Front page: A scruffy terrier from Daylesford called Squid is about to hit the big screen as a star that rescues a drought-hit farm.
Not only that, three cats that live with Squid have been cast in a horror film.
Rebecca Faulkner, who has lived in Daylesford for seven years, spent five months hunting for a dog to play Runt in a film of the same name.
Read the story on page 3.
Image: Contributed
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The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, October 7, 2024. or online on Sunday, October 6 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Wednesday, October 2
Copy deadline: Thursday, October 3
Editorial deadline: Thursday, October 3
General manager: Kyle Barnes on 0416 104 283 or kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly on 0418 576 513 or news@tlnews.com.au
Editorial: Eve Lamb on 0493 632 843 or editorial@tlnews.com.au
Sub-editors: Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester the Cat
Writers: Eve Lamb, Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
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Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (music), Sarah Lang (recipes), Clive Hartley (wine) & Bill Wootton (poetry)
Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey
In Daylesford, it’s training cats and dogs
A scruffy terrier from Daylesford called Squid is about to hit the big screen as a star that rescues a drought-hit farm.
Not only that, three cats that live with Squid have been cast in a horror film.
Rebecca Faulkner, who has lived in Daylesford for seven years, spent five months hunting for a dog to play Runt in a film of the same name.
“We knew roughly what we were looking for,” says Rebecca. “We wanted a dog that would thrive and enjoy it.” The search was online and also by word-of-mouth with animal rescue people. “We went to see 10 to 12 dogs and searched Victoria,” she says.
Squid, “a mixed-breed mutt like some of the best ones” to train, was found in her third home. “She was a 'nightmare' terrier. Terrier, terrier through to her bones. You get problem behaviour in animals just as you do in humans. I gave her a job to do.
“She could easily have become an all-day barker, easily have become the kind of dog that tears up the houses and digs up the garden.
“There was a lot of training from scratch. She needed agility and dogs’ agility is like that of Olympic athletes. They build muscles and coordination.
“Squid just had to show her agility and do a lot of specific exercises. She would have been a nightmare left to her own devices. She has very long, supermodel legs and can jump fences like they’re not even there.”
Little wonder, for the gruelling filming ran for six weeks of 10 hour days, five days a week. “The biggest thing is building confidence,” Rebecca says. “There was a lot of noise on the film set, with people coming and going.”
Squid, as Runt, worked with nine-year-old Annie Shearer, who overhears her parents worrying about the loan on their farm. With her compulsion for fixing things, she enters Runt in the Agility Course Competition at a local fair. Runt wins, getting $500, so Annie goes on to enter him in the massive Krumpets Dog Show in London.
So there are hoops and hurdles, tunnels and see-saws in the film Runt, adapted from a best-selling book by Craig Silvey.
Sharing the screen with Runt are stars such as Jack Thompson, Deborah Mailman, Jai Courtney and Celeste Barber.
Rebecca, who runs a specialised business finding and training animals for film, with her Sydney business partner Peta Clarke, reckons Squid, who is aged between two and three, could be up for another film. “She’s got a lot of experience under her collar.”
As for the cats, named Birdie, Moss and Todd River (from Alice Springs), they will be in the upcoming movie Bring Her Back. “All our animals co-exist. They live in the same house together, except for the chickens, but sometimes they do figure out how to stroll into the house.
“It’s important that we teach all the animals how to interact with each other appropriately and co-exist without being worried about one another.
“When we filmed The Rooster, a feature film by Mark Winter that was shot around Glenlyon, the introduction of the rooster to the family/team was really smooth because we had already gone through the process of introducing dogs to cats, cats to dogs and everyone to the chickens. It’s a process that we now all understand: family doesn’t hurt family.”
But how in the name of felines do you train cats? “Training is basically the same for all animals, tweaked to the species and the individual animal’s personality.
“When working with cats we manage the environment on set so it’s safe and calm. We do not want them to get a scare or be fearful in any way.
“We want the cats to be confident and comfortable. Just like the dogs.”
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Michelle Donnelly
Stand by: Here come The Blockheads
Daylesford is headed for massive exposure via TV show The Block. Channel Nine says the 20-year-old show averages 1.3 million viewers on Sunday nights and a million on the following three nights, as well as being shown in 170 countries.
What is called pre-construction starts on the Raglan Street property this month, with filming likely to begin in February or March.
Casting started nationally last week. So far, 176 contestants have taken part in more than 900 episodes, winning more than $34 million in prize money. For lovers of detail, there have been 98 homes renovated, 200 bathrooms built and 98 kitchens built. At least 70 crew members are expected to move to Daylesford, renting locally for three months.
Hepburn Shire Council was anxious to make soothing noises about the advent of The Block, saying it believes it will create tourism and economic development opportunities by showcasing the district to a national audience.
Asked about how the town would cope with the influx of so many crew members, with the attendant rubberneckers, the council said: “The production of The Block will enable opportunities for our tradespeople to work alongside the many cast, crew and in-house trades that will temporarily reside within our shire.”
As for the possible influx of tourists after The Block is shown, the council welcomes visitors and understands that there will be interest at the site.
“The producers of The Block will be required to have traffic management in place to ensure the safety of people on and around the site.”
As to whether the council had experience with something similar and if so, what it was and how was it handled, the council responded: “Council has experience with major festivals and events around our shire. We will be working with the producers of The Block to support them. We have also consulted with other councils that have had involvement with the production of various seasons of The Block.”
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Kyle Barnes
Daylesford driving charges dropped
A magistrate has dismissed the charges against the 66-year-old accused of culpable driving following the tragic deaths of five people in Daylesford last November.
William Swale, 66, had been charged with culpable driving causing death, negligently causing serious injury and reckless conduct endangering lives over the tragic November 5 crash.
But following a three-day committal proceedings hearing that began on Monday, September 16, Magistrate Guillaume Bailin has ruled the prosecution would be unable to convict Swale if the case were to go to a trial in the Supreme Court.
During the hearing in the Ballarat Magistrates Court, barrister defending Swale, Dermot Dann argued Swale’s brain function had been affected by a hypoglycemic episode at the time of the incident.
Mr Dann said evidence pointed to Swale having entered a severe hypoglycemic episode at least an hour before the crash, with his blood glucose levels reaching their lowest point in the immediate aftermath of the crash.
On November 5 last year Swale’s SUV mounted the kerb and hit several patrons seated on the front lawn of the Royal Daylesford Hotel just after 6pm.
Pratibha Sharma, 44, daughter Anvi, 9, partner Jatin Kumar, 30, their friend Vivek Bhatia, 38, and his son Vihaan, 11, all died.
A coronial investigation into the deaths remains ongoing.
Words: Eve Lamb
Dr Ashvin
Dr Loshna
Council calls for 10 per cent rate cap variation
As it grapples to gain financial sustainability, Hepburn Shire Council has decided to apply to the Essential Services Commission for a 10 per cent rate cap variation, including the applicable rate cap for the 2025/26 financial year.
Councillors endorsed the significant decision at their recent special financial vision meeting, just days before entering caretaker mode (September 17-October 26) ahead of next month’s council elections that will see a new council elected into the controversial new wardless council structure.
The newly adopted Financial Vision aspires to support the council’s obligations towards financial sustainability and outlines, for the next councillor group, the parameters for development of the Council Plan 2025-2029 and accompanying Financial Plan.
The council issued a statement confirming that it will begin the process of making an application to the Essential Services Commission, with the application required to be submitted between February 1 to March 31.
The Commission must then notify the council of their findings within two months of receipt of the application.
Mayor, Cr Brian Hood, pictured, said that for many years and especially throughout this term, the council had grappled with financial difficulties due to a sharp increase in costs of service delivery and construction, the small and dispersed population base, very limited range of additional revenue options, low-rate base and recovery from numerous costly natural disasters.
“Our shire has been adversely impacted by rising inflation affecting the delivery of services and infrastructure, cost shifting from other levels of government, and extraordinary costs associated with the recovery from recent flooding and storm events,” Cr Hood said.
“As a rural council we have limited opportunities for alternate income streams, and the financial sustainability of all councils is of concern to many.”
This year the council submitted to two major inquiries initiated by federal and state governments to assess the financial sustainability and service delivery standards of local governments. These inquiries are expected to release findings in late 2024/ early 2025.
In its 2024/25 budget, the council determined to implement reductions to operational budgets by $1.5 million, while seeking to minimise the impact on service delivery.
The budget also identified that an annual cash shortfall of approximately $4 million is projected from 2025/26 onward.
Councillors and officers have conducted a number of workshops over the past 12 months to review available means to improving the council’s beleaguered “financial sustainability”.
The council hosted an online survey inviting ratepayers, residents and visitors to provide feedback and share their priorities regarding service delivery, community infrastructure renewal or upgrades, and the potential for a rate increase – providing vital feedback to the input of the Financial Vision.
The community engagement identified that 61.6 per cent of the community were open to a rate variation above the rate cap (at various percentages), and 38.4 per cent of community were not open to a rate variation.
“The difficult task facing councillors and staff over the last few months was to find $4 million in savings for the 2025/26 financial year, and ensuring they were permanent savings or increased revenue,” Cr Hood said.
“We considered many options, avoiding the need for additional borrowings. We have determined to generate $1.56 million of additional revenue from rates and $2.44 million from operational and service delivery savings.
“To ensure our financial sustainability, we have made the difficult decision to make an application to the Essential Services Commission for a rate cap variation of 10 per cent including the applicable rate cap for the 2025/26 financial year.
“We appreciate that this will not be a popular decision with all, and there will be concerns from many in the community about their ability to pay.
