The
Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Front page: It's almost Christmas and Santa is checking out who has been naughty or nice in the Central Highlands. One person is definitely on the naughty list - see page 3while others are very nice. Merry Christmas to all our clients and readers!
From all the crew at The Local
Image: Kyle Barnes, Santa and his reindeers... :)
The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.
The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a former director.
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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.
Win for The Local
For the second year in a row, The Local Publishing Group has been awarded Best Regional Home & Country Lifestyle Media Publishing Group in APAC Insider’s ninth annual Australian Enterprise Awards.
Awards executive Melissa Bramall said the judging panel and research team takes into consideration the commitment, expertise, and innovation demonstrated by nominees through nomination information and voting information.
APAC’s website says over the years it has been committed to shining a light on the very best of Australian business.
“Australia is known for its diverse and resilient economy, with the country experiencing an uninterrupted period of growth over the three decades prior to the Covid-19 outbreak of 2020.
“In the years following the pandemic, Australian industry has experienced various challenges but has been recovering at a quicker rate than many of the world’s other top economies.
“In fact, Australia currently ranks as the 12th largest GDP worldwide, which it has achieved despite its much smaller population in comparison to the countries placing higher in the list.
“Through the Australian Enterprise Awards 2024, APAC Insider recognises the key players driving innovation across the variety of sectors that make up Australia’s dynamic business market. We use a strict merit-based approach to assess all nominees.”
Editor Donna Kelly said The Local Publishing Group was thrilled to receive news of the award.
“To win the award for the second year in a row is fantastic. You always hope you are doing a good job – and we do get lots of great feedback – but when something like this comes into your inbox it’s lovely. Makes your day.”
General manager Kyle Barnes said the industry had been challenged during the pandemic but now it was back on track and stronger than ever.
“We had a few moments there when we thought we might have to just produce a digital publication but really, if you are not in print, then you’re not really a newspaper.
“And our readers still love print. Even when they have already read us online at tlnews.com.au, they still pick up their printed copy from around the shire.
“We also want to thank our clients and readers. We do it for them really. This is their award.” Image: Celebrating 10 years of The Local in September 2023
The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, December 30 2024. or online on Sunday, December 29 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Tuesday, December 24
Copy deadline: Thursday, December 26
Editorial deadline: Thursday, December 26
General manager: Kyle Barnes on 0416 104 283 or kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly on 0418 576 513 or news@tlnews.com.au
Editorial: Eve Lamb on 0493 632 843 or editorial@tlnews.com.au
Sub-editors: Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester the Cat
Writers: Eve Lamb, Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
Photographers: Kyle Barnes & Eve Lamb
Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness
Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (music), Sarah Lang (recipes), & Bill Wootton (poetry)
Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
A town of two tales - nice and plain nasty
It may not be boughs of holly but Daylesford resident Jenny Paradisi, with the help of friends Wendy Berry and Heidi Hauck, has decorated the main streets of Daylesford with colourful hessian bows.
Wendy, right, said Jenny, left, put a social media post on Facebook asking why the community was not putting up Christmas decorations this year.
“There were lots of comments but nobody did anything, so we put up another post saying ‘let’s get together’ but it ended up with me and her and Heidi.
“Jenny initiated it and went to Spotlight and bought two rolls of hessian, 60 per cent off so why not, and we went to her house on Sunday (December 8) and cut them up, sewed the edges and tied them up with string.
“Then we went down the street on Monday at 8.30am and just started putting them all up. We just tied them around the posts at Jenny's height, because she is tall.
“It was just something we wanted to do and I know some of the businesses have already put up decorations, but it can be expensive.”
Wendy said those passing them in the street as they worked were “just so joyful and happy that someone was doing it”. “When we finished we went into the shops and asked if they wanted to donate towards the costs and people were putting in between $10 and $50, even some employees, and people just shopping.
“Everyone was so happy, and we not only covered our costs, we had $50 left over so we gave that to Michelle Clifford at the Daylesford Community Op Shop.”
Wendy said there was a plan to do it all again next year but go even further, not just covering the main street. “It’s just such a nice thing to do and people were really grateful. I know lots of people but I have never had that many come up to me and say thanks for what you are doing. It’s the real spirit of Christmas.”
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed
Vandals have sprayed graffiti on the Big Rainbow at Daylesford Victoria Park. The vandalism happened after the Hepburn Shire Council had just had the rainbow refreshed, ready for next year's ChillOut celebrations.
Mayor, Cr Don Henderson, said that he, the councillor group and the organisation would not tolerate "a small few in the community who attempt to spread misinformation and deface public property with discriminatory language".
"Council stands firm in its commitment to combating hate in all forms. Council will not tolerate homophobia, racism or any behaviour that seeks to diminish and devalue another’s life experience.
"We believe in the values of respect, kindness, and equality for all. I want to make it clear that we will not tolerate bigotry. We will not tolerate homophobia. And we will not tolerate racism. We are proud of the diverse, vibrant, and inclusive community we live in. Together, we will continue to stand against hate and discrimination in all forms."
