The Local August 30, 2021, Issue 235

August 30, 2021 Issue 235 Our time to shine

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

2 About Us

www.tlnews.com.au

Front cover: Finally, a festival to look forward to. Planning for ChillOut 2022 is well under way with the theme, Our time to shine, announced last week. Donna Kelly chatted with director Emma Ireland and president Matt Clarke. Read all about it opposite.

The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria. The next edition is out on Monday, September 13, 2021. Or online on Sunday, September 12 at www.tlnews.com.au

August 30, 2021 Issue 235 Our time to shine

Space bookings: Wednesday, September 8 Copy deadline: Thursday, September 9 Editorial deadline: Thursday, September 9 Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283

Image: Kyle Barnes

news@tlnews.com.au | sales@tlnews.com.au Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes Sub-editors | Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

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

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.

Local Lines Local Haiku in the garden shadow boxing the breeze daffodils getting closer to his distant neighbour new fence fifty five cases on the rise full moon a kangaroo slouched under a dormant grapevine … lockdown extended freighted with raindrops a pale yellow face droops a daffodil - Bill Wootton Bill lives in Hepburn Springs and Spring will soon live in Hepburn. 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

Accounts | Julie Hanson

Delivery | Tony Sawrey

Winter Show online

RENTHAM'S White Rabbit Winter Show has moved online thanks to the Victorian Covid lockdown. The Little Gallery launched the online show last Friday at www.trenthamlittlegallery.com

All work is for sale and artists will be online to answer any questions. Proceeds from the exhibition will be going towards charity Path of the Horse and repairing the storm-damaged Quarry Street Reserve in Trentham. Raffle tickets are also available for the chance to win original artworks, jewellery, wine and more. Tickets are $5. Guest artists in the White Rabbit Winter Show include local names such as Sam Bloomfield, Adam Cusack, Graeme Drendel, Frances Guerin, Frances Harkin, Tim Jones, Tina Lee, Amanda Marburg, Chris Rowe, Petrus Spronk and Ellie Young. Three members of the acclaimed Butterworth art family, Daniel, Matt and Peter, will also be in the show, exhibiting for the first time together.

Community batteries

HE Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance has been funded to plan community batteries across Hepburn Shire as part of the state government’s Neighbourhood Battery Initiative.

As part of the initiative, CVGA will lead the ‘Community Sparks’ program, to assess and plan for community battery sites around the shire. Hepburn Wind and Hepburn Shire Council will be key partners in the program. Hepburn Shire is an ideal candidate for community batteries because of its high use of solar energy and being the home of Hepburn Z-NET, a shire-wide collaborative partnership seeking to reach zero-net emissions by 2030. The program will create a decision-making tool for regional communities to help them select suitable battery projects. The program will also explore a single potential battery site for six other local governments in the region. Hepburn Wind general manager Taryn Lane said the community had a target to reach zero-net emissions by 2030, "a critical decade for climate action, and community batteries could play a role in helping us reduce these emissions”. Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Lesley Hewitt said community batteries offered a great tool to unlock more solar, ensure households could benefit from renewables and create income to help residents manage their energy bills.

Link: www.hepburnznet.org.au/program/neighbourhood-battery-initiative

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News 3

Our time to shine as ChillOut turns 25!

HILLOUT has announced its 2022 theme – Our time to shine!

Director Emma Ireland said the LGBTIQ+ event would be celebrating its 25-year Silver Jubilee and the theme encompassed all things ChillOut. “It’s about all the colours of the rainbow, moonbeams and disco balls – the iconic spectrum of light that comes from that one mirrored piece. “And it goes with our modern climate, that we are coming out of the dark ages and it is appropriate that we all have our time to shine next March. We will hopefully all be vaccinated so we can get together and have a beautiful celebration. “It is really exciting. It has been such a hard year for artists and events and communities but we are so lucky to be up here in our beautiful rainbow bubble. We are a town that exists on sharing who we are and sharing our country pride so it is amazing to be able to share that again and have everyone come back together.” Emma said ChillOut was holding a couple of events in the lead-up to the festival including the Flappers Ball in Daylesford, a comedy gala in Castlemaine on October 30 and another event planned for November. “Then we will be gearing up for the big one in March, which is back to its original formula as a four-day event over the long weekend from March 10 to 14. “We have some really exciting things bubbling away behind the scenes and we really want to have a community celebration on that opening night. “And then there will be lots of outdoor events – it’s like we are coming out of house arrest, we need to get out and feel the joy.” Emma said the program would be finalised by October and she hoped locals and tourists would start booking events and accommodation. ChillOut president Matt Clarke said the local community looked forward to the long weekend and most of all, the parade. “We know that people are desperate to get out and experience some culture, some art, some music, just to be among their friends in the community and that has been a really significant driving factor for us.

“We are committed to putting on something for everyone, to get some normality happening again after we have missed out on so much.” Matt said he had been attending ChillOut for many years and loved “the whole vibe, the environment and the inclusivity”. “As a gay man growing up in regional Victoria I just love the whole regional queer pride country vibe. I wanted to get involved in ChillOut to get to know other queer people in my community. Originally I thought I could maybe pour drinks at Carnivale, or change the rubbish bags, but there was a need for more people on the committee and I thought it was a great opportunity to jump on board and away we go. I am loving it.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes Above, time to shine for Matt Clarke and Emma Ireland

ChillOut's Flappers Ball has gone bush

OU know ChillOut is just around the corner when the Flappers Ball goes bush.

The Flappers Ball will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall, Covidpermitting, on Saturday, October 16 from 6.30pm to midnight. The event is open only to women - including trans, gender diverse and non-binary with tickets on sale now. Special guests include Hussy Hicks, Drag Kings Sexy Galexy and Freddie Merkin and local DJ Casio, pictured left, and DJ Sugar Sphinx. Come as you are, dressed up 1920s Flapper Style or straight out of the paddock ready to bushdance ‘n’ ride. BYO food only. Tickets are $40 or $30 concession with a maximum of 10 people per table.

Links: www.trybooking.com/BTHON or www.chilloutfestival.com.au/ (If Covid stops the event, it will be held on Saturday, November 13.)

Listen to ChillOut director Emma Ireland and president Matt Clarke at the Country Life podcast.

PODCAST

COVID-19 has affected all of us, but there is a way forward. It’s time to arm yourself by getting vaccinated. Protect yourself and the people you care about. The sooner we all do it, the sooner we’ll get through it. Book your vaccination today.

australia.gov.au 1800 020 080

Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.

Pets@Work Roy heads to building sites every day with Steven Fiume, who works with his dad's company, AC Young Builders. Steven said Roy, a seven-month-old border collie/kelpie, "takes the chore out of working" and puts a smile on everyone's face. And like most of his breeds, Roy loves a tennis ball. Do you know a Pet@Work? Email news@tlnews.com.au

Council help for hospo

ITH many of the region's hospitality businesses impacted by ongoing lockdowns, Hepburn Shire Council's Economic Development Team is lobbying the state government for further regional support packages.