“To support some of the most vulnerable in our community, we will increase council’s rebate to assist pensioners from $21 to $42. Ratepayers continue to have the ability to apply for special payment arrangements based on financial hardship.
“The detail of the operational and service delivery changes earmarked to generate $2.44 million in savings will be determined over the coming months, as council creates a Council Plan 2025-29,” Cr Hood said.
“We will continue to advocate to the state government for a review of its funding of local government, along with the rating and revenue system in Victoria that leaves rural councils at a significant disadvantage.”
The full resolution adopted by the council can be found on its website.
Words:
Eve Lamb
Council candidates put their hands up
With the close of nominations and ballot draws for this year’s local council elections, 2231 candidates nominated for 646 council vacancies in 466 separate electorates.
Hepburn Shire has 12 candidates for its seven vacancies.
In the order they will appear on the ballot in the upcoming postal vote they are: Don Henderson, Tony Clark, Christian Porochowsky, Tim Drylie, Derek Sedgman, Benny Pettersson, Brian Hood, Cameron Stone, Pat Hockey, Lesley Hewitt, Shirley Cornish and Bernie Winfield-Gray.
Of the 12 candidates, four are former councillors.
Following a review in 2023, the Minister for Local Government announced a new electoral structure for Hepburn Shire.
The changes see the shire move from five wards with seven councillors, to no wards with seven councillors. Voters will be able to vote for any candidate, regardless of where they or the candidate live in the municipality.
The election will be conducted by mail in October.
A Victorian Electoral Commission media release said the number of candidates this year was higher than the 2186 candidates who nominated for 622 councillor vacancies in 298 separate electorates at the 2020 council elections.
"As of the close of nominations, 42 of the 466 individual elections are uncontested, where the number of candidates is equal to the number of vacancies.
"All wards in Yarriambiack Shire Council were uncontested, which means the general election for that council is entirely uncontested. Voters in these uncontested elections will not be required to vote." Words: Donna Kelly
SKIN CANCER CLINIC
Just briefly...
Hepburn Shire Council has expressed its disappointment by the Endeavour Group (Dan Murphy’s) decision to appeal the Victorian Liquor Commission ruling to refuse a licence to operate in Daylesford.
CEO Bradley Thomas said the council and community strongly advocated for the refusal during the submission process and at hearings." We continue to believe that there is a public risk, and any decision to grant a licence would have adverse social impacts. Council will seek legal advice and determine what steps it will now take.
Dean is preparing to once again host its Old Sniff Classic Sheepdog Trials with the popular event set for Sunday October 13.
In its 11th year, the annual event takes place at the Dean Recreation Reserve and raises funds for good local causes, says organiser Brian Maher. The event attracts many top dogs from across the state and further, to compete for attractive prize money and go down in the annals of sheepdog history. Read more about the trials in the next edition of The Local.
Emma Ireland, former director of Daylesford's ChillOut Festival, has joined the Bendigo Pride Festival.
Emma said she could not wait to work with Bendigo to increase its visitation and foster other LGBTIQA+ partnerships across regional Victoria. "It’s time for Bendigo to feel the love and reflect upon its Pride season success. March 2025 sees Pride in the Park, youth pride events, films, fashion parades and a series of panels and events connecting the community."
Changes to the kerbside collection in Hepburn Shire townships started in April 2024. This included the introduction of a weekly food and garden organics service for many towns with about 5550 households across the region now receiving this service.
Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the early results from the changes are that they are working for the broader community and helping to meet environmental goals. “The results show a 26 per cent reduction in waste sent to landfill over the five-month period.” Around 443 tonnes of organic materials have been collected for composting and will improve local soils.
Hepburn Shire Council is anticipating completion of Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) by the end of the year with a community celebration and formal opening of the whole trail network in December.
Djuwang Baring requires names for each trail segment for rider recognition as well as to assist emergency services. In total, about 70 segment names are required for Djuwang Baring. Djaara’s language team, Djali Balak, have provided a list of 35 trail names. The remaining 35 names were sought from the community earlier this year. Consultation on the list of trail names started on September 9 for a period of 30 days.
The 2024 Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa is looking for amicis - or friends.
The Festa is after 100 community supporters prepared to donate $100 to be recognised as a Festa Amici and provide a solid $10,000 financial base to help guarantee the future of the Swiss Italian Festa. People can donate to the Swiss Italian Festa Bank Account – BSB: 633000, A/C Number: 117944470 with their name and email, or head to www.swissitalianfesta.com.au
Ballarat's Regent Cinemas will reopen under new ownership from Thursday, October 3.
The new owners are Palace Films, an independent, family-run distribution company based in Sydney. The cinema closed in June this year. The Regent was first opened by the Hoyts theatre chain in 1928.
A new local business and cultural hub has opened in Ballarat - supporting Victorian Aboriginal businesses, students and artists.
The Wadawurrung Aboriginal Economic Hub will be a culturally safe space in the centre of Ballarat where Indigenous businesses, entrepreneurs and students can network, collaborate and access professional and cultural resources. Local Aboriginal artists will also be able to use the space to exhibit and sell their artwork.
Curate for Daylesford
A vacancy has existed at Christ Church Daylesford since the departure of the incumbent, Fr Neil Fitzgerald, to the Parish of Woodend in March.
In July, the Bishop of Bendigo The Right Reverend Dr Matt Brain announced that Josephine Snowdon had accepted his invitation to take up the role of Curate in Charge in the Parish of Daylesford.
Josephine was not new to the Bendigo Diocese having worked throughout the region in her previous career as an occupational therapist.
She began exploring a call to ministry in 2014 undertaking theological studies and a variety of lay chaplaincy roles in both the Dioceses of Newcastle and Melbourne, alongside parish-based lay ministry roles.
This month Josephine was ordained a Deacon at St Paul’s Cathedral, Bendigo to the Diaconate. On Sunday, September 15, Deacon Josephine was welcomed to the Parish of Daylesford attending Holy Communion and assisting Fr Malcolm Thomas in the service.
Josephine felt called to pursue a career in occupational therapy, continuing to study throughout her career attaining a master's research degree in this area at La Trobe Bendigo, while raising two children, building a home and working throughout the regional community.
Passionate about rural health, Josephine worked hard to assist in establishing a new rural school in occupational therapy with Deakin University in Geelong, in the early 2000s, this being the final accomplishment in her OT path.
An equally strong vocational calling, growing out of her work and the growth of women ordained in ministry, was realised with Josephine's return to study in the area of her faith and spirituality - theology studies at the University of Divinity. This study was enriched and encouraged through attendance at St Mary's North Melbourne.
Josephine then entered into a pathway of lay ministry in both parish work and chaplaincy, in Melbourne and Newcastle Dioceses. Josephine's ministry has a strong focus on disability and inclusion of all people within the church community as well as social justice areas of concern within the broader community.
VIC STATE ROOFING
Metal Roof Specialist
CARETAKER PERIOD
Council will enter an Election Period (Caretaker) starting from 12pm on 17 September 2024 until 6pm on 26 October 2024. We have a statutory responsibility to ensure that the elections are conducted fairly, equitably, and without influence from current Council operations. Caretaker period is a time when we limit certain activities – to ensure decisions made are not influenced by, or likely to influence, the upcoming election. During this time, we don’t make major decisions, commit to large expenditures, or enter significant contracts that could potentially influence a voter’s decision. We will also scale back our communication and engagement activities, so you’ll see less social media activity and advertisements.
DJUWANG BARING CELEBRATION
Have you experienced Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails)? These worldclass trails won’t disappoint. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned mountain biker, there are trails for every skill level. We also have adaptive trails.
Following the low-key partial early opening in August, we look forward to a community celebration and formal opening of the whole trail network in December. We’ll keep you posted on the details in the coming months.
Remember, we are also asking the community to have their say on the 70 segment names required for Djuwang Baring. You can do that at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/creswick-trails-projecthammon-park-trailhead
GLENLYON RECREATION RESERVE
Council has resolved to pause the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Masterplan project that addresses the location of the pavilion at the Reserve. The first step in designing the renovation or replacement of the pavilion is to assess the suitability of the site in case of bushfire. We will establish a Project Advisory Group to assist with the investigation of alternate location options, whether a pavilion should be built at an alternate site and the potential for minor renovations to the existing pavilion that considers the heritage values and key uses of the reserve. We’ll keep you posted on this project at https:// participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/glenlyon-recreation-reserve-masterplan
DAYLESFORD COMMUNITY FACILITIES
At the September Council Meeting, the Daylesford Community Facilities project team has been given the green light to develop designs to locate the library and community multipurpose facilities at the Daylesford Town Hall site, ahead of proposed community engagement.
Council officers worked with project architects, k20 Architecture, to investigate the feasibility. The project team has been supported by a Project Advisory Group (PAG), which includes seven community members. The PAG has convened to provide input into the design.
In related news, a contract was also awarded at the meeting to Abode for critical preservation works to the roof and other associated building elements on the heritage Daylesford Town Hall building.
COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS
DAYLESFORD PLACES 2ND
Daylesford has won second place at the Australian Tourism Awards, held in Canberra on 10 September.
After being named the best Small Tourism Town in the TAC Victorian Top Tourism Town awards earlier this year, being awarded Silver in the national awards is an incredible achievement. The Silver award is shared with local businesses, community members and of course the Daylesford Macedon Tourism team who continue to advocate for this beautiful pocket of the world. We are exceptionally pleased to see beautiful Daylesford recognised among a competitive cohort of small tourism towns. Exmouth, Western Australia, won Gold and Richmond, Tasmania, came third.
