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BALANCE BRINGS OPPORTUNITY

There’s a clarity settling over Melbourne’s property market that I find genuinely encouraging. After a period of recalibration across the opening months of the year, conditions have evolved into something more balanced, and with that balance comes opportunity.

We’re now entering what is shaping up as a productive May. Listing volumes are building in a way that gives buyers meaningful choice without flooding the market, and the quality of stock coming through is strong. For sellers, the audience is engaged and active. There’s no shortage of qualified buyers ready to move when the right property presents itself.

What I’d encourage people to focus on is the opportunity that balanced conditions create, particularly for those considering an upgrade. When the market is in full stride, the gap between your current home and your next one often widens. In a market like this, that gap narrows. You may sell for slightly less, but you buy at a level that more than compensates. It’s a window that rewards decisive action.

The properties attracting the strongest interest right now are those that leave nothing to question. Presentation matters. Pricing matters. Homes that deliver on both are trading efficiently, with competitive tension still very much in play for the best stock.

As we move further into autumn, I expect this momentum to hold. The fundamentals supporting Melbourne’s premium market remain sound, and the current environment favours confidence and preparation from sellers and buyers alike.

If you’re considering your next move, we welcome the chance to discuss how the current market conditions work in your favour. Reach out to your local Marshall White team for a confidential conversation. ■

By John Bongiorno

CUMULUSINC.

MADELEINES WITH LEMON CURD

INCONVERSATIONWITH TELHA CLARKE

WOODENDWINTERARTSFESTIVAL A SEASON OF SOUND AND STORY

PROJECTS WATTLETREE PAVILION

ELEGANT REVIVAL

101 POWER STREET HAWTHORN

Backing directly onto Grace Park, this transformed c1880 Hawthorn Victorian delivers a refined balance of heritage elegance and contemporary design. Behind its landscaped frontage, original features including fireplaces, soaring ceilings and arched hallways are complemented by a considered architectural extension.

Multiple living zones unfold across the home, from formal sitting and bedrooms at the front to expansive open-plan living at the rear, where heated concrete floors and full-height glazing connect seamlessly to the northeast garden, solar-heated pool and direct park access. A gourmet kitchen with Corian surfaces and Miele appliances anchors the space, while a flexible garage conversion enhances indoor-outdoor entertaining.

“This is a rare Hawthorn offering where heritage elegance and contemporary design come together in perfect alignment, all set against the extraordinary backdrop of Grace Park.”

DANIEL BRADD

MARSHALL WHITE PARTNER

Upstairs, a private main suite and retreat capture elevated park views. Comprehensively appointed throughout, this is a family residence defined by design integrity and lifestyle, moments from Hawthorn’s leading schools, transport and village precincts. ■

Madeleines with Lemon Curd

At Cumulus Inc., simplicity is elevated through precision, seasonality and a quietly refined approach to dining. A Melbourne institution, the Flinders Lane restaurant is known for its ever-evolving menu that balances European influence with a distinctly local sensibility. These Madeleines capture that ethos beautifully, light, delicate and filled with a bright, silky lemon curd, offering a perfect balance of richness and freshness.

INGREDIENTS

Lemon Curd:

270g caster sugar

4 eggs

1 egg yolk

Finely grated zest of 5 lemons

Juice of 4 lemons

170g unsalted butter, softened

Madeleines:

400g unsalted butter

480g plain flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

360g caster sugar

Pinch of salt

Finely grated zest of 4 lemons

8 large eggs

METHOD

Lemon Curd

In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, egg yolk, lemon zest and juice until well combined. Place the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, ensuring it does not touch the water, and whisk continuously until the mixture becomes thick and pale.

If needed, increase the heat slightly to encourage thickening. Once ready, remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature. Gradually whisk in the softened butter, a little at a time, until smooth and glossy. Transfer to a piping bag or squeeze bottle and refrigerate until needed.

Madeleines

Preheat the oven to 200°C and generously grease two 12-cup madeleine trays.

Melt the butter gently over low heat, then set aside to cool. Sift together the flour and baking powder.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the sugar, salt and lemon zest, rubbing together lightly to release the oils. Add the eggs and whisk until pale and aerated.

Gently fold in the flour mixture, followed by the cooled melted butter, until just combined.

Spoon the batter into the prepared trays, filling each mould to the top. Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the madeleines are lightly golden, soft and spring back to the touch.

