The Local August 2, 2021, Issue 232

August 2, 2021 Issue 233 Words in Winter Spring

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

2 About Us

www.tlnews.com.au

Front cover: Words in Winter is warming up, so much so, it is being held in spring. Author Cate Kennedy is just one of those taking part, read her story by Kevin Childs opposite.

And start booking your Words in Winter Spring events at www.wordsinwinter.com

August 2, 2021 Issue 233 Words in Winter Spring

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

The next edition is out on Monday, August 16, 2021.

Or online on Sunday, August 15 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, August 11 Copy deadline: Thursday, August 12 Editorial deadline: Thursday, August 12 Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283

Image: @HelgaSalwe

news@tlnews.com.au | sales@tlnews.com.au Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Sub-editors | Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith

The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.

Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout, Carol Saffer & Donna Kelly

The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a director.

Photographers | Kyle Barnes, David White & Louise Gay

The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.tlnews.com.au We welcome all feedback.

Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Glenn Robinson (cartoons), Darren Lowe (gigs) Matthew Richardson (money) & Neil Counahan (cars) Accounts | Julie Hanson

Local Lines

Just briefly

Silence is Broken

Correction

(Trentham June 9 2021) that night when the sodden soil could no longer hold wind-rocked tree roots we lay hunkered under blankets listening to booming roof-iron wind thrash power-lines skipping-rope whirr and trees dance their way to splintered oblivion morning brings stillness neighbours start knocking

Delivery | Tony Sawrey

In the 232 edition of The Local, it was stated Wombat Park was to be auctioned in September. This cannot be substantiated at this point in time.

The owner of the property said it had been on the market for sale and its future was unclear.

Free firewood

As part of storm recovery operations, Macedon Ranges Shire Council is making free firewood available to residents and ratepayers at its transfer stations until at least September.

Firewood collection will be self-load. Residents need to log a request by calling 5422 0333. Loads are limited to one per day up to 2m3 per household with a maximum limit of 16m3 per resident allowed over the entire collection period.

IWD Honour Roll

Hepburn Shire Council is calling for suitably qualified or experienced community members to join the Heather Mutimer International Women’s Day Honour Roll Advisory Committee.

- Gael Elliot

The roll was launched in 2005 and each year, as part of the week of International Women’s Day, up to five names are added. Expressions of interest close this Friday, August 6. Details: bobrien@hepburn.vic.gov.au or 0439 481 306.

Swan Hill born Gael lives in Trentham and has worked as a teacher and a farmer.

Now she enjoys reading, gardening, walking, painting and writing poetry.

Business awards

Local Lines comes mainly from a group of local poets but other submissions are always welcome. To have a poem considered for publication contact Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

Businesses are encouraged to self-nominate by August 20. Three workshops will be held on August 9, 10 and 11. Link: mrsc.vic.gov.au/business-awards.

The Josh’s Rainbow Eggs Macedon Ranges Business Excellence Awards recognises and acknowledges deserving businesses for their outstanding service, innovation, adaptability, products and professionalism.

Calling all artists

The 2021 Daylesford Art Show, presented by Daylesford Rotary, will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall and online from October 29 to November 2.

Artists are encouraged to enter up to four paintings across seven categories, including, in a first, the Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa Local Landscape Art Prize.

Link: www.daylesfordartshow.com.au

www.tlnews.com.au

Words 3

Cate's got a reader 'dying' for her next novel

T

ORRENTIAL rain across the Central Highlands tossed up a vivid memory for acclaimed local writer Cate Kennedy.

While the pandemic has forced the postponement for a month of the Words in Winter writers’ festival, it was rain like this that washed out the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival.

“A few of us were staying in some older cabins at the site itself,” Cate recalls, “and a heroic group of publicists from one of the publishing houses drove around issuing those writers with gumboots until the floodwaters went down. I still have those boots.”

She describes herself as being lucky enough to be invited to some great festivals internationally. One memorable night was at the Melbourne Writers’ Festival when she agreed at the last minute to replace an ill Helen Garner, not realising that she would be reading aloud alongside giants of writing, David Malouf and J. M. Coetzee.

“It turned out to be a great night, but I sure was holding the butterflies in check.”

This from the author of three poetry collections, a novel, a memoir and two collections of short stories. Her awards include the Queensland Literary Prize for her collection Like a House on Fire, the NSW Premier’s People’s Choice Award for her novel The World Beneath and the Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for her most recent poetry collection The Taste of River Water.

Awards apart, does she think these festivals serve a good purpose? “I really do.

Writing, as everybody knows, can be a pretty solitary occupation, but we forget that reading is also a solitary act. It’s wonderful for creators and their audience to find a meeting point and a chance to interact - that’s true for singers and songwriters, actors, musicians, dancers, and so on as well.

“Writers and readers, when they get together, find lots of points of connection and it’s like both parties coming out of their quiet rooms to celebrate and share something they have in common - stories and literature.

“I think writers don’t tend to be very extroverted or 'showbizzy' people, and they often get very nervous having to 'perform' in conditions that can be quite nervewracking. We tend to be shy and better in small groups…

“We didn’t sign up to be stage actors, comedians or entertainers, who like the limelight - we love communicating through the page… sometimes the urge to connect is greater than the stage fright, and that’s when great things like Words in Winter can happen.”

She’s been involved with the festival since its inception in the early noughties, when the chocolate shop Sweet Decadence was among the reading venues. “It seemed a good way to sit by a fire, share stories and ideas, and while away some happy hours while Daylesford turned on its wintry weather outside.”

She’s lived in Castlemaine for five years, but enjoys being involved and watching the festival morphing, changing, growing and expanding. “Small regional festivals are the best.”

Over the years she’s noticed that some people are one thing in private and another when they’re being feted on stage. “It’s always been my experience that the bigger the ego seems, the smaller the talent turns out to be, and vice-versa.”

Recently, an admirer wrote to a paper imploring Cate to finish a novel before she, a 78-year-old dies. “It’s been in the works for nearly 10 years now, while I’ve been waylaid by work, teaching, mentoring, raising a child and a thousand other life reasons.

“But the next six months are looking surprisingly clear. I’m going to wrestle it to the ground and get it done now if it kills me. Now that a 78-year-old reader has told me she’s waiting on it, I feel a whole new urgency.”

Words: Kevin Childs | Image: @HelgaSalwe Link: www.wordsinwinter.com

“Writing, as everybody knows, can be a pretty solitary occupation...a solitary act. It’s wonderful for creators and their audience to find a meeting point and a chance to interact.”

STORM AND FLOOD

BULLETIN

This bulletin provides regular updates and stories about recovery and clean-up from the June 2021 storms and floods both in our local community and across Victoria’s affected areas.

Bushfire Recovery Victoria proudly works in partnership with council and the local community to support recovery.

STORM AND FLOOD

RECOVERY SUPPORT

HOTLINE

1800 560 760

The Storm and Flood Recovery Hotline is a single statewide number that Victorians impacted by the June 2021 storms and floods can call for help or assistance.

Operators can assist you with registering for Clean-Up of structures on private property or accessing your own Recovery Support Worker, mental health and wellbeing support, financial counselling and information on available payments.

The Recovery Hotline is open from 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) and 9am to 1pm on weekends.

STORM AND FLOOD CLEAN-UP PROGRAM Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) is supporting the clean-up and recovery work for the owners of private property damaged by the storms and floods that occurred on 9–10 June 2021.

To request support: •

You must be a private property owner

•

The private property must be in one of the 39 local government areas (LGAs) impacted by the June 2021 storms and floods.

•

The damage to your property must have occurred as a direct result of the storms and floods on 9–10 June 2021.

Clean-Up Program – Structures on private property To be eligible for the Clean–Up program on private property, the affected property must contain a structure(s) that was destroyed or damaged beyond repair.

Structures will be cleared and removed along with any hazards cleared to access a structure.

AN UPDATE FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL Council understands the significant impact the severe storm event in June continues to have on our community.

Thank you to local residents and community members for the way you have supported each other through these difficult times. We also acknowledge the work of all emergency services, Council staff, Coliban Water, Powercor, volunteers and contractors for their contribution. The clean-up from the recent storm is a massive task and going to take some time.

Council is working closely with Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) to manage the clean-up works. The old abattoir site in Daylesford is the headquarters for the BRV team, who has partnered with Johns Lyng Group to support the clean-up on eligible private property. Council continues its work on Council owned and operated assets including local roads and reserves, and coordinating and delivering community recovery activities.

To speak to a member of our Storm Recovery Team phone 5348 2306. For information on available support, insurance, tax, personal support and counselling visit hepburn.vic.gov.au/storm-update.

The Clean–Up program is fully-funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments and provided at no cost to eligible property owners, regardless of whether they were insured or not.

BRV is partnering with Johns Lyng Group to undertake the Clean–Up program.

Trees on private property that are still standing but have become hazardous BRV is accepting registrations for the assessment of trees on private property that are still standing and pose a risk to a place of residence or personal safety.