The cost to clean, repair and repaint the Big Rainbow is $1500. The cost of adding sparkle will not be known until the contractor is available in the New Year.
Many people commented about the incident on social media.
"Very sad that some in our community feel like they need to deface a symbol designed to represent diversity and unity."
"That is just so disappointing and really reflects on the childishness of the perpetrators. Pathetic behaviour."
"The council was covering it when we were there. Unbelievable, makes my heart heavy. It’s childish. Regardless of your personal beliefs."
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed
Dharma on a quest to gain digital wisdom
While Australia grapples to keep kids safe online, Daylesford’s Dharma School is embarking on a bold new project that uses a mindfulness approach to tackling the problem.
From the new year the school will be part of a Global Wisdom Project as it adapts the Victorian state government’s eSmart package in a way that it hopes will yield far better traction with children.
While the state’s eSmart package has much going for it, including the best of intentions, Dharma school principal Andrea Furness says that in practice they’ve found the children are not relating all that well to it.
“It’s a good resource but the children don’t engage with it. I’m guessing that the language isn’t right for them,” Ms Furness says.
Through their Global Wisdom Project they’re adapting the state’s eSmart package using the language and ethos that already underpins all they do at the school so as to guide every interaction the children - and their adults - have with social media and the online space into the future.
“These precepts, our values, are Reverence for Life, Generosity, Body Responsibility, Deep Listening and Loving Speech, and Mindful Consumption,” Ms Furness says.
eWise
“We’re applying the precepts to reframe the language of eSmart and calling it eWise.
“It’s part of the wider Global Wisdom Lab. We and two other schools in Victoria are part of it.”
It’s an undertaking for which they are receiving support from Monash University’s Professor Zane Diamond.
“This research is being conducted by our school with Professor Zane Diamond from Monash University as our Digital Wisdom project contribution to the larger international umbrella of the Global Wisdom Lab,” Ms Furness says.
“We are hoping we will launch the resource next year. The second stage will be a Community Participatory Action Research Project so parents, including those who are not part of our own school community, can then choose to participate in a series of groups facilitated by Professor Diamond.
“Groups of parents will have the chance to participate in action research alongside students, creating an opportunity to bridge home and school expectations in the digital world.
Ripple effect
“This has a lot of capacity for ripple. We will be inviting expressions of interest to be part of the CPARP on our website before the end of the year.”
Ms Furness said the school didn’t have any internet devices.
“We have some kids who have access to phones but while we’re at school we don’t have access to them. Even smart watches go into your bag while we’re at school.”
In terms of the new federal legislation aimed at protecting under 16s from the well-documented damage associated with social media use, Ms Furness says it’s well intentioned but, like many, questions how it will work in practice.
“I think it’s a great idea but I don’t think it’s being rolled out in a way that’s really set up to be successful,” she says.
“We need resources for parents and I think big tech companies really need to be on board as well.”
Algorithms
The algorithms operating behind the visible face of social media, and the enormous social pressures to remain connected within a social cohort, particularly among young people, especially need to be carefully factored into addressing the issue long-term, Ms Furness believes.
Above right, Daylesford Dharma School students Ralph Lubitz and Mila Weis ahead of the school’s Global Wisdom eWise project that’s set to start in the new year
Words & image: Eve Lamb
Dr Bronwyn
Dr Ashvin
Dr Loshna
Artists of the Central Highlands with Eve Lamb
Glenlyon’s Claire Clifton is a great example of how being told you’re no good at something may just lead you to become very good at it indeed. Claire’s passion for using creative art to express the inner self - particularly that which does not readily find expression any other way - has led her to produce powerful and award-winning abstract works, to find immense joy in her own life and recently, to establish a very special program that helps others de-stress and tap into their own inner creative spirit.
Eve: I hear you’re a member of the Daylesford Regional Arts Cooperative and part of a series of pop-up exhibitions at the Daylesford Visitor Information Centre.
Claire: Yes. I only joined them a few months ago. There is a community spirit for creativity. It’s so important. It gives people that opportunity to express themselves. Everyone’s got a story.
Eve: What is your own journey to becoming an artist?
Claire: I was totally not an artist. I was told that very firmly by a teacher at school, that I was not a painter anyway. So I went to textiles and interestingly when I did it, it came out abstract. That gave me the opportunity to create in a less traditional way. I didn’t start painting until 1996, with some encouragement from a friend. Naturally it was abstract. The very first painting I did I still have. It’s called Onward and Upward. I looked at it and thought - ‘that’s my life’.
Eve: I understand that you also love painting in a tactile way using your hands.
Claire: Yes, to have paint on your hands is fabulous. I love the way the paint moves under your hands. I go through a lot of gloves. When there’s no words for what you are feeling it’s a way to express those feelings. When I was going through my cancer journey it helped me to somehow articulate what I was going through.
Eve: Can you tell me a bit more about that journey?