A spokesperson said the council understood that the Melbourne lockdown had slashed the number of visitors to about 10 per cent. "This has a serious impact on all our business sectors especially our hospitality and tourism businesses. In addition to these direct approaches, we directly fund Daylesford Macedon Tourism to advocate on behalf of the region and have jointly lobbied the state government for further wage support for regions, the reinstatement of cashflow boost programs similar to last year (PAYG and GST refunds), to provide targeted support for regional tourism and hospitality businesses that recognises that we are in ‘lockdown by proxy (when Melbourne is closed)’ and made submissions to the state inquiry on the impact of Covid on tourism, specifically calling out the impact to businesses in the shire. "We are under no illusion, these are extremely challenging times and we are leveraging our relationships within state and federal governments to ensure there is an awareness of the significant financial and psychological, and social impacts being experienced by our businesses and families across the shire." The spokesperson said the council had also partnered with Daylesford Macedon Tourism to provide a gift card competition to encourage outdoor dining in hospitality businesses across the shire. The program has been designed to support eligible local dining businesses whilst attracting visitors to the region, as a Covid recovery initiative. Eight hundred $50 gift cards will be given away in a competition promoted through the Daylesford Macedon Life magazine and the cards can only be spent directly in Hepburn Shire through participating dining businesses. In addition, each participating business will receive two $50 gift cards to promote their own business in competitions, raffles etc. So far over 50 businesses spread throughout the shire are participating. The program is an initiative of the council and is funded directly through the state government ‘Outdoor Dining’ program. The initiative will result in $50,000 being spent directly with participating Hepburn Shire businesses. The competition was launched last Saturday, August 28.

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.

OUR RESIDENTIAL STORM AND FLOOD CLEAN-UP PROGRAM IS IN FULL SWING Make-safe works progressing across the state. This work involves removing hazardous tree material and structural debris from storm and flood affected properties, to ensure the safety of residents, their neighbours and work crews before the real clean-up action can begin. If a hazardous tree is threatening your residence, it is essential that you have a safety plan in place. This safety plan should include alternative accommodation options if weather conditions worsen To find out more about the program, accessing alternative accommodation and if your property is eligible for clean-up, visit www.brv.vic.gov.au/cleanup or call our Recovery Support Hotline on 1800 560 760.

HAVE YOU REGISTERED FOR OUR RESIDENTIAL STORM & FLOOD CLEAN-UP PROGRAM? HERE’S A QUICK EXPLAINER OF THE PROCESSES INVOLVED.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

REGISTRATION

SITE ASSESSMENT

APPROVAL & PRIORITISATION

Call-back within 3 days

Scheduled by appointment for eligible properties

If your site assessment determines that your property is eligible

We are working hard to get through a high volume of registrations. If you have had your registration confirmed by our Clean-up team, then you will receive a call – it just may take some time, so please be patient with us.

BRV will approve your property for make-safe works and clean-up. It will be prioritised depending on risk factors involved, e.g. if a hazardous tree is threatening a residence or major road or structure.

Call 1800 560 760 or fill out a form online www.brv.vic.gov.au/cleanup You will be called back within 3 days of registration to determine your eligibility for a site assessment.

AN UPDATE FROM HEPBURN SHIRE COUNCIL Council will provide split and cut firewood for free to ratepayers and residents over the coming months as part of the storm clean-up effort. A trial to finalise logistics to distribute the wood was unfortunately postponed due to the current lockdown. However, please be assured Council will commence the trial as soon as restrictions allow with the intention to roll out the program more broadly once systems are in place. While the wood is green and will need to season (dry out) for at least 12 months, there is plenty to be shared. The aim is to provide up to 2 cubic metres to residents or ratepayers. The stockpile of wood will continue to grow over the coming weeks and months as more wood is processed. More details will be available in September. For the latest updates follow Hepburn Council on Facebook or visit www.hepburn.vic.gov/au/firewood

IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE If a hazardous tree is threatening your residence, it is essential that you have a safety plan in place in the meantime. This safety plan should include alternative accommodation options if weather conditions worsen. If you have any questions or concerns, or need help accessing alternative accommodation, call our Recovery Support Hotline on 1800 560 760.

DISASTER RESILIENCE FOR BUSINESS Business Victoria has developed a Disaster Resilience for Business toolkit to help business owners identify what their business can’t afford to lose and plan how to prevent loss if a disaster occurs. The disaster resilience toolkit is an easy-to-follow framework suitable for every business. The toolkit will help you: • Identify what will make your business resilient to disasters. • Understand how you can prepare before a disaster. • Keep your business trading safely during a disaster. • Get your business back up and running after a disaster. Business resilience is a whole-of-business approach. It helps owners and managers respond to disasters, shocks, and disruptions. The key to business resilience is knowing which processes, critical needs, and workflows you need to keep trading. The more you and your staff know about what your business needs to keep operating, the more resilient your business will be. To learn more about Disaster Resilience for Business or to download a copy of the toolkit visit the Business Victoria Website at go.vic.gov.au/dzVcNY

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News 7

Looking after mental health during Covid

Resilience low but help available

HE latest lockdown has come at a time when people's reserves and resilience are low, says Central Highlands Rural Health Community Health & Wellbeing Operations manager Shane Richardson. It's also on the back of June's devastating storm event. But there is help available.

Getting kids through tough times

T'S difficult to comprehend how the pandemic and lockdown affects individual children and teenagers.