Trees standing on private property that were made hazardous because of the June 2021 storms and are within falling distance of a structure or access to a structure can be professionally assessed and recommendations made for their treatment.

If someone’s life is in danger call Triple Zero 000.

More information For more information about the Storm and Flood Clean-Up program, visit brv.vic.gov.au/cleanup or phone the Storm and Flood Recovery Hotline on 1800 560 760.

Pets@Work Harry, a seven-year-old labradoodle, loves working at Hepburn Community Radio. He comes along with Robyn Rogers on Wednesday, from 8am to 10am, when she co-hosts with Max Primmer, who broadcasts the Breakfast Show from Monday to Friday with various guests. Robyn said Harry barks as if on cue during conversations. "He just keeps us on track, snoozes in the studio and jumps up for cuddles."

To listen to the show head to the TuneIn app and then type in Hepburn Community Radio.

Community input

Cold is Not Cool... H Hepburn Shire homeowners and renters can get an independent home energy assessment and $880 towards energy-efficient upgrades, including heaters, insulation, curtains, blinds, hot water systems, and draught-proofing to help keep warm this winter.* assessor@hepburnznet.org.au www.hepburnznet.org.au/home phone: 0490 436 264 *Eligibility conditions apply $100 upfront, for Hepburn Shire home owners and renters in energy stress, low income earners, concession card holders, and people with chronic or ongoing medical conditions or mobility issues and carers

Scan QR Code

Apply here

EPBURN Shire Council has endorsed the Community Vision and Council Plan - including a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan - which is now open for public exhibition and community feedback.

Mayor Cr Lesley Hewitt said the council developed the documents after extensive community consultation as part of the Hepburn Together Project.

The Council Plan details strategies, projects and actions with 114 strategies based on five key focus areas including: a resilient and sustainable environment; a healthy, supported and empowered community; embracing our past and planning our future; diverse economy and opportunity; and a dynamic and responsive council.

For the first time the council has incorporated the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan into the Council Plan, to demonstrate the importance of quality health and wellbeing. The plan identifies four priority areas to help work towards the aims of the Community Vision. They are: tackling climate change and its impact on health; increasing healthy eating; improving mental wellbeing; and preventing all forms of violence.

“Our Council Plan is ambitious, but so is our community. Councillors and staff will be looking to partner with community, and other levels of government, to deliver on the important actions which were developed from significant community consultation,” Cr Hewitt said.

CEO Bradley Thomas said that he was proud of the vision and plan and very pleased with the amount of community input, with more than 1460 people and different community groups involved.

“This really is a community-led project. We hope you can see how we have incorporated your ideas into our ambitions for our four-year Council Plan and the 10-year Community Vision.”

The council will host community sessions at all wards, either in-person or online, for residents to hear about the process to develop these documents, along with an overview of the outcomes.

The documents can be found at council's Community Hubs or online via at the link: www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn-together Submissions can be made via the website by Friday, August 27.

www.tlnews.com.au

News 7

Run to stop towers

B

UNDING resident Kelly Conroy has run a marathon 160km over Friday and Saturday to protest against planned transmission lines through her community.

Kelly ran eight times around a 20-kilometre loop around Ballan taking in the Daylesford Road, Old Melbourne Road, Stone Hut Lane and Blakeville Road.

Kelly's father Arch Conroy said the 160km was "close to the proposed length of the Western Victoria Transmission Network project". "(Kelly is running) to raise awareness for the concerns and safety of the many hundreds of communities, farming or otherwise, who will be affected by this build.

This is intergenerational farmland, and these are our homes.

"All donations will go directly towards marketing and advertising and legal guidance and representation to help preserve our countryside, protect our agriculture, and put the high tension, high voltage power lines underground, where they belong. "(We need) to bring awareness to the government that this project has to be rescoped to meet the requirements for the next 100 years."

At the end of her run Kelly met with Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur who will take the issue to the Victorian Government.

To donate visit https://www.mycause.com.au/p/256831/160kms-to-stopausnets-towers To keep up to date visit the SAT Community Discussion Group Facebook page.

The Westerm Victoria Transmission Network project proposes to build 190km of overhead transmission lines between Bulgana, north of Ararat, and Sydenham, in north-west Melbourne using 380 towers, each 75 metres tall.

A WVTN project report says the network is critical infrastructure required to unlock the renewable energy potential and economic development of Western Victoria.

The project entered the environmental assessment and project approvals phase in 2020 and that will continue through 2021 with construction planned to be completed in 2025.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Helen Tatchell (The Moorabool News)

Save the date!

The Local’s Networking Evening Daylesford Hotel Monday, September 6 5.30pm - 7.30pm Time to finally catch up again!

( A free event - snacks provided & drinks at bar prices)

Bookings: news@tlnews.com.au

Community News MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

The major focus for the last fortnight has been getting the 10-year Council Vision and 4-year Council Plan ready for public exhibition. We started the Hepburn Together Project back in November 2020. It was a major strategic planning project that was mandated by the new Local Government Act 2020 and was designed to shape the vision and direction for the Shire for the next 10 years, including the Community Engagement Policy, the 10-year Community Vision , the 4-year Council Plan (which this year for the first time includes the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan), Financial Plan and Asset Plan. Knowing that the Hepburn Shire community is active, engaged and interested in what the Shire does, Council took its responsibility to seek community input seriously and we’re proud to say that with the online and hardcopy surveys, pop-ups, workshops, visioner exercises, community panel meetings and community group meetings, 9.1% of residents have had some input into the draft document. The 10-year Vision and 4-year Council Plan document is now available for public exhibition until 27 August 2021. Please have a look, read it, and give us your feedback before then. It is important that you do so, as this will determine the direction that the Shire heads in for the next 10 years and what the Council does for the remaining time of this four-year Council term. There is a lot in the document. You can find it at https:// particpate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn-together.

There are several other opportunities for you to get involved in Shire activities should you wish to do so. We need people to join the Heather Mutimer International Women’s Day Advisory Committee. Every year around International Women’s Day (8 March), the Shire honours local women who have made a significant contribution to advancing the position of women in a range of areas. This event needs planning and we are looking for women to nominate to be part of the planning of this important event.

You can find out more details about the IWD Committee, opportunities to share your ideas on our local tracks and trails, sign up for the Artisan Agriculture Business Mentor Program and get the details of the community event for storm affected residents on our Participate Hepburn web page or by signing up for our monthly Hepburn Life e-newsletter.

And finally, just a reminder that you can contact your local ward Councillor by email at any time to raise matters that you think need to be brought to Council’s attention. All of us appreciate Hepburn citizens (residents, ratepayers and those who work in the Shire) bringing matters to our attention.

Cr Lesley Hewitt MAYOR

CONTACTS 

General enquiries

5348 2306



@

Mail Email Website



Aged & disability services enquiries - 5345 8399

PO Box 21, Daylesford 3460 shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au hepburn.vic.gov.au

FREE GREEN WASTE DISPOSAL

In recognition of the wet weather, recent lockdown, and amount of work to be done, Council has extended the free disposal period for stormrelated green waste at our transfer stations until Saturday 14 August.

Remember to take ID as proof of residency in the Shire.

SURVEY ON TRACKS AND TRAILS

We are looking for community feedback to guide early feasibility work on opportunities to grow and expand tourism opportunities through tracks and trails in our Shire.

Two opportunities that we are investigating are a walking and cycling rail trail that connects Daylesford with Hanging Rock in partnership with Macedon Ranges Shire Council; and an extension of the existing heritage tourist rail from Bullarto to Trentham.

We also want to know what you like about local tracks and trails, and how they could be improved. Complete a short survey at https://participate. hepburn.vic.gov.au/tracks-and-trails or collect a copy from our Council hubs and libraries. The survey closes on Monday 16 August.

STORM DROP-IN SESSIONS

Residents, business operators and farmers impacted by the recent storm event are invited to a Storm Recovery Community Drop-in Session. Meet with staff from relief and recovery agencies, along with Council teams including Emergency Management, Infrastructure, Building, Planning, Environmental Health, Economic Development and Community Care.

Five sessions will be held on Monday 9 August at the Trentham Sportsground Pavilion on Falls Road.

Session One: 2.00pm -3.00pm, Session Two: 3.00pm – 4.00pm, Session Three: 4.00pm – 5.00pm, Session Four: 5.00pm – 6.00pm, and Session Five: 6.00pm – 7.00pm.

Please register your attendance to ensure we meet COVID density regulations. Book via https://www.trybooking.com/BTHGI. Children’s activities and light refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Council’s Storm Recovery Team on 5348 2306.

INTEGRATED WATER PLAN

Central Highlands Water and Council are working with other agencies to prepare an Integrated Water Management (IWM) Plan for Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, Creswick and Clunes. The plan will identify water cycle issues and opportunities across each township, with the aim of improving the health and resilience of our environment and community. We want to know about water-related issues and opportunities you have observed or experienced in your town, or things you would like considered through the development of the plan.