Claire: I had breast cancer in 2010. A full year of therapy, radical surgery, chemotherapy, the whole catastrophe. And through that came the chance to exhibit through the Cancer Council. When you sit down with some paints, pencils or even just one pencil you will learn something about yourself every time.
Eve: I understand that you have taken that passion in another direction as well. Claire: I completed the Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapies Training Course through Soul-Full Mind College, a 12-month course, which I did last year. I graduated with honours which was nice. It was the best thing ever.
Eve: Have you worked in any other fields?
Claire: Yes. I worked for 40 years in medical reception. I was a practice manager for a paediatrician in Geelong and I have also managed hospitality venues, a few of those. But this is what I love. It only took me 60 years.
Eve: You do give the impression that you have found your passion in life.
Claire: I love it. This is about self discovery through the creative arts and it’s about joy. We all spend so much time in fight or flight. Your body can’t heal when it's in fight or flight. I now work with groups or individuals with the program I have developed called Untangle You which I developed during the course last year. It’s for anyone.
We do meditation and breathing to become utterly relaxed and then we can start to create. The empowerment that comes from that is just exquisite. People always want to learn but they don’t necessarily want to be taught. I am hoping to run a parent and child event probably through the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre through this summer break.
Eve: And what's happening with the pop-up art exhibitions at the Visitor Centre?
Claire: The Daylesford Regional Arts Cooperative is having a different member artist each exhibit their work solo for four to six weeks at a time right through 2025. I’m January I believe which means I’d better get going.
Image: Eve Lamb
Santa helping cinema
This is what can happen when a father meets Father Christmas. Andrew Moore and his 11-year-old daughter Annabelle were among the capacity crowd at Stanbridge Hall for a fundraiser for Daylesford’s new cinema when they headed for Santa’s knee.
The result can be seen. And a great round of applause erupted when it was announced that the Cinema Group plans the reopening between Easter and mid-2025.
A further round of fundraising will start in the New Year, including two gala dinners. And the pleasing flow of money from events such as this reinforces a point made by a character in the film shown at the fundraiser, Miracle on 34th Street: “Faith is believing things even though common sense tells you not to.”
The 1974 remake of the 1947 classic asks the timeless question: “Is Santa real?
Macy’s department store employs one Kris Kringle, who is threatened with jail or being locked away because he believes he is Santa.
When it goes to court, a judge’s difficulty in whether he can rule on the case is decided when six-year-old Susan hands him a piece of paper bearing a line from the American Constitution: “In God We Trust.”
As for Kris Kringle, he says, “Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind, and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it. “
Hepburn House's Memory Lane Unit
Hepburn House's Memory Lane, a 15-bed unit built specifically to assist residents with dementia, is now open!
Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Rd, Daylesford. Book a tour of the new unit or the existing accommodation and living areas. For everything Hepburn House has on offer head to www.hepburnhouse.com.au or call 5348 8100.
Just briefly...
Hepburn Shire Council will host a series of workshops to help local community groups successfully apply for grants.
They will be held at Trentham Neighbourhood Centre on December 16, 2pm4pm, Creswick Neighbourhood Centre on December 17, 2pm-4pm, Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre on January 21, 10am-noon and Clunes Neighbourhood House on January 21, 2pm-4pm. Details: Neighbourhood centres.
Hepburn Shire Council will livestream its council meetings via YouTube rather than Facebook, starting with the next meeting on Tuesday, December 17 at 5.30pm.
The change will mean a more stable platform for hosting videos, and accessibility for those without a Facebook account.
Footy fans will have more chances to see the stars of the game up close, with the state government securing AFL and AFLW games in Ballarat for the next three seasons.
The partnership will see two Western Bulldogs AFL home and away matches and one AFLW match at Mars Stadium each year. The renewed partnership will run from 2025 to 2027 – marking 10 years of AFL games in Ballarat, which first started back in 2017.
Veolia bin collection trucks servicing Hepburn Shire have new informative messaging aimed at educating residents on how to better manage and reduce their household waste.
The trucks feature Sustainability Victoria developed graphics with clear and concise messages on how to sort waste correctly at home.
Got a brief to share? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Trentham Adult Riding Club
Trentham Football Netball Club
Trentham Spudfest
Trentham Cemetery Trust
Trentham Golf Club
Trentham District Primary School
Trentham Neighbourhood Centre
Trentham Railway & Tramways Association
OPENING HOURS
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS
DATE DAYLESFORD TRENTHAM KYNETON
MON 23 DEC 8.30am–5:30pm 8.45am–5pm 8.30am–5:30pm TUES 24 DEC 8.30am–4:30pm 8.45am–4:30pm 8.30am–4:30pm
8.45am–5pm 8.30am–5:30pm
8.45am–4:30pm 8.30am–4:30pm
SUN 29 DEC CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED MON 30 DEC 8.30am–5:30pm 8.45am–5pm 8.30am–5:30pm TUES 31 DEC 8.30am–4:30pm 8.45am–4:30pm 8.30am–4:30pm WED 1 JAN CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
Community Banking Roundup!