From preschoolers and primary school kids through to our region’s teenagers, lockdown is taking its toll. Our services are stretched, despite repeated announcements of additional "We know this is having a significant emotional, physical and environmental government funding for mental health services. In some cases, waiting lists for facetoll on our community; our team of mental health and social work professionals to-face appointments and video appointments are exceeding two months across the are partnering with local GPs to provide the emotional and practical support local Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shires. residents need," he said. Telephone counselling services including Beyond Blue and Kids Helpline are People needing support can access a range of mental health and social support readily available, but that’s not always an option for many kids. services through Central Highlands Rural Health in Daylesford, Trentham, Creswick Daylesford College, which services a large part of the region, has responded to the and Clunes. Social support and welfare services, as well as programs associated with sheer stress of online learning for student, teachers, parents and carers by providing alcohol and other drugs recovery, can be accessed through CHRH's Community additional support, ranging from accessing mental health counsellors, practitioners Health & Wellbeing Centre by calling 5321 6550. Psychology services are accessed and doctors through to the provision of care packages to help families. via a mental health treatment plan from a GP. Principal Stephen MacPhail, a father himself, said stress manifested in many ways Sunbury Cobaw Community Health's Community Mental Health manager and on top of pre-Covid support, the school had developed a support program to Adam Stefano said they were "very conscious of the impact multiple and extended help students and their families. lockdowns are having on the community". “We become teachers because we love hanging out with kids and that’s taken "How people feel about and cope with these restrictions varies depending on the away from us when we move to online schooling. In a classroom we can pick up on individual. For many, there are the pressures of having to work from home as well as body language and behaviours but that can’t happen remotely,” he said. home school or care for children. For others lockdown means that they are spending “So, we recently introduced a Pulse Check survey that takes around 54 seconds more time alone than they would usually. to complete and each week we can gauge how our students are coping. We have now "Many people find the slower pace of life during lockdown beneficial to their extended that to parents and carers and the response has been overwhelming. mental health and they embrace the extra time at home by doing more cooking, “We have been able to reach out to parents and provide counselling and gardening or other home projects. But for others, it can be overwhelming and they do additional help like food hampers with the support of Food Bank. We also ask not cope very well with the lack of usual routine.” parents to share the best part of their week and we’ve had parents share that this has SCCH Building Healthy Communities general manager Jeremy Hearne said helped them reflect on the positives.” they worked closely with their partners in the Macedon Ranges to ensure that they Mr MacPhail’s consistent message to his school community is simple yet promoted positive messages around self-care, seeking help and looking out for others. "We have worked together to develop a ‘Keeping Mentally Well’ fact sheet which powerful. “As difficult as it might be, as parents it’s important we manage our own feelings. Kids are great at picking up on parents’ feelings so the way we as adults react can be found on our website. It has some useful reminders about the things you has a huge impact on our children. Staying calm and composed in front of our kids can do to look after your mental health such as being active, staying in contact with and encouraging our kids to talk openly is important during these uncertain times.” family and friends, and trying new creative pursuits. The fact sheet also contains And on top of services available for students and parents, Mr MacPhail said he contact details for local counselling and psychological services as well as a number of was always just a phone call away for everyone in his school. useful support lines and online resources.” “The wellbeing team and the school are here for parents and carers too…if they Springs Medical Centre nurse and clinical team leader Lee-Anne Potter said the are struggling at home, and if family dynamics are suffering then they can chat to the first port of call was usually a GP who could offer a Mental Health Care Plan. "The wellbeing team and get strategies,” he said. patient can then source psychologists for ongoing support at a Medicare-subsidised All schools across the region - private, government and independent - continue to cost. Both can work together to continue ongoing support to the patient. There provide information about services and support that can be accessed during this time. are a lot of online services as well where people can get advice and support. Often On top of the difficulties adapting to a stop/start approach to schooling, schools have discussing with family and friends can be of support and also being pro-active and become counselling referral services themselves. checking in on friends and family asking RUOK!" And some, including Bullarto Primary School, are even adapting to the needs of Ms Potter said booking face-to-face appointments could be challenging but there their individual school communities by changing the narrative. were online services available and many psychologists had turned to Zoom meetings. Principal Jo Pegg, who also has a teenager in lockdown, said her school had made She said people should stay in touch with family and friends, check in on changes to support and connect with her students and their families. neighbours, eat a healthy diet, exercise when able, take up a hobby, try and stay “At Bullarto Primary School we no longer use the words remote and flexible active, limit alcohol intake and, if struggling, reach out talk to someone. "A GP, learning during a lockdown, but have changed them to ‘Our Wellbeing is Our nurse, anyone...seeking help is critical." Priority’. We are fortunate enough to start every school day with all our staff and Link: www.australiacounselling.com.au/top-mental-health-organisations/ Words: Donna Kelly students along with many parents, online sharing stories, having a coffee or Milo and checking in on everyone’s wellbeing,” she said. “Last week was Book Week and we wrote a story that had the principal being chased by lions, wrestling Godzilla, escaping the danger of dynamite, to be safely returned to school with all the students, who had been lost on an excursion to the The Local’s zoo. These are the moments our staff and parents cherish because even though we are Networking Evening not all together at school, we can be together in stories. “Our community would all love to be together on site. However, we are a resilient Daylesford Hotel community and we support each other through these tough times. Our whole Monday, September 6 school community has not only been dealing with the unexpected moving in and 5.30pm - 7.30pm out of lockdown but also the recovery and damage that the June storm caused to our community and school families.”

Save the date! .. . D E N O P T S PO

Time to finally catch up again!

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

Bookings: news@tlnews.com.au

Support can be accessed at Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636, Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673, Headspace on 1800 650 890 and ReachOut at au.reachout.com Words: Narelle Groenhout

Walk more. Shop locally. Explore. Connect.

Daylesford 2021 Art Show Inspiring creativity through courage

Image: Kyle Barnes

OR 37 years the Daylesford Art Show, presented by the Rotary Club of Daylesford, has been a community institution.

An annual event that not only showcases the region's remarkable talent but an event that raises funds that go directly back into the community. With a slight name change, a new logo, interactive art display experiences and new lighting thanks to the Hepburn Shire Council’s Towards Zero grant, this year’s event is gearing up to be a fabulous event for the community. But its success depends on entries so Rotary member and art show organiser, Tim Cansfield-Smith, said now is the time to get out the paint brushes and start creating. “In this time of Covid, now more than ever, we need art to help us express our hopes and fears, lift our spirits, challenge our senses and brighten our lives,” he said. “So, whether you are a regular art show participant, or have always considered entering we say just go for it. Take this time in lockdown to express your thoughts and hopes and take this time to express yourself through the healing act of painting. In the words of painter Henri Mattise…Creativity takes courage.” Over the years the art show has launched the careers of many aspiring artists and regular and well-known artists including Daylesford’s own Brian Nash, pictured above, continue to be a drawcard for the event. Last year’s winners included Dick Millot, Anne-Marie Luke, Jenny Care, Francis Hooper and Roberta Donnelly. Local businesses have an opportunity to sponsor one of the art show category prizes and a new inclusion this year is the chance for local businesses in Daylesford to showcase artwork. Tim believes this is a wonderful way for the show to interact with the community and businesses. “This is a first for the show and we think it’s an amazing idea to create an interactive buzz leading up to the show, being held over the Melbourne Cup weekend. QR codes will be on all the displayed artwork so you might pop into a café for a coffee and come out with a piece of extraordinary art.” For the first time, the Daylesford Art Show will include the Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa Central Victorian Landscape Prize (on show at the Daylesford Town Hall from October 21-24). Artists can enter both shows with one entry form. Artists are encouraged to enter up to four paintings across the following seven categories including: Central Victorian Landscape, Other Landscape, Portrait, Abstract, Still Life, Animalia and Nude. All entries will be showcased online in the lead-up to the five-day event (October 29 – November 2) and in the event of another lockdown scenario, the art show will move to an online event.

Link: www.daylesfordartshow.com.au

“So, whether you are a regular art show participant, or have always considered entering we say just go for it. Take this time in lockdown to express your thoughts and hopes. In the words of painter Henri Mattise…Creativity takes courage.” - Tim Cansfield-Smith Daylesford Rotary Advertorial

10 Our environment

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Gunbower Forest floodplain in full bloom

EOPLE will have the chance to enjoy some of the more spectacular parts of the internationally renowned Gunbower Forest floodplain in full bloom this spring.

