Groups, Life + Style, Drivers, OpinionHeleana Genausjeep, mobile clinic, gasoline culture, developing countries, haitiComment

THE MOBILE CLINIC: A Pink Jeep

Groups, Life + Style, Drivers, OpinionHeleana Genausjeep, mobile clinic, gasoline culture, developing countries, haitiComment
THE MOBILE CLINIC: A Pink Jeep

Mother mortality rates often is the number one killer in most of the underdeveloped world. For those of us in the "West" it is hard to imagine life where the natural phenomenon of giving birth posing a massive risk to our lives. While it is a huge issue, it is preventable and can often simply come down to access to medical services.

Midwives for Haiti are not only supporting women in the earthquake devastated country but maintaining natural delivery and the wonderful care that midwives offer. Rotary International donated a fully equipped medical Jeep (in pink) as a mobile clinic to allow MFH to reach more remote locations for pre and post natal care. This, to me is what gasoline culture is about. 

To donate to Midwives for Haiti visit their website.

Heleana is a force of nature. The founder of In Venus Veritas and The Petrolette, and a co-founder of Rising Sun Workshop. Heleana shares her love of vintage cars, riding motorcycles, and (not-so-secretly) dreams of flying planes and piloting a riva aquariva (a la Sophia Loren) very fast through the canals of Venice. Supportive and connected, community is her lifeblood, and she is as real as they come.

Petrolettes, Life + Style, Opinion, MotorcyclesHeleana Genausmotorcycles, cars, freedom machine, courageComment

The [Real] Freedom Machine

The real story behind the portrait series of Petrolettes, and if I’m honest the real intention behind In Venus Veritas, is the showcase of courage. Any woman who steps into a world that clearly is more appealing (and therefore popular) amongst the opposite sex, who listens to that little voice in their heads that says “go for it”  or more importantly ignores the one that says “don’t”, has got a story to share.

Petrolettes, Life + Style, Opinion, MotorcyclesHeleana Genausmotorcycles, cars, freedom machine, courageComment
The [Real] Freedom Machine
Cars, Life + Style, History, OpinionHeleana GenausMercedes-Benz, artist, cars, vintage carsComment

THE DESIGNER: Paul Bracq

As an architect, I often get caught in conversations where I’m pegged as the “designer” who knows nothing about engineering, budgeting, building and lets not forget how we destroy the planet. At one level, being a designer is revered but in the industry I work in, it seems us “designers” are just flamboyant artists who get in the way. Hence I looked to the man behind my Mercedes-Benz 230 for inspiration...

Cars, Life + Style, History, OpinionHeleana GenausMercedes-Benz, artist, cars, vintage carsComment
THE DESIGNER: Paul Bracq
Cars, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + StyleHeleana GenausMECHANICS, nigeria, gasoline culture, groups, education, empowermentComment

THE LADY MECHANIC INITIATIVE: Nigeria

The Lady Mechanic Initiative was founded by Nigeria's first female mechanic over a decade ago to give women who face many discriminations in Nigeria a chance at a profession. Their mission is to empower women and girls who are labelled indigent, victims of human trafficking, a widow or a any women who want to learn a profession within the automotive industry through the technical and mechanic skills they teach. 

Cars, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + StyleHeleana GenausMECHANICS, nigeria, gasoline culture, groups, education, empowermentComment
THE LADY MECHANIC INITIATIVE: Nigeria
Community, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + Style, History, PilotsHeleana Genauswomen who fly, women in aviation, the spitfire sisters, world war two2 Comments

The Spitfire Sisters

Many women today may never know war or discrimination in the way the Spitfire Sisters did during World War Two in Britain. By order of the King, women were not allowed to be involved in combat, much less be members of the Royal AirForce transporting aircraft to troops fighting in the war. This documentary tells their important story and reminds us of our role in contributing to collective identity that is empowering and history making.

Community, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + Style, History, PilotsHeleana Genauswomen who fly, women in aviation, the spitfire sisters, world war two2 Comments
The Spitfire Sisters
Cars, Community, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + Style, DriversHeleana GenausWakefield Park Racewaytrack day club, cars, V8, holden, wakefieldComment

TRACK DAY CLUB: Wakefield Park, Sydney

Founded in 2012, Track Day Club offers the chance for any drivers to test their wheels, set personal bests and let out their need for speed in what is a family friendly, safe and super fun event. IVV got the chance to participate last winter at Wakefield park and was blown away literally (as it was seriously windy) and figuratively by the approachable, well organized family run event.

Cars, Community, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + Style, DriversHeleana GenausWakefield Park Racewaytrack day club, cars, V8, holden, wakefieldComment
TRACK DAY CLUB: Wakefield Park, Sydney