and planted the foreshores with saltmarsh and riparian vegetation. The oyster reefs are already thriving, supporting fish species like luderick and bream, improving the water quality and developing into a vibrant marine ecosystem.

Some 17,500 new native saltmarsh and riparian plants are growing into a lush foreshore planting to buffer wave energy and improve the shoreline climate change resilience.

WILS also … Read more »