The Local August 28 2023

Maddy had a little lamb

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Front cover: It’s a job many would envy and Creswick Woollen Mills’ Farmer Maddy says it’s one she’s not about to swap for a desk any day soon. Maddy Viola is one of two farmers at the Creswick Woollen Mills' onsite demo farm, looking after alpacas - and lambs. Read the story on page 18.

Image: Eve Lamb

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The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.

The next edition is out on Monday, September 11, 2023. or online on Sunday, September 10 at www.tlnews.com.au

Space bookings: Wednesday, September 6

Copy deadline: Thursday, September 7

Editorial deadline: Thursday, September 7

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 assistant: 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, Jeff Glorfeld & Donna Kelly

Photographers: Kyle Barnes, Eve Lamb & Nadine Jade

Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness

Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (music), Richard Cornish & Jen Clarke (recipes), Clive Hartley (wine) & Bill Wootton (poetry)

Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey

Rainbow Angels

Locals are being offered the opportunity to become Rainbow Community Angels to enable them to take part in peaceful actions to support community safety at LGBTIQA+ inclusive events.

In partnership with Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, the Rainbow Community Angels, a Victorian community-led safety initiative, are delivering training in Kyneton to the LGBTIQA+ community and allies.

Participants will learn how to shield and protect the LGBTIQA+ community, including young people, local council, business owners and venue staff should protesters attend LGBTIQA+ activities and events.

Talking about why it was important to provide this training, Country LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program worker Belinda said: “The Rainbow Community Angel training builds hope and resilience in our community, empowering us to stand together in solidarity as a community and allies in support of LGBTIQA+ events.”

Rainbow Community Angels work with event organisers and venue staff to increase event safety through a peaceful, supportive and highly visible presence.

They have experience working with local councils, libraries and youth organisations to support the safe passage of attendees to and from the scheduled activities. The Rainbow Angels have formed in response to an increased presence of anti-trans and anti-drag activity in the community which has led to a series of event cancellations.

“By training to be Rainbow Angels, we can turn some of that anger and hate into love, kindness and community,” Belinda said. “It's about working together and finding a structure to support each other and ensure inclusive events continue to go ahead.”

The upcoming Rainbow Community Angels training will be held in Kyneton on Saturday, September 2 from 10am to 1pm. The training is free, but registration is essential at www.sunburycobaw.org.au/rainbow-community-angels. Those living in Central Victoria and Sunbury will be prioritised for this training opportunity.

For more information about this event or Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health’s LGBTIQA+ programs, contact WayOut or CLIP on 5421 1666/ healthpromotion@scchc.org.au.

*If this article has raised any concerns, Qlife offers support LGBTIQA+ people from 3pm to midnight - call webchat 1800 184 527.

Writing the Rainbow

Amanda to compete in Deaf Bowls Champs

Hepburn’s Amanda Care is heading off to Scotland to compete in the International Deaf Bowls Championships.

It’s a major achievement for the local businesswoman who was diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss as a very small child.

Amanda only took up bowls five years ago, but took to it instantly, after getting tired of merely watching from the sidelines as her husband Kevin enjoyed his bowling on the greens.

In the next few days Amanda will fly out bound for Edinburgh and, once there, will travel about 20 minutes each day of the international champs, held over September 1-14, to compete on the Colinton Bowling Club greens.

There will be 85 bowlers in total competing, including bowlers from Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, England and Australia, Amanda says.

It’s the first time the local bowler has ever competed in the world championships.

It’s also the first time she has ever been to Scotland, despite recently discovering that she is genetically 45 per cent Scottish, and even boasts a family clan, the McLeods.

Amanda is one of 14 Australians - 12 of them competitors - who are making their way over to Scotland for the championships and once there she will find out which events she will compete in.

These may include singles, doubles, triples or fours with men’s and women’s divisions.

Amanda says that despite being rated severe to profoundly deaf she is able to get by just fine with the help of technology including hearing aids, specialised apps and Bluetooth which enables her to use telephones for conversation.

Both she and Kevin are keen members of the Deer Park Bowling Club, although Amanda has also enjoyed playing pennants and socialising at the Daylesford Bowling Club as well.

“These world championships are held every four years but with Covid they got delayed. The last championships were held in New Zealand,” Amanda says.

Amanda also says Scottish greens are notorious for being “heavy” while Australian greens, conversely, generally tend to be “fast”.

So to prepare for the championships she has been playing bowls every day on the heaviest greens onto which she can readily find her way.

“I’ve been practising at Invermay because they’re heavier greens,” she says.

She’s also been working hard on boosting general strength and fitness.

“I’ve been working out with Beth at Integrated Fitness in Daylesford, and bowling five days a week,” she says.

“Bowling is such a skilful game too. It requires a lot of headspace. You have your good days and your bad days. It’s quite a humbling game. Some days you just can’t get it together while other days you’re on fire.”

Amanda is in her early 50s, runs her own professional organising and decluttering business, which she loves, and also enjoys taking on the older bowlers who, just quietly, are known to be ferociously competitive at times.

“I love competing against the older bowlers, showing them what I can do. A lot of them have been bowling for 20 to 30 years,” Amanda says.

She loves the social aspect of the sport and is also looking to compete in the annual Australian Deaf Games set for Newcastle at the end of January.

“I have competed in them once before and got a bronze medal, but at the time I was a fill-in for a Sydney team because one of their girls broke a leg,” she says.

“I used to play golf. I’m much better as a bowler.”

Amanda has promised to let The Local know how she goes in Scotland.

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Contributed

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Just briefly...

In the last edition of The Local, it was reported that the Hepburn Rural Fire Brigade recently hosted a community open day with a number of firefighters receiving medals.

The article did not include that Laurie (Micky) Yanner was awarded with a 60year service medal. The article was contributed.

The state government has purchased Hanging Rock’s East Paddock and released a new masterplan to further protect the cultural significance of the destination.

Minister for the Environment Ingrid Stitt said the $3 million investment would provide a clear pathway for the future management of Hanging Rock. Events at the East Paddock will be carefully managed to limit impacts on nature and the surrounding environment. The plan also outlines future developments to protect the natural environment and improve the visitor experience, including a new revegetated 'Songline' walking trail and a visitor centre for dining and education purposes.

A new Central Victorian carbon offset project will help councils reach their net-zero emission goals, while providing private landholders all the benefits from growing trees and shrubs on their properties.

The Community Carbon Project is a partnership between the North Central Catchment Management Authority and the City of Greater Bendigo, and Macedon Ranges, Hepburn and Mount Alexander shire councils. North Central CMA Business Development manager Matt Dawson said restoring critical habitats and connecting fragmented landscapes in the region was a key focus of all project partners. Expressions of interest close on September 30.

Hepburn Shire Council has formally stated its unanimous support for the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the Voice to Parliament.