Complete a short survey at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/ integrated-water-management-plan or come along to a community pop-in session between 4pm and 7pm on the following days: • Thursday 19 August – Daylesford Town Hall • Tuesday 24 August - Creswick Town Hall • Wednesday 25 August - The Warehouse - Clunes (Esmond Gallery).

For after hours emergencies please call:  Animal Control - 0419 587 955  Other Council Emergency - 0419 583 573 hepburncouncil

Community Vision & Council Plan THE DRAFT

Over the last few months we have been working on a draft 10-year Community Vision and 4-year Council Plan, which includes a Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (MPHWP).

We are very pleased to be able to present it to the community for your review and feedback.

Council developed these strategic documents following extensive community consultation earlier this year as part of the Hepburn Together Project.

We had an extraordinary amount of community input, with more than 1,460 people and different community groups involved.

This really is a community-led project. We hope you can see how we have incorporated many of your ideas into our ambitions for our four-year Council Plan, and the ten-year Community Vision.

THE PROCESS

The Hepburn Together project is a critical community engagement project where community members were integral to the process. The engagement process to develop these important strategic documents involved four broad stages: Stage 1 - Development of the Community Engagement Policy Council developed a Community Engagement Policy to document Council’s commitment to community engagement and to identify the processes to be followed when undertaking engagement.

Stage 2 - Broad Engagement The purpose of the broad engagement was to gather a wide range of feedback from the community to inform the later deliberative engagement stage. During this stage (between 27 February to 8 April 2021), Council heard from 1,463 people or 9.1% of our entire community, an outstanding result. We asked people to consider: • Where are we now?

• Where do we want to be?

• How do we get there?

Stage 3 - Deliberative Engagement Council facilitated open and random recruitment to enlist 40 citizens reflecting the demographics of the Shire to be involved in targeted and intensive engagement. This community panel developed 15 Priority Statements that were recommended to Council for consideration.

Stage 4 - Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan Engagement To inform the development of the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (MPHWP) specific engagement was undertaken to seek feedback and input from Hepburn Shire residents and health and wellbeing partners. The targeted engagement was conducted in partnership with Central Highlands Rural Health to align priorities and focus between the MPHWP and the Health Service’s public health planning.

CONTACTS 

General enquiries

5348 2306



@

Mail Email Website



Aged & disability services enquiries - 5345 8399

PO Box 21, Daylesford 3460 shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au hepburn.vic.gov.au

The draft is now complete and was presented to Council for endorsement for public exhibition. Public exhibition will occur between 28 July 2021 to 27 August 2021.

The five Focus Areas identified in the draft are common to both the Community Vision and Council Plan. These will drive Council’s focus, investment and resourcing into the future. They are: • A resilient and sustainable environment • A healthy, supported and empowered community • Embracing our past and planning our future • Diverse economy and opportunity • A dynamic and responsive Council.

In addition to these five Focus Areas, the MPHWP contains 21 Priority Statements, 4 MPHWP specific Priorities, 114 Strategies, 17 MPHWP Strategies and 22 Strategic Indicators.

HAVE YOUR SAY

We invite you to have your say on the Community Vision and Council Plan. You can read the draft at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/ hepburn-together and provide feedback online by completing a short survey.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION SESSIONS We invite you to join a community session (or join online, pending COVID-19 restrictions) to hear about the process to develop these documents, along with an overview of the outcomes. Please visit the above website for the latest details. Sessions will be held:

Holcombe Ward - Sunday 8 August 2021 Time: 2pm – 3 pm Venue: Drummond Hall - 20 Lauriston Road, Drummond

Creswick Ward - Saturday 14 August 2021 Time: 9 am – 10 am Venue: Creswick Town Hall - Albert Street, Creswick

Cameron Ward - Saturday 14 August 2021 Time: 11.30 am – 12.30 pm Venue: Clunes Senior Citizens - Fraser Street, Clunes

Coliban Ward - Sunday 15 August 2021 Time: 1pm – 2 pm Venue: Trentham Mechanics Hall - 66 High Street, Trentham

Birch Ward - Monday 16 August 2021 Time: 6pm – 7 pm Venue: Daylesford Town Hall - Vincent Street, Daylesford For after hours emergencies please call:  Animal Control - 0419 587 955  Other Council Emergency - 0419 583 573 hepburncouncil

FSA/DET0016-09

Give your kids the best start.

Enrol in Three-Year-Old Kindergarten now. In 2022, children across Victoria will have access to at least five hours a week of funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten.

Find your local services at vic.gov.au/kinder

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY SPORT

For all your community sports results, scan the QR code or head to

www.tlnews.com.au Bendigo Bank

Community Bank Daylesford & District 5348 4186

www.tlnews.com.au

Inspiring 11

From Doggy to AFL premierships: Pearcy's parade

A

YOUNG man starts out with the Daylesford Football Netball Club.

Impossible, then, to even think that one day he would stand on the dais at the MCG with a premiership AFL team.

Matt Pearce’s first step came when he was approached by the then VFL side North Ballarat. “After joining the Roosters, I took on the role of head trainer for four years.”

Daylesford born and bred, “Pearcy”, as he is widely known, continued his rise when he was asked to join the medical staff at Melbourne for the 2007 season. “After two years at the Demons, I was asked to join the Tigers for season 2009 - and well the rest is history, I guess…I jumped at the opportunity.”

With his time at Melbourne, this adds up to over 350 games.

Football had always been a big part of his life, whether as a supporter or a junior.

“In more recent times I've had the pleasure of running around for a few reserves games for Daylesford when my Richmond commitments allowed me the time to do so.”

The peak of his 12 years at the Tigers was, of course, those three premierships in four years. “However, the 2017 Premiership probably stands out because it was the culmination of so many years of hard work by all involved. There is a point when a dream becomes a reality, and for me that realisation came at the 22-minute mark of the last quarter when it dawned on me that we had won our first premiership in 37 years.

“The other two premierships are also very special, but it's a bit like when you have kids...you don't love them any less...they're all just a little different.” He has two sons.

As a trainer he saw a lot of injuries up close.

He remembers Tiger Reece Conca having a significant ankle dislocation in his 100th game, against Sydney in 2018 after a tackle by Buddy Franklin.

Another was this year when ex-Geelong player and Daylesford local Josh Cowan suffered a bad leg fracture in Round 1, his comeback game at Daylesford.

“Both were really nasty injuries that happened to two of the best human beings I've had the pleasure of knowing.”

Tiger great Alex Rance featured in the most remarkable recovery Pearcy has seen, and although, ultimately, it didn't mean a return to the playing field, Rance came very close.

He injured his ACL in Round 1, 2019. An ACL injury is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament, one of the strong bands of tissue that help connect the thigh bone to the shin bone. Usually this means 12 months out of the game, but the grand final was approaching so he put himself into a position where he could almost have played, an unheard of feat.

We discussed the burning issue of head injuries. “Concussion in sport is a very real issue but also a very wide ranging one. I honestly believe we are heading in the right direction, however, there is a lot of work to be done, particularly by the code and the local leagues, in continuing to educate and develop policy to protect players at any age level.”

Pearcy also counts himself lucky because of opportunities football presented, including overseas training camps and travel and being selected as head trainer for the Victorian side in the 2020 State of Origin game for bushfire relief. As a 20-plus years member of the Daylesford CFA, this was close to his heart.

Asked about why he retired from Richmond he offers one word: “Family.”

The AFL world is all-consuming for players, staff and their families.

“Retirement had been on my mind, but after spending almost five months away from my wife and two young boys last season in the AFL hubs I made the decision to step away while on top. I left on my own terms - something that not many in the industry get to do.”

At 37 he finds getting involved again at Daylesford a bit like coming full circle.

He mentions being able to give back to the club that gave him a start. “My role has evolved since returning and I now find myself overseeing the club trainers, mentoring the leadership group and assistant coaching - not quite what I (or my wife) thought I'd be doing but really happy to be able to be involved.

“The nice thing about local footy is that now my boys are able to experience the community that sports clubs provide, they are participating in Auskick and they love coming to cheer on the Doggies on the weekends.”

Pearcy will join Konrad Marshall, author of Yellow & Black: A Season with Richmond, Stronger & Bolder: Inside the 2019 AFL Finals Series with Richmond and The Hard Way: The story of Richmond’s 13th Premiership, and Cameron Schwab, former CEO of Richmond, at the Daylesford Football Club for a special Words in Winter forum on Saturday, August 21.

Details: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=789452& Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Contributed

A PUB FOR THE LOCALS Come in, grab a drink and be local.

Join us for STEAK NIGHT every Thursday $25 and our locals’ favourite SUNDAY NIGHT ROAST $25.

03 5348 2335 LUNCH SAT & SUN DINNER THU - MON

DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

Gigs Let’s support our community and shop local!

“Locals supporting Locals”

Restaurants, Bakers, Butchers, Cafe’s, Local vineyards, Distillers, Brewers and of course each other.

Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply.

Delivery times are Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

We accept credit cards over the phone or we have an on-board eftpos machine. You will need to be at home for the delivery with proof of age if asked by the driver.