Community Bank Trentham & Districts would like to thank the amazing communities we have partnered with, and most importantly all existing and new customers that make what we do possible
This year, Community Bank Trentham & Districts has distributed local sponsorships and grants of over $60,000
If you are not yet a customer, consider the impact you can make in your community, just by banking with us
From all of us at Community Bank Trentham & Districts Merry Festive Season!
Community Groups Supported in 2024
Lyonville Hall Committee
Bullarto Public Hall Committee
Newbury Public Hall & Rec Reserve Committee
Tylden Primary School
Dawn Bamforth Theatre
Dogs of Trentham
Woodend Football Netball Club
Woodend Lions Club
Woodend Golf Club
Woodend Cricket Club
Woodend Primary School
Woodend Neighbourhood House
Woodend Winter Arts Festival
Centre going green
The Daylesford Community Childcare Centre is turning empty containers into fresh opportunities with their latest initiative to raise funds for Joe’s Kitchen Garden, an inspiring project aimed at teaching children the invaluable skills of growing and cooking their own vegetables.
As a donation partner for the Container Deposit Scheme, the centre is calling on the community to collect and deposit eligible drink containers, with refunds going directly to this hands-on learning project.
At the heart of the initiative is Joe Bonanno, an educator of the four-year-old program at the kindergarten, and passionate cook who has been inspiring young minds with his love of food and sustainability.
Joe said the centre was working on three projects – a kitchen garden, a bush food garden and a garden for wildlife in the near future.
“We try to work them all in together and we also received a Landcare grant and a number of organisations have been pretty generous with donations.”
Joe said he had taken on most of the gardening work because he enjoyed being hands-on.
“We try and eat from the garden every day even if we are just experimenting, we might go out and have a taste of something while we are there.
“We have always wanted to do something in the garden that contributes to our lunch on a daily basis and the kids seem to enjoy it.
“We have been growing Warrigal greens, a plant native to both Australia and New Zealand, and we had that in a pesto pasta for lunch and the kids just demolished it. Usually they are picking out the green bits but they had multiple serves. So, we have given them a new taste and they have really gone for it.
“Joe’s Kitchen Garden is a space where children can get their hands dirty and learn about the journey from garden to plate,” says Joe. “It’s about teaching them practical skills, fostering a connection to nature, and showing them the value of healthy eating.”
Joe, who moved from the city to the country 11 years ago (“best thing I ever did”) said the recycling was providing a good return “for not a lot of effort”.
“We have some bags at the centre for anyone who wants to help and we have a few people who have chosen to fill their bags for us. It is all appreciated.”
The community can support this cause by depositing their eligible containers at the TOMRA Cleanaway Reverse Vending Machine at 37-39 East Street, Daylesford and donate the refunds to the Joe’s Kitchen Garden via the app.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed
VIC STATE ROOFING
Metal Roof Specialist
The lady of the manor in Gardening Australia
Helen Hayes has always been a keen gardener but a busy corporate career kept her from creating something on the scale befitting her imagination. But with retirement came the opportunity to realise her dreams in the rich volcanic soil of the Central Highlands.
And recently the fruits of her labours at Musk Manor has captured the attention of other gardening enthusiasts. Just recently she had a film crew spend 10 hours at her property gathering footage for an appearance on a future episode of the ABC’s Gardening Australia.
“I’d expect that I would have been a very unlikely candidate to be a gardener earlier on in my life,” says Helen. “I worked 12 hour days pretty much seven days a week and I would have had to get up at 5am before I went off to work at 7 to get anything done.”
Before relocating to Musk and starting on her garden Helen was an internationally recognised leader in business development and information management.
She successfully coached and mentored senior executives for many years and was highly regarded as a trusted advisor and executive coach. In 1999 Helen was recognised as the Victorian and Australian Telstra Business Woman of the Year and later worked at the executive level in universities in Australia and Scotland. That left very little time for creating a garden.
But in 2017 Helen and her partner Michael came to the area to have a look at an old farm house in Musk. It sat on just over a hectare of land with a wonderful view north over the Wombat Forest and she sensed the potential to create a spectacular garden.
“I saw the land and the 100-year-old barn and thought, ‘this is definitely it, I’ve got to move in here, I’ve got to make my garden here, I thought this will give me a reason to retire, I’ll have a project. It will be a big project but I’ll still do it'.”
And now, seven years later the transformation of the site has been spectacular. At first there was very little when they moved in. Just an empty paddock save for a couple of established trees. Helen began with the preparation that needed to be done.
She divided the area into 13 different sections and tackled one at a time until it was done. That task alone took six to eight months and filled 14 skips with weeds before anything was planted at all.
Today, the place is a wonderful collage of trees and scrubs, evergreens and perennials. Gravel paths wend between beds of flowers of all sizes and colours and sumptuous lawns have replaced the dusty fields of 2017.
Birds dart in and around a gorgeous array of native and non-native plants and bees and butterflies feast on nectar. Helen describes how she approached the arrangement.