In reaching its unanimous decision councillors acknowledged that a First Nations Voice to Parliament would be an independent, representative advisory body that will provide a permanent means to advise parliament and government on matters affecting the lives of First Nations communities – including advice on practical steps to improve health, education, employment and housing.

Regional unemployment in Victoria has plunged to an unprecedented low as jobs continue to grow in towns and cities across the state.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows Victoria’s regional unemployment rate fell to 2.4 per cent in July - the lowest in the country and the lowest mark in the state’s history. The national regional unemployment rate stands at 3.3 per cent. More than 8000 jobs were created in regional areas last month – the best performance among the states – pushing the total number of people in work in the regions to a record high 864,000.

Hepburn Shire Council has released a summary of progress on its 2022/2023 Annual Plan deliverables.

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the council had made good progress over the past 12 months. “Some of the highlights include completion of two major capital projects, the Trentham Sportsground Reserve Pavilion and Hammon Park Trailhead.” Other features include developing and implementing the Sustainable Hepburn Strategy and circular economy activities, adopting a Disability Access Inclusion Plan and youth strategy, and completing a flora and fauna assessment of Creswick township and surrounds.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council, consistent with the council’s ongoing collaboration with and support for the shire’s three traditional owner groups and First Nations residents, and in recognition of the grief and sadness expressed around the date, will not host Australia Day events on January 26 next year.

Annual community awards will instead be held on January 25 alongside a citizenship ceremony.

Hepburn Shire Council is working on possible security measures after the new electric vehicle charge station at Creswick was vandalised recently, rendering it currently offline.

Damage is understood to have been done to at least one of the charge guns and Hepburn CEO Bradley Thomas has described it as “very disappointing”.

Wildlife killed

A Daylesford resident has asked dog owners and drivers to be more aware of wildlife, after a kangaroo and its joey were found mauled to death on her property.

Wendy Avery said on Saturday, July 29, about 3pm, she saw a dog jump in her dam chasing her ducks and sheep.

"It then ran around the dam in circles and attempted to chase my sheep. At this stage I could see what was going on and came out to investigate. My property is completely fenced off from Cobblers Gully and the wet spaniel made a hasty retreat through the fence toward Cobblers Lane/Raglan Street. He/she was wearing a collar with a disc medallion.

"I like dogs but living in Daylesford you have to carefully pick your breed, train and look after them. Especially if they are to live alongside the native wildlife in our area.

"(Some spaniels) are water dogs, prone to roaming. They are actually a gun dog used for hunting, not really a pet if you are just going to leave them in the backyard without exercise or attention."

Wendy said a week later on Sunday, August 6 as she headed out for a walk along Cobblers Gully about 4.30pm, still on her neighbour's property, she saw a dead kangaroo.

"On closer inspection it was a small female with a joey in its pouch. Both were still warm, but sadly deceased. You could see that they had been attacked by a dog and the council ranger has confirmed from pictures it was a dog attack. The dog involved would have come home with a bloody muzzle."

Hepburn Shire Council Infrastructure and Delivery director Bruce Lucas said over the past four years there had been reports involving kangaroo, wombats, possums and lizards.

"These are from not only dogs unconstrained or roaming but let's talk about cats as well, in relation to smaller wildlife. The council has just introduced a dusk to dawn cat curfew.

"The case recently was a roaming dog and we don't know who the owner is and have not been able to identify the dog. If we had responsible pet ownership and people keeping animals well contained that attack is likely to be avoided."

Mr Lucas said the council worked closely with Wildlife Victoria, who had responded in this case, and that they did an amazing job as a volunteer organisation.

"We work closely with them, they support us and we have a great working relationship."

Mr Lucas said the primary goal was keeping animals contained on properties and when walking them to be mindful of the surroundings. "If you are in the bush then make sure your dogs are on lead or under effective controls because there will be wildlife. It all comes back to responsible pet ownership."

*Wendy did provide photos of the dead kangaroo and its joey but The Local has chosen not to show them as they are very distressing.

Bad behaviour called out

Aggressive behaviour towards Hepburn Shire Council staff is on the increase and reaching unprecedented levels.

CEO Bradley Thomas said that several recent incidents had highlighted the lack of respect shown towards council staff.

“While the vast majority of our community are respectful and behave appropriately, we are seeing a significant increase in the number of incidents of occupational violence occurring towards our staff.

“Staff are regularly feeling intimidated after being approached in the street or in other public places, like the supermarket, and verbally abused, sometimes shouted or sworn at.

"We acknowledge that we don't always get things right and sometimes mistakes are made, but that does not excuse poor behaviour towards staff. If we get things wrong, let us know in a respectful way through the many mechanisms available and we'll do what we can to put things right.”

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said council staff, and councillors, were entitled to have a safe workplace.

“Verbal abuse and threatening behaviour is simply not acceptable, and that includes cowardly online abuse. Council has well-established complaint handling procedures, so if community members have a complaint, they must raise it through the appropriate channels.

“Council will do everything within its powers to protect its staff and councillors. We will not tolerate aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour.”

Rotary launches 2023 Daylesford Art Show

Daylesford Rotary is proud to announce the launch of the 2023 Daylesford Art Show to be held between November 2 and 7.

Coordinator Jenny Hopkins said since the show’s inception 40 years ago, it had been a feature on the Daylesford calendar and "this year we shall be celebrating with an unprecedented eclectic collection of art".

"This not-to-be-missed art show would not be possible without the contributions of the area’s many talented artists, and the generous sponsorship from local businesses and individuals, and volunteers.

"The beautiful Daylesford Town Hall will, as always be filled with the paintings that are already rolling in from various parts of Victoria...with more to come."

In the adjacent room will be nationally awarded quilting, plus bonsai, significant sculptures, all for décor and sale.

Ms Hopkins said the committee was delighted that the Community Bank Daylesford District was again sponsoring the show’s opening night.

"In the hall, the Bendigo Bank Bar will be there under the aptly named Cheers for Forty Years."

Ms Hopkins said the art show had added a new category to the initial seven - The Local and Daylesford Records initiative with entrants invited to creatively reproduce/ reinterpret album covers the size of a record album cover, using hard cardboard, preferably framed. (See right below.)

"Space for the top 10 covers will be available for display along with our original categories. These categories, Animalia, Nude, Landscape, Sea, Urban, Landscape (25km beyond Daylesford), Still Life and Portrait, have proven popular over the years, and we expect our newest one to be equally well received."

Ms Hopkins said the show was only possible through its sponsors including the following category sponsors: Blooms Pharmacy, That Bargain Place, The Daylesford Meat Co, The Daylesford Equestrian Centre, Springs Medical, The Local and Daylesford Records.

Art of record covers

Daylesford Records, in collaboration with The Local, is announcing a new art competition to be held under the auspices of the Daylesford Art Show.