Give the Foxxy team a call on 5348 3577.

Keep safe, everyone.

with Darren Lowe

Palais–Hepburn, Hepburn Supper Club with Jazz Deuce - Friday, August 6 Miss Friby & The Femmes - Saturday, August 7 (See page 21 for more details) Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier - Friday, August 13 Motor City Sounds - Soul Music Revue - Saturday, August 14 Daylesford College Music Showcase - Sunday, August 15, 2pm-6pm Kathleen Halloran Trio - Friday, August 20 Shaun Kirk - Saturday, August 21

Got a gig? Email news@tlnews.com.au

Pizzeria

La L na Home deliveries Thursday to Sunday Get your pizza fix during COVID-19 Thursday, Sunday, Monday | 5pm - 9pm Friday and Saturday | 5pm - 10pm Tuesday & Wednesday | CLOSED

5348 4123 | 24 Albert St Daylesford | pizzerialaluna.com.au

Dental Health Week 2nd - 8th August This week we celebrate Dental Health Week.

In 2021 we are focusing on the importance of taking steps to care for your teeth and gums to help you to keep your teeth and smile healthy for life.

Has your child had an oral health examination in the past 12 months? If not please book in to one of our Dental Clinics at Creswick or Daylesford.

There is NO fee for children aged under 12 years.

To book an appointment or find out more please contact Dental reception on 5321 6580.

Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham 5321 6500 www.chrh.org.au www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU

House.Land.Home.

Do you look after people's gardens? Advertise here.

THE HELLEBORE SPECIALISTS

p OS t office farm NURSERY

Open to the public every Sunday in July, August and September

FLYSCREENS MEASURED,

MADE, AND FITTED ON THE SPOT! FROM $ 00

03 5464 7380

• Roller Shutters • Security Doors • Fly Screens

59

SECURITY DOORS MADE TO MEASURE AT FACTORY DIRECT PRICES *Conditions apply.

Hepburn Shire & Ballarat

Phone: 03 5464 7380 or Michael 0422 643 901 Email: sales@onsiteflyscreensballarat.com.au www.onsiteflyscreens.com.au

Go for gold Inspired by Tokyo’s current flourish of shiny metal, here are some clues to providing year-round colour in your garden without the aid of flowers.

The richest and most stunning colour you can choose is gold. With careful selection and placement of trees and shrubs it can be possible to ensure there is colour in every corner of your garden throughout the entire year.

An evergreen gold-leafed shrub or tree will provide contrast to the varying shades of greens of the other plants and give a lift to even the drabbest spot or darkest corner.

During autumn, golden-leafed deciduous trees, such as golden ash, golden elm or the magnificent ginkgo biloba (maidenhair fern tree) will provide an unrivalled golden spectacle. Besides, golden foliage is indispensable for indoor floral arrangements and golden foliage plants will keep for quite some time when cut and taken indoors.

Whichever way you look at it, your garden will become a goldmine of colour when you plant at least a couple of golden-leafed trees or shrubs.

Listed below are a few of my favourites.

Forsythia spectabilis. A deciduous shrub with an attractive arching habit of growth, slender bright green leaves and profuse, clear golden bell-shaped flowers which occur along the bare stems before spring growth appears. It prefers a cool spot.

Gleditsia triacanthos ‘sunburst’, the locust tree. A beautiful, deciduous tree with a vase-shaped canopy and a soft, weeping habit. The young spring foliage starts off a bright yellow colour ripening to lime green. Autumn turns its colour to rich gold.

Kerria japonica. A delightful little deciduous shrub that can also grow espaliered in a narrow spot with its deep green foliage and rich yellow, miniature rose-like flowers throughout winter and into early spring. Pictured top right.

Laburnum vossii, the golden rain tree. An attractive small upright tree with soft, silky foliage. Long drooping sprays of bright yellow pea-shaped flowers cascade down in spring.

Leucodendron salignum, golden cone bush. One of the multitudinous proteaecea tribe (which includes protea, banksia, waratah etc) and among the many different coloured forms, this one produces long-lasting golden yellow calyxes and flowers which, like proteas, are long-lasting and perfect for indoor decoration. Pictured below right.

Metrosideros tomentosa variegata. The golden-leafed New Zealand Christmas tree is worthy of a place in any garden and unlike many other variegated plants, flowers extremely well. In summer months the tree is smothered with masses of short red, bottlebrush flowers which contrast beautifully with its rich golden, glossy leaves. This variegated form is more compact than the parent, green-foliaged variety and grows equally well in the lawn or a large tub.

There are countless other golden plants to enhance your golden spectacle - yellow flag iris, cannas, countless rose varieties...the list goes on.

And no, I haven’t overlooked the incredible variety of our wonderful acacias. I’ve saved that for the next issue of The Local to pay special homage to Glenlyon’s Wattle Week commencing Saturday, August 28.

Got a gardening question? Ask Glen. Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

House.Land.Home.Premium Spring edition Monday, September 13 Advertising now being taken.

Kyle on 0416 104 283 kyle@tlnews.com.au

Bells Water Gardens @ Bald Hills

Bells Water Gardens has been in the water garden business for over 25 years, building and maintaining ponds and growing a diverse range of aquatic plants for the nursery trade and public.

We are passionate about building natural eco-system ponds, adding beauty and encouraging wildlife, allowing interaction with nature. Water gardens built by us are quiet, contemplative places to rest and energise the senses.

Contact us for all your water garden requirements or come and see our nursery at 846 Gillies Rd, Bald Hills.

0418 567 195

16 News

www.tlnews.com.au

Gender affirming games & activities for kids

S

UNBURY and Cobaw Community Health’s WayOut team is hosting a morning of games and activities for non-binary, transgender and gender diverse children and their parents and carers.

The father said he had struggled himself using the correct terminology and getting to a point where he was OK himself with the situation.

“At the start it was a real struggle, and I don’t think I really took it seriously to begin with. But now I am making more of an effort and while talking about gender diversity can be foreign for us, it does give kids a sense that their identity is being respected and you are taking them seriously.”

The father said he attended a WayOut parents’ evening a few weeks ago and gained a lot from being able to “be completely honest about how I was feeling and ask stupid questions”.

“It was great to have how I was feeling validated but then hear how I could help my child. I didn’t feel judged at all and it really resolved a few things for me about how it was OK to feel how I did but was also important for me to get past that as well.

“I think it is one thing to be aware of this stuff through your work and getting the pronouns right, but it is just so different when it is your family and child. You are thinking about all sorts of ramifications for the future and trying to get to a point where you are OK with things not being the fairy tale, or how you first imagined everything would work out.

“But fairy tales never turn out like they are meant to and anyway we probably should be writing some non-binary and gender diverse characters into modern day fairy tales. It’s not all princes and princesses.”

For information on the event call Mez Lanigan or Rhani Dean-Talbett at WayOut on 5421 1666 or email healthpromotion@scchc.org.au

Planet GAGA (Gender Affirming Games and Activities) to be held at Kyneton on Saturday, August 14 is safe, welcoming and inclusive and it is hoped will become a regular event. This event is aimed at children aged 6 to 11 but contact from parents with older or younger children is welcome.

One father, who asked not to be identified, said his child, who is non-binary, would be attending and hoping to meet other gender diverse children.

“My child feels a bit different and misunderstood at times, needing to explain themselves a lot, so I think meeting with other gender diverse children will be really beneficial. You just want your child to feel as OK and comfortable with themselves as possible and hopefully this is a way to do that.”

The father said his child, who is almost 10, had recently started at a very supportive mainstream school but there were still stumbling blocks such as enrolment forms offering only a “boy” or “girl” box to tick with room for a notation underneath.

“We are not happy to do that and have been in touch with the local MP and Safe Schools. The school is very supportive, and it is just an admin issue, but it has been distressing for our child and frustrating for us. It should be such a simple thing to change.”

The father said the school had been fantastic and there had been no bullying, but it was difficult with so many school activities being gender specific.

“Even many of the games we set up for children are often divided into girls and Link: www.sunburycobaw.org.au/ boys and that can be upsetting at times, although it does depend on how they are feeling on the day.

“A few weeks ago, one of the teachers asked for the boys to do one thing and the girls another. My child went forward to get involved with the girls and then did the Words: Donna Kelly same with the boys. The teacher told them they had made a mistake, but my child said ‘No, I haven’t’. But they were feeling strong and confident enough to assert themselves on that day - on another day that could be quite upsetting.”

OFFICE RELOCATING *** BUSINESS AS USUAL ***

THE VINCENT STREET OFFICE WILL BE CLOSING 30TH SEPTEMBER ALL BUSINESS ACTIVITY WILL MOVE TO MY HOME OFFICE IN DAYLESFORD CONTACT DETAILS WILL REMAIN THE SAME PLEASE CONTACT LUMA WHITEHEAD FOR ALL YOUR SELLING AND LEASING NEEDS

0 41 8 7 79 159 enquiries@daylesfordmineralspringsrealestate.com.au

www.tlnews.com.au

News 17

Logging danger 'continues' in Wombat

T

HE State Government decision to announce a new Wombat Forest National Park has been met with caution in one camp and anger in another.