Remove from the oven and, while still warm, pierce the base of each madeleine with a skewer. Pipe approximately 1½ teaspoons of lemon curd into the centre of each. Dust lightly with icing sugar and serve immediately.

NOTE

The lemon curd can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Any excess is perfect served simply over fresh bread or toast.

IN CONVERSATION WITH

TELHA CLARKE

PHOTO CREDIT - MARTIN ARGYROGLO

We spoke with Tim Clarke, Director at architecture & interior design studio, Telha Clarke, about what makes architecture genuinely “interesting” today — from movement and experience to modern uses of material and assembly.

When you think about “interesting architecture” today, what is the common thread?

The common thread would be experiences: buildings that offer a framework for unique experiences to take place. They contain spaces that incorporate movement and life beyond traditional static arrangements. Buildings that challenge us, make us question our place, and stimulate engagement and curiosity are particularly interesting.

Reflection, shadow and light have long been design elements tested and experimented with in architecture. Today, “interesting architecture” goes beyond pushing the boundaries of how architecture makes us feel; it asks us to be mindful of where we are.

What recent project genuinely changed your mind about what buildings can do, and why?

The contemporary art gallery ‘Fondation Cartier’ in Paris, which opened in October, is described by the architect Jean Nouvel as: “its purpose is to disorient, to offer a fresh perspective…”. It features five enormous moving floors that effortlessly rise and descend through the building. These new elements are contained within the 19th-century ‘Grands Magasins du Louvre’ building, and the addition provides a striking contrast to the traditional exterior. The potential for constant variation of a building’s interior at this scale is remarkable.

Which materials — and assemblies — are being used in unexpectedly modern ways?

We are seeing unique results from combining natural and recycled materials with existing and new components. These products are becoming more sophisticated; as quality improves and local availability increases, they will

become mainstream. Of particular interest to us now is the development of self-healing concrete, which has embedded properties that allow it to repair and seal itself.

What does Australia do uniquely well on the world stage, and where could we be braver?

In Australia, we often deliver the finest contextual responses — climateprepared, well-grounded designs that are identifiable as Australian. However, we could go further; we should be braver in embracing our varied Australian landscape, continuing to focus on localism and our links to history and place.

What design practices will still feel interesting, intelligent and climate-fit 50 years from now?

Focusing on long-lasting buildings that are climate-ready and allow user control of sun shading, air quality, integrated landscaping and water use will best prepare us for future climate extremes. ■

A SEASON OF SOUNDANDSTORY

As winter settles over the Macedon Ranges, Woodend once again becomes a place of gathering. From 5–8 June, the Woodend Winter Arts Festival returns for its 21st year, bringing with it a thoughtfully curated program of music, performance, words and ideas that continues to define its place within Australia’s cultural calendar.

Set against the charm of a village known for its heritage streetscapes and natural beauty, the four-day festival transforms Woodend into an intimate cultural hub. More than 90 artists will perform across a series of venues, from the soaring acoustics of St Ambrose Church to the warmth of nearby halls, offering audiences a rare closeness to world-class talent.

The 2026 program is rich in both depth and diversity. Music remains at its core, spanning classical and contemporary performance, opera and jazz. Highlights include the return of Monteverdi’s monumental 1610 Vespers, alongside a compelling mix of Australian and international works that move seamlessly between tradition and innovation. Performances from acclaimed artists such as Tamara-Anna Cislowska and Elena Kats-Chernin, as well as the Affinity Quartet and Seraphim Trio, ensure a program that is both refined and expansive.

Beyond the stage, the festival’s celebrated Words & Ideas series invites deeper reflection. This year’s conversations explore themes of community, creativity and the evolving role of technology, with leading voices including Hugh Mackay, Alan Finkel, Anna Goldsworthy and David Marr. Together, they offer considered perspectives on connection, belonging and the preservation of human expression in an increasingly complex world.

Families are equally welcomed into the experience, with programming designed to inspire younger audiences through storytelling, music and imagination. From immersive performances to interactive sessions, the festival extends its reach across generations, reinforcing its role as both a cultural and community touchpoint.

What continues to distinguish the Woodend Winter Arts Festival is its sense of proximity. Here, performances are not just observed but experienced up close, where artists and audiences share the same space, and where ideas unfold in conversation rather than at a distance. It is this intimacy, paired with a consistently high calibre of programming, that has seen the festival evolve into a much-anticipated fixture of the Victorian winter.