“The plants have been chosen for their attraction to bees, birds and butterflies.” Helen says. “Each area has a predominant colour. The two gardens on the fence line are mainly yellow so I have leucadendrons but also forsythia, buddleia, grevillea and hypericum in the yellow garden.
“In the orange garden I have a long-flowering rise called ashram. I have mixed orange with deep purple plants. The plants that thrive in the garden are daphne, rhododendrons and camellias - mostly Bob Hope and black tie as I like the red against the dark green foliage.
“I have added two hedges of plantation pink sasanqua camellias. My favourite trees are maples for their colour, particularly Autumn Moon. Autumn is my favourite time and the oaks, crab apples and red-stemmed maples are favourites. I have a special favourite that is a Himalayan strawberry tree.
“Of the small plants, I love daylilies at this time of year and peonies although they are short lived. I have a lot of irises, especially midnight blue. Miniature irises border the yellow garden and a purple and blue mix border the main garden.”
List with us!
When partnering with Daylesford Country Retreats we understand that we are managing one of your most important assets.
Contact Brendan at brendan@dayburn.com.au
Like all labours of love, the work is never completed, it just evolves and Helen continues to work on developing her little patch of paradise and is looking forward to having another open garden day.
“I have had it open twice so far for fundraising events, once for the Musk CFA and then for the Spa Country Railway,” Helen says. “I will do it again for the CFA next year. I like people to be able to come and walk around and enjoy what’s been created here.”
Words & main image: Tony Sawrey
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MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Our new Council is up and running. New Councillors are now all inducted and ready to serve the community. The transition from wards will take some time but do reach out. It may be that your interests align with a particular councillor and they may have a greater personal knowledge of a subject.
Our communities need to band together to call out and condemn all forms of hate speech and anti-social behavior. We cannot turn a blind eye to racist or homophobic statements written or spoken against any group or individuals within our society.
As we enter into our summer period we need to be mindful of weather conditions and be aware of the dangers of fire.
Summer is also a time to watch out for children near our beautiful lakes and pools as this is the time when tragedies can happen. Enough of warnings though as this is a time to enjoy family or take a good break and celebrate what our fabulous Shire has to offer. Councils around us are gearing up to cooperate and we recently met with the Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils to discuss how we can work together to save duplication and plan for our region.
Recently we have opened the whole 60km mountain bike trails at Creswick and we are informed that they are among the world’s best. These trails are not just for professionals and tourists, but are a great place for families to picnic and just have fun.
Since becoming Mayor I have taken the time to be in the streets of our towns and just have a chat to locals and businesses. If you see me out and about do say hello and I am always available to hear what you have to say.
This can be a lonely time for some so please do look out for your neighbours and others who are going through tough times. This has been a dry Winter and Spring so a special thought for our farmers who will have to manage crops and livestock whilst most of us have a break.
This coming year Council will be looking to take steps to secure the future and that will mean running a leaner and more efficient outfit. We must be determined to concentrate on what we need and not what we want. Perhaps remember that we councillors are ratepayers and residents and are very aware that any actions we take affect us all.
Finally from all of us at the Hepburn Shire, we hope you have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Mayor, Cr Don Henderson
COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS
END OF YEAR CLOSURE
A reminder that there are some changes to Council services over the Christmas and New Year period.
Council offices, depots, hubs and libraries - close at 5pm on Monday 23 December (Daylesford Library will close at 5.30pm) and reopen as usual on Thursday 2 January.
Bin collections
Wednesday 25 December - no bin collections.
Thursday 26 and Friday 27 December - your bin collection may be delayed by 24 hours.
Wednesday 1 January - no bin collections.
Thursday 2 and Friday 3 January - your bin collection may be delayed by 24 hours.
If you’re unsure, put your bin out as usual and leave it out until it is collected…this may be delayed by 24 hours.
If you require a replacement bin, please use the online form at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/request
Transfer Stations
Transfer Stations will open as usual, but will be closed on Christmas Day.
Visitor Information Centres (VICs)
VICs will continue to welcome visitors throughout the festive season, with some closures. All VICs will be closed on Christmas Day, but open New Year’s Day.
Emergencies
Key staff will be on call to assist with emergencies. To report animal emergencies, such as dog attacks and stock on Council roads phone 0419 587 955. For all other Council related emergencies phone 0419 583 573.
This festive season, Councillors and staff wish you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
POOL SEASON IS UNDERWAY
The pool season is here, and it’s free again this year. We worked hard behind the scenes to get our facilities ready for you to enjoy.
Don’t forget that we have updated pool hours, that have been adjusted to better fit our busy times.
Remember, pools close on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and when the next day Bureau of Meteorology weather prediction is 21 degrees and below.
More information at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/pools
The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.
EAT | DRINK | ENJOY
Out & About in the Central Highlands
Celebrating the Mount
A crowd of 250 to 300 people gathered in perfect conditions in the crater of Lalgambuk (Mount Franklin) on Wednesday, December 11 to celebrate International Mountain Day at a special event hosted by DJAARA.