“The proposed delay in legislating park status leaves communities still vulnerable to unwanted industrial loggings and gold mines in our backyards and water catchments,” says local environmentalist David Stephens, pictured.

The Victorian National Parks Association is also worried that logging will continue until the Wombat Forest National Park, and others, are created at a future date.

While the decision is seen as a win for wildlife, their habitats and the communities who can enjoy the parks, while protecting their natural values, there is a deep worry about the state-owned business VicForests returning with its chainsaws.

Says Mr Stephens: “There has been no saw logging here for 20 years because the community opposes it.”

Mr Stephens, from Wombat Forestcare, says communities across the region effectively ended industrial logging in 2002 through community education, lobbying and non-violent physical intervention at logging sites.

Since then, locals have also effectively seen off many gold mining developments across the seven rivers water catchment in the forests. “Clearly, the legal protection of parks status is at least 20 years overdue.”

When the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced new national parks, she said logging of native forests would continue until 2030. The Parks Association’s Matt Ruchel said the plan to log much of these areas and then turn them into national parks did not make sense. “There are still decades of wood supply outside of the proposed park areas.”

The biggest new park will combine Lerderderg State Park and much of the Wombat State Forest to total more than 44,000 hectares between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh.

Mr Stephens said logging created a fire risk because of the thick regrowth that then had to be thinned. He added: “Climate change weather event disasters are either mitigated by a maturing forest or worsened by forest degradation.”

Logging had been attempted at Barkstead and Little Hampton. “Good people have put in years of work to create these national parks which, in general, are fantastic for the community.”

As an example, he said Ron and Margaret Thorpe of Trentham, who came from a timber family, turned up every day with billy tea to support local activists at logging sites.

“On one occasion, Margaret, with another grandmother, chained herself to the door of the logging department (now DELWP) in Daylesford. Sadly, both Margaret and Ron died just months before the parks' announcement.

“People from all walks of life and political affiliations support the parks. On the other side there were submissions from industry, including Canadian gold miners, saying that the parks were best run by user groups and industry.”

He said his group had found rare and endangered species in the forests and had been rewarded with recognition by Environment Victoria and the National Herbarium.

Mr Stephens said the Wombat Forest communities and the timber industry did not need a transition time to conservation status.

“Local mills and logging crews ended operations with substantial taxpayer-funded compensation about 15 years ago.”

Another group upset, but for different reasons, is the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, whose State MP Jeff Bourman said he was blindsided by the announcement and wants an urgent meeting with Minister D’Ambrosio to ensure groups such as prospectors and shooters kept their access to the forests.

“I will also be demanding that the Victorian opposition make removing these national parks an election commitment.”

Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Kyle Barnes Letters: Page 22

Storm drop-in sessions

H

EPBURN Shire Council is inviting residents affected by the June storm event to attend a Storm Recovery Community Drop-in Session.

The sessions are an opportunity for residents and business operators to talk to staff from relief and recovery agencies, along with council staff from teams including Emergency Management, Infrastructure, Building, Planning, Environmental Health, Economic Development and Community Care. Farmers and producers are also encouraged to attend with Agriculture Victoria also on hand.

There will be information available on support for storm recovery, and an opportunity to speak with experts in an informal setting.

There will be five sessions held at the Trentham Sportsground Pavilion on Falls Road, Trentham on Monday, August 9. The sessions will be: Session One: 2pm3pm, Session Two: 3pm-4pm, Session Three: 4pm-5pm, Session Four: 5pm-6pm and Session Five: 6pm-7pm.

Pre-registration of attendance (including children) is required to ensure Covid density regulations are met. Book at https://www.trybooking.com/BTHGI. For more information contact the council’s Storm Recovery Team on 5348 2306.

18 Happy & Healthy

GROUP EXERCISE

Local push for vaccine

H

EALTH and community services across the Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires have come together to develop a Covid-19 vaccination campaign under the banner ‘Get the Jab Done’.

Maintain a fit + healthy lifestyle

PFIZER VACCINE CLINICS

Createdfor & delivered by an Available at our Daylesford location,

Central Highlands Rural Health, Hepburn Shire people aged between 40 and 59, Exercise Physiologist and Macedon Ranges Shire councils and Sunbury and or those that fit the eligibility criteria.

Cobaw Community Health have all endorsed the co• 1 hour group fitness session designed campaign to ensure community members have including warm up + cool consistent and trusted vaccination messaging across the region. ‘Get the Jab Done’ down communicates that vaccination will keep the community safe.

Available at our Daylesford location, CHRH CEO Maree Cuddihy, pictured, said over the next few months people • Fun, inclusive + social for people aged 60 and over. would notice the campaign messaging popping up in health and community environment facilities across the region, as well as in print media. "It’s been great working on this campaign with our colleagues in health and community services and we hope it will If you have had your first AstraZeneca dose at • Improve strength + fitness help encourage our community to ‘get the jab done’."

• Exercise your own pace Springs Medical, you will receive your secondatdose Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Lesley Hewitt said the more people under EP guidance appointment details via SMS or phone. vaccinated, the greater the protection the shires would have against Covid-19. "Both the Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires are popular tourist destinations for visitors • $10 per session or and we want to be able to welcome people back to our region with open arms. The Book online enquire or speak to our reception 10 sessions for $90 vaccine is our best shot at making this happen." today! staff to book your appointment.

Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health CEO Phillip Ripper said while some people had concerns about possible adverse reactions from the vaccine, the Please remember that you must leave a government’s coronavirus website was a good source of quality vaccine information.

BOOKINGS BOOK NOW! (03) 5348 2227 7 dayESSENTIAL gap between -ANY vaccination.

"However your GP is the best person to talk to if you have questions about the Springs Medical | 10 Hospital Street DAYLESFORD vaccine and existing health conditions.”

Scan the QR code to find out more & download The Covid-19 vaccine is available through vaccination centres across Victoria and the registration form. a full list can be accessed at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/vaccination-centres General practices also carry a supply of the vaccine. www.springsmedical.com.au Meanwhile CHRH will be running a Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic at Kyneton Follow us https://www.facebook.com/springsmedical Health, however the opening date has been delayed. Check the website for updates.

ASTRAZENECA VACCINE CLINICS

new

SUE’S PLACE

Dr. Susanne M. Heringslake Chiropractor Moments To Ponder a little gift from me to you

Are you well?

How do you know?

Are you sick?

How do you know?

Are your thoughts based on how you feel, or how you are?

Does it make a difference to you?

Are you content to just ‘let things happen’?

Or maybe you might like to actively participate.

Maybe you might have an impact on the outcome.

Hmmm...I wonder.

For all enquiries and to book appointments, please contact: Dr Susanne M Heringslake Chiropractor Mobile: 0407 301 352

Springs Family Dental YOUR LOCAL DENTIST Keeping the Families of Daylesford Smiling.

OPEN Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm

Children’s Dentistry | Smile Makeovers Dental Implants Crowns & Veneers Teeth Whitening | Emergency Dental Appointments Happy Gas Available 16 Albert Street, Daylesford | P 03 5348 2939 | F 03 5348 3203 E springsfamilydental16@gmail.com

www.springsfamilydental.com.au

www.tlnews.com.au

Happy & Healthy 19

Fun and friendship on offer at The Convent

H

EPBURN House has started an exciting initiative for LGBTQI+ elders to get together for regular social outings and to have fun.

Hepburn House's Ageing with Pride committee members, consisting of members of the LGBTQI community and Hepburn House staff, came up with the idea and were thrilled to receive a state government grant to get it up and running.

Called Ageing (Dis)gracefully, the project has kicked off with morning teas at the Convent Gallery with participants deciding on future venues and dates.

Convenor Carmel Dennehy-Yardy said elders of the community were welcome to attend and also bring a support person.

"Being out and about is great for both mental health and social wellbeing. We are just offering a nurturing environment with like-minded people.

“I have spoken to a lot of people and they have been really encouraging which is great. It might start slowly but once people feel confident about what we are doing we can also find out their needs and what they would like. I feel quite excited about it.”

Two more morning teas will be held at The Convent at 10am on Wednesday, August 4 and August 11. Cost is $5 for tea and scones.

To attend contact Carmel on 0456 889 431. Transport is available if needed and if funds are an issue, there is assistance available.

Hepburn House is located at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford. For more information visit www.hepburnhouse.com.au or call 5348 8100.

A new and fabulous initiative of Hepburn House Daylesford PRESENTING

With support from Country LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Program Sunbury & Cobaw Community Health.

Funded by the Victoria Government.

12502020-SG28-21

We are seeking to connect the LGBTI Elders in Regional Communities for fun, social gatherings in a safe nurturing environment - with like-minded people.

Time for inclusion, scheduling of weekly events, outings, get togethers and a chance to connect.