FINANCIAL VISION
On 10 September, Council endorsed a Financial Vision. Some tough decisions were made as we face challenges being experienced across all Local Government, including rising inflation affecting the delivery of services and infrastructure, cost shifting from other levels of government, and extraordinary costs associated with the recovery from recent flooding and storm events.
The Financial Vision is a high-level strategic document that responds to these challenges and ensures Council remains financially sustainable. It determines which levers will be pulled to find the $4 million annual cash shortfall without any further debt. Council resolved to apply to the Essential Services Commission for an increase in rates by 10% (inclusive of the rate cap).
Council will also aim to reduce its operating expenses by examining service delivery savings of $2.44 million. We will increase the pensioners’ rebate to support the vulnerable in our community and further promote how ratepayers can work with us on payment options. There will be more information on how we can support the community over the coming months.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Have you started planning activities for the upcoming school holidays?
Our fabulous Library and Youth and Family teams have come up with a program of activities for children of all ages.
Check it out...and don’t forget to book at: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/school-holidays
The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.
EAT | DRINK | ENJOY
Out & About in the Central Highlands
Redesdale Open Gardens
Redesdale plays host to three private country garden openings for Open Gardens Victoria on the weekend of October 19-20.
Coliban Springs is a beautiful and tranquil five-acre garden, set in the middle of a wider 200-acre sheep property. Owners Kathy Hall and Rod Gibson have spent nearly 20 years creating an oasis from a bare paddock.
“We have very hot, dry summers and frosty winters,” says Kathy. “So from the beginning, we planned a drought-resistant garden filled with mostly natives. We have no straight lines. Gravel paths meander from one room to another, where there is usually a place to sit and watch or a little sculpture to contemplate. There is a definite ‘dry creek bed’ look about it.”
Located 15 minutes north-east, Gibbards Crossing is a three-acre garden nestled within the undulating hills of the local landscape. Surrounded by a 40-acre olive grove and vineyard, with a remarkable one-kilometre river frontage on the Campaspe, the property is named after the old bluestone river ford at the end of Gibbards Lane.
Owners Frederika and Mark Laurie stumbled across the property about eight years ago and set about renovating the original bluestone homestead and rejuvenating the property’s soil. Organic compost, mulch, fertiliser, and an advanced irrigation system have ensured a flourishing garden of established trees and striking mass plantings, set against locally sourced stacked stone walls.
Highlights include the kitchen garden with a stylised labyrinth, bursting with herbs and citrus trees, and a fully enclosed vegetable garden mass planted with garlic, chillies, and tomatoes, all for preserving. A nearby enclosed area for fruit trees also houses the chickens in a fun log cabin made from repurposed vineyard posts.
Located a further five minutes on and sitting high above the Campaspe River, Rocklands is a peaceful, rambling five-acre garden created by owners Peta and Gary Prendergast over the past 10 years.
Blessed with stunning views across an expansive lawn area towards the river valley, the garden uses volcanic rock, collected from the surrounding paddocks, to create low walls along meandering paths, as well as backdrops and edging for plant beds.
Paths wind in and out beneath 30-year-old English oaks - planted by the original owners of the property - and entice the visitor to venture forward and discover what lies around the next bend, including deep, colourful perennial beds with mass plantings of blue and white agapanthus, swathes of pink and white belladonna lilies in late summer, and purple iris in spring. Link: www.opengardensvictoria.org.au
Glen unmasked...
Glen Heyne is the eldest fourth-generation member of Adelaide’s leading nursery, where he worked until his two younger brothers finished school. Realising that he could make better use of his communication skills in more conducive surroundings, he packed up his battered old typewriter and left home.
Now, after 60 years of freelance journalism, radio, TV and PR agencies, you’ll find him here, in Daylesford, ancient, retired and having a ball. Dredging up almostlost memories to entertain himself and (hopefully) help in your garden.
"I only hope that my mentor, great-grandfather Ernst Bernhard was sitting in 'The Garden' when the first copy hit the streets. I know he would have smiled to see the Heyne name at the masthead of ‘his’ garden page of The Chronicle, South Australia’s Weekly Times counterpart - almost 100 years from his final edition on July 5, 1974 - my birthday.
"E.B.H., the second son of Meissen surgeon, Carl August Heyne and Marianne Tierof, was educated at Leipzig University where he received his Diploma of Botany.
"He was also an accomplished linguist and mathematician. E.B obtained a position at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Leipzig and was appointed to lead a party of noted botanists to seek new orchids in South America. That was cancelled due to the political uprisings in Europe of that time. His brother Carl, involved in politics in Hamburg, had just shot and killed a military officer in a duel and was obliged to flee to America. Although E.B.H. had played no part in the duel, other than hold his brother’s coat, with the political situation ready to boil over, he decided to emigrate.
"He left Hamburg on October 2, 1848, on the sailing ship Godefroi and accompanied a family to Victoria, as a tutor. He wrote on his journey and arrival in Melbourne, in a series of letters and included detailed observations of the climate, soil and vegetation, the habits of the colonists and gave excellent advice for prospective migrants. Much of which is still relevant.
"E.B.H. was appointed chief plantsman and draftsman at Melbourne Botanic Gardens and drew up one of the earliest designs, under the direction of Dr von Mueller, for the layout of the Botanic Gardens.
"E.B.H. then travelled to South Australia in 1868 on a plant-collecting expedition. He is credited with making a collection of the tree fern, Dicksonia Antarctica, in its natural habitat, possibly the last collected in the Mt Lofty Ranges. In 1869 he moved to Adelaide, bought a house in Norwood and established a small nursery on an adjoining property to supply the shop he had opened on Rundle Street. He married Laura, the daughter of publishers/booksellers Edward and Laura Hanckel.
"In 1871 his books, The Amateur Gardener for South Australia and The Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Garden, were published and eventually ran to four editions - the first of their kind in South Australia.
"E.B.H. was commemorated by the naming of two species he discovered on the several plant-collecting expeditions into the outback with von Mueller during the 1850s - aster heynei F. Meull and Cyperus ornatus heynei.
"He was secretary of the Vignerons' Club which, in 1876, presented him with a gold watch as a tribute to his work with the wine industry, especially in the eradication of the vine-killing plague, phylloxera.
"As an aside, I recently discovered the list of phylloxera-resistant wine grapes he produced had been taken up and published by the wine growers of California helping somewhat, one would presume, to save their industry.
"It has been more than a century since E.B.H. put the Heyne family on the Australian botanical map. I am delighted and proud to have heard and answered the call, through my broadcasts and writing."
Open to the public every Sunday in July, August and September
Creswick Garage Sale
Residents have already started delving into the depths of their garages and assembling all manner of goodies and curios ahead of the Creswick Community Garage Sale set for next month.
The sale, on Saturday, October 19, raises funds for the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre and also for ongoing efforts to establish an indoor aquatic centre for the town.
Households with goods to sell and garages to cleanse are invited to register for the all-of-town event and can then host a garage sale at their own address on the day. Alternatively, they can get in contact with the neighbourhood centre and for $20 they can book to use one of a limited number of tables to sell their goods at the town’s regular monthly market happening on the same day.
“We’d love people to have a spring clean for a worthy cause and help both the neighbourhood centre and also the aquatic centre project,” says Creswick’s Heather Ingram, a staff member at CNC and coordinator of this year’s big community garage sale event.
“The old saying is that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure and it may be a bit clichéd but it’s also true.”
Creswick and District Aquatic Centre secretary Julie Moran says efforts to establish an indoor aquatic centre for the town are gaining momentum with the tabling of a feasibility and business case study for the long-mooted project at this month’s council meeting.
Julie says the goal of getting an indoor aquatic centre, complete with hydrotherapy facilities, for the community has been a long-held vision with the committee driving it formed back in 2012.
“The need for year-round access to aquatics provision was identified as part of the Hepburn Shire Council’s Aquatics Strategy.
“Creswick is a growth area with young families and healthy retirees choosing a regional lifestyle where they have access to all the city facilities. But Creswick has no swimming pool.
“A feasibility and business case study has been presented to the council but due to council now being in caretaker mode any decision or discussion regarding the report has been held over until early next year.”
She says that the annual community garage sale is a great fundraiser toward helping to realise the project and has proven popular in previous years.
“Last year we had 55 registrations for the garage sale and we're hoping to get just as many again this year,” CNC manager Crissy Austin says.
“Registrations have opened and registration forms are available at the post office and the information centre and also here at the neighbourhood centre, although we are closed over the school term holidays.
“We recommend that when people register to participate that they list the top seven items that they will have for sale, rather than just say ‘bric-a-brac’ for example.”
On the day maps with addresses and directions to all participating garage sales will be available from 8am at the Creswick Bandstand and the Creswick Market, and from 10am at the Creswick Information Centre. Maps are $5.
Above, from left, Julie Moran, Heather Ingram and Crissy Austin with just a few of the sorts of items to be found in the Creswick Community Garage Sale Words and Image: Eve Lamb
The Vessel & Until Then
"Didn’t you do this already?" has been a comment from some curious locals, regarding the second season of The Vessel and Until Then, says writer Dawn Bamforth.
"My reply is 'well, yes, but there has been an extension of the show…it’s longer…there are two more scenes…some people were disappointed that they didn’t get to see it the first-time round' and my response was sounding like more of an apology than an advertisement.
"So, I want to set the record straight and explain the process we go through, each time we have a new creative work released into the public domain and the huge effort it takes from us; physically, mentally and financially, to do what it is we do, for love and dare I say, money.
"The battle to get our many and varied ducks in a row often seems like an impossible task. Indeed, it is one of the reasons that theatre companies came about, to assist with the number and complexity of very specialised jobs in our industry required to put on a show in the first place and what many of us still do/have done for many years in spite of the dwindling coffers, venues, companies and investment in our industry, with dogged persistence for the Fair Work equivalent of table scraps for the most part.