People, including school children, came together from throughout the region to learn more about International Mountain Day and particularly about the immense significance of mountainous landscapes to Indigenous cultures globally and through time.
Attendees took part in several educational and cultural activities including a guided walk that took them part of the way around the volcanic crater rim of Lalgambuk.
There was also a lively traditional emu dance that enticed quite a few to join in and try out the moves.
The event also offered the chance to hear from Dja Dja Wurrung man, Harley Douglas who grew up on Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) not far from where Wednesday’s celebration took place.
Harley talked with attendees about his and his family’s long-standing connections to Lalgambuk.
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation group CEO Rodney Carter also spoke, welcoming the crowd.
A traditional Indigenous smoking ceremony was a feature of the occasion that was celebrated as a day to come together as one people and connect with Country.
It’s now hoped that International Mountain Day will become a regularly celebrated fixture on the region’s calendar.
Above, the Indigenous emu dance enticed quite a few to join in and try out the moves during the International Mountain Day celebration held at Lalgambuk
Words: Eve Lamb
Not just for Christmas
Like puppies and kittens, they’re to keep and cherish for their lifetime. I’m talking about house plants, because, with a little care and the right treatment and conditions they can be expected to last for years - especially if they're presented in an attractive, decorated pot.
But it doesn’t stop with indoor plants. I’m yet to hear of anyone turning down a flowering shrub or garden ornament as a gift.
As an ardent last-minute panic Christmas shopper, let me tell you that there’s an endless supply of garden goodies to be had with all of the little nurseries, florists and gift shops scattered throughout our area. Whether it be pot plants, garden ornaments or sculptures, the choice is all yours.
If the choice is plant life, more than a little care is needed to select something that is both appealing and capable of surviving way past the euphoria of Christmas Day, so buy locally from the people who know and grow for themselves.
Obviously any gifted tree or shrub will yearn for the outdoors and should not be kept indoors any longer than Christmas/New Year before being released in the garden. But the indoor varieties are a different matter and will mostly thrive if placed in front of a well-lit window, preferably a southern one away from direct sunlight.
Totally out of the sunlight is preferable for the soft-leaf ferns. Coming mostly from the depths of rain forests, they can tolerate longer spells of low light. But for other cool-climate species, early morning sunlight is fine.
Frost-sensitive plants such as poinsettia need the protection of double-glazing or a constantly warm room to survive the worst of winter. Take care not to overwater your plants, they are more likely to drown than to suffer from a few days without water.
Potted plants for indoors, or a sheltered spot on the porch or terrace, are always welcomed especially if they come in or with an attractive container.
Most homes have a well-lit spot indoors where indoor plants will flourish - but away from direct sunlight is best. These can range from ornamental foliaged plants such as ivy, sansevieria (snake plant), ficus, philodendrons or the vast range of ornamental ferns, many of which are native to Australia.
The all-time favourite saintpaulia or African violets are in bloom right now in a range of delightful colours from white to deep purple.
For outdoors, larger plants along with suitably large containers always make terrific gifts.
For a cool, shaded spot, nothing compares with hydrangeas. In sunny places plants grown simply for their attractive foliage include cordyline flax, conifers and the slender-foliaged, dwarf, weeping acacias.
Among my favourites would be the new range of fruiting miniature citrus trees and the ubiquitous aspidistra. Since Victorian times, through decades of ridicule and downright rejection, these stalwarts (especially the striped, variegated form) have survived neglect in dark, dusty corners to now rightfully claim their place of honour in our homes and gardens.
(Ed's note: This is Glen's last full column - he is finally taking time off to look after his health. But he has promised to keep in touch with a monthly Q&A column. So feel free to email him at glenzgarden@gmail.com, and if you have enjoyed his many years of columns maybe send him a thank-you! I certainly thank him for all his hard work and wonderful pieces. Glen helped us get The Local off the ground! Our Godfather.)
Christmas stuff...
Catholic Ministry District of Creswick, Daylesford & Wendouree
Christmas Mass Times 2024
Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24, 6pm Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Wendouree
Christmas Eve - Tuesday, December 24, 8.30pm St Peter’s Catholic Church. Daylesford
Christmas Day - Wednesday, December 25, 9am St Augustine's Catholic Church, Creswick
Christmas Worship at Christ Church Anglican 54 Central Springs Road, Daylesford
Christmas Eve - December 24, 9pm - Eucharist Christmas Day - December 25, 9am - Crib Service & Holy Communion
Daylesford Community Brass Band
Carols in Vincent Street, Daylesford - Saturday, December 21, 10am - noon. Community Carols at the Hepburn Springs Sound Shell - Sunday, December 22 7pm-8.30pm. Santa will make an appearance and the Daylesford Community Brass Training Band will give a short performance. Bring a chair, jumper, picnic, mosquito repellent and Christmas spirit.