Key wetlands will be filled, and some of the low-lying parts of the floodplain will receive water for the first time in three years, giving the iconic redgums and flooddependent vegetation a much-needed drink. “This will bring the lower forest to life,” North Central Catchment Management Authority chief executive officer Brad Drust said. “Aquatic vegetation will grow, waterbirds will come out in abundance, frogs will emerge from their hiding places, and there will be a real buzz in the air. “Wetlands such as Reedy Lagoon just off the Koondrook Track will look like a postcard. The colours of the native aquatic plants and flowers will be vibrant and eyecatching. It’s like our own little Kakadu.” Gannawarra Shire Mayor Charlie Gillingham said the Gunbower Forest floodplain, near Kerang, in full flight was a sight to see. “These parts of the forest aren’t made up of the usual dryland plants you expect with the Australian bush, such as wattle and smaller shrubs,” he said. “These sections of the forest are special. These lower lying areas and wetlands are where the unique magic of Gunbower Forest is, providing habitat for the many plants and animals that rely on flooding to grow and flourish. If you love being in nature, you’ll love the floodplain in the spring when there’s water in the landscape." Mr Drust said there were some easy-to-access parts of the forest that were perfect for a whole range of activities when wet. “Google Maps will take you straight to Reedy Lagoon, and you don’t need a four-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s a great spot for a picnic, a perfect spot to let the kids explore, and a magnificent spot to sit under a tree and read a book. “And if you’re feeling adventurous you can go on a kayak tour with one of the tourism operators in the area, or hike into the flooded sections and take some amazing photos. Please keep in mind the latest Covid-19 restrictions.” Water started entering Reedy Lagoon, the Little Reedy Complex, Black Swamp, and Little Gunbower in mid-August. It will overflow onto sections of the floodplain through to November.

There’s a New Kid on the block

Zesty Limone Gin! Smooth, lemony, warm, inviting, IRRESISTIBLE! Our full range of gin, herbal liqueurs, tawny and extra fun things are available. Simply call us. We’ll help you choose your selection. Please note: while lockdowns are in place, we are open for sales and general enquiries. Tastings are not permitted. Call us to organise your visit. Check out our website. We’re here to help. Lot 2 Railway Crescent Daylesford | 03 5348 1920 terraaustralisdistillery.com | herballoreliqueurs.com

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News 11

Happy Birthday Marilyn

HEN Dorothy Nock notched up 100 years a few days before the most recent lockdown, she celebrated with a (rather large) glass of bubbly, family, friends and her cheeky sense of humour.

Originally from Preston, Dot moved to the area to be closer to family and has been a Hepburn House resident for the past couple of years. Her daughter Lorraine is always close by given she works at Hepburn House. Dot rose to fame when she appeared as Marilyn Monroe in the calendar produced by Hepburn House featuring the residents dressed up as their favourite Hollywood heroes and photographed by The Local’s Kyle Barnes and David White. Word on the street has it that Dot wanted to re-enact Marylin’s famous dress/ grate scene. So, dressed in an op shop dress, and with the help of a handy leaf blower, she became Hepburn's own Marilyn. Normally, a highlight for journos and photographers of milestones like a 100th birthday is the chance to chat face-to-face and hearing the remarkable stories that all centurions have. But these trying times required a phone interview. So, with the help of Rachel Bof from administration, a very memorable interview was had. Asked to give a couple of outstanding memories from her 100 years Dot's response was "anything and everything!". Asked what her special day entailed: "Oh just another day!" Asked if she had received the letter from the Queen, her response was "it's still on its way!". Dot is known for breaking out a few cheeky lines from a song which she often sings on the way to breakfast. Apparently, this often makes some of the other residents blush. Dot happily sang the song a couple of times during our interview and never missed a beat. She also briefly touched on her childhood memories. “It was a hard life for Mum. We didn’t have a dad so Mum was on her own with six kids,” she said. “They were difficult times.” Words: Narelle Groenhout There must be something in the waters at Hepburn House. Dot is one of four Image: David White women who are 100 or over and all enjoying life thanks to a host of daily activities. "We do all our usual activities like footy tipping, singing, daily activities and take Rachel said while lockdown could take its toll on residents and staff, she said they our residents on walks around the grounds." still make sure a host of activities take place every day to keep spirits up. And while turning 100 might have been be “just another day” for Dot, she said “Lockdown can be very sad for many but we still have people able to offer that’s because she has still many more birthdays still to celebrate. palliative and emotional care.

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

Community Health and Wellbeing Community Health & Wellbeing services at Central Highlands Rural Health remain open throughout lockdown. Where possible, we are prioritising the use of Telehealth for appointments to minimise face-to-face contact, however, if you need to see your clinician in person, please let us know. Whilst we are staying at home to slow the spread of COVID, we are also socially distancing ourselves from our support networks, including family, friends and work colleagues. You may be feeling stressed, anxious, lonely, isolated, uncertain or overwhelmed and this is all a natural reaction. There are many ways to access support and it might start with a conversation with a loved one or colleague to let them know you are struggling. Alternatively, Central Highlands Rural Health offers a range of support services to help you deal with the emotional, physical and environmental toll of the last 18 months.

Social Work & Welfare Our social work and welfare services help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives. Welfare works more specifically with individuals who require material assistance and those experiencing financial hardships. This is a free service and self-referral is welcome.

Alcohol & Other Drugs

Psychology

Alcohol and Other Drugs services help people at all stages of recovery. Our services include withdrawal services and treatment, rehabilitation programs and medium to long-term counselling. This is a free service and self-referral is welcome.

Psychology Services help clients overcome various mental health concerns including depression and anxiety. Services are accessed via a Mental Health Treatment Plan from a GP, which provides up to 10 individual or group visits per year free of charge. Services are also available on a To access Social Work & Welfare services user-pay basis for both individual and To access Social Work & Welfare services at CHRH, please call our Access Worker on group treatments. at CHRH, please call our Access Worker on 5321 6550 5321 6550 To access Psychology services at CHRH, please speak to your GP in the first instance.

For immediate help and support, contact Beyond Blue (1300 22 46 36) or Lifeline (13 11 14) If you have any symptoms associated with the Coronavirus, no matter how mild, it's still really important to get tested then stay home. Central Highlands Rural Health's Respiratory Assessment Clinics continue to test patients with symptoms related to the Coronavirus or as directed by the Victorian Department of Health. For Daylesford, call 5321 6654. For Kyneton, call 03 5422 9900. Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham 5321 6500 www.chrh.org.au www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU

Community News MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Two weeks ago, when I wrote this column, regional Victorians were not in lockdown. However, we are still being impacted on by the absence of visitors from Melbourne. Then of course regional Victoria went into a snap lockdown on Saturday 21 August, and now there is a further spread of infections into regional Victoria. In many ways it feels like groundhog day with our lives once more constrained. The message however is still the same – comply with the COVID restrictions, get tested if you have symptoms, and if you haven’t already done so, get vaccinated. We all know that we need to increase vaccination rates to reduce the need for lockdowns. Hepburn Shire have partnered with Central Highlands Rural Health in a ‘Get the Jab Done’ campaign to encourage people to get vaccinated. Vaccinations are available now for younger people and you can book at https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au There are walk in public clinics in Bendigo or Ballarat, and we are also fortunate to be able to receive vaccinations from Springs Medical Centre or Central Highlands Rural Health (via appointment). Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is one of the permitted reasons to leave home. We also now know that people are delaying getting tested when they have symptoms and this is adding to the time that they are infectious in the community, increasing the likelihood of transmission. Please, if you have symptoms, don’t dismiss them as ‘a cold’ or ‘nothing’ but go and get tested. And if you are feeling that it’s more difficult to cope with lockdown this time, reach out to others or contact one of the health or counselling services available. Feedback on the draft 10-year Community Vision and 4-year Council Plan closed on 27 August. Thank you to all those residents who did take the time to respond. Councillors and officers will now review the feedback to develop the final document which will come to the Council Meeting in September for potential adoption. You can keep up to date with what is happening at Council on the Participate Hepburn - Hepburn Together page https://participate. hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn-together, and you can also sign up to Hepburn Life – the Shire’s eNewsletter at https://participate. hepburn.vic.gov.au/hepburn-together. Council services continue to operate in line with State Government restrictions, with staff who can, being required to operate from home. Details of the changes can be found on the Council web page at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au. Meanwhile, take care. 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 FIREWOOD COMING SOON

Council will provide split and cut firewood for free to ratepayers and residents over the coming months as part of the storm clean-up effort. A trial to finalise logistics to distribute the wood was unfortunately postponed due to the current lockdown. However, please be assured we will commence the trial as soon as restrictions allow and roll out the program more broadly soon after. Residents and ratepayers will be entitled to up to 2 cubic metres of firewood. The stockpile of wood will continue to grow over the coming weeks and months as more wood is processed. More details will be available in September. For the latest updates follow Hepburn Council on Facebook or visit https://www.hepburn. vic.gov/au/firewood.

PUT YOUR BINS OUT EARLY

Don’t forget your kerbside bins need to be placed out by 6am on the day of collection. As collection times change week on week, the best option is to put them out the night before.

DO YOU HAVE A SEPTIC SYSTEM?

We are reviewing our Domestic Wastewater Management Plan (DWMP). The DWMP sets out how Council proposes to manage potential risks to public and environmental health from the use of septic tank systems. If you have a septic system at your property, or your work relates to septic systems (such as plumbers, real estate agents or Land Capability Assessors), please provide us with your feedback by completing a short survey at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/domesticwastewater-management-plan by Friday 17 September.

CALLING LOCAL FARMERS

We have many opportunities for local landholders to build agricultural skills and improve land, soil, water and livestock health. Find out about on-farm advice, webinars, workshops, field days, a holistic grazing management course, and farmer discussion groups at https://www. hepburn.vic.gov.au/healthy-landscapes. We also have mentoring sessions to support producers and growers with tailored business solutions as part of our Artisan Agriculture project. Find out how to get assistance with finance, human resources, succession planning or other matters at https://www.hepburn.vic.gov. au/artisan-business-mentoring/.

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

14 Out & About

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Simple and accessible hearty country fare Braised beef ribs A heart-warming braise to ward off the cold in the depths of a Central Highlands winter.

EN Clarke is an experienced home cook, a food tragic and obsessive collector of recipes who has worked as a cook and in catering (overseas, in Melbourne and in the country) and fed endless visitors to her farms over the years.

"I am the daughter of a farmer and the wife of a farmer and have a good understanding of country life and the trials and tribulations of food production. "I live in Trentham with my family and we have a farm at Tylden where we are running a few cattle and some rapidly multiplying Dorper sheep that we inherited with the property. "My food is simple, accessible hearty country fare and makes the most of the abundance of incredible food that is a hallmark of our region."

Jen will be writing recipes for The Local every second edition.

SERVES 4 4 beef ribs, allow one per person 1–2 tablespoons olive oil 1 brown onion, diced 1 small carrot, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ red chilli, chopped 2 anchovy fillets, chopped 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 cup white wine (or red if you’d prefer a richer braise) Approximately 2 cups beef stock 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon tomato sauce (homemade, optional) 1 sprig each of thyme and/or rosemary

Add wine, sizzle for one minute then add back the beef ribs. Add Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce Preheat the oven to 150c. and beef stock, using enough to barely cover the ribs. Season the ribs generously with salt and pepper. In a Season to taste and add the thyme and/or rosemary. heavy pan, heat the olive oil and brown the ribs nicely. Cook for three hours, turning a couple of times. If Remove the ribs to a plate, reduce the heat, add the they are looking a bit dry, add a little more stock or onions to the pan and cook gently until soft, about water. Remove from the oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Add the carrot and cook for a further five about 15 minutes so the fat can rise to the top. Use minutes. a ladle to remove as much fat as you can. Taste and Add garlic, chilli and anchovy and cook for two season if necessary, then reheat it gently on the stove. minutes. Add tomato paste, mix well and cook for I served this on a bed of pureed cauliflower. one minute. Light the fire. Open a bottle of red.

Getting the jab: not Covid, Botox. And no wrinkles

O, I'M going to get ‘the jab.’ No, not that jab. Not Covid. Botox.

are.

And it’s not for my face, either. I’m not even old enough to fall into any of the Covid vaccination categories yet. Wrinkles are not my problem. Migraines

One-in-seven people know exactly what I’m talking about. That’s how many of us, on average, suffer migraines. It’s more common than diabetes, epilepsy and asthma…combined. As a woman, I’m three times more likely to suffer from migraines because of hormonal changes. It’s rated as the 6th most debilitating disease world-wide. Because it really is that bad. Besides the pain, which is at times so bad I’m left as nothing more than a wounded animal on the floor, there’s other bits too. So many that we have single letters that denote them in our headache diaries. ‘V’ is Vertigo, ‘S’ is Sound sensitivity, ‘M’ is Movement disturbance. With mine, one half of my body tingles and is numb and won’t move properly and my thoughts don’t come out as words, no matter how hard I try. It’s a lot like having a stroke. Any time, any place. When I have work to do, when I have to pick my little girl up from school, when I’m in a café. I’m blind, and that’s my visible disability. But migraines? That’s my invisible disability. I’ll happily decapitate anyone crunching near me, mid-migraine. I dream of dropping my head into an ice bath. I take a lot of prescribed narcotics. And then, when the time comes to call the ambulance, when my skull has split so perfectly in two and light shines all the way in, making exquisite flickering shadows all through my brain, and I know that this time, this time the pain will carry me off and I will never come back again… then? Then the injections begin again. In my arm and my butt. Charming. Narcotics, steroids, anything to stabilise me so that they can transport me to emergency. I’m lucky, in my own way, that this isn’t a regular occurrence. I mean, once in a lifetime is genuinely and honestly enough. Mine has only been this bad once, and very recently. So now I’m turning to Botox. Because of all the fantastical amazing wonderful medicines that man- and woman-kind have deliberately set about making, so far, Botox is one of those accidental-medicines.