The competition will be seeking to find the best lookalike photo of an album cover. The prize is a $500 voucher from Daylesford Records and your photo will be displayed in the shop and appear on the front cover of The Local Submissions will have to have local faces, and will have to be delivered to Daylesford Records in Howe Street, during their business hours, with a $25 entry fee for the Daylesford Rotary Club.

The photo must be mounted on 32 x 32 cm thick stiff cardboard with the accompanying album cover copy that inspired their photo (also on a 32 x 32 cm cardboard backing). And the best 10 photos and accompanying covers will also be displayed at the Daylesford Art Show.

The Local general manager Kyle Barnes, who is one of the judges alongside Daylesford Records owner Luke Cameron, pictured above, said the idea came with the revival of vinyl.

"It seems like everyone is back into records and that 'real' sound of music - and playing an album right through, the way the artist intended," Kyle said.

"And I love those fantastic covers - people really put their thoughts and imagination into them. Like the one above with Luke recreating the Let It Bleed cover by the Rolling Stones and I did one a while back with Mill Market owner Mark Ward from the cover of Bat Out Of Hell by Meatloaf.

Luke said record covers can be pieces of art. "We would love to see creative reproductions of the most iconic record covers that can be displayed as a thing of beauty, and also bring back memories and nostalgia."

So get into your groove, break out the costumes and wigs and have some fun. Entries close October 2.

I feel the need ... ... the need for speed!

The inaugural Pacific Airshow Gold Coast was a sensory overload. The show sported aerobatic aircraft from the mid-sized two airplanes in one, a super loud Yak 110 and the huge C-130 Hercules through to my favourite, the air ripping F/A-18 Super Hornet’s handling display.

As with a lot of Central Highlanders we started our annual heat-seeking mission north to break the winter mundanity and landed on the Gold Coast. We had never heard about the airshow and only found out about it when we were told to check out of our accommodation on August 18 as all accommodation was full.

But as it turned out there was a cancellation close to our departure date, so we continued our stay and booked into one of the last available sea-facing balconies on the Gold Coast. Donna did her thing and quickly ordered some press passes which, when you have a newspaper for an email signature, is actually quite easy.

I shot photos from the balcony and down at Surfers Paradise used my phone as my real gear was back at the office. Although you didn’t really need a zoom lens as the action was happening at eye level 200 metres from our balcony.

The action lasted over four and a half hours every day for three days.

I must admit some of the loop-the-loop planes became a bit tedious, but that was made up for by the thundering Globemaster and the F/A-18 which went past the front window doing what I can only explain as a wheelie, with its pointy end skyward walking along on its jets and dropping anti-missile flares. The noise felt like the flesh was shuddering from your bones in a sort of an air tearing sound that made you cover your ears and look around for the broken windowpanes.

Some days prior we had attended the airshow opening at Coolangatta Airport where the charming and very proud Tom Tate, the Gold Coast Mayor, pictured right, took to the podium to open the show.

He seemed pretty chuffed that they had locked in yet another large event for the GC and then donned an air suit complete with sickbag to hop into a jet.

It was later said that the only bomb that was dropped over the weekend was the F-bomb from Cr Tate, as the pilot twisted, stretched and G-forced him in a spectacular jet flight experience.

Christine is passionate about helping people and the local community secure their financial and lifestyle goals through property. Her bespoke sales program enables property owners to sell at, or beyond, their desired price in record time. Please call her for a ‘no obligation’ cuppa and a chat to find out how to attract buyers at the best price.

A retreat for people living with dementia and their carers

Treehouse4Two is a free three-day retreat for people recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers in the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shires.

We focus on wellbeing and self-care, providing a supportive peer environment where participants receive tailored support from specialist trained staff. Carers learn how to navigate the challenges of supporting someone living with dementia and how to access other community resources, including respite.

Minding winter's last feast

One of our “home-bred” pied currawongs (strepera graculina) stands guard over the last few, precious dog-rose hips, and cotoneaster adpressas (horizontalis), berries of the year.

The sheltering, century-old trees of our open, woodlands-style garden, not to mention having Doctor’s Gully on our doorstep, have blessed us with a constant parade of native birdlife. We’ve even had a pair of migrating Gang-gangs “honeymoon” in our biggest eucalypt.

Mind you, we’ve always planted with "the birds and the bees" in mind.

It’s always this time of year - winter’s last gasp when most of the usual food sources have dried up - that the desperate foraging begins and we see (and hear) the annual flock of rosellas and other seed eaters, stripping what’s left on our several ash trees. We’ve recently had the pleasure of an annual visit to our balcony of a couple of stray King parrots, for a feed of nuts.

The double benefit of having hungry bird life in the garden is that, like the currawongs, magpies and most other members of their tribe, they clean up all the insect life as well.

Get fruit trees into shape

Apple and pear trees are ideally suited to a central leader shape. They take several years to start bearing fruit. If left alone right from the nursery stage they will develop a straight, leader stem with a first crown of four to six branches approximately 60cm above the ground and still retain a straight leader in the centre.

At five to seven years the tree would obviously need to have the centre shortened to a “still can reach” height. This is time for regular trimming of the side growths to keep them tidy and remove crowded growths. Don’t prune them back too hard, the resulting waterspouts will throw the tree out of shape and, at worst, stop regular cropping.

Peach and nectarine have similar structure and development needs and are both perfect for the cup or vase shape.

Since they only bear fruit on young wood developed in the previous year we have to force this yearly by hard pruning or they will soon become bare on the lower branches and the crop is limited to the top. In hot climates it’s advisable in about the fourth year to allow some secondary branches to develop toward the centre to shade the main limbs.

With apricots, the open centre shape is unsuitable because it needs drastic pruning to keep it from growing too far out and risk splitting with the weight of the crop. Also drastic pruning can bring about gummosis - a deadly fungus disease brought on by open-cut weeping sap.

Of the two kinds of plums, Japanese are the quickest to grow and usually fruit from the second year. They are upright growers and usually respond best to the open (vase) system.

European plums can be more difficult to train, harder to keep cropping and the choice of cross-pollination plays quite a big role. These, especially prunes, prefer to be trained to the central leader format.

A word to the wise

Pruning of any kind entails opening wood and causing the flow of sap. Avoid any chance of transferring pest or disease from tree to tree by mixing up a brew of fungicide in a small container and wash the blades of your pruners betweeen each tree. Make sure they are sharp to avoid tearing or damaging the young wood.

Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

FUTURE OF YOUR TOWN

What challenges do you see when thinking about the future of your town over the next few decades? Housing and appropriate growth? Greater protection of heritage? Better connected transport and community infrastructure?

We will be exploring these issues and more as we develop Township Structure Plans for Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford-Hepburn Springs, Glenlyon and Trentham. This project is part of our strategic planning work, Future Hepburn.