For enquiries: call Carmel 0456 889 431 Email: ageingdis3461@gmail.com

20 Crossword

www.tlnews.com.au

W RD

CROSS

Holistic Funeral Directors

Sustainable & authentic funerals Call 5427 3112 visit NaturalGrace.com.au

Here's the solution for Crossword 232.

How did you go?

www.tlnews.com.au

Cars

D

with Neil Counahan

RIVING through Hepburn Springs I saw this parked 1965 Chevrolet Nova, looking like it was from the Fast & Furious movie franchise. I left a note under the windscreen and luckily the owner agreed to meet.

I certainly heard it before I saw it, the unmistakeable sound of a modified V8, then the glimpses of that green between the fiery red autumn leaves certainly built expectation.

Gary and Leonie Sartori have owned the car for 10 years. Gary has always worked on cars, having built hot rods and modified cars for many people over the years. The Satori family have been in the Yandoit area since the 1850s and Gary built the stone house they now live in on the original family property. He told me about the car.

"The Chevrolet Nova is a compact two-door sedan produced from 1962 to 1965.

This one has the biggest engine, 327cubic inches or S.36L V8. I have modified it extensively so it is great to drive and gets lots of attention. It is still left-hand drive which, once you get used to, is easy to handle.

"I found this car in Werribee but it originally came from Mexico, where it was assembled, so it had no rust to speak of which was great for restoration purposes. I have found that nowadays it is easy to get parts from America.

"I did a full nut and bolt restoration which took me six to seven years to complete. I get great pleasure out of it and try to take it out every two or three weeks.

I just liked the colour."

COURTOT AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS Phone: (03)

5348 3167

Out & About 21

Music

with Darren Lowe

Miss Friby and The Femmes – Palais-Hepburn, Saturday, August 7

M

ISS Friby & The Femmes present original soul ballads, nostalgic blues and Americana, with more than a touch of showbiz flourish, hilarious cabaret and flamboyant rock, re-devised to have "wider harmonies, harder hits and unyielding character".

The show features an all female band, sequin clad dancers and boisterous performance, paying homage to ‘ritz and glamour of old world music revues with bite’.

Miss Friby is returning to the Palais-Hepburn with a wild cohort of female identifying musicians for an evening of live original music with her band. Miss Friby, described as ‘reminiscent of a 21st century Lucille Ball’ will lead the evening, performing a range of original songs she has written over the years, as both a cabaret producer and ‘lounge room Amy Winehouse’ for Melbourne’s infamous lockdown of 2020.

The show is being presented through the Arts Centre Melbourne’s Music For Victoria program which allocates funding towards artist presentation at live music venues across Victoria. "This funding alleviates some of the challenges that arise for venues, artists and producers who are still grappling with the unpredictability of our sector", says Miss Friby (Elizabeth Dawson-Smith) whose award winning cabaret, dance and music spectacles have been featured at some of Australia’s largest curated festivals including Splendour in the Grass, Falls Festival and Woodford Folk Festival.

Got a gig happening? Email news@tlnews.com.au

Catherine

KING MP

Federal Member for Ballarat 03 5338 8123 Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au

NEW - after hours tow service 0438 375 731

CatherineKingMP @CatherineKingMP

Standing up for our Community!

www.catherineking.com.au Authorised by Catherine King, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Avenue Barton ACT.

ADVERTISEMENT

Friendly and reliable service.

Come down and chat to our friendly staff.

VEHICLE SERVICES MECHANICAL REPAIRS COMPUTER SCANNING TYRE REPLACEMENTS PUNCTURE REPAIRS AUTOELEC 10am WEDNESDAYS 3 Mink Street, Daylesford email: courtotautomotive@outlook.com

Mary-Anne Thomas MP LABOR MEMBER FOR MACEDON

As your local Member of Parliament I am keen to hear from the community and assist with any State Government matter.

Mary-Anne Thomas Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne, VIC 3437 P: 5428 2138 E: mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au Authorised by MA Thomas, Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne. Funded from Parliamentary budget.

22 Opinion

www.tlnews.com.au

Your say

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

I

HAD my third Covid test Sunday a week ago. It happened because while on the Gold Coast we decided we needed to go to the big smoke and spend a night in BrisVegas.

All good, 73rd floor of some nice hotel, but then we saw the traffic lights. Not the ones on the street, the ones which indicate if you can go home, get tested and isolate or go home, get tested and stay in a quarantine hotel for 14 days. (And we all know quarantine hotels are where you catch Covid.)

So we found out we were in an orange zone. Brisbane. Which meant if we got home we would have to do the former, get tested and then stay at home until we got a negative test. All good.

We flew home on the Saturday and I had already booked to get tested on the Sunday. At Daylesford. I was booked for 10.15am and Kyle for 10.25am. My third test, his first. I may have exaggerated how bad it was going to be, and how far they shove that stick up your nose. Sorry Kyle. (Not - got to have fun now and again.)

We had a very nice nurse who showed us both in together and then told us she had been a midwife in a former life. That was interesting. So many potential orifice jokes, but no, we kept it adult. She then asked Kyle if he would like to go first - get it out the way. He thought that was a nice idea. She told him to keep his feet flat, breath and relax. Which he did. Mouth swab, one, two, three. Done. No worries.

First nostril, one, two, three. Done. No worries. Second nostril. OMG. He squirmed and winced and the further he pulled back, the closer the nurse moved in with the swab. One, two, three. Kyle swore she was actually counting how many swabs she was poking up his nose. It was hilarious. Sorry, but it really was. Kyle said he expected blood and later claimed he had a migraine from the swab hitting his brain. Again, OMG. Then my turn. No worries. Let's see...pap smear, mammogram, pelvic ultrasound, inside and out...yep, a Covid test is a walk in the park.

Anyway, we went home, waited 24 hours, got the all clear and headed to the shops. Our good friend Max had stocked the house with a few things I ordered via Click and Collect but of course I forget staples like butter. Toast is just not toast without butter.

But we then returned home to a missed call, from a contact tracer. Talk about a heart stopper. We called back but the woman was out. Of course. So we sat quietly, breathing shallow, until she called back. Covid alert for Daylesford? Nah, she just wanted to tick a few boxes. All good.

It's nice to be home. Queensland is so dry and sunny and warm. Day after day. So boring. Home is much better. Plenty of water in the tank, no need for sunblock, nice to pull on a few layers. That's why I love the Central Highlands. Living the dream.

Just sayin'...

services LAND CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT SEPTIC servicesSYSTEM INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE PERIODIC INSPECTION AND REPORTING OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE SUPERVISION OF SLUDGE PUMP-OUT LATEST SLUDGE-JUDGE TECHNOLOGY AUTHORISED TAYLEX SERVICE AGENT

www.sanae-svcs.com.au

PO Box 1040, Daylesford, VIC 3460 koos.hulst@sanae-svcs.com.au (03) 5348 6620 or 0437 747 619

I love reading Letters to the Editor from our younger community members, and rarely want to take issue with their musings. But I feel I need to respond to Caitlyn Sandwith’s letter, The Local, July 19.

Caitlyn is clearly an intelligent young person, but she has been sadly misled by a constant campaign of lies and misinformation. For example these transmission lines are a federal, not a state project, commissioned by the Australian Energy Market Operator, a federal government body. The multiplicity of signs blaming Dan Andrews are wrong, but leave many with the misconception that this is a state issue.

Likewise the claims of fire danger due to transmission lines. In the 63 years Victoria has been keeping records of the causes of bushfires there have been no bushfires caused by transmission lines. People are confusing distribution networks (the power poles that bring electricity to your home) with transmission lines, and there are very significant differences in the construction and safety designs of transmission lines that mitigate against them starting bushfires.

Caitlyn also raises the issue of cost in her letter, which is a very real concern. But that cost will not come out of state budgets, it will come out of ordinary mums' and dads' pockets in increased electricity bills.

I only hope that facts and reasoned argument start to replace the deception and politicisation of this debate. I can’t help but feel deeply saddened when I drive past signs blaming Labor politicians for a project that is not theirs to be blamed for in what is clearly a blatantly political campaign based on lies, not facts.

So much so that when trying to discuss this with one of the one of the leaders in this debate recently I was threatened with “having the s--t kicked out” of me.

What a sad state of affairs when political debate stoops to these lows.

- Ross Redwin, Creswick

The cyclonic storm on June 9/10 flattened large areas of state forest in the Hepburn Shire. Really hard hit was Bullarto with vast swathes of overstocked mature forest flattened and strewn across roads, the railway and residences.

VicRoads and councils are continuing to remove fallen trees from roadsides and are stacking them for later use. Bushfire Recovery Victoria is helping private landowners, Forest Fire Management Victoria are slowly clearing some of the main forest roads but what is the Department of Environment doing regarding allocating resources and planning for the massive cleanup and ecological restoration works now required within our Wombat State Forest?

Most of the state forest abutting Bullarto township is protected where sawlog or firewood harvesting is usually prohibited, but the storm has left more trees on the ground than are standing, in some places stacked six high.