Doctors found, while using Botox cosmetically to treat wrinkles, their patients started reporting that their migraines had stopped occurring. In migraine therapy, it’s injected in several sites around the face and neck, every three months, to gradually reduce the brain’s over-reaction to things, which is the cause of migraines. Still, it’s not a silver bullet. Sometimes it works after one round. Sometimes after six months, or nine months. Sometimes it brings on migraines, instead. Sometimes it doesn’t do anything at all. So now, I take my place in line with hundreds, possibly thousands, of other Australians. And I wait to see if, with this jab, I can once again go to work, pick my little girl up from school, go to cafes. Not in a Covid-safe way. In a migraine-free way.

Words: Kate Taylor | Image: Glenn Robinson

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Out & About 15

Trivia time at Daylesford Bowls

Pizzeria

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Image: Louise Gay

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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.

EN Nelson started his working life in call centres and real estate but after wanting to be a game show host since the age of three, decided to follow his dreams.

He now owns trivia company Strictly Quizzness and has already held one show at the Daylesford Bowling Club. "I just typed into Google one day, 'how to become a game show host' and started working for a company. And then I realised I could do better myself." Ben said a tech-savvy friend helped him set up his show and six months later he started performing on his own. He got his first big break at a pub in Richmond taking over from another business that had been there 10 years. "The owner said he believed in my show and even though they were his friends it was strictly business. I thought that was ironic with the name of my company. Since then I have done pubs, birthdays, end of year break-ups..." Ben said one thing which distinguished him from others was that he broke his trivia rounds into decades. "Other companies may be a sports round, a TV round, a movie round...but I found that some people walked away when sports came up because it didn't interest them. My way, the teams really mingle more and get engaged the whole way through. It's a lot of fun and we have karaoke at the end." Ben is currently doing monthly shows at the club, Covid permitting, with the next one planned for Thursday, September 16. "Once restrictions lift, Daylesford is going to find out all about this and it is going to go off."

Above, Ben Nelson, club manager Neil Jordan and bistro owner Lee Littlepage

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.

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16 News

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CHOOK RUN

Saturday, September 4 Hyline Brown (ISA Brown) chooks, beautiful, 11 weeks old. Sexed and vaccinated. Delivering to Ballan, Bacchus Marsh & Melton. Also delivering to Ballarat every fortnight. Please phone or text Kelvin on 0400 559 559 for a time and meeting place. Like us - Ballarat Chooks Facebook information page.

House.Land.Home.Premium Spring edition Out Monday, September 13 Kyle on 0416 104 283 | kyle@tlnews.com.au

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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 An extensive range of cool trees, climate plants... fruit trees, ornamentals, roses, and natives plants... fruit trees, ornamentals, shrubs, 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 3444 ofTYLDEN SPRING ornaments ANDCorner TRENTHAM RD, HILL 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

pring, the season of renewal, is upon us.

It must be. Our first daffodils, right on cue, have told me so and our deciduous trees, true to form, are definitely showing positive signs of imminent budburst. But most telling of all is the arrival of the fickle early spring weather. Warm sunny days intermingled with icy blasts, wild and windy days and sudden thunderstorms. The past few weeks have frustrated us in our desire to “get out there” and make a start on preparing the garden for the warmer months ahead. But better days are close at hand, so now’s a good time for planning your spring offensive. If not replanting then reparation of winter damage, both climatic and pestilent. The cold, wet winter months are perfect for fungal and other bacterial diseases to thrive in the garden and they, plus the newly hatched insect pests, will need to be eradicated now, before they get a foothold. It wasn’t all that long ago that the immediate response to any attack was to get out the spray equipment and cover the area with whatever was deemed an appropriate chemical. If we weren’t too sure what was actually doing the damage we’d make up a cocktail of various sprays or use an all-purpose preparation, all too often systemic (that enters and remains in the plant’s system) to provide lifelong protection. Unfortunately it took some years to discover that the chemicals had the same effect on animals and us and invariably did more harm than good. Apart from the obvious problems of saturating our gardens and ourselves with dangerous toxic materials, we often wiped out the natural predators which might have done the job perfectly well for us. Growing up as I did, in a nursery environment in the 1950s where the use of these products was rife, I still suffer the damaging effects, mainly respiratory, of these now banned products. Spraying isn’t always the best answer to pest and disease problems. First you should identify the actual cause. If you cannot do this yourself, seek advice from other gardening friends or from your local nursery. Remember though, they won’t want to share the problem with you so take a sample for identification but keep it tightly sealed within a plastic bag. Once you know what is actually causing the problem you can then decide on the course of action. It may well be best to do nothing other than remove the affected parts of the plant and burn them. In the case of flowering or vegetable plants simply remove and destroy the whole plant. If spraying is recommended you now have at your disposal a plethora of safe organic-based sprays that are produced from pyrethrum, garlic etc, that are most effective on pests and diseases but have no harmful effect on the rest of the world. These are readily available from garden stockists or can be easily prepared at home. I am happy to share my list of recipes for simple home-made organic sprays with you if you wish. Simply email me your request at glenzgarden@gmail.com Sprays may control pests and diseases as they happen but are really only treating the symptoms rather than the cause - and remember that anything you spray may also harm the friendly natural predators that dwell in your garden. Healthy plants have their own defences against pests and diseases and are far better to withstand attacks than if they are struggling for survival. So we should do our best to ensure our plants are strong and healthy through adequate and correct soil preparation, watering and feeding.

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

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

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.

03 5345 7050 0418 567 195

18 Happy & Healthy

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It is about a knowing, a feeling, an experience without fear, without stress. Slowing down is an experience of creation, rejuvenation, love.

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

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

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Happy & Healthy 19

Nothing like Ageing (Dis)gracefully for Max

GEING (Dis)gracefully, an initiative of Hepburn House, is proving very popular and it’s no wonder.

It brings together people in the community who are after good company, interesting chats and a range of activities and outings. Max Primmer, one of the Hepburn House committee members who came up with the idea, said the group met each Wednesday at 10am at the “wonderful” Convent Gallery in Daylesford. That is out of lockdown, of course. “At the first event, we had five people show up, and then for the second week, 14 people came along. I am so proud it is up and running and gives people a chance to touch base with someone else,” Max said. “I really think it is something that has been desperately needed for a long time. And I am seeing people coming along who I didn’t think would turn up, and then there is an amazing age group range as well. It is fantastic.” Max said the Convent Gallery meetings were a great weekly way to meet others – thanks to the kindness of owner Tina Banitska – and it was important to have a regular meeting place and time. “We will do other activities like road trips and gallery and nursery visits but there is that reassurance that every Wednesday you can come along to the Convent and have scones and jam and cream and a good chat. It becomes a familiar place. You just walk in and turn right and meet up with people you met the week before.” Ageing (Dis)gracefully is a program funded by the state government and was originally aimed at the LGBTIQ+ community. It has now opened to anyone keen to get together. “We all thought it would be a really good thing in a town like Daylesford where so many people can easily become isolated. If you think about it, if you live in Hepburn, you have no way to get to Daylesford. But we have people sharing rides and Hepburn House also has a little bus we can use for day trips. “Last week we went to Bendigo for the Brett Whiteley exhibition, and it was super fantastic. We took nine people and we wandered around the gallery, had a Vietnamese street food lunch and then called into the Beechworth Bakery for a cup of tea and cake before we came home. It was bloody brilliant.”