For an opportunity to be selected for your township’s Community Panel, register for the Future Hepburn Engagement Pool. We need volunteers to put their hands up and join these important conversations. Register now to get involved at https://participate. hepburn.vic.gov.au/future-hepburn

COUNCIL SUPPORTS VOICE

Council has formally stated its unanimous support for the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the Voice to Parliament. This stance is consistent with Council’s position to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart in August 2022 and the work we have done in partnership with Djaara on reconciliation. Part of the motion at the Council meeting was to share clear and credible information on the upcoming referendum to assist residents to make a considered and informed choice, which you can read on our websitewww.hepburn.vic.gov.au/voice

RESPECTFUL BEHAVIOUR

Council has issued a statement regarding some concerning aggressive behaviour being directed at Hepburn Shire staff – a very worrying trend that is on the increase and reaching unprecedented levels. We wish to remind community members that respectful behaviour is non-negotiable and is expected from us when the community interacts with staff.

We acknowledge that we don’t always get things right and sometimes mistakes are made, but that does not excuse poor behaviour towards staff. If we get things wrong, let us know in a respectful way through the many mechanisms available and we’ll do what we can to put things right.

Read our full statement at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au

SUBSIDISED COMPOST BINS

We’re offering residents subsidised compost bins to help you reduce waste to landfill by turning food scraps and garden waste into compost. They will be available from transfer stations from Friday 1 September. There are limited numbers available. Remember to bring proof of residency.

COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS

HAVE YOUR SAY

In September we will open a survey to ask you about how you use transport within our Shire. The survey will cover everything from walking and accessibility, through to public transport and roads. Responses will help to inform our Integrated Transport Strategy, which will guide Council’s focus on transport in the Shire over the next ten years. This work is part of our strategic planning project Future Hepburn.

We will soon open a survey for families using Early Years services within the Shire. This work is funded by the Victorian Government in line with the Best Start, Best Life Early Years Reform. Both surveys will be available via Participate Hepburn at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/

IWD HONOUR ROLL

Want to nominate an inspiring woman for the honour roll? The Heather Mutimer Honour Roll was established in 2005 to pay tribute to local women whose contributions, courage and examples have led to significant social change for women. Complete a nomination before Monday 25 September. Visit https://www. hepburn.vic.gov.au/Residents/Support/Womens-Honour-Roll

AGRICULTURE FORUM

Council is hosting a forum for Hepburn Shire farmers in collaboration with Agriculture Victoria to provide updates on:

• Biosecurity - emergency animal disease preparedness

• Planning advisory services

• Updates on Rural Hepburn Strategy

• Seasonal climate patterns

There will also be opportunities to engage with Council teams on emergency management, sustainability, climate and economic development and the available support for your business.

The Agriculture Forum will be held on Friday 22 September from 9.30am to 1pm at Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve, Creswick.

SENIORS WEEK

Council is once again supporting the Victorian Seniors Festival program, with lots of fun and free events planned in October for people aged 55+ years

• Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute show on Thursday 5 October in Castlemaine in partnership with Mount Alexander Shire Council

• Country/folk band Canyon Dust supported by the Melbourne University Opera Singers on Tuesday 17 October in Clunes

• Canyon Dust supported by the Daylesford Secondary College and the Pleasant Pluckers with a free lunch, supported by CresFest on Tuesday 24 October in Glenlyon

• Author Talk – Symbols of Australia, a talk by co-editor Richard White on Monday 30 October in Clunes

For more information visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/events

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

Wine notes with Clive Hartley

Bordeaux blends

On the world stage cabernet sauvignon easily outguns shiraz/syrah. It dominates the ‘left bank’ in Bordeaux, France and is famous in the Napa Valley in California. In Australia we have the Yarra Valley, Coonawarra and Margaret River as specialist regions for cabernet. Yet it runs a poor second to shiraz in Australia.

Cabernet sauvignon can make full-bodied wines with plenty of acid and tannins, as well as elegant black fruit flavours wrapped in a cloak of oak. However, when not fully ripe they can appear to be a tad austere and have an herbaceous leafy, green edge. Some people like that style, but others don’t.

Making a Bordeaux blend can overcome some of these shortcomings. A traditional blend found in France is comprised of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc, with the occasional splattering of petit verdot. This blend of grapes produces a harmonious match.

Cabernet sauvignon provides the structure for the blend and contributes body, tannin and acidity. Merlot adds a plum fruit softness on the middle palate that cabernet can lack as well and a tad more alcohol. Cabernet franc provides fresh red berry, floral and violet aromas. Petit verdot can be difficult to ripen in some climates but does OK in Australia. It adds fruit, tannin and a deep colour to the blend.

Do blends make better wines? In my opinion they do. In Australia we pick and choose what makes up the blend. It can be as simple as a cabernet merlot which is more commonly found in Margaret River, try Woodlands or Cape Mentelle.

Yarra Valley have some fabulous Bordeaux blends. Yeringberg is one of the best in the Yarra and is a classic Bordeaux blend with the touch of malbec as the fifth grape. Yarra Yering and Mount Mary also produce some of Australia’s elite Bordeaux blends.

We also have a wealth of shiraz cabernet blends where the shiraz takes over the role of merlot to provide more fruit flavours. One of my favourites is Sally’s Paddock from Redbank Winery in the Pyrenees. The wine has cabernet franc, malbec and merlot added to the cabernet and shiraz. The vineyard and family just celebrated 50 years in production and deserves more attention.

Clive Hartley is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant. Want to learn more about wine? Try his Australian Wine Guide (7th ed) now available for purchase from Paradise Books in Daylesford or via his website – www.australianwineguide.com.au

Cat art show at Creswick

Cats Come To Creswick Art Show, will be held at the Creswick Town Hall from Friday, September 29 to Sunday, October 1, and raise funds for a new bus for John Curtin Aged Care. Tickets are $5 for adults with children free. The cats theme is because Creswick artist Norman Lindsay loved cats and painted cats. Dr Loris Button is the centre's patron.

Artists include Ro Bancroft, Craig Barrett, Clare Blake, Doug Bosher, Jan Bosher, Jennie Boyd, Georgia Brain, Steve Bruechert, Loris Button, Janet Cameron, Susan Clarke, Lyn Cooke, Peter Cooper, Peter Cougle, Maggie Dannatt, Dave Dawson, Louise Donovan, Jakki Eden, Ellie Edwards, Kate Edwards, Karen Garratt, Frances Guerin, Debbie Hill, Earl Ingleby (dec), Ken Kronberger, Di Lehne, Marilyn Lennox, Barbara Madden, Kirsty Madigan, Marie Mason, Julie Patey, Alison Parkinson, Jennifer Powell, Elizabeth Reyne, Jane Reyne, Valerie Richards, Kaysha Seamons, Elize Shutt, Selena Smith, Jo Street, Joanna Thomas, Lisa Timson, Gladys Toering, Jodie Toering, Selina Trevorah, Amanda Western, Xersa and residents.

one of a kind

The Daylesford Hotel is one of a kind. It’s majesty, it’s music and it offers many spaces, with over 100 year’s of history in the heart of town. A traditional style pub with all the modern delights, offering pub meals as well as a broader range for all dietary wants and needs. Wine & dine on the Sunset Balcony overlooking greater Daylesford or find a Cosy Corner and curl up next to the fire inside. Finally, after many years we are back. Open from midday everyday with lunch specials and entertainment in the evenings; including Open Mic on Mondays, Trivia on the Wednesdays & live music through to Sundays.