Got any New Year events happening? Email donna@tlnews.com.au
Mmas
& Happy New Year
We hope you are back and visit us Look out for ou market dates, c
Fair Work penalties
The Fair Work Ombudsman has secured penalties totalling $104,000 against the operators of a hotel and café in regional Victoria after nearly 100 staff at the venue were underpaid more than $320,000.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court has imposed a $95,000 penalty against Louise Maree Melotte and a $9,000 penalty against her husband Travis Francis Melotte. The couple operate Hotel Frangos and Café Koukla in Daylesford.
Ms Melotte admitted her involvement in underpaying 97 staff at Hotel Frangos and Café Koukla on Vincent Street in Daylesford a total of $321,202 between May 2017 and July 2019.
Ms and Mr Melotte both also admitted they were involved in requiring two Nepalese cooks on salaries to work unreasonable additional hours, in breach of the Fair Work Act. In addition to the penalties, in August the Court ordered Ms Melotte to back-pay all workers, plus superannuation.
Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth said the exploitive conduct was alarming and welcomed the penalties. “It is unacceptable that nearly 100 workers were deliberately underpaid. That young and migrant workers were some of those left out of pocket is also concerning, particularly the exploitation of the two cooks who were requested or required to work unreasonable long hours,” Ms Booth said.
The FWO investigated after receiving requests for assistance and discovered most of the underpayments related to 27 full-time employees who were paid salaries in weekly instalments irrespective of hours worked and when these hours were worked.
The two Nepalese cooks who were required to work unreasonable hours were underpaid individual amounts of $48,516 and $32,815. The underpaid workers included food and beverage attendants and cooks, as well as two guest services staff and one clerical worker.
Judge Heather Riley found that Ms and Mr Melotte were “not particularly remorseful”.
The company that directly employed the underpaid workers, Loelal Pty Ltd, was placed into liquidation in 2022. Ms and Mr Melotte were both sole directors of Loelal at different times. Ms and Mr Melotte now operate Hotel Frangos and Café Koukla through another corporate entity, of which Ms Melotte is a director.
Glenlyon Sports Day
Enjoy New Year's Day at the Glenlyon Sports Club annual event.
This long running, old-time sports day, entirely run by volunteers, includes competitive woodchopping, bullboar eating and mineral water drinking competitions. There's also plenty for the children to do – including a petting zoo, face painting, a kids’ corner and running races.
Gates open at 11am ($15 per adult), with all proceeds donated back into the local community, totalling nearly $17,000 this year.
Pack a picnic and bring your friends to a memorable day.
The day also includes equestrian events, CFA spinning wheel, raffles, St Michael's Canteen, bar and old time novelty events. Check us out on Facebook.
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.
Trip Down Memory
Cheque this out!
Dean Recreation Reserve president Brian Maher has presented a couple of cheques to some well deserving locals.
The cheques were the result of this year’s annual Dean Sheep Dog Trials, otherwise known as The Old Sniff Classic, and a must-do competition on the calendars of many of the state’s top sheepdog handlers and their highly trained working dogs.
First up was a $1000 cheque that Brian presented to Creswick’s John Curtin Aged Care via CEO Steve Bruechert followed by a $200 cheque for the Newlyn-Dean CFA Brigade accepted by the brigade’s Dominic Prendergast.
Mr Bruechert said the money would go toward ongoing efforts to raise funds to purchase a new minibus while Mr Prendergast said the money would likely go toward a new floor covering for a brigade shed.
Pictured from left, Dominic Prendergast, Dean Recreation Reserve treasurer Rob Turley, Brian Maher, Stephen Crane of Elders Insurance (Dean sheepdog trials sponsor), Dean Recreation Reserve’s Rob Grieve and Steve Bruechert Words & image: Eve Lamb
Kyle’s Rant
If you are one of those smiling, doughy-looking characters who mean well but whose biggest thrill of the year is to light up your front yard with inflatable plastic creatures that have nothing to do with a southern hemisphere Christmas celebration while drawing 150,000 amps per minute from the grid, don’t read on as you will find this column offensive.
So, this is Christmas. The time of year the world's commercial gears crank up to full capacity. We seem to forget about the environmental dilemma we find ourselves in and buy lots of junk for the kids that will be lucky to make it in working order into the New Year.
The lead-up to the big day has us guzzling booze and delicious food which only makes an appearance once a year such as Christmas mince pies and other assorted pastries in the shape of other Christmassy figures.
And we aren’t satisfied until we have visited one of these turn-outs every other day prior to Christmas Day.
It is as if the world ends after Christmas. Everything has to be just right for the rellies to visit and you can’t get a tradesman for four weeks prior.
The shopping centres are abuzz with the sound of parents making Christmasstyle 'no toys' threats to their children. Most folks are already stretched beyond their budgets but keep buying in the hope the New Year will alleviate their budget woes. And there is definitely a temporary woe reliever to be found in the bottom of the bubbly bottle.
On the day itself, we humans seem to think it is our God-given right to make our family Christmas tables heave with all the poor little animals we can get our hands on.
The prawns cop a hiding along with the ducks, pigs, geese, turkeys and little lambs for sausages. Someone's probably even eating kangaroo or croc.