Max said other outings were being planned as soon as lockdown ended with trips to Kyneton, Castlemaine and Tylden all on the agenda. “It is really important for people to be able to mark their calendars with things to do. And it is just an outlet for people to talk to like-minded people, maybe make friends and seeing people outside of this group as well. “We are really thrilled we got the funding and we hope we can show how popular it is and get some future funding as well.” For anyone keen to take part, call convenor Carmel Dennehy-Yardy on 0456 889 431 or just head to the Convent Gallery on Wednesdays at 10am.

Hepburn House acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.

“Last week we went to Bendigo for the Brett Whiteley exhibition, and it was super fantastic. We wandered around the gallery, had a Vietnamese street food lunch and then called into the Beechworth Bakery for a cup of tea and cake before we came home. It was bloody brilliant.”

Advertorial

20 Our kids

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Pull over baby driver

LAKE Holmes may have just turned one but he has already been pulled over by the police.

Blake, whose parents Jessica and Dave own Daylesford Brewing Co, was enjoying his birthday present, a Land Rover Defender, when the long arm of the law reached out - in a nice way. "Blake’s Land Rover is remote controlled and has seatbelts and plates - although I’m not sure British plates count," Jess said. "He’d come 'driving' on the footpaths from our taproom, past Foxxy’s at Cellarbrations, drove through the Daylesford Hotel bottle shop, stopped at Winespeake and then we went up the road to 'park' in the car spot next to the visting police. "They turned the sirens on for him and we took the photo. Blake had no idea what was going on, but he loved it." Blake's car matches his dad's Land Rover, the company's brewing truck, also known as Colonel Mustard. Jess said she and Dave were hoping to open their taproom and bar in Vincent Street after lockdown, starting with a pop-up space. "We have decided to start small and then people can see the progress as the build starts when they visit. We’ve combined the two shops that were formally Wine and the Country and Dos Deli and will have outside lounging spaces too."

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

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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.

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In brief 21

Regional awards Daylesford Cider is a semi-finalist in the Regional Development, Victoria Business Achievement Awards.

The awards encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions that individuals, communities and businesses make throughout regional and rural Victoria. The finalists will be announced in September.

Pictured, Clare and John Mackie and Tarker the cider dog

Free firewood Hepburn Shire Council will provide split and cut firewood for free to ratepayers and residents over coming months as part of the storm clean-up. A trial to finalise logistics to distribute the wood was postponed due to the current lockdown but will be held as soon as restrictions allow with the intention to roll out the program more broadly once systems are in place. The wood is green

and will need to dry out for at least 12 months. More details in September.

Gender equity committee Nine women and one man have been appointed members of Hepburn Shire Council's new Gender Equity Advisory Committee. The committee aims to provide the council with advice on improving gender equity within council and the community.

Melbourne Cup holiday Melbourne Cup is set to become the official public holiday for all of Hepburn Shire after an online survey found that 94 per cent of respondents voted in favour of the move.

Previously, some townships observed the Ballarat Show Day public holiday. The council will now write to the Minister for Small Business with the request to change the day.

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22 Opinion

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Just sayin’... By Donna Kelly

E ALL need a good laugh right about now, so here's a joke. If you want the long politically correct version, read on. If you want the short version, head to the bottom of the column.

Snow White and the seven short-statured people were in their log cabin in the woods. I say people because five identified as men and two were non-binary. I bet Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm never had to worry about being gender careful. Anyway, the people who were not Snow White were tucked into a big bed together. They saw nothing wrong with this because they had been brought up watching Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie. But Covid had arrived and they were feeling very anxious. Not as anxious as Snow White. She had found herself with plenty of time on her hands and joined Ancestry. com and done a genetics test. Turns out she was not as Snow White as she had thought she was. Her grandparents had somem explaining to do. She was also a little worried about the phone call she had missed. She had not told the people who were not her that she had been chatting to a real estate agent and found out their little log cabin was actually worth just over $1 million. She had bought it for $300,000 just five years ago, who knew people would be falling over themselves to get a bush block? The message from the agent was that, if she wanted, the house was sold, off market. Snow White immediately worried she had asked too little. Damn, she thought. She also worried about what the people who were not her would think when she announced their cosy living arrangement was over and she was moving to sunnier climes. God, she hated winter in the woods. She wasn't that keen on the lodgers any more either. Grumpy was starting to piss her off, Happy was a little too chirpy, Bashful could never be relied on to back up an argument, Sleepy was tiring and Dopey was seriously dumb. Doc had been quite helpful but the overuse of Glen 20 was wearing thin. And then there was the other one...hmmm. Just wrong. But the people who were not Snow White were worried about two different things. Unfortunately their work as diamond miners was over, now that the forest had been turned into a national park. So, not scared of hard work, they had decided to become wood merchants. It seemed like a great plan. Provide wood for all the new people who were moving into the country and didn't want to collect their own. Great plan until the great storm. Now the local councils were offering unlimited free wood for years. The business plan looked about as hopeful as The Rex opening in 2022. They were also worried about Covid. They had all had their first shots, AZ because they were all over 60, and because the government had failed to buy up enough of the good stuff, and were just waiting another few weeks for their second shot to stroll around. But they didn't want to risk going out just in case. They asked Snow White if she could help calm their nerves. "Look," she said, after handing around seven glasses and the cask wine, bought in bulk in March last year. "We are all going to be OK. You know I have had my Pfizer shots so I am happy to go shopping so you can all stay at home and be safe. Is everyone happy with that? As we have been told, we are all in this together." "Yes," they said as one. Then then there was an almighty "Aaattchoooo." Snow White glared over at the other one. "Well, we are all going to stay here and be safe, except for you Sneezy. You can bugger off." The moral of this story is never sneeze at the kindness of others, especially during a worldwide pandemic. Just sayin'...

Short version: Snow White and the seven dwarves were in their log cabin. The dwarves were scared of Covid and asked Snow White if they would be OK. "Of course," she said. "We are going to stay here and stay safe. Together. Except you Sneezy, you're out."

Your say... Western Victoria Transmission Network Project As stated previously I love reading Letters to the Editor from our younger community members, but really dislike it when people misrepresent what I say in print. So I feel I must respond to the misrepresentation made by Trish Kevin, Your Say, The Local, August 16, 2021.