The recent VEAC report recommended the Wombat State Forest be turned into a national park and it also recommends that ‘ecological restoration works and ecological thinning’ be conducted where appropriate. Well now is surely the time for DELWP to plan and allocate resources to expedite such works.

In 2003 sawlog harvesting ceased in the Wombat State Forest and Community Forest Management, in partnership with the Department of Environment, trialled an ecological thinning prescription called Forest Restoration and Resource Utilisation. It was an holistic approach to forest management largely supported by the community and industry. It has since been practiced in private forests across Victoria.

Following the guidelines, ecological restoration and thinning works recommended can be safely conducted using the commercial harvest and haulage sector.

Restoration works would be a four-way win situation as: 1. The safety and amenity of a future national park would be largely addressed; 2. The extensive sawlog and residual resource lying on the ground surplus to ground habitat requirements as per ecological vegetation class benchmarks would be safely removed and utilised making operations commercially viable. (Hollow and moss covered logs are also left on the ground and others are placed across contours to reduce the potential for erosion.); 3. Associated employment would be substantial; and 4. Future fire risks and fuel loads would be mitigated with CFA access also addressed.

Forest fire expert Dr Kevin Tolhurst, Associate Professor in Fire Ecology and Management at the University of Melbourne’s School of Forest and Ecosystem Science has raised similar concerns regarding the resourcing and future management of a National Park.

Hopefully the Premier Daniel Andrews and the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio will allocate appropriate funding and resources for DELWP to prioritise these essential ecological restoration and fire mitigation works here at Bullarto and elsewhere prior to the coming fire season.

- Gary McIntosh, Bullarto

www.tlnews.com.au

Opinion 23

Kyle’s Rant

I

HAVEN'T been totally honest with you, dear readers. The last couple of rants have been brought to you from the 15th floor of a beachfront apartment block in Burleigh Heads, Queensland.

Yep, where the sun is shining, the surf and the sand are invigorating and then there are the ladies. Believe it or not they aren’t wearing thick padded jackets darting across the Coles carpark - they are strutting around in figure-hugging fitness wear and bikinis that leave little for my imagination to wonder about.

That’s perverted, says my wife/editor. After all she popped a ring on my finger almost 25 years ago that was designed to take all the thinking for myself out of life and choke off the blood supply to my candy radar.

But back to our "summer" palace. A week to go and we started to get a little worried. Our coming home options were dwindling and it is only for so long I can lean heavily on our journalists and photographers here at TL HQ to bring you the news, so we had to create an early escape plan.

The other issue was the lackadaisical approach that Queenslanders have to social distancing, mask wearing and keeping each other safe. It is bloody frightening from the point of view of a battle-weary Victorian. We weathered one three-day lockdown which started with one of the two lifts breaking down which services the 32-floor building. It was fixed when the lockdown ended. During the same lockdown a fire alarm went off, which made us hike down the 15 floors, which wasn’t so bad except for the 100 other people in the stairwell, all with different approaches to wearing masks – or not. The turning point came on a trip up to Brisbane when we stayed on the 73rd floor of a hotel. I spent most of my time huddled in a corner nursing my recently-formed acrophobia but when I did venture into the lifts and their four "stand here" spots on the floor it soon filled with up with 30 people. FFS. So it was with enthusiasm that we blew off the last week of our winter warming office relocation and headed back home into the lockdown, snow and a plethora of precipitation that the Central Highlands has on offer.

The option of driving back through NSW had gone and option two, going via the NT and then SA was also over. So the third and final option, which actually worked out cheaper, was to put the ute on a car carrier for around $600 and hop on a jet for a further $75 each. The only wrinkle was that we had been in Brisbane, an orange zone, so once we landed in Victoria we had to rent a car, get home, get tested and isolate until the tests came back negative. Which they did.

And that concludes our little winter escape. More adventure than most other years but despite the weather it is great to be home where people are kind and considerate and know how to act during a pandemic.

Queensland rant over…

PALMER STEVENS & RENNICK Barristers & Solicitors Property and Conveyancing Criminal Law Family Law Wills and Estates Commercial Law Employment Law Appearing in all Courts PLEASE CONTACT US

(03) 5422 6500 SINCE 1852

8 Jennings Street, Kyneton Email - psr@psr.net.au | Website - psr.net.au

TRENTHAM PETROL & .....................................

STUFF Petrol, oil, swap & go gas, Motorpass, farm produce, farm produce store, ice, milk, soft drinks, take away pies, coffee, confectionery, local honey, etc Rusty junk, secondhand books, old wares

..................................................

1 Market Street ~ ph: 5424 1611

Monday–Sunday 8aM~6pM

7 acres of well organised, easy to navigate, recycled goodness in the heart of castlemaine.

Salvage Yard

Structural timbers, hundreds of doors and windows, landscaping timbers, ex-commercial double glazed glass, steel, masonry and found objects... right down to hard to find hardware and homewares!

Now also supplying a range of small production, sustainably sourced new timbers for flooring, decking, overlay and cladding.

Also, manufacturers of custom designed engineered trusses from recycled timbers.

6 Lewis Drive Castlemaine • 0435 500 112 • www.thesalvageyard.com.au

24 Our people

www.tlnews.com.au

Peter Geddes: A career dedicated to teaching

P

ETER Geddes has a lifetime of stories and memories collected over a dedicated career at Daylesford Secondary College. A career that has spanned more than 45 years or 2361 weeks. And after all that time Peter decided to retire last month aged 67.

Peter grew up on a dairy farm near Shepparton and after completing high school and heading off to university, he envisaged becoming a science teacher despite his fascination with all things mathematical.

“Mathematics was always one of my favourite things growing up and after arriving here and teaching science for two years, I bailed and focused purely on the maths,” he said.

What was then known as Daylesford Technical High School had been open for 15 years when Peter began teaching as a 22-year-old graduate.

When Peter shares some of the stories - stories of troubled students, unmotivated kids with little home support, stories of students that went on to become inspiring adults and those who paved successful careers - his devotion and his belief in the thousands of students he has guided over the years is inspiring.

“In some cases, I was only seven years older than some of my students in my early years and to this day five of the students remain my good friends,” he said.

One of his fondest memories was when the school offered vertical pastoral care.

Students from all year levels went on excursions with a nominated teacher.

“They were wonderful times. We got to spend time with the kids outside of school and we were all better for it,” he said.

Another memory was when he took a group of kids on a day trip and one boy (who it was later revealed had a heart condition and ordinarily wouldn’t have been part of the group) spent the day chasing cricket balls up and down a cliff.

“He had the best time and said later that it was the best day of his life. When we realised his condition, we were all relieved he got through the day but the best part was he was simply a kid for a day. That day will remain with me forever,” he said.

Peter could fill The Local with stories of a career that has spanned almost five decades but what troubles him the most with teaching in the present day is the stress teachers are under.

“The education system has changed so much over the years. Teachers have so many stresses that many secondary teaching graduates only last around five years. So many teenagers these days feel very empowered and believe they have so many rights.

I’ve tried to teach the kids that they have an obligation rather than rights.”

Peter has seen changes for the better, and for the worse, over the years.

“I think there are many more pressures on students these days. I’ve seen a change over the past 15 to 20 years, and even more so in recent years, because of students carrying phones. Many can’t go 30 seconds without thinking about social media and because of the technology I’ve seen a decline in motivation.

“I’ve seen such a change in kids. When I started teaching, kids wanted to grab the world by the throat and make the most out of life. Technology has changed life for kids and it’s harder for them. But I always tried to be honest with my students and to help and encourage them to make good choices. I will miss that aspect of teaching terribly. I do already.”

Peter’s fridge is adorned with thank-you notes given to him over the years. Each one inspired him to teach, guide and lend an ear to students who simply needed one person to believe in them. “My sister gave me a wallet many years ago and for years I would carry thank-you notes around with me in that wallet. One was from a student who went on to become a surgeon and I had her letter for so many years it literally fell apart after being in my wallet for so long.”

Daylesford and the college have changed a lot in the time Peter has lived here.

“You could get a park in the main street at any time unless it was pub night. I lived in a couple of share houses, at one stage in the Leonards Hill school house. I’ve lived in Hepburn and Glenlyon and in those days I was paying around $40 a week.

It’s changed so much and the shortage of houses in the area is very concerning. It can have a detrimental effect on kids if their parents are struggling to find a rental property that is stable and long term.”

While Peter taught senior maths classes, he always relished the opportunity to substitute for year 7 classes. “They are special and just before I retired, I substituted for the art teacher. I went around the class and would recognise the names and tell the kids if I taught their mum and dad. I left one little girl to last. She looked at me and said ‘What about me, Mr Geddes?’ I told her she was very special because I taught her nana.”

Peter has raised three boys in the area and relishes time spent with his granddaughter. So, for Peter, adjusting to retirement has been easy. “It’s Sunday every day. I get out and collect firewood, work on my ute (he usually has to roll start it) and my dream is to buy a motorhome and cruise the coast.”