"The creative development process, to rewrite The Vessel based on feedback from our Kyneton show at the Social Foundry in 2023, involved five actors, the director and myself spending about a week reading, re-writing, rehearsing, re-blocking, relearning and reselling a new show.
"We have this time sold our show outright to two councils (City of Greater Geelong and Mt Alexander Shire), received a generous donation from the Trentham and Districts Bank and have a partnership deal with our venue operators (Social Foundry) in Kyneton.
"So…please come and see one of our four shows. You have a choice of venue, cost and day/night experience. Support us to keep making theatre in and for our regional towns, employing local artists to put on original work that makes a difference."
The Vessel, says writer and producer Dawn, is the story of an older woman, in the latter stages of dementia, living in aged care. The play is a deeply personal account of the small acts of kindness in her final days and hours, as she shares memories from her earlier life with the audience.
It is directed by Paul Canlan with cast members Suzanne Sandow, Ian Rooney, Christina Curtain-Magee, Rexine Perry and Melanie Thomas.
Until Then is about the relationship between a father and his son "clinging onto hope but until then, I won’t be holding my breath".
"We need to connect in the physical world rather than look for confirmation from others who don’t matter. Connecting with your dad should be easy and natural, but sometimes we lose touch of what is real and most important in our lives, but it works both ways."
Writer and director is Paul Canlan with cast Ian Rooney, Paul Canlan and Rexine Perry, and artwork/set design and construction by Tim Jones and Amanda Marburg.
Social Foundry Kyneton - Saturday, October 19, 7pm - www.trybooking.com/CUCTN
The Potato Shed, Geelong - Sunday, October 20, 2pm - www.geelongaustralia.com. au/potatoshed/calendar/ item/8dbf037c7bd4956.aspx
Trentham Mechanics HallMonday, October 21, 1pm - www.trybooking.com/CUCTY Phee Broadway, Castlemaine –Tuesday, October 22, 2pm - www.events.humanitix.com/thevessel-by-dawn-bamforth
Cars & Coffee
With its retro body, classic details and gleaming indigo duco, Paul Dwyer’s very collectible 1956 FJ Holden ute tends to turn heads and start conversations wherever it rolls up.
But Paul’s treasured and restored FJ ute will be just one of a throng of characterpacked cars headed to the upcoming Cars & Coffee event that’s making a comeback in Daylesford on October 6.
Set to happen from 8am to 10am at Daylesford’s Amazing Mill Markets site, the event marks a return for this previously popular fixture on local car lovers’ calendars.
The brainchild of car collector and motoring enthusiast Peter Olver, the first Cars & Coffee happened in March 2016, and was replaced in 2017 by MotorFest which was last held in 2023 but is currently in recession.
While the event has previously raised some serious dollars for good causes including the Daylesford Hospital, the returning version is firmly focused simply on fun and providing a social outlet for car owners and their prized sets of wheels, Peter says.
“It will be happening each month on the first Sunday of the month from 8am to 10am at the Mill Markets,” he says.
“There’s a need for it. People have been wanting it back again. We’d like to invite anyone who has got a classic or vintage car, or any auto of interest.”
“Something that people want to stop and look at,” adds Paul, who a fair way back was able to purchase and restore his beloved FJ ute from another local resident on the proviso that he love and cherish it appropriately.
“This person had purchased it in 1956 and then left it parked in a shed in 1978. I came to know about it and made an offer.”
The classic little ute’s conversation-starting features extend to what’s carried beneath the rear tarp - a retro Victa lawn mower and classic carry bag containing yesteryear "gentlemen's reading matter".
“The public are invited to come along and view the vehicles and chat to the owners. It’s a social gathering,” Peter says.
“We’d really like to say a special thank you to Mark Ward of The Mill Markets. The Mill Markets Cafe is even opening early for us.”
He says anyone who’d like to know more about the returning event can get in contact on 0400 482 427.
Above & inset, from left, Daylesford’s Paul Dwyer and Peter Olver give Paul's classic 1956 FJ Holden ute a trial run ahead of the Cars & Coffee event on Sunday, October 6
Words and Images: Eve Lamb
Selling Premium Properties
As the first hints of Spring warm the air, McQueen Real Estate is thrilled to unveil an exceptional collection of properties that promise to captivate and inspire. After navigating a challenging Autumn and Winter market, we’re eagerly anticipating the fresh possibilities this season will bring.
Our latest offerings, and with several more to launch next month, blend modern luxury with timeless charm and stunning gardens, showcasing unique features such as panoramic views and innovative design.
Whether you’re seeking a serene country escape or a welcoming home, McQueen Real Estate is ready to help you find your ideal property this Spring. If we can be of any assistance to you in your property journey, please call me any time on 0417 116 657
Tooborac
Kim Casey Ashleigh
Sarah
MCQUEEN PREMIUM SALES TEAM
Sold
Peter
37 Shea Road, Newlyn North
A truly authentic escape, Mapledurham is a large home designed to capture the essence of modern country life. Designed by alumni from the renowned JCB Architects and built by award-winning luxury builder ACS Builders, the design gives a subtle nod to rural New England style homes and features gabled roofline and dormer windows and seamlessly incorporates all the modern luxuries that you would expect in an indulgent getaway.
1989 Ballan-Daylesford Road, Leonards Hill
On an 11-hectare estate, ‘Maple Rise’ is a luxurious rural masterpiece, seamlessly blending sophistication with nature, offering complete privacy and stunning panoramic views of Daylesford and Mount Franklin. The architecturally designed home features three bedrooms, multiple living areas, and modern amenities, including a heated lap pool, several alfresco zones, shedding and selfcontained cottage. A haven for serenity seekers, 10-mins to Daylesford and only 70-mins to Melbourne.
89 Vincent Street, Daylesford
One of Daylesford’s most exciting retail spaces – this captivating 1890s two-storey building offers huge potential with 3 street frontages. This unique offering features a dynamic combination of retail and residential spaces. The downstairs retail space offers high foot traffic and exceptional visibility while upstairs is home to a Parisian inspired apartment. The prime location in Daylesford enhances its appeal, making it a versatile choice for both commercial and residential purposes providing unparalleled opportunity for growth and brand visibility.
118 Park Avenue, Yandoit
FOR SALE - $2m - $2.2m
Cradled within 8.45 hectares of rugged bushland, this bespoke Pleysier Perkins-designed residence offers a sanctuary of contemporary style. Embrace 270-degree horizon views, curated native gardens by Sam Cox and luxurious indoor-outdoor living. Featuring sweeping glass, a gourmet kitchen, a main bedroom oasis, and extensive amenities, including a ‘bocce’ court, studio and workshop. Only 20 minutes from Daylesford or Castlemaine and under two hours from Melbourne.
PRESTIGE LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES
2/123 Vincent Street DAYLESFORD | TRENTHAM 26 High Street
1 Hospital Street, Daylesford
FOR SALE - $2.9m - $3.05m
Poised to capture irresistable views over Wombat Hill and Daylesford, the ‘Black Gallery Daylesford’ blends unparalleled living with breathtaking scenery. This 3-bedroom residence features expansive glass and spectacular indoor-outdoor transitions, flowing from an open-plan living/dining/kitchen, to the sunroom with a BBQ kitchen and broad deck. The main bedroom offers a dressing room, deck access, and lavish ensuite, with oak floors, designer lighting, plenty of parking and multifunctional dual-level gallery space.
2/123 Vincent Street DAYLESFORD | TRENTHAM 26 High Street
121 Raglan Street, Daylesford
FOR SALE - $720,000
Nestled in Daylesford’s heart near the famed Daylesford Mills Market. This prime allotment sits high on the rise and offers potential panoramic views of Mt Franklin and Wombat Forest. With proposed plans for two luxury four-bedroom residences and with all services already connected, it promises incredible investment potential, with the chance to build two homes.
1712 Daylesford-Ballarat Road, Newlyn
FOR SALE - $1.7m
A piece of Newlyn history on 7.53 hectares (18 acres approx.) of land offers five-bedroom spaciousness and sweeping countryside views. It’s a rarely found combination, perfect for a rural lifestyle at the foot of Scrub Hill.
5 Trimble Street, Daylesford
FOR SALE - $1.6m - $1.75m
This irresistible c1870 cottage has been beautifully renovated and extended into a grand family oasis, set amongst 1,235 sqm (approx.) of established and captivating gardens just a few minutes from the heart of Daylesford.
8 Blighs Road, Trentham
FOR SALE - $800k - $850k
Opportunity awaits within this 1970s, three-bedroom, brick veneer home on two thirds of an acre with secluded gardens in the heart of town. Ideal for families entering the Trentham market or those looking to renovate/develop (STCA), with direct access to Trentham sports ground.
11 Tenth Street, Hepburn Springs
FOR SALE - $1.15m - $1.25m
Located above Doctors Gully, this serene home offers stunning treetop views on approx 1,264 sqm. With 3 bedrooms, main suite with ensuite and tree-top views, plus a beautiful renovated bathroom with sauna and freestanding bath, this home is a true sanctuary.
7
Stanbridge
Street, Daylesford
FOR SALE - $820,000-$840,000
3 3 2
This charming 1950s cottage exudes character and charm. Artfully inspired by the Art Deco era, nestled within gardens and with lovely rural views it offers a welcoming escape just moments from the scenic Wombat Hill Gardens.
47 Victoria Street, Trentham FOR SALE - $1.29m - $1.39m
3 1 1
This charming c.1890’s Victorian home has the perfect synergy of yesteryears elegance and today’s lifestyle living. Surrounded by established gardens and looking out to parklike Crown land in sought after Trentham.