I am aware that DELWP has planning oversight of this project. I never stated that they didn’t. What I did say was that this is a federal project, and it is a gross misrepresentation to blame it solely on Dan Andrews. Planning approval is a technical assessment process based on the proposal put forward. DELWP does not have a mandate to vary the proposal. Likewise with Trish’s objection to my statement of historical record regarding bushfires. The Cressy tower failures did not start a fire. Secondly those towers were installed between 1980 and 1983, prior to AS NZS 7000, overhead line design, which ensures that all overhead transmission lines are designed for worse case scenario plus a margin for error and include a fall arrest system. This is all detailed in Energy Safe Victoria’s report on this incident. In Trish’s own words “the impacts of worsening weather conditions is unsure”. Therefore Trish’s well-considered opinion is that despite all the historical record and engineering developments to ensure safety, she knows better and these lines will present a fire risk. Trish is unsure about the changes to weather but can definitely assert they will make overhead transmission lines a bush fires risk. Really? Trish also claims that the maintenance requirements for underground cable installations is less than overhead. Again, this is not true. Triennial inspections are used for overhead transmission lines and up to monthly for underground depending on the type of technology used in the installation. I would also like to know how Trish proposes to manage the Pikes Creek Reservoir and Djerriwarrh Creek crossings in her underground down Western Highway option? The reality is this would be bad engineering and should not be considered. Trish is concerned about the impact on tourism in our area. Given her proximity to existing overhead lines I am at a loss as to why she would make this claim. What I do know is that I have been threatened repeatedly for my stance on this matter. Worse, my children have been verbally abused and lost friends over my position. So if this is the way people wish to conduct this debate I fear for where our community is going. But I will never resile from asking for honesty and reason in public debate. I hope others do too.

- Ross Redwin, Creswick

Letters to the Editor are always welcome. Email news@tlnews.com.au

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Opinion 23

Kyle’s Rant PALMER STEVENS & RENNICK Barristers & Solicitors

’M NOT one for appreciating drop-in visitors for any reason. If I want you around to my house I will send you an invitation, a sentiment that has been doubled down on with the pandemic.

TL HQ is very near our home but it appears some folks out there haven’t got the message. That's after eight years almost to the day since the first 500 copies of Edition 1 rolled off the presses as a bouncing 20-page paper on September 2, 2013. Yes, we recently had a couple of visitors, people who believed although there is a lockdown, it is their legal right to come on to my property to espouse their point of view. They got the welcome that I am now famous for. Back when we initially set up The Local, I was working in the Hepburn Advocate building in Daylesford, kind of a double agent. And the one thing I took from that experience was under no circumstances do you set up a newspaper office in a small country town if you want to get any work done. The revolving door of The Advocate was inundated with, well, let’s just say folk who didn’t have a lot on their plates. It was sometimes like a group therapy session - not the kind they have in Caulfield - with four and twenty folks cramming into the tiny little office to champion their opinion. Of course there was general business conducted there but more times than not it was a chat-fest. But back to TL HQ, the way we do business here is over the phone or email. We do our interviews in the subject's own natural environment and we have obviously had to curb and pivot these rules as we go in and out of lockdowns, utilising outdoor spaces for safety. But by and large the rules are the same for everyone except for organised meetings such as podcast interviews or more complicated meetings such as media partnerships. Then, if we are not in lockdown, you get an invite. A little harsh, I hear you mutter, however it is the only way that a successful business can be run from your property while seeking a little bit of sanity. Speaking of visitors we had a couple of invited guests as well. One in between lockdowns who failed to see the 10-metre flagpole in the middle of the drive and backed straight into it. Sure it was a dark and stormy morning with not much light, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. The next fella, arriving one week later from a non-local high-profile delivery company, reversed his truck straight back into the aforementioned flagpole in the middle of the day. The poor pole has spent 150 odd years in pride of place and is now adorned with a Eureka flag, not flying so high these days, on a 30-degree angle waiting for repairs by the delivery company.

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24 Crossword

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DAYLESFORD CEMETERY TRUST The Daylesford Cemetery Trust is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified members of the community who would be interested in becoming honorary trust members. Women and those from a diverse background are actively encouraged to seek appointment. Cemetery trust members are appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of up to five years on the recommendation of the Minister for Health. Cemetery trusts are responsible for the proper and efficient management of the public cemeteries under their control, including planning for future cemeteries services and the preservation of local history. Being appointed to a cemetery trust provides successful applicants with a unique opportunity to develop their competencies as a board member. The Department of Health provides free governance training to all trust members. More information about the role of cemetery trust members is available at: https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/cemeteriesand-crematoria/cemetery-trust-appointments/class-b-cemetery-trustappointments To register your interest please contact the Secretary of the Daylesford Cemetery Trust as follows within two weeks of the date of this advertisement: m. 0478 803 170 e. daylesfordcemetery@gmail.com The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. This includes appropriate representation of women, people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse and intersex people.

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The Last Word - Glenlyon Then and Now

HE Glenlyon Wattle Day Festival was first held last year and despite lockdown it was a success. Initiated by the Glenlyon Progress Association, it was decided to expand the idea and create an event running from August 28 to September 4.

Hepburn Shire Council then provided a funding grant to help bring about what would come to be known as Wattle Week 2021. Originally it was to be seven days of celebration, activities, refreshments and events centred on the historic shire hall and along the Loddon River. Unfortunately much of the scheduled program, while not cancelled, has been moved to other times in the year. One that will remain within the set dates is the Glenlyon Then and Now Walk. The only alteration will see it become self-guided as organiser Margret Lockwood explained. “The walk will take place as scheduled with the start and finish at the hall which will still be hosting the photo exhibition and poetry display. Additional photos will be contributed by Wombat Forestcare and the local fire brigade and, instead of being inside the hall, the works will be laminated and hung outside.” The Glenlyon Then and Now Walk has its roots going back 30 years to the research of local Geoff Palmer who, with assistance from the Daylesford and District Historical Society, collected images of the village. The photos covered its early days as a stopover for traffic to and from the Daylesford area gold diggings and later consolidation as a farming, timber and tourist town. Eventually Geoff devised a walk called The Ghosts of Glenlyon so people could better understand the history of the area. Today’s Then and Now Walk builds on that route and features around 16 fascinating images ranging from the original trestle bridge across the Loddon, the old post office, long-gone hotels and Fleischer’s blacksmith forge. “We commissioned a new map using GPS data compiled by ‘community cartographer’ Ken Dowling of Wheatsheaf that essentially combined the Ghosts of Glenlyon walk with the Bio Link Trail,” Margret said. “Walkers will be able to pick up a copy of the map from the hall, do a selfguided walk down to the bio link extension running off Morton Street, up to Loddon Drive, then back down Barkly Street. The entire walk will take about 40 minutes and is under two kilometres in length. It is a good walk thanks to the efforts of the Glenlyon Upper Loddon Landcare Group who have worked on that trail for many years.”

Despite all the hindrances of lockdown, Margret is confident the Glenlyon Then and Now walk will generate a lot of interest and hopes their work will culminate in the establishment of a permanent installation. “People in Glenlyon are very proud of the history of the place and our plan is eventually to secure funding to commission weatherproof enamel signage. There must be funding out there for those types of things, it is just a matter of uncovering them and seeing what we can do.”

Thanks to Margret Lockwood of the Glenlyon Progress Association and the Daylesford and District Historical Society for their assistance. Main picture, the hamlet of Glenlyon viewed from the Loddon River bridge in 1906 Inset, Margret Lockwood with an early photo of the general store Words: Tony Sawrey | Inset image: Louise Gay

“We commissioned a new map using GPS data that essentially combined the Ghosts of Glenlyon walk with the Bio Link Trail.” - Margret Lockwood