The day typically ends with bellies full, rude aunts and uncles draped over your soft furnishings and some sort of sporting activity in the backyard.
I guess my dislike of the big day is deep-rooted, from growing up in my early years as a Jehovah’s Witness, where we did not celebrate such things or for that matter anything.
But whether it’s your thing to have a traditional Christmas or more your bag to do what Donna and I did last year, which was a Macca's quarter pounder and a movie, I hope you all enjoy the day.
But please remember to a kid under two, the box and gift paper are as good a present as the present itself and maybe just for a moment consider the environment.
Bah Humbug Christmas rant over…
Ed's note. I wonder if this means I don't have to do a family Christmas with Kyle this year? And right, in more Christmassy times! He hasn't always been a Grinch...
Local Lines
cafe and other haiku
blue moon cafe she keeps waiting for a miracle
at the lone star he keeps waiting a tall order
at the virgin cafe she keeps waiting for a hot tip
at harry’s cafe the locals wait for an opening
in the carpark tumbling to ground over-mobile phone
why is footling so trivial, handling so responsible
- Bill Wootton
Bill has one coffee a day to help with Wordle solving.
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters.
Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
G’day!
(Pick
Just sayin’...
By Donna Kelly
As a journo of some years, let’s say 40, I have a love for words. I also like that language is always evolving. So it is always interesting to hear what the word of the year is, especially from the Australian Macquarie Dictionary.
Drum roll please. The Word of the Year for 2024 is 'enshittification'.
The committee said the noun described the "gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality of service provided, especially of an online platform, and as a consequence of profit-seeking".
They said it was a “very basic Anglo-Saxon term wrapped in affixes which elevate it to being almost formal; almost respectable. This word captures what many of us feel is happening to the world and to so many aspects of our lives at the moment”.
I like it. And so did many others, as it also won the People’s Choice Word of the Year. For only the third time since the awards started in 2006.
And I agree that while it would be easy to say the world is going to shit, using the term enshittification almost sounds polite.
Committee Honourable Mentions included the right to disconnect, another noun, which is a law that grants employees the right to not work or be contacted about work during non-work hours. I must mention that one to Kyle. The waking me at 3am with a query like “did you put that final advert in?” is getting ridiculous.
Then there is rawdogging. At first I thought this was something rude but it means the act of undertaking a long-haul flight with no electronic entertainment, devices or reading material, as film, music, games, laptops, books, etc. Hmmm. When we went to America we did a long-haul flight but maybe a sky couch is not really rawdogging.
The People’s Choice first Honourable Mention was brainrot, which it seems many people have these days, and means being on a social media platform for an extended duration causing diminished mental capacity.
Second was social battery, which I think I get, and means a supposed energy reserve someone has for engaging in social interactions, the reserve being depleted or stimulated depending on circumstances and an individual’s personality.
The rest of the shortlist went like this:
Fairy porn — a subgenre of fantasy fiction which explores relationships between humans and supernatural characters.
Incidentaloma — a tumour which is unexpectedly discovered while undergoing a physical examination or surgery for an unrelated procedure.
Looksmaxxing — the act of improving one's physical attractiveness as much as possible, especially as undertaken by young men.
Kup murri — an earth oven for pit cooking in the traditional Torres Strait Islander style.
Overtourism — a situation in which too many people are visiting a tourist destination, causing damage and degradation, and adversely affecting local residents.
Q-day — a theoretical point in time at which quantum computers will become large-scale enough to enable the decryption of public key encryption algorithms.
Pig butchering — a type of fraud in which a scammer portrays themselves as a friend, romantic interest or financial adviser, in order to gain the trust of their victim.
Rent bidding — the practice of a prospective renter offering a higher price than that advertised in the hope that their rental application will be accepted over others.
Sigma — a person who is well regarded as being exceptional in some way.
Skibidi — a nonsense word used to mean any of various things depending on context, but often 'cool' or 'excellent'.
Spoon bowl — a match between the two lowest teams in a competition to determine which finishes the season at the bottom of the table.
Oh, one last one. Over at the Australian National Dictionary Centre, they picked Colesworth as their Word of the Year.
Just one question. Are you getting your Colesworth? Just sayin’…
W RD CROSS
Here is the crossword solution for Edition 320. How did you go?
All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.
Markets
Daylesford Sunday Market – every Sunday
Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers Marketfirst Saturday
Woodend Farmers Market - first Saturday
Trentham Community Group Market - second Saturday
Kyneton Farmers Market - second Saturday
Kyneton Rotary Community Market – second Saturday
Maldon Market – second Sunday
Clunes Farmers Market - second Sunday
Trentham Farmers Market and Makers Market - third Saturday
Glenlyon Farmers Market – third Saturday
Leonards Hill Market - third Saturday
Creswick Market - third Saturday
Talbot Farmers Market – third Sunday
Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday
Daylesford Farmers Market – fourth Sunday
Trentham Station Sunday Market - fourth Sunday
Wishing our clients and readers a wonderful Christmas from all the crew at The Local!