DENVER 1215 DAYLESFORD MALMSBURY ROAD
PREMIUM COUNTRY ESTATE WITH STUNNING FARMLAND VIEWS
Discover the epitome of country living with this premium property, set on approx. 32 fertile acres in a tightly held prestige area, just a stone’s throw away from the Glenlyon General Store and close to renowned wineries, restaurants, and art galleries. Located approximately 75 minutes from Melbourne, this remarkable residence offers a perfect blend of rural tranquillity and modern convenience.
This premium residence features light-filled interiors with 2700 mm high ceilings throughout, creating a bright, airy, and open atmosphere. With three spacious bedrooms and an additional study, the home is designed for comfort and functionality. The family room is equipped with double-glazed windows and a split system air conditioning unit to ensure year-round comfort.
Experience the ultimate country lifestyle on this approx. 32 fertile acres — contact us today to arrange your private viewing of this exceptional property!
$2,300,000 - $2,400,000 CONTACT
Tom Shaw 0438 118 903
Michael DeVincentis 0417 142 152 OFFICE
43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
CHARMING 3-BEDROOM HOME WITH PICTURESQUE VIEWS AND PRIME LOCATION
Nestled in a serene setting, this immaculately presented 3bedroom home offers spacious living with beautifully designed interiors and easy-to-maintain garden surrounds. Located near Lake Daylesford and within walking distance to the town’s cafes, restaurants, and galleries, this property offers convenience with natural beauty. Currently leased until June 2025, this property also represents a secure investment opportunity.
3 a 2 b 2 c FOR SALE PRICE
$1,170,000 - $1,200,000 CONTACT
Curtis O'Neil 0423 904 050 OFFICE
43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
HARCOURT
144 RESERVOIR ROAD TRANQUIL EQUESTRIAN
PARADISE: KOOYONG STUD FARM'S COUNTRY HOMESTEAD ON 40 ACRES
Nestled within the scenic Harcourt Valley, Kooyong Stud Farm presents an idyllic retreat spread across 40 acres tailored for the horse enthusiast. This wellmaintained property boasts a country homestead and a wealth of equestrian facilities.
Additional highlights include an inviting entertaining deck complete with a swim spa, ideal for unwinding amidst the peaceful surroundings.
3 a 2 b 16.24 e FOR SALE PRICE
$1,450,000 - $1,550,000 CONTACT
Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE
43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328 DAYLESFORD 9 LAKE ROAD
DAYLESFORD 3 TREWHELLA AVENUE
CHARMING RENOVATION OPPORTUNITY IN CENTRAL DAYLESFORD
Discover the potential of this delightful home located on a picturesque, sought-after street in the heart of Daylesford. Just a short stroll from the vibrant Vincent Street Precinct, you'll enjoy easy access to hotels, cafes, and shops.
Seize this incredible opportunity and call for an inspection today!
3 a 1 b 2 c FOR SALE PRICE
$779,000 CONTACT
Michael DeVincentis 0417 142 152 OFFICE
43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
PORCUPINE RIDGE 25 WOOLNOUGHS ROAD
SUPERB STONE HOME & STUDIO, 2 ACRES
This beautifully handcrafted stone home with adjacent studio is sited on 2 acres in the picturesque area of Porcupine Ridge, just 8 minutes from Daylesford. The property features spectacular scenic views of the surrounding countryside, and over many years the owners have created delightful plantings of flowering borders, shrubs, and lawn areas, along with extensive produce gardens.
DAYLESFORD 92 LAKE ROAD
TRANQUIL COUNTRY LIVING CLOSE TO JUBILEE LAKE
This property is located in a quiet Daylesford township area, adjoining Crown Land with a lovely creek & bushland backdrop and just a short stroll to the stunning Jubilee Lake. With scope for further renovation, the cottage features open plan living, 2 generous bedrooms plus a study. Land area approx 1080 sq.m. with expansive lawn areas and established trees.
$660,000
Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE
43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
3 a 1 b 2 c 2 i FOR SALE PRICE
$1,220,000 CONTACT
Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE
43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
HEPBURN 18 WESTERN AVENUE
ARTISAN RETREAT, A PLACE TO CALL HOME
Step into the serene "Artisan Retreat," a picturesque country cottage & studio tucked away in a quiet residential area close to Hepburn Springs village. The cottage has open-plan living/ kitchen & 2 BRs while the versatile separate studio caters to a variety of uses including a third bedroom, home office, art or music studio, yoga or meditation space.
3 a 1 b 1 c 611 e FOR SALE PRICE
$670,000-$700,000
CONTACT
Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE
43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
WHEATSHEAF 15 WALLABY ROAD
This beautifully presented and meticulously maintained property offers a spacious residence with wraparound verandah, extensive undercover outdoor living/entertaining deck and a huge shed/workshop. The 3BR, 2 bathroom home showcases a bright open-plan
Discover the perfect blend of contemporary design and natural beauty at this stunning architectural property, nestled within approximately twenty acres of serene bushland. Just minutes from town, this three-bedroom home offers complete seclusion and peaceful surroundings, along with a one-bedroom Eco Lodge currently popular on the Airbnb market.
Don't miss the chance to own this unique architectural retreat!
Complete Interior Home Renovations with Advanced Cabinetry
As we all start to emerge from our cold winter, spring is the perfect time of year to organising your home for the warmer months, pack away all the winter woollies and start to look forward to longer brighter days.
It is also the perfect time of year to start planning that Renovation you have been considering for your new Kitchen, Bathroom, or Laundry.
As you make your way through the house doing the deep clean, it gives you the perfect opportunity to look through your spaces and see what is working well and what could be improved.
It could be that you require more storage for your growing family, it could be that you are a downsizer and would like to put your mark on your new home, or it could be that you would like to future-proof your home and make it more accessible as you get older, allowing you to remaining living at home for longer.
Whatever the reason Advanced Cabinetry can help you with all your Cabinetry needs and Complete Renovation Service, organising all associated trades.
The renovation process can be a bit daunting, but be assured you are in experienced hands when dealing with Advanced Cabinetry. Having serviced the local area for 25 years the Advanced Cabinetry team are passionate about creating beautiful spaces for you to enjoy for many years to come.
Servicing the local area and surrounds since 1999 this family-owned and operated business offers clients peace of mind knowing they are dealing with a long standing business, who is registered and accredited, being a Registered Building Practitioner (CDB-L 51288) which is a requirement by law, registered with NDIS Home Modifications (4-JZXOMG0) and a member of several associations.
To book an appointment to meet with an Advanced Cabinetry Designer call (03) 5332 7040 or log onto advancedcabinetry.com.au Be sure to also follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to get some great inspiration.
Showroom at 134 Fussell Street, Ballarat is open: Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm | Saturday 9am to 3pm.
Former Glenlyon Primary School.
- Approx. 4857m2 of land the pretty hamlet of Glenlyon
- Open plan kitchen, dining and living space
- The beautifully renovated school has five-metre-high ceilings
- All three buildings have operated as successful B'n'B rental properties
- Butler's pantry with endless storage possibilities
- Two separate garden studios, both with verandahs, bathrooms and kitchenettes
- Generous covered deck facing north perfect for entertaining - Frontage onto the beautiful, alternating oak and elm Avenue of Federation
- A short stroll to the Glenlyon General Store, the Glenlyon Dam and the Glenlyon Reserve
Private Block with Secret Garden.
Nestled in the grounds of the historic Old Glenlyon Primary School is this fantastic 2950sqm approx private corner block of land. Build your dream home (STCA) with a planning permit for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom, two car garage home, which is positioned to take full advantage of the north facing aspect of the block. The northern wall of the house is designed with retractable windows to drink in the views of the huge historic pine tree.
On part of the land is a secret garden, a large rectangle shaped grass garden that was originally the old tennis court and is now hedged by mature pittosporums. The block is serviced by fixed wireless NBN, power to the boundary, and is assessed by an existing crossover from the bitumen road. This is an extraordinary historic piece of land which possess a very special and private quality thanks to a mixture of mature trees and grottos which make up the boundary.
- Private corner block of land 2950sqm approx
- Planning permit for a 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom, 2 car garage home (STCA)
- A secret garden hedged by mature pittosporums
- A mixture of mature trees and grottos which make up the boundary.
Step into a sanctuary of serenity and elegance with this breathtaking property, meticulously designed to offer the ultimate in luxury living. Nestled on a sprawling 8148m², this Waratah Estate features a stunning Japanese garden that is a true masterpiece of natural art.
The impressive modern home boasts five generous bedrooms and three bathrooms, offering ample space for family and guests.
A chef's delight, the kitchen includes a walk-in butler's pantry, 5burner gas cooktop, double oven, and dishwasher.
This property is a rare gem, combining modern luxury with the timeless beauty of Japanese garden design. It offers an unparalleled living experience. Don't miss the opportunity to make this tranquil masterpiece your own.
Conveniently located in an extremely quiet neighbourhood and only a short walk into the main street where you can enjoy local coffee shops, cafes and restaurants, specialty shops and close to the local primary school, library and Springs medical centre. 5 a 3 b 4 v 8148 r
As advertised or by appointment
Batten | 0476 633 552
Tranquil Land with Planning Permit – Perfect for Your Next Project.
Discover an incredible opportunity in the heart of Korweinguboora. This peaceful 1.5 acres (approx) parcel of land comes with a current planning permit with the site cleared and ready to go, making it ideal for building your dream home, weekender or investment property. With easy access both Daylesford and Ballan being 15 minutes either side of you.
belleproperty.com
Belle Property Daylesford has been voted #1 Agency in Clunes, Glenlyon and Daylesford, along with National Winner in the RateMyAgent 2024 Agency of the Year Awards.