In Woodend, culture is not confined to a single venue or moment. It moves through the streets, fills historic spaces and lingers long after the final performance. ■

PHOTO: WOODEND WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL - ACCADEMIA ARCADIA AT HANGING ROCK

THE LOCAL EDIT

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL

COMEDY FESTIVAL

UNTIL 19 APRIL 2026

Melbourne Town Hall, 90/130 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

PENINSULA CERAMICS WORKSHOP

19 APRIL 2026

545 Mornington-Tyabb Road, Moorooduc, VIC 3933

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST MUSICAL

UNTIL 20 APRIL 2026

Her Majesty’s Theatre, 219 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000

SORRENTO WRITERS FESTIVAL

23-26 APRIL 2026

The Intercontinental Sorrento, 21 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, VIC 3943

DIVA AT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM OF PERFORMING ARTS

UNTIL 26 APRIL 2026

100 St Kilda Road, Southbank, VIC 3004

RUN THE TAN

26 APRIL 2026

Tan Track, Melbourne, VIC 3004

2026 MORNINGTON PENINSULA CLASSIC AT THE DUNES GOLF LINKS

26 APRIL - 1 MAY 2026

335 Browns Road, Rye, VIC 3941

MACEDON RANGES AUTUMN FESTIVAL

UNTIL 30 APRIL 2026

Southrock Road, Woodend, VIC 3442

COCKTAIL MASTERCLASS AT THE KITCHEN

1 MAY 2026

1917 Point Nepean Road, Tootgarook, VIC 3941

MAYTIME FAIR

2 MAY 2026

Xavier College, 135 Barkers Road, Kew, VIC 3101

WOODEND COMMUNITY FARMERS MARKET

2 MAY 2026

High Street & Forest Street, Woodend VIC 3442

HILL AND RIDGE COMMUNITY MARKET

2 MAY 2026

184 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill, VIC 3937

KINGSTON FARMERS MARKET

2 MAY 2026

3 Jean Street, Cheltenham, VIC 3192

WOMEN PHOTOGRAPHERS 1900-1975:

A LEGACY OF LIGHT

UNTIL 3 MAY 2026

National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006

LET’S PARTY! FASHION FOR KIDS:

UNTIL 3 MAY 2026

National Gallery of Victoria, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3006

ART TRAILS & OPEN STUDIOS

3-4 MAY 2026

Various Studios in Macedon and Mount Macedon

HEIDE MARKET

9 MAY 2026

7 Templestowe Road, Bulleen, VIC 3105

BOROONDARA FARMERS MARKET

16 MAY 2026

484 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122

TRENTHAM FARMERS MARKET

16 MAY 2026

27 High Street, Trentham, VIC 3458

MORNINGTON RACECOURSE MARKET

10 MAY 2026

320 Racecourse Road, Mornington, VIC 3931

MOTHER’S DAY TEA AND TOUR AT DULDIG

MUSEUM

10 MAY 2026

92 Burke Road, Malvern East, VIC 3145

STONNINGTON PICNIC SERIES: ROCKLEY

GARDENS

17 MAY 2026

Rockley Gardens, 346 Toorak Road, South Yarra, VIC 3141

MACEDON VILLAGE FARMERS MARKET

30 MAY 2026

67 Smith Street, Macedon, VIC 3440

POINT NEPEAN PORTSEA MARKET

6 JUNE 2026

Point Nepean Quarantine Station, Coleman Road, Portsea, VIC 3944

MOTHER: STORIES FROM THE NGV COLLECTION

UNTIL 12 JULY 2026

Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square, Melbourne, VIC 3000

93 WATTLETREE ROAD ARMADALE

A 3-4 B 2-3 C 2-5

From $3,200,000

Eight architecturally designed 3 and 4 bedroom residences in Armadale, offering boutique luxury living with a focus on space, privacy, natural light and refined design. Each home features expansive open-plan living, seamless indoor–outdoor flow, and premium inclusions including Gaggenau appliances, Liebherr wine storage, 3-metre ceilings and advanced security, all within walking distance to High Street, Glenferrie Road and key transport links.

ROSS HAMS 0410 160 151 SALES BY

Defined by natural light and soaring proportions, this loft-style residence delivers a refined, New York-inspired lifestyle. Open-plan living, a wellappointed kitchen and a private rooftop terrace create effortless indooroutdoor connection, while three bedrooms, versatile spaces and premium inclusions offer comfort, flexibility and a unique living experience for discerning renters. ■