Be sure to book ahead for dinner, music, events & accommodation. Check for more details here: daylesfordhotel.com.au

Global piano maestro to play town hall

In concert for healthy cause

It’s not a sound you’d generally expect to hear emanating from a little community hall in regional Victoria after dark.

Many voices raised together as they belt out some rhythmic pulsing songs of South Africa, followed by a traditional number or two from the Pacific Islands and chased down with a heart-wrenching Croatian piece –all sung in the languages of origin.

But this is exactly what happens pretty much every Wednesday night – other than term breaks - at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre Hall.

There, Ballarat-based musician, singer and choir leader Stella Savy puts the Creswick Chorus through its paces.

Group members say they themselves sometimes find it hard to believe that they’ve just got their tongues around a song in Zulu or French Creole, for example.

But Stella seems to have a gift for making music happen – in many languages – and for bringing people together.

“Within ten minutes of introducing a song to us Stella has us singing three-part harmony in a language that we’ve never seen before, and we even think to ourselves ‘Gee we sound good!’ and yet ten minutes earlier we couldn’t have imaged it,” says Creswick Chorus regular Julie Moten.

Chorus member, Creswick’s Jenni Sewell says singing in the group tends to be a wonderful confidence and wellbeing booster as well.

“I always like how I feel when we’ve just finished our session. I’m as high as a kite and sing all the way home in the car,” Jenni says.

With an emphasis on world music, they also do quite a few fun songs in English as well including some funky stuff and a bit of gospel to boot.

There’s also a Creswick Kids Chorus group that Stella leads as well, and right now both the adult and kids Creswick Chorus groups are looking forward to being part of a special fundraising concert coming up in Ballarat on Sunday, September 10.

The Stand By Me concert is being presented by the Ballarat Dementia Alliance and the Bigger Hearts Choir with money raised going towards using music to support people diagnosed with dementia and aphasia, a cause to which the Bigger Hearts Choir is devoted.

The concert will feature singing groups from the Creswick and Ballarat areas with the Creswick Chorus joining forces with Ballarat’s Thursday Night Choir to perform together on the day, something Stella says is a real benefit for choir members.

“Other choirs do things slightly differently and so it’s great when you see choirs coming together and singing together,” she says.

“For all reasons singing is good. It’s good for your health, it’s good for your mind, for your sense of connectedness,” Stella says, also mentioning that new members are always welcome to rock up and join the Creswick Chorus.

Ballarat’s Bigger Hearts Choir itself will be among the groups performing at the upcoming Stand By Me concert with tickets (that include afternoon tea) available through Humanitix or at the door.

The Stand By Me concert happens at 1.30pm3.30pm at Ballarat’s York Street Church of Christ, York Street Ballarat, Sunday, September 10.

Above, some of the members of Creswick Chorus pictured here earlier this year with leader Stella Savy, front, and visiting guest musician Valanga Khoza. The group will be one of several performing at the Stand By Me fundraising concert in Ballarat on Sunday September 10.

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Fiona Watson

Music lovers are in for a rare treat as world renowned pianist Leslie Howard is giving a oneoff afternoon matinee concert in Daylesford next month to support Creswick Health Service's hospital and aged care upgrades.

“If there is a pianist alive who knows Liszt’s piano music more thoroughly, intimately and directly than Leslie Howard I would like to meet him – or her – but I doubt that there is anyone on the planet who does,” wrote Guy Rickards for Musical Opinion, reviewing Leslie Howard’s 2021 piano recital at London's Wigmore Hall.

London-based Aussie pianist Howard is the first and only person in the world to have recorded the complete solo piano works of legendary Hungarian composer, Franz Liszt, who is regarded as one of the greatest pianists and most popular piano composers of all time. This mammoth project, which took Howard decades to complete, now comprises a 100-CD set and includes more than 300 premiere recordings.

Howard has received enormous praise and numerous awards for his Liszt recordings, including the Guinness World Record for the Largest Recording Series by a Solo Artist, six Grands Prix du Disque and the Medal of St Stephen, presented to him by the President of Hungary. He has also held the title of President of the British Liszt Society since 1987.

In addition to his impressive recording career, Howard maintains a busy international concert schedule, which has seen him perform regularly around the world for more than 50 years.

Coming up September 17 this Australian pianist, musicologist and composer will give a matinee (2pm) concert at Daylesford Town Hall to raise money for Creswick Health Service. It will be his only performance in Victoria.

The Guardian described Howard as a "master of a tradition of pianism that is in serious danger of dying out".

Those who make next month's concert at Daylesford Town Hall can expect to hear Mozart, Beethoven and Liszt compositions rendered by a master of the piano keyboard. Rumour has it he also has an excellent sense of humour.

Cost is $35 - proceeds towards the cause - with tickets through Humanitix.

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Contributed

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Average weight 3.5-4kg.

Beef Goulash

BY SARAH LANG

There are so many recipes for Goulash and whilst this is not a traditional Hungarian Goulash, it is one of my favourites. This is all about the paprika. It doesn’t have as many vegetables as some and has a rich dark sauce. If you can get your hands on authentic Hungarian paprika, use that. You want to be using the very best quality paprika you can get. I also like to add a bit of smoky paprika too to give it that extra depth. Play around with the quantities, and trust your instincts.

You can use rump steak when its on special (make sure you leave the fat cap on it), but cheaper cuts also work well - just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Serve it with mash, egg pasta or even just chunks of crusty bread.

For this recipe and many others, click on the QR code or visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au

daylesfordmeatco.com.au

Good life down on the woollen mill farm

It’s a job many would envy and Creswick Woollen Mills’ Farmer Maddy says it’s one she’s not about to swap for a desk any day soon.

Maddy Viola – also known as Farmer Maddy when she’s at work - is one of two farmers at the Creswick Woollen Mills’ onsite demo farm, the other being local resident, Lyn Wozny, who is also a shearer.

Besides tending to all the basic needs and creature comforts of their four-hooved charges, Maddy’s and Lyn’s job is to talk all day long about one of their all-time favourite topics – the critters in their care.

“It’s fun. I get to hang out with the animals all day and provide information about them – their names, their ages, their breeds,” Maddy, pictured with Choc above, and Timmy right, says. “It makes a lot of people happy, especially the little kids.”

Creswick Woollen Mills, famed for its beautiful fibre products including fine alpaca and merino fleece luxury items, has been operating at Creswick for more than 75 years now, becoming an important tourism drawcard.