These awards recognize agents and agencies that have been most consistently recommended by customers.
As a testament to our commitment to customer service, we are also proud to have recently received the National Customer Experience Office Award for Belle Property.
We look forward to assisting you. Please call our team today to discuss your needs.
Belle Property Daylesford (03) 5348 1700 58 Vincent Street, Daylesford
belleproperty.com/daylesford
10 Rocky Lead Road, Rocklyn.
'Forest Edge' Escape to Tranquil Rocklyn Living
Located in the tranquil setting of Rocklyn, this impressive 4 bedroom home plus study, completed in 2017, offers the perfect combination of modern living and country charm. Perched on 3/4 acre (approx) with sweeping views of fertile volcanic farmland, this property provides both a peaceful retreat and a gateway to outdoor adventures.
belleproperty.com
18 East Street, Daylesford.
Miners Cottage, large lot- your renovation project!
This charming miner's cottage is waiting for you to put your stamp on it, to make it your own. Set in a generous 1,240m2 land allotment, the gardens not only offers views, privacy, and a sense of being wrapped in green space, but also present a unique and rare investment opportunity (STCA) for the astute buyer.
Christine
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179 Main Road, Hepburn.
Stylishly renovated with separate studio, energy efficiency & subdivision potential
Hummingbird Haven is a place of nurture and rejuvenation. Perfect for those craving the opportunity to embrace this unique sanctuary your own and experience the harmonious blend of modern comfort and natural beauty that it offers. The green flags fly high with this gem. Come take a look and experience it for yourself.
belleproperty.com
r 4 Vue Court, Daylesford.
A haven of modern living and poolside family bliss
Step into a world where modern meets functionality in this single-level sanctuary where family life and contemporary style intertwine. Set in a blossoming Daylesford neighbourhood, the home effortlessly combines striking design with everyday ease. Inside, four generous bedrooms and multiple living spaces create a world of versatility.
Walk to Local Eateries and Markets from This Cozy Home Discover your ideal Daylesford escape – a delightful weatherboard home that beautifully balances cozy living, modern ease, and picturesque rural appeal. Nestled just steps from the vibrant heart of Daylesford, this delightful 3-bedroom,-bathroom residence offers the best of its central location and rural outlook.
belleproperty.com Belle Property Trentham has been voted #1 Agency in Trentham in the RateMyAgent 2024 Agency of the Year Awards. These awards recognize agents and agencies that have been most consistently recommended by customers.
Yandoit-Werona Road, Franklinford.
Beautifully
Fiona
Ensure your investment property is managed by the best.
Angela Flowers.
Raised and working in Clunes, Angela has a deep appreciation for her community and is dedicated to building strong relationships with her clients. As a proud member of the national award-winning team at Belle Property, Angela is committed to providing exceptional service, a commitment reflected in her numerous Rate My Agent Awards.
Contact Angela today to discuss how she can assist with your real estate needs.
Belle Property Daylesford | (03) 5348 1700 58 Vincent Street, Daylesford belleproperty.com/daylesford
When it comes to managing your investment property, the dedicated team at Belle Property are experts in their field.
With their experience and knowledge they are able to guide you through the process of property management to ensure you get the best out of your investment.
For total peace of mind, call Belle Property Daylesford and Trentham today.
Mitchell Roberts Property Manager 0427 481 700 mitchell.roberts@belleproperty.com
Belle Property Daylesford belleproperty.com/daylesford Belle Property Trentham belleproperty.com/trentham
Showcasing Pearl's Petals at The Convent
Surrounded by family photos, keepsakes and memories of her late husband Donny, Daylesford's Sandy Breen creates magic on canvas sitting on a stool in her kitchen. Her happy place.
It’s here she’s putting the finishing touches on her latest exhibition of botanical artwork.
“I called this exhibition My Botanical Phase as over the years I developed a love of botanicals. It first started when I spent many happy years conducting colouring classes with a local senior citizens' group,” she said.
“Then around five years ago a friend asked if I could paint Australian botanicals that she could use for a series of scarves she was having produced for the local and overseas markets. I called on a local horticulturist who gave me three images to paint…I have been in my botanical phase ever since.”
Sandy and Donny, pictured below, had been longtime visitors and over that time cemented life and connections in the community before moving here permanently in 2009. Sandy spends countless hours giving back to the community every week, running the weekly community lunch in Daylesford – the 5000 Club.
‘Honoured’ to be showcasing her botanical artwork at the Convent Gallery in Daylesford from October, Sandy’s love affair with art began as a child. As a teenager she landed a cadetship in the advertising department at Myer Melbourne. These were the days when artwork was done by hand and Sandy created thousands of layouts for press ads with her own manual artwork, not design software on computers.
While still living in Melbourne, and with three children, Sandy started her freelance design company in order to have the flexibility to work from home. It wasn’t long before her clientele included major fashion houses, magazines, shopping centres and her beloved St Kilda Football Club.
In the late 1990s Sandy experienced a yearning to get back to painting. She enrolled in a watercolour course and her love of painting bloomed. In the early to mid2000s Sandy exhibited at the Gardiner Contemporary Gallery in Hawthorn and held a residency at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne. Twenty years on and Sandy feels honoured to be exhibiting again.
“Sandy Breen: My Botanical Phase (aka Pearl’s Petals), given Pearl has been my nickname for more than 50 years, is an exhibition of over 40 of my botanical images which I am delighted to be showcasing at the iconic Convent Gallery. My exhibition includes a trip down memory lane with a display spanning my working life,” she said.
And while Sandy said she feels Donny’s presence sitting at her kitchen bench, paintbrush in hand, a canvas perched on a cushion, her exhibition will also feature her artist daughter Keele’s contemporary works.
List with us!
When partnering with Daylesford Country Retreats we understand that we are managing one of your most important assets.
Contact Brendan at brendan@dayburn.com.au
Fitting for Sandy who believes her family is her greatest achievement, she is delighted that her daughter Keele will be exhibiting some of her works in tandem with hers.
“I never dreamed of having an exhibition at the Convent Gallery, but I am truly thrilled.”
Sandy Breen: My Botanical Phase exhibition will be held at the Convent Gallery, 7 Daly Street, Daylesford commencing on October 3 until December 5. Words & main image: Narelle Groenhout
• Tired of managing your own property and need greater online exposure ?
• Our team are passionate about caring for your property through our proactive and preemptive management programs.
• We manage cleaners, linen hire, photographers, gardeners and ongoing maintenance.
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Roast Lamb Loin Chops with Mint and Dill Sauce
BY RICHARD CORNISH
Lamb loin chops are one of the best cuts in the butcher’s shop window. And these are some of the best lamb loin chops I’ve eaten. I love them grilled over charcoal, but I have discovered another way to keep their juicy and succulent texture. This is a one-pan roast packed with vegetables and finished with a vibrant and tangy green sauce made with spring dill tips and fresh mint.
To view the full recipe plus many others, click on the QR code or visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au
We might not know how to write Haiku poetry but we know all there is about great meat! With Spring comes footy finals and absolutely gorgeous lamb. So we have some great specials to celebrate both. And a ridiculously good recipe from Richard Cornish for loin chops.
* This pack has sausage rolls, pies, footy franks, bacon and more. See our website for all the info. And visit us in-store for daily spot specials!
Superstars heading to Lyonville's Radio Springs
Australia's music and comedy superstars have dazzled and enthralled huge audiences around the world...but now they are headed to a retro performance space in Lyonville's Radio Springs Hotel to play a unique live show.
Less than 40 people at a time will get into this remarkable venue and the shows will run for about 90 minutes. The MC will be Australia’s most experienced comedy compere Simon Rogers who will interview each star about their careers, their best gigs and their worst gigs and take questions from the audience.
He says he loves the vibe of this small theatre experience with its classic movie seating, tiny stage, choc tops for sale, lush red velvet curtains and intimate atmosphere. The shows are deliberately in the moment and won't be podcast or recorded.
"It's a one-off experience. It's the cream of Australia's performing arts chatting to me and you and a few friends and if you ain’t there you miss out. It's not a TED talk - you can’t watch it again and again on YouTube, the bloopers won’t be turned into memes… It's more like Midnight in Paris where you've accidentally stumbled into a dinner party of comedy and music icons and they invite you to sit around the table and have a chat."
Before or after the events, guests enjoy fine food and wine in front of a crackling wood fire and can even stay overnight in one of the beautiful, olde-style bedrooms.
The "An Afternoon With ..." series will host regular shows on a Sunday afternoon throughout 2024 with more headliners to be announced soon for 2025.
So far songbird royalty Marina Prior and her husband renowned actor Grant Piro perform on October 6, comedy legend Tony Martin on October 13, star of The Merger and Double Act comedian Damian Callinan on November 10, stand-up comedian and broadcaster Richard Stubbs on November 17, and the musical genius of David Bridie, frontman of My Friend the Chocolate Cake and Not Drowning Waving will be shared on December 1.
Bookings: Radio Springs Hotel on 5348 5562 or trybooking.com
Pictured, clockwise, from top left, Simon Rogers, Richard Stubbs, Tony Martin, and Marina Prior and Grant Piro
Revealed, stepmother shock: it wasn’t her fault
The timeworn tale of the wicked stepmother is given an about-turn in a soldout Melbourne show which had its final rehearsal in Daylesford before its world premiere.
An enthusiastic audience of around 60 people saw Hepburn’s Aurora Kurth, actor, singer and cabaret performer, produce a performance that showed why critics describe her as one of the most extraordinary cabaret performers ever produced in Australia.
