Country Smiles
Come weekends, public relations supremo Tara Bishop loves nothing better than rolling through paddocks in her 1964 Jaguar, writes motoring expert and WhichCar presenter, Elise Elliott.
PR star Tara Bishop and her gorgeous 1964 Jag.
Grace, space and pace was Jaguar’s original slogan – and Tara Bishop’s elegant 1964 Mark 2 embodies all three of these qualities. Admittedly, the 2.4-litre engine is not as fast as its bigger siblings (the 3.4 and the 3.8), but this model still purrs along the winding tracks of Tara’s country property.
Its sublime suspension superbly absorbs bumps of the bucolic back roads, and the British sporting saloon’s distinctive twin headlamps and sleek shape are nothing short of iconic. For Tara, however, the car’s interior is its highlight: pillar-box red leather seats; varnishedwood dash; and integrated picnic tables for backseat passengers (perfect for perching a glass of bubbly).
Just as charming is her St Andrews Beach property, on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. The 28-hectare weekender is a working farm, with beef cattle and horses. It’s also home to pet Scottish Highland steers Hamish and Dougal, and goatsVerucaandViolet.Purpleagapanthus and lavender frame the tennis court that adjoins the light-filled house.
Tara is public relations manager for luxe hotel The Langham, Melbourne and an executive at specialty retailer Truffle Melbourne. While she loves entertaining, Tara is just as happy curled up on the sofa with her husband Paul Santoro, CEO of digital accessories company Cygnett, their dog Lucy the lagotto romagnolo (a breed renowned for its truffle-hunting abilities) and a glass of locally produced wine. Who introduced you to vintage cars?
My family. I have fond memories of road trips we took while I was growing up. Between them, my grandfather, father and brother could name every car on the road. My father proposed to my mother in his Sunbeam Alpine in 1967. Dad taught me to drive and was a very patient teacher – I remember spending an afternoon mastering hill starts on the steepest slope you can imagine! I’m glad he taught me how to drive a manual. It means I can handle the Jaguar, although I must confess I’m more comfortable in the passenger seat. I love that my father also drives the Jag when my parents visit from Canada. It’s a car that has sparked many great conversations for them as they’ve toured around the Mornington Peninsula. How did you come to own the Jaguar?
Paul inherited it from his grandmother in 1988. It has about 55,000 miles on the clock and it’s in almost-original condition. The only alterations we’ve made are putting in power steering and a modern stereo. What’s it like manoeuvring it around the farm? The tracks between our paddocks are just perfect for driving. I suppose they’re a bit like the country lanes in England, where the car was made. Tell us about your beach property. It’s located in a green wedge at one of the narrowest parts of the Mornington Peninsula. There are 15 undulating,
“The home’s high ceilings and picture windows have a calming and restorative effect on me.” Tara Bishop
picturesque paddocks filled with animals. We encourage our visitors to bring carrot tops and vegetable peelings to feed our pet goats, Violet and Veruca. In addition to a line of beef cattle and an agistment for horses, we share the farm with our pet Scottish Highland steers. We’re just over an hour from Melbourne and spoilt for choice with beaches, walking tracks and wineries on our doorstep. I love listening to both the soothing waves at night and the sound of birdsong when I wake up. Our lives in the city can be quite hectic and the farm is the antidote to that – it’s where we can recharge and rejuvenate. Rarely do we spend a weekend in Melbourne; we joke that unless it’s a good cause, a birthday with a ‘zero’ or a wedding, we won’t be in town! What are your home’s interior highlights?
The high ceilings and picture windows have a calming and restorative effect on me. I love sitting and looking out over the tennis court and beyond. One of the best things about the farm is its privacy; you cannot see another rooftop or house. I’m an avid baker and any spare time I have you’ll find me at work in the kitchen or reading about what to cook next. Like many people, in 2020 we went a bit mad for houseplants and I am happy to report that, almost a year on, they’re all still thriving. Which is your favourite room? If I had to choose one, it would be the living room. It’s equally inviting during winter, with the fire roaring, and as a summer spot to curl up with a book or look out onto the tennis court. It might sound strange, but I also enjoy doing dishes in the kitchen. From my position at the sink I can see birds zooming around, and horses and cattle in the distance. Can you nominate some favourite items in your home? Decluttering is not my strong suit but I do try to only keep items that spark happy memories – like a cork serving platter I have that comes from one of our favourite long-lunch spots, Club 55 in St Tropez.
“I love listening to both the soothing waves at night and the sound of birdsong when I wake up.” Tara Bishop
@EliseElliott_Media; @WhichCar For expert motoring advice, go to whichcar.com.au. The Langham, Melbourne; langhamhotels.
com/melbourne. Truffle Melbourne; trufflemelbourne.com.