But the pandemic had an impact, with a significant drop particularly in the number of Chinese and other Asian visitors, who up to then had been visiting the Creswick attraction in droves.

They’d often come in coachloads after visiting Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill with the Creswick Woollen Mills a must-do on their Aussie itinerary.

“Before Covid we used to have hundreds of internationals every day, and yes they’re slowly starting to come back now,” Creswick Woollen Mills store manager Cassandra Ellis says.

She says that now the pandemic is over they’ve also been able to start bringing the animals back to the site, something that’s only happened over the last few months, although not quite to the same levels as pre-Covid.

“Pre-Covid we had 40-plus alpacas here and crias (baby alpacas) being born here,” Cassandra said.

Alpaca shearing demonstrations took place twice a year on the especially built demonstration stage, and now, Cassandra says, management thoughts are once again turning to bringing these back as well.

“There’s a lot for love for the animals,” she says. “They’re all superstars. People come up from Melbourne to learn about them.”

The animals at the farm now include adorable seven-month-old chocolate male alpacas – Choc and Chip – whose very apt names are the result of a recently concluded naming competition.

There’s also full-grown alpacas - Solomon who is a Suri alpaca and who sports a particularly cool fleece that would look right at home on the head of a surfer, and his best buddy, Juicy Bear, who is a Huacaya breed alpaca.

Then there’s Babar the sheep and his mate Shawn the sheep who has just celebrated a birthday in style. In fact, Farmer Maddy and Cassandra say all of the animals get to have their birthdays properly celebrated with cakes especially prepared to their personal taste – think something along the lines of a tasty mixture of specialty pellets and lucerne chaff.

Maddy says getting to know the unique personalities and character traits of the animals in her care is part of what she most enjoys about her work.

“Shawn is like a teenager. Every now and then he has temper tantrums and tries to head-butt me. Juicy Bear and Solomon have brotherly fights over food. But they all love each other,” she says.

There’s also the super-pretty little multi-coloured Persian cross Dorper lambs, Bill and Ted and, as of very recent weeks, two special new additions – rare Valais Blacknose lambs Milo and Timmy who have beautiful white fleece with charming black point markings.

Sometimes known as “the cutest sheep in the world,” the Valais Blacknose breed originates from the Swiss Valais region and there are very few of them in Australia.

“Milo and Timmy are rare Valais lambs from the Alpine region and the breed is new to Australia,” Cassandra says.

Maddy, who also works on a local horse property, says chatting to children and educating people about the animals is a really rewarding aspect of her work at the woollen mill farm. “I could never sit down for a whole day at a desk,” she says.

The farm at Creswick Woollen Mills is open to the public to visit, see the animals and chat to Farmer Maddy or Farmer Lyn, five days a week, Thursday-Monday from 11am-3pm.

Words & image: Eve Lamb

Nick Carpenter's new art exhibition, Sight Of Sound, will be on show at the Guildford Hotel Music Hall, an historic building from the 1860s.

The exhibition includes 15 new hanging works based on the theme of music. They are mostly 3D works from timber, acrylic paints, wood stains and oils. Elements from the world of music have been captured in these visual artworks, making it the perfect venue to display them.

The opening night is on Saturday, September 9 from 6pm with all welcome.

The exhibition will be open on Saturdays, during hotel hours. Entry is free except for during the Banjo Jamboree on Saturday, September 16. Ticket holders will be able to view the exhibition.

The Music Hall is just behind the Guildford Hotel on Fryers Street in Guildford.

A veteran of the music industry in Australia, Phil Manning has been at the forefront of blues and roots style music for over five decades, first coming to public attention as a member of the now legendary Chain, a rock/ blues band of the sixties and seventies, which still performs to this day.

Throughout his career Phil has displayed great talent on both the electric and acoustic guitar, absorbing influences from folk, blues, country and world genres and crafting them into his unique style. His energetic playing and relaxed delivery have made him an engaging artist who presents both traditional songs and a wealth of original music, much of it based on his personal interpretation of the many recurring themes in blues and folk history.

Phil will play at The Taproom, Castlemaine on Saturday, September 2.

Music-themed art Blues and roots-style Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa back for 2023

Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa returns in 2023, with a three-day celebration of community, heritage, culture and lifestyle starting Friday, October 27.

Festa committee president Stephen Carr promises a feast of people, music, food, wine, local produce, art, performance and sport to bring community together.

Festa began more than 30 years ago to celebrate the unique contribution and continuing influence of Swiss and Italian settlers to life in Hepburn, Hepburn Springs, Daylesford and the wider region.

With the theme of Viva La Festa 23! organisers are asking local businesspeople and community members to support Festa by becoming sponsors, creating their own events and promotions, or joining up with the proposed program.

“Our Festa receives some local and state government support, but to ensure this year’s performance and schools program is a success, we’re relying on the generous financial, in-kind and other support of local business owners and community members.”

Mr Carr said some past sponsors had already recommitted to Viva La Festa 23, and an energetic new management committee was determined to build on the best of Festa tradition after a three-year Covid hiatus.

Returning in 2023 are the renowned Landscape Art Prize, Saturday street parade, weekend family Festa, lantern parade, music, comedy and entertainment.

There are also creative productions by local schools, feature restaurants, behind-the-scenes at places rich in Swiss Italian stories, sports and historic vehicles.

Details: www.swissitalianfesta.com or ciao@festa.com.au

Above, from left, committee members Morgan Williams, Eddie Beacham, Peter Kent, Karen Pearman, Jenny Beacham and Stephen Carr (president)

Image: Michelle Donnelly

Sponsorship packages range from $5000 Gold Sponsor packages to the long-standing $100 Amici friends of Festa donation.

Here’s cheers: Great times ahead at The Pig

Eammon Hamilton, right was determined when he set about securing kitchen maestro Joel Reilly, left, to be head chef at the Pig & Whistle.

“We’d been getting along here without a head chef for six months, just doing reliable pub fare, and I was looking for just the right person,” says Eammon, owner-manager at the Trentham East landmark.

The historic hotel dates all the way back to 1866, and after a colourful past, reopened 18 months ago under its current management. Since then The Pig, as it’s lovingly known by many locals, began building an impressive legion of dining devotees.

But since Joel accepted the role of head chef back in May, the Pig & Whistle Hotel restaurant’s reputation as a must-do dining experience has ratcheted up to a whole new level, with the formerly-Melbourne-based chef bringing his 27 years of cooking experience to lead the kitchen team.

“I had the pleasure of working with Joel in Melbourne in another hospitality venture for nearly 15 years, so I’d been slowly twisting Joel’s arm and enticing him with an opportunity in the country and eventually he kind of gave in,” Eammon says.