And it was her captivating comedienne craft that moved an expatriate Australian playwright, Hannah Pyliotis, to ask Aurora to help stage the play.
For this, Aurora turned to Daylesford’s Megan Jones, who is directing Mara, described as a fearless retelling of the Cinderella story from the stepmother’s perspective.
Mara struggles to find work as a single mother of two children. She marries a wealthy grieving widower but there is no happily ever after.
Says Megan: “It throws a light and helps us understand why the stepmother in Cinderella became cruel. Cinderella was the victim of her stepmother, but here Mara is excluded by her step-daughters, who punish and abandon her, so Mara returns to her mother.”
Playwright Pyliotis, who has lived in France for 20 years, took six years to write Mara. And there is a fascinating real-life connection: Megan taught her for two years when she was in her twenties.
“I directed circus for two years,” says Megan, “and had a successful theatre company. I’ve been directing since I was in my twenties. In Mara we had to take the words off the page and have the story make sense of it.”
It’s a demanding work, with Aurora playing 10 characters, using five accents. With quick costume changes, athletic leaps, including onto a table, she captivated the audience, who followed the run-through with keen questions and suggestions.
Then there is the music, plus sound effects. Astonishingly, this was written in a matter of days by Ania Reynolds, who comes from Circus Oz. She also plays it with a lot of verve.
“It’s been so much fun working together,” says Megan. “We’re all working for nothing, and so we were so happy to get such outstanding feedback and hear from people who want to see how the play ends. We are hoping to get it into a European festival.”
Mara is part of La Mama’s Explorations season and to Megan it also shows the potential for part of the Daylesford Town Hall to become a much-needed performance centre.
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Supplied
TRATA keen for stallholders for fundraisers
The Trentham Railway precinct has undergone huge changes in the last 18 months.
Trentham Rail and Tramway Association secretary Phil Davis says with a new committee and volunteers, the gardens and amenities have been revitalised along with some restoration work to make the precinct "a very popular place for the community and visitors who come to Trentham".
"New wheelchair-friendly picnic tables have been installed around the gardens, a mobility pathway from the platform to the rail line has made it easier for people to start the Domino Trail walk from Trentham to Lyonville, and stairs onto the rail line allow everyone to explore some of the oldest rolling stock in Victoria.
"The railway precinct is now the hub for our annual Tractor Pull, Spudfest and many classic car events. We have an amazing facility that the town is very proud of."
Mr Davis said to continue the rejuvenation of the railway precinct, and to raise much needed funds, TRATA will be running a seasonal market over the next seven months.
The dates for the market are October 27, November 24, December 15, January 19, February 23, March 30 and April 27.
The markets will be open from 9am to 1pm with the first market free to stallholders and not-for-profit organisations.
Subsequent markets will be $10 for a stallholder not requiring power.
Mr Davis said stallholders were needed to make the market, and fundraising, a success for the town.
Contact: trataattrentham@gmail.com
Artists of the Central Highlands with Eve Lamb
Clunes-based Prue Simmons is a zoologist turned saori weaver who revels in colour and in this meditative form of creativity. Having discovered this beautiful form of Japanese weaving while exploring the mountains of Japan in 2007, Prue was instantly hooked. She has gone on to establish her Dyeing To Weave business and, as one of only three accredited saori teachers in Australia, is very busy sharing her love of the unique art-form through workshops, immersive retreats and special events throughout the district and way beyond.
Eve: I get the impression saori has pretty much taken over your life.
Prue: Yes it has completely taken over my life in a wonderful way. I had worked as a zoologist for 10 years and if you’d said to me 20 years ago that I’d be teaching a meditative form of weaving I wouldn’t have believed you. It was not on my radar at all. I was very much a straight-laced scientist. And I didn’t come from a textile background. My poor mother tried to teach me to knit and I was terrible at it.
Eve: But you discovered saori in Japan?
Prue: Yes, in my 20s. I was in Japan, volunteering and immersing myself in the culture and language. I turned up at this beautiful old school that had become an arts and crafts village in a tiny little hamlet in the middle of nowhere. I turned up to build a pizza oven. As a thank-you my first mentor, Toyomi, taught me saori and it opened up this incredible ability for me to see that I could be creative.
Eve: And you have gone on from learning the art to becoming a teacher of it as well.
Prue: Yes, there are only three of us here in Australia accredited to teach. I went back and did training to teach over a decade ago now. I trained with Sensai Misao Jo who has since passed away just shy of her 105th birthday.
Eve: What is it about saori weaving that so captivated you?
Prue: The saori loom is actually designed to be a moving mediation where you get a chance to get into that flow state and drop down into that creative space in your heart and it’s lovely to see that unlock for other people too. I am on a one-woman mission to share it with as many people as possible.
I don’t like having to concentrate when I create. I want to create from the heart not the head. I want to just relax and enjoy my creativity, not feel pressured to recreate a particular pattern, to copy someone else’s work, to be worried if I’m doing it ‘right’. I never considered weaving in the past, as it seemed too complicated, too mathematical and too structured for me.
Saori is not about repeating patterns. It comes from a person’s own inner source of creativity. The Japanese call it Kansei which translates to your inner creative spirit. No two pieces of saori weaving are ever going to be the same. It’s about self expression. And then you get to wear a part of your personality. You get to wear this tangible moment in time.
It’s been such an honour and privilege to teach hundreds of people. For me it’s not just a form of textiles I’m teaching, it actually offers people an amazing awareness of their own creative potential.
Eve: You also run llamas on your property at Clunes. Do you use the llama fibre?
Prue: Yes. The llama fibre is a specialty fibre for me and I am getting my llama fibre commercially processed. But you can do saori weaving with any fibre. You can weave with wool, cotton, cashmere, silk, paper, even things like dried material from your garden… and it’s a very sustainable form of weaving which is something else that I love about it.
Eve: So now that saori weaving has pretty much taken over your life, is it what you do full-time now?
Prue: Yes. I had another part-time job at the library for 11 years, singing to young babies, and I loved it. But I had to give it up this year.
Eve: You have plenty of workshops and teaching retreats on your calendar ahead, both in this area and interstate. Do you also have any exhibitions coming up?
Prue: Well, the exhibition we held in June this year (at the Clunes Warehouse) was so successful that we’re going to make it an annual event now. We had people visiting from all over Australia. It was the largest exhibition of saori weaving ever in Australia.
"I
don’t like having to concentrate when I create. I want to create from the heart not the head. I want to just relax and enjoy my creativity, not feel pressured to recreate a particular pattern, to copy someone else’s work, to be worried if I’m doing it ‘right’. I never considered weaving in the past, as it seemed too complicated, too mathematical and too structured for me."
Gig Guide with Darren Lowe
The Watershed Springband has been added to the bill of the Ballarat leg of the iconic Out On The Weekend, an Americana, all things alt country and roots celebration, festival.
The band features red-hot fiddle and banjo, dreamy vocal harmonies, snappy guitar picking and juicy double bass with a unique blend of vintage country, from driving bluegrass and old time dance tunes to Australiana and Western swing.
The Watershed Stringband is a collaboration between Wendy Phypers and Dave Patterson from the Cartwheels (Glenlyon) and Cat Moser and Clint O’Grady (Blackwood).
In 2022 the four had an impromptu jam around a fire at Mutawintji, a magical spot in outback NSW. They immediately gelled, blending acoustic instruments and four-part harmonies.
The annual Out On The Weekend festival will head to Ballarat as well as its traditional home in Williamstown for its 10-year anniversary.
Ballarat will be the first destination for the finest golden nuggets of country music. Coming all the way from the USA is Uncle Lucius, Nick Shoulders, Margo Cilker, Jonny Fritz and Joshua Hedley, who will be joined by local legend Freya Josephine Hollick and city stalwarts James Ellis & The Jealous Guys.
Out On The Weekend takes place at Itinerant Spirits in The Goods Shed in Ballarat on Friday, October 11. The festival continues at Seaworks in Williamstown on Saturday, October 12.
Watershed are also booked to play Mountaingrass Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival in Bright on November 15-17 and Wirrina Bluegrass and Acoustic Roots Festival in SA on November 22-24.
Virginia & Annie
ABC presenter and journalist Virginia Trioli and Australian food legend
Annie Smithers will be talking about their books at the Phee Broadway Theatre in Castlemaine.
The Northern Books event will be held on October 2 from 7.30pm.
Annie and Virginia have both written books showcasing their love of great produce, their passion for sharing food and the idea that the memory bank for delicious meals in fabulous places is deeply connected to a sense of nostalgia and sentimentality.
Virginia Trioli is a journalist, broadcaster and author. She is a two-time Walkley Award-winner and lives in Melbourne with her husband and son. Her book is titled A Bit on the Side.
Annie Smithers is one of Australia’s most highly regarded chefs and one of the first chefs to truly epitomise the paddock-to-plate ethos.
At her restaurant, du Fermier in Trentham, Annie does all the cooking, starting with baking her own baguettes each morning and offers a menu du jour that features vegetables picked that day from her kitchen garden and meats and poultry from the surrounding area. She carefully sources all products to ensure their environmental and animal husbandry credentials.
Her first book was Recipes for a Kinder Life with Kitchen Sentimental the perfect companion.
Concert review
The Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, in its annual Feast of Music, produced an outstanding four concert program in the Daylesford Town Hall from September 13-15.
The virtuosity and commitment were breathtaking while exploring and reimagining music from J.S. Bach to contemporary compositions. The passion and energy commenced with Haydn's Gypsy piano trio on Friday evening and finished with a blaze of tango from all musicians on Sunday afternoon.