Words: Narelle Groenhout | Image: Kyle Barnes

The Local Classifieds Central Highlands Rural Health

Employment Opportunities For the latest results for the Central Highlands Football League Seniors competition just scan the QR code above.

For all sports news head to www.tlnews.com.au

Central Highlands Rural Health (CHRH) is a rural health organisation that operates five campuses across Hepburn Shire and the Macedon Ranges in the Central Highlands of Victoria in Australia, north and north-west of Melbourne. It was formed through the voluntary amalgamation of Hepburn Health Service and Kyneton District Health on 30 November, 2019.

We currently have the following employment opportunities: * Director of Nursing – Daylesford

* People and Culture Manager

* Cleaners - Kyneton

* Social Worker (Grade 2)

* Enrolled Nurses – Daylesford Aged Care

* Physiotherapist (Grade 3) * Dentist

* Casual Administration Officers For further information on these and other roles we have to offer please visit our website at: www.chrh.org.au and click on Careers, or contact 5321 6511.

For the latest results for the Central Highlands Netball League A Grade competition just scan the QR code above.

For all sports news head to www.tlnews.com.au

The Local Business Directory PLASTERER Take a stroll around Take a stroll around the gardens and find Take a stroll around the gardens and find your inspiration... the gardens and find your inspiration... your inspiration...

An extensive range of cool climate plants... fruit trees, ornamentals, roses, An extensive range of cool climate shrubs, semi advanced hedging Anfruit extensive range of cool trees, climate plants... trees, ornamentals, roses, and natives fruit trees, ornamentals, shrubs,plants... semi advanced trees, hedging roses, 03 5424 8315 Corner of SPRING HILL RD shrubs, semi advanced trees, hedging 03 5424 8315 AND TRENTHAM RD, and natives plants, pots and garden Corner of SPRING HILL RD andIndoor natives TYLDEN 3444 Corner of SPRING HILL RD ornaments AND TRENTHAM RD, Indoor plants, pots and garden AND TRENTHAM RD, TYLDEN 3444 Indoor plants, pots and garden ornaments TYLDEN 3444 Locally made gifts and a cosy coffee bar ornaments 03 5424 8315

Locally made gifts and a cosy coffee bar Locally made gifts and a cosy coffee bar

DAYLESFORD FIBROUS PLASTER WORKS (MACKLEY’S) • NEW HOMES • RENOVATIONS • CEILING ROSES • ORNAMENTAL CORNICE Daylesford

Peter Mackley 5348 3085 or 0418 571 331 Gary Mackley 5348 1108

Support your local businesses!

Consulting in Administration & Management Book-keeping Administration Payroll Temp service Supplier monthly reconciliation Qualified to manage a small team of office workers Christ Jules Services Julie Hanson 0459 619 701 julphil.hanson@gmail.com

Kitchen - Bathroom - Laundry Jo Lopes 0422 955 615

www.christjulesservices.com.au

REMOVALISTS

DELIVERING THE REGION’S BEST FREIGHT FOR OVER 25 YEARS. BULK DRY FREIGHT PRODUCE CARTAGE BULK REFRIGERATED FREIGHT PARCELS AND PALLETS

FURNITURE REMOVALS FURNITURE DELIVERY ART AND SCULPTURE MELBOURNE DEPOT LARGE & SMALL TRUCKS

Peace of Mind.

Reliable Friendly Service.

Locally owned and operated.

Ph:0434 357 882

Call 03 5348 6611 www.oztrans.com.au F REIGHT · TRANSPORT · RE MOVALS DAYLESFORD AND CENT RA L H IGH LA N DS

REGULAR RUNS TO MELBOURNE GEELONG BALLARAT AND BENDIGO

LET US HELP YOU MOVE TO YOUR HOME WITH OUR CARING FRIENDLY TEAM No matter if you are moving to our region for the first time, moving to the big smoke or just moving down the road - we will take care of you and your prized possessions like it’s our own home we are moving.

Peace of Mind.

Reliable Friendly Service.

Locally owned and operated.

Call 03 5348 6611 www.oztrans.com.au FREI GHT · TRA NS P ORT · REM OVA LS DAY L E S FORD A N D CE N T RA L H I G H L A N DS

REGULAR RUNS TO MELBOURNE GEELONG BALLARAT AND BENDIGO

Hepburn Earthworks

Drives, drains, moving dirt, excavation, $400 half day $750 full day man and machine.

Caterpillar Bobcat, excavator and Dual Roller.

Phone: 0438 662 203

The Local Business Directory Clement F Mooney

Email: c.mooney@bigpond.net.au Available to assist with all general accounting services and preparation/electronic lodgment of Tax Returns and BAS for Individuals, Sole Traders, Partnerships, Trusts and Companies.

Tel: 03 5424 1441 Mobile: 0412 584 555

A.B.N. 37 961 487 978

Certified Practising Accountant Registered Tax Agent B.Com, C.P.A., M.B.A.

trenthamselfstorage@outlook.com Office: 19 Albert Street, Trentham 3458

Servicing commercial refrigeration domestic and commercial air conditioning REGISTERED BUILDING PRACTITIONER

Project management Extensions - Renovations Bathrooms - Kitchens - Decks

Sales-Service-Maintenance-Installation -Mobile coolroom hire Garry Rodoni: 0417 734 206 Chris Milham: 0436 402 730

DAYLESFORD APPLIANCE SERVICE

das3460@bigpond.com

CARACON

ANTE - 0400 120 802

electrical appliance repair service washer, dryer, fridge, dishwasher, oven, cook top etc.

Call Kiyo on

0419 267 685

das3460@bigpond.com

Web, Wordpress & Email Hosting · Domain Name Management Free CPANEL transfer of files · Reliable service Contact Richard Monty – local, experienced and helpful.

W: thegeekteam.com.au E: richard@thegeekteam.com.au Phone: 1300 856 034

Malone Tree Services Liam Malone . Limited Access . Fully Insured .Specialists Qualified . Mulching Available

0423 945 436

The Last Word - The history of Glenlyon

T

ODAY Glenlyon, lying a short drive east from Daylesford, is a prosperous little town. Many visitors enjoy stopping there and its current population of weekenders, hobby farmers and retirees is growing in number.

New subdivisions are appearing and most days the sound of building activity can be heard as new houses are constructed. Some older residents may view all these new developments with dismay, yearning for the days of previous years when the area around Glenlyon seemed to enjoy a certain degree of obscurity.

But the current expansion of the town is really just another phase in its 170-year colonial history. Its location on a busy road connecting the main route from Bendigo to Melbourne ensured the town's growth and consolidation well after gold petered out and this same location continues to be what attracts people to the area.

Glenlyon is a place destined to grow and grow.

The settlement’s European origins lay with the establishment of the Coliban pastoral run in 1837 by Alexander Mollison, which originally stretched from Mt Macedon to Mt Alexander. Eventually the vast run was split up and the region around the headwaters of the Loddon became known as the Holcombe Run. In 1846, Richard Babbington and John Carpenter purchased a part of the area and called it Glenlyon after their Scottish home.

For the next few years Glenlyon and the surrounding district remained a pastoral concern. But everything changed when gold was discovered around 1851 and very soon the track from Malmsbury through the settlement became extremely busy. In 1862 when the Bendigo-Melbourne train line opened, this traffic increased and Thomas Tully Orde, a wealthy and successful self-made businessman decided to take advantage of the passing trade. Very soon the Upper Loddon Hotel and the Glenlyon General Store were opened to travellers.

By May 1858 the Glenlyon Post Office started up (closed 1973) and in 1861 a state school was opened and remained so for 132 years. Glenlyon Shire was proclaimed in 1865 incorporating the timber towns of Bullarto and Lyonville. Two more hotels were soon in operation; Glenny’s and Tarleton’s along with a flour mill, forge and police station. In 1864 the Loddon River bridge was built and in 1890 the austere weatherboard Shire Hall was constructed, and remains standing today.

After the mines closed, agriculture and sawmilling became the main industries and in 1915 Glenlyon Shire absorbed Mt Franklin Shire. The new borough boasted a combined population of about 3500 which steadily shrank to about half that number by the 1960s.

In 1966 Glenlyon was absorbed into the Daylesford and Glenlyon Shire which in turn became the Shire of Hepburn in 1995.

Throughout the 20th century Glenlyon remained a going concern while other settlements around the area were absorbed by the bush or became farming land. A gracious avenue of trees was planted for federation and continues to offer strollers some refreshing shade on hot summer days. Nearby, the Loddon Falls (which are probably one of the region’s best kept secrets) was a popular day tripping destination for the good folks of Daylesford complete with a band pavilion and picnic tables.

Thanks to the Daylesford & District Historical Society for its assistance with this feature.

Above, the Glenlyon community planting trees on the main street in the 1890s Centre, the Upper Loddon Hotel built by Thomas Tully Orde which used to stand adjacent to the general store Below, the Glenlyon General Store in the 1890s.

Words: Tony Sawrey | Images: Courtesy of the Daylesford & District Historical Society