“We worked together for quite some time doing events at a place called Red Scooter Unique Events in Balaclava. And before that I was at Hotel Comme for a couple of years doing events. When I first arrived in Melbourne I worked at Marchetti’s Tuscan Grill. I worked at Matteo’s for a couple of years, and I worked at Cecconi’s at Crown Casino.

“So I had quite an Italian influence but I had also dabbled in other cultures and cuisines, a lot of work catering for large events and functions.”

Designing the Pig & Whistle new spring menu with a practised eye to both seasonality and variety, Joel says taking note of what customers want is the main factor guiding his menu planning.

“You’ve got to cater for your clientele, working out what they like and what they want and catering towards that,” Joel says.

“My specials are my sounding board to find out what people like. The main focus here is still to provide good quality, wholesome pub food, but then I like to mix it up with weekly specials that will be from different cultures and different parts of the world, mostly to keep the locals entertained and interested.”

In a society full of special dietary needs it’s important to note that the Pig & Whistle caters for things like gluten intolerance, vegan and vegetarianism.

“We have a couple of vegan dishes on the menu and I’m hoping to run at least one vegan special every week,” Joel says.

“With our fryers we keep one completely gluten free and we maintain a lot of our products as gluten free so we’re utilising things like potato starch and rice flour.”

The wine list showcases many of the local wineries that the region boasts. But among all that is trendy and top shelf, the old favourites still go down a treat and the management at this venue is noticing.

“A Carlton Draught and a parmi is still our number one selling product so it doesn’t matter how fancy you get,” Eammon says.

“We analyse the data a lot so we’re really looking at what’s selling.”

Working alongside head chef Joel, the kitchen crew currently includes three other full-time chefs, three part-time cooking staff and three additional staff, and the focus is on attracting and retaining top staff.

With this in mind, they’re building a new kitchen space adjoining the existing kitchen to improve both amenity for staff and work flow.

“We have used Tony Schindler Consulting. (Tony) is a chef but now specialises in commercial kitchen construction,” Eammon says.

The new kitchen is scheduled for completion in the next couple of months and complements the venue’s expanding capacity to cater for larger functions. The rear beer garden is already an alfresco treat on warmer days and evenings, perfect for parties and functions, or simply kicking back to share quality times with friends.

All this is soon to be expanded upon further with the acquisition of an adjoining 0.7 acre parcel of land to accommodate more car parking, and to develop an onsite kitchen garden. Great times ahead look likely.

Words & images: Eve Lamb

PUB.

Since 1887, the Pig & Whistle Hotel has nestled on a quiet corner in Trentham East, a living remain of the town’s early history.

Truly a hidden gem, you’ll be transported back in time, with our newly-opened beer garden boasting uninterrupted views of Mount Macedon.

The Pig serves up a modern-Australian menu with honest hearty pub classics (we do a bloody good parma), along with seasonal global dishes. We take great care in delivering food of the highest quality, sourced from sustainable local produce, coupled with our praised friendly service.

Kyle’s Rant

Every year for the past 39 years, since I was 17, I have done a first aid course. The first one was for my skipper's ticket which involved a little bit more than your average, what is now day course, plus home study.

The certificate was a small ships doctor's course, which involved practicing sutures by stitching up hunks of pork and stuffing our counterparts into body bags for storage in the ice holds. The course went for a full three days of rolling around the floor perfecting bandages down to the millimetre, washing out eyes, knowing what objects to remove and what to leave in. It was intense.

I am a great believer in regular first aid, in particular the CPR course, as the knowledge and technology has increased and changed and is something that most of us should be across.

A couple of examples of changes are the acronym ABC - Airway, Breathing and Circulation. This stuff was around when I was at my first course at the tender age of 17. Now the acronym has changed to DRSABCD which is Danger, Response, Send, Airway, Breathing, CPR and Defibrillation.

The courses now are not so precise and are more of a field first aid arrangement where you are taught to use what you have available and not to leave the defibrillator and EpiPen to the ambos, you get in and do it yourself.

So I commenced my once in three year training last week. (Not locally I will add. You will see why.) After about an hour of self-learning I attended the face-to-face class. It was good, comprehensive enough - and the only thing I didn't like was the instructor. It was a Sunday, and he strolled in, no introduction, leaned back in his seat, feet on the desk and started explaining how he knew so much he had no need for the provided slides etc.

He had been an ambo, he said, but never signed up for what Covid brought along. Almost died in a car accident because he had to wear a mask and was breathing in carbon dioxide. Said no-one should have to wear a mask for hours on end. Hello surgeons, hello nurses, hello theatre attendants - as in surgical theatres...

He then launched into a few PTR - points to remember - and then asked us all to produce our licences and come up and sign our names "in the box". A woman, who had English as a second language but had lived in Australia for 10 years, went forward and asked "which box?" to which he replied, in a loud voice, "the one next to your name". She tentatively asked again, and by now he was shouting at her. Not once pointing to the paper - just shouting "the one next to your name!".

Now, someone, me, should have stepped up. And to my eternal regret and shame I didn't. I don't know why. But it was clearly bullying and maybe racist. The most I managed was giving her a smile and an eye roll in his direction when she sat down. (When I signed my name it was actually confusing.)

Anyway, the class continued. We heard more of his stories. Like it is important to find out everything about an injured person even if you have to empty their handbag onto the street. Turned out he had found a Jane Doe one time who had been raped"gang raped" - and her parents had not found out until the next morning. For some reason he had to go into all the gory detail on that one. Odd.

Then, because he had skipped the slides, he was ahead of time and decided to slow down by asking us about pets. He had a snake, of course. One person said they had owned a cat but it had died. "Did you turn it into a rug?" he asked. "No, we buried it in the garden," was the sad reply. I swear he grinned. Until this day I can honestly say I have never met an ambo, or former ambo, I didn't like, but I did not like this guy. Oh, the Heimlich manoeuvre is also over, just like this rant…

Local Lines

Skylight

She’s attracted to sky lights in dark and Rembrandt now illuminates over any alcove draft relief shelter or abandoned squat where lay-parents scream growing themselves up on kiss-punch relationships forfeiting fairytales. She stifles the memories and their placard excuses until a skylight alert triggers a flashback to figures hanging on government strings like life sized puppets ash-faced drag-crackling to blur the edges in tight streets where numbers opaque hungry for paint; in musty city houses where won’t-be-told tears silver eyes beyond squares of white light bouncing off dusty floors where a child dares not laugh dream or sing noticeably but might sit reading sunny travel brochures hoping to get warm.

- Jan Price

Jan’s poetry continues to be published in Australia, the UK and the United States. She is also an artist and photographer; her art and photos often appear on literary covers.

Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au

CatherineKingMP

Pick me, pick me!

G’day. I’m Ollie and I am a 14-and-a-half-year-old tabby and white domestic medium hair puss. The people here at the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine say I am “a beautiful big boy”. I am very tall and long. I am also very loving and I really enjoy having attention and being with people. I would love to find a great new home where I can live out my senior years just easing back in the sun, receiving lots of pats and cuddles whenever possible. Microchip no. 982009105847828.