At the forefront of this event was classical accordionist James Crabb. His arrangement of the J.S. Bach Cm concerto for two keyboards, accordion and piano, was one of many highlights. With the irrepressible Stefan Cassomenos at the piano and the superbly disciplined MCO Strings in full flight, the performance was genuinely convincing.
Similarly, Crabb's arrangement (piano and accordion) of Lutoslawski's Variations on a Theme of Paganini sparkled with its complex rhythms, precisely realised, while contrasted with the grand romantic theme late in the work.
The traditional chamber compositions were delivered with enthusiasm and freshness. The power and energy of the Brahms Piano Quartet Op.25 was balanced perfectly by the understated elegance of the Vanhal Divertimento in G major. The world premiere performance of Cassomenos's Quintetsatz was the ideal companion to Schbert's Trout quintet. This new work clearly references the late classical style while adding a new dimension, particularly with its rhythmic drive.
The pleasant surprises were not limited to the accordion. Violinist Sophie Rowell demonstrated subtlety and bravura technique in Alan Ridout's music for Ferdinand the Bull, with Lucien Fischer narrating the popular children's story. Caroline Shaw's Entr'acte, for string quartet, revealed a broad range of unusual string techniques within its challenging style.
Finally, it was the irresistible appeal of the tango which had the last say. Antonio Agri and Jose Carli's Desde Adentro, with the gorgeous solo violin entry performed by Elizabeth Sellars, grew into a kaleidoscope of tonal colours and syncopated rhythms. Piazzolla's Libertango drove the program to an exciting conclusion.
Words: Bronislaw Sozanski BA DipEd ATCL VMTA
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Kyle’s Rant
The cat is now out of the bag. TL HQ (AKA The Old Glenlyon Primary School) is on the market with rumours and speculation whirring about the future of The Local. (It's all good...)
And the old story stands true, if you don’t know what you are doing in a small town, just wait a moment and the townsfolk will tell you.
So, after 20 years of enjoying our wonderful home, creating a business (The Local) in what is arguably one of the best offices I’ve ever worked from, we have decided to hand over the role of custodian of the school to the next people.
I never really thought of myself as the owner of the school, it was more like it owned us and we were simply the caretakers, and it has been an absolute pleasure and honour.
But The Local is a lot of work alongside my other commitments, which these days include visits now and again to the Gold Coast writing for boating industry magazines. Yes, my other dream job.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to write about and capture the joys and handling characteristics of gin palaces while clipping down the humpback highway at outrageous speeds. Dipping a toe into the lifestyles of the rich and famous, seeing how the other half live and not having to pay for the fuel.
So, we are going to downsize and live in the lovely town of Daylesford where life is a little more convenient, the watering holes are but a stagger away, and yes, it will be business as usual for The Local which these days is mostly run by Donna. I simply keep the air in the tyres in terms of logistics and bookwork.
The decision has been a five-year back and forth arm wrestle with her indoors, but finally we are ready to make the move. It's not easy. The Glenlyon School is not just a home but also a very special place shared by generations. God knows it's so hard to make the decision to sell your home, let alone to sell something with so much history that gets all the ooohs and aahhs as visitors come through the doors.
A place where the crew from The Local have spent many a relaxed afternoon shooting the breeze in the aptly named “boardroom”, a 16-seat long table positioned under the 150-year-old oak tree.
So I hope this puts to rest anymore rumours that we are off, and that we are simply doing what many people do, decide it's time for a smaller home and one that is a bit closer to amenities.
But that’s enough about our journey and on to the current affairs of the day, starting with old Trumpy and the strange claim immigrants are "eating the cats and dogs" in Springfield.
Except the woman who started the rumour, found her cat alive and well under the house, and then popped next door to humbly apologise to her neighbours for the baseless accusation. I doubt a spare cup of sugar is now available.
And then we move on to the discriminate killings that are going on in the Middle East which have turned indiscriminate. Killing innocent people who just happen to be in the same place at the same time as the target. Who dreams this kind of madness up, the world's in enough of a pickle as it is and now it won’t be long before an upgraded mobile phone could be your end.
Finally good news, and closer to home, huge congratulations to all of our sporting heroes involved in this year’s football and netball finals. And especially to the efforts of the Daylesford Seniors Netball and Football teams who had a cracker performance in the Grand Finals. Cnogratulations. And commiseration to Hepburn netballers - so close but no cigar.
Rumour rant over…
Local Lines
I heard my mother's fingers fall
I heard my mother’s fingers fall on the piano’s keys with distant sound: first slow, then seldom - lastly, not at all.
As destiny began to call from some far-off unnoticed ground, I heard my mother’s fingers fall
and wrap her memories in a shawl to warm her as she moved around, first slow, then seldom - lastly, not at all.
The world so wide, and she so small –yet in the solitude I found I heard my mother’s fingers fall
to play some notes she could recall from former days that might rebound first slow, then seldom lastly, not at all.
I’ve seen the grasses growing tall beside my mother’s marbled mound; and I have heard her fingers fall first slow, then seldom- lastly, not at all.
Rory Hudson lives in Point Cook and writes various kinds of poetry as and when the mood seizes him, some of which he reads at Chamber Poets, Woodend. Some of his poems have been published in different Australian magazines.
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
Want to contribute to quality journalism or more cute dogs? Just scan the QR code here.
G’day! I’m Herbie. I’m a one-and-a-half-year-old grey tabby desexed boy. Let’s face it. I’m absolutely gorgeous and also very affectionate. However I’m a little bit shy when meeting new people and I take my time to settle into a new environment. Once I settle in I am very loving. I would be best suited to a quiet home where I will be showered with love. Come and meet me here at the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine. Ph:5472 5277. Microchip no. 956000017040819.
(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. And proudly supported by Daylesford's petstock - where pets are family.)
Just sayin’...
By Donna Kelly
Hmmm. So Dan Murphy's is appealing a Victorian Liquor Commission decision and still trying to open a store in Daylesford.
Back in August, the Commission decision was the first using the new definition of “harm” under the Liquor Control Reform Act, a landmark decision.
Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas said the decision was made namely on the basis that granting the licence could pose a public risk, encourage harm (particularly to minors) and have adverse social impacts.
In announcing its decision the Commission concluded "that granting the Licence would be conducive to or encourage harm, specifically to minors".
“In particular, the Commission concludes that there is an appreciable risk that granting the Licence would result in an increase of secondary supply of alcohol to minors in Daylesford and (therefore) an increase in alcohol consumption by minors and (therefore) increased harm from the misuse and abuse of alcohol by minors.
“This conclusion is driven by the accumulation of a number of factors … deriving from the 'particular local, social, demographic and geographic circumstances' of Daylesford.”
But Dan's apparently knows better and is giving it another go. I guess, if you were sceptical, you would think owners, The Endeavour Group, would be just a little bit worried it could lead to more knockbacks in other small towns. Daylesford leading the way. Or do they just think we all have the right to cheap alcohol? Not sure. But it is a bit of a body blow to many in the town.
As Kyle, just over there to the left, has written, we have put our wonderful Glenlyon property up for sale.
So many people say they would love it, and we did for many years. And still do but there comes a time when you realise you are getting a bit older and it's time for some downtime in between getting The Local out each fortnight.
I remember when we first bought the property, we were so excited. Mum called it "a ruin" at the time but we just thought it was full of potential and fun. We loved everything about our move from Frankston to the country - our home, its history, the people, the surrounding region. We even got rugged up and sat at the Glenlyon Store enjoying mulled wine during winter. Outside!
But it is time to call time, and we will look for somewhere in Daylesford, closer to restaurants and pubs, and supermarkets and stores. To be honest, the taxi ride home from Daylesford was always a bit of an adventure, thanks to the great, late, Serge. Miss him and his "hello lovers".
I worked out I have lived in about 25 homes so far. And apart from perhaps 22 years all up at 2 The Range, Frankston, the second longest has been at Glenlyon.
There have been some strange places. Japan twice, in Niihama in the island of Shikoku and Ome, about an hour from Tokyo, Alice Springs, Karratha in northern WA and quite a few places around Queensland. Then there is Caulfield, near the track, and Mordialloc, where we felt like we lived in a retirement village. Now and again an ambulance would arrive during the night and the next morning someone would tell us, "another one of us has gone". I kid you not.
Anyway, time for a new caretaker for the school, and hopefully someone who gets the history, potential future and myriad possibilities.
And The Local will continue, in a new office, with the same passion for sharing stories and connecting the community. Love this place. Just sayin'...
W RD CROSS
Here is the crossword solution for Edition 314. How did you go?
All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.
Markets...
Every Sunday - Daylesford Sunday Market
First Saturday - Daylesford Farmers Market, Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers Market, Woodend Farmers Market, Woodend Lions Market
First Sunday - Castlemaine Artists’ Market
Second Saturday - Trentham Community Group Market, Kyneton Farmers Market, Ballan Farmers Market, Kyneton Rotary Community Market
Second Sunday - Maldon Market, Clunes Farmers Market
Third Saturday - Trentham Farmers and Makers Market, Glenlyon Farmers Market, Leonards Hill Market, Creswick Market
Third Sunday - Talbot Farmers Market, Malmsbury Farmers Market
Fourth Sunday - Trentham Station Sunday Market, Buninyong Village Market
Business Directory - Buy Local
CONGRATULATIONS!
In a first in the club's history, Daylesford Football Netball Club celebrated two seniors' premierships on Saturday, September 14.
Daylesford’s A Grade netballers defeated Hepburn, 42-41, with Chelsea Imanisani named best on court.
Daylesford Senior footballers won from Bungaree, 7.8 (50) to 3.5 (23), with Travis Dean awarded the best on ground medal.