Call MAAWS on 5472 5277 to come and meet me. Link: www.maaw.org.au

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them.)

And proudly supported by Daylesford's

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

Had some interesting chats with Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas and Mayor Brian Hood last week.

The council put out a media release (read it on page 4) which says aggressive behaviour towards Hepburn Shire Council staff is on the increase and reaching unprecedented levels.

Mr Thomas said in the release that recent incidents had highlighted the lack of respect shown by some people towards council staff.

"Staff are regularly feeling intimidated after being approached in the street or in other public places, like the supermarket, and verbally abused, sometimes shouted or sworn at. We acknowledge that we don't always get things right and sometimes mistakes are made, but that does not excuse poor behaviour towards staff."

Later Mr Thomas said over the phone that it was a phenomenon that was happening in many council areas - mostly country. He thinks that with the end (sort of) of Covid, and the sky-rocketing cost of living, that people have had enough and feel they have the right to have their say.

Cr Hood said council staff, and councillors, were entitled to have a safe workplace. "Verbal abuse and threatening behaviour is simply not acceptable, and that includes cowardly online abuse. Council will do everything within its powers to protect its staff and councillors. We will not tolerate aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour."

Cr Hood said he was not a psychologist but, in his latest mayoral report to council, also called out the irresponsible behaviour of some media which "emboldens some elements of the community and fans the flames of dissent".

Now, when I read that I was a bit annoyed. But after talking to Cr Hood I think it is more about mainstream media and not local media.

Also, The Local is very much a professional outfit, accredited as a newspaper through the Victorian Country Press Association and the federal Country Press Association. We employ qualified, professional journalists to write our stories and they are done with the utmost consideration. Yes, now and again, we might have a bit of a rant about council, but I think it is pretty much merited. The Rex, handing over aged care, the drooping Bleakley Street units, terrible satisfaction survey results.

But, that is no reason for anyone to harass or intimidate council staff or councillors, who are only doing their job, and probably for a pretty limited salary. Complain sure, but always remain respectful. And do it in the right way.

Sadly, keyboard warriors abound, saying things online they would never say to anyone's face, and many people don't realise just how small our rate base is. We are lucky to get roads, rates and rubbish done. And I know we still pay rates while the roads remain rubbish but most of them belong to the state government and not the council.

When we started The Local, Kyle asked if we should open an office in Daylesford. No, I said, no way. When I worked at The Advocate, in the Coles carpark office, people would line up to pop in and rage away for 30 minutes. One woman spent her time telling me I was a piece of shit - and then left saying "I feel better now". I did feel like shit after that. I have been emailed: "Do you want to die?". True story.

So next time you need to vent your spleen about a council issue, make a reasoned call, send an email or maybe decide if it's just you having a bad day.

People might think I am mellowing in my old age but I just think we all should be treated respectfully. Who knows what's going on in the background? Just sayin'...

Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome. For information email ageingdis3461@gmail. com, call 0427 131 249 or head to the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.

Ageing DisGracefully is an initiative of Hepburn House.

Here is the crossword solution for Edition 286. How did you go?

All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.

Artists of the Central Highlands

Rose Wilson’s prodigious artistic talent for creating captivating portraiture has seen her make the finals of some of the nation’s most prestigious arts awards including the Archibald Prize. This acclaimed Trentham artist is also renowned for her impressionistic paintings paying homage to the natural environment and to the living creatures that inhabit it.

Eve: When and how did you become aware that you have this wonderful capacity for creating art to which others respond strongly?

Rose: As a child I drew a lot, no different from most kids my age. But when I started getting paid with icy poles and vanilla slices for drawing other kids’ school projects I knew I was onto something. My fascination with the face and eyes started early as well. I was an average student so I’d doodle faces and eyes all the time especially during school. Unfortunately my passion for drawing was inhibited during high school and the thought of being an artist was a distant fantasy. I did what everyone else did back then, finish school and get a job.

Eve: What has your personal arts journey involved in terms of nurturing that talent?

Rose: My passion for art lay dormant for many years until I travelled to Italy to see the World Cup in 1991. Being a tourist I found myself visiting the Sistine Chapel. Once inside I found myself surrounded by magnificent frescoes covering the chapel’s ceilings and massive religious paintings towering above me. I was in awe. Something was unleashed within me that day and that experience was the catalyst that paved the way for my artistic journey. When I returned to Sydney I enrolled in Darlinghurst Arts School and the rest is history. I travelled around Australia. I lived in Arnhem Land. I studied at Darwin Uni and Newcastle, and then we moved here.

Eve: How do you happen to live at Trentham?

Rose: My partner of 35 years is a pilot so we moved around the country a lot. We had a pact; we either live in the city or the country, but nothing in-between. After a two-year stint in an inner suburb of Melbourne, we decided to go country. We always thought we’d move again, but we fell in love with Trentham and its community. It’s been 20 years now and we are besotted with our little slice of paradise. And 12 years ago a group of artists founded the Little Gallery.

Eve: Which artists have influenced your work?

Rose: My biggest influence was while living in east Arnhem Land. I would often sit with one of the elders from the Murrungun clan while he painted. He’d often tell the story of what he was painting, and I felt privileged to have had that opportunity. Frida Kahlo was another, for her visual narrative and strong symbolism as well. Both artists had a major influence in my storytelling.

Eve: What is your media of choice?

Rose: Oil. When painting landscape I tend to under-paint with thick textured paint, and scrape back harshly so I need the paint to move slightly. With acrylic it is too hard. With portraiture I use my hands a lot to apply the paint. I’m sure it’s not good for me, but I’m still here and haven’t gone mad from pigments yet.

Eve: What are your subject matters of choice?

Rose: I flip between landscape and portraiture. The bush has a way of beckoning you, demanding you give it attention. Although my landscapes are more visceral and impressionistic in their execution, my portraits are more realistic as I try to capture the inner character of the sitter. They often demand more attention.

Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights?

Rose: Being a finalist in the Archibald is right up there. That was a real hoot. I’ve been lucky enough to have been a finalist in many major portrait prizes, hopefully one day I’ll be the bride and not just the bridesmaid. The other highlight was painting the Disappearing Farmers series, highlighting the struggles of local farmers and how they are slowly diminishing.

Eve: What would you rate as the biggest challenges in being a working artist?

Rose: The stigma around being an artist, and a female artist at that. It is often classified as just a hobby. It’s my life and my work.

Eve: And, for you personally, the greatest rewards?

Rose: The greatest reward anyone can give me is when a viewer stands before a piece of art and they totally resonate with it and become emotionally moved by what they see, regardless if it’s mine or not. We paint and create to share our vision, our story and our love for the arts.

with Eve Lamb

Image: Eve Lamb