The Local December 5, 2022

Dogs of Trentham

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Front cover: The Dogs of Trentham group are keen for an off-leash park for their pooches. To help the cause, photographer James Walshe offered his time and expertise for a 2023 calendar. And then Kyle Barnes popped in his own front cover featuring Lily, August, Kenyon and Ivy. Read the story opposite.

Image: James Walshe & James Walshe

December 5, 2022

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

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

The next edition is out on Monday, December 19, 2022. or online on Sunday, December18 at www.tlnews.com.au

Space bookings: Wednesday, December 14 Copy deadline: Thursday, December 15 Editorial deadline: Thursday, December 15

Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au

Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes

Sub-editors | Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester

Editorial assistant | Eve Lamb

Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout, Eve Lamb & Donna Kelly

Photographers | Kyle Barnes & David White

Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness

Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (gigs), Matthew Richardson (money), Jennifer Hart (horoscopes) and Jen Clarke (recipes).

Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey

Woofin’ wonderful: Trentham’s pin-up pooches

DOG owners and their woofers out Trentham way are on the front paw for the new year ahead, releasing a doggedly handsome 2023 calendar in pursuit of a pooch-pleasing project.

The Dogs of Trentham are a group of local dog owners who want to see a councilendorsed public space provided in which to safely exercise dogs - off leash – in their patch.

Towards realising their goal they’ve just produced the Dogs of Trentham 2023 calendar featuring 12 local pooches posing in front of the town's landmarks.

“The Dogs of Trentham is a small committee that we set up about this time last year,” says local dog owner and Dogs of Trentham president, psychologist Dr Kerry Proctor.

She says that in particular they hope to progress a vision, with Hepburn Shire Council’s support, to trial a block of land in Trentham’s Victoria Street for use as a safe and fenced off-leash dog park.

In the meantime, an agreement has been reached to trial two small temporary spaces at the Market Street Reserve after the group met with Mayor Cr Brian Hood and Infrastructure director Bruce Lucas last Friday.

Dr Proctor, said while it was not ideal "but a step in the right direction while a decision being made on a permanent site in the 2023-2024 Master Plan".

She says that having somewhere off leash for local dogs to exercise safely is not just essential for the dogs’ health but also for their owners’ health and social connectivity as well.

Over previous months, a large number of dog owners had been using the Market Street Reserve to exercise their dogs off-lead with many friendships formed in the process.

But the little central reserve also accommodates public toilets, tennis courts and a children’s playground as well, and its ongoing use as an off-lead dog exercise space has become vexed, with some conflict arising between its multiple public uses.

“The council received a complaint from a member of the public, and last December put up a sign saying ‘No Dogs Off Leash’ at the Market Street Reserve,” Dr Proctor says.

“In April the council unanimously voted in recognition of the need for an offleash dog park and it’s now in their strategic master plan.”

The Dogs of Trentham group then identified the Victoria Street land as an ideal site to trial as an off-lead park – big enough to accommodate dogs of all sizes.

“The block of land at 14 Victoria Street has been bequeathed to the council for community use. It’s a perfect size. It just needs to be fenced,” Dr Proctor says.

“We want to get formal approval from the council to initially trial it as a temporary park. We’ve costed it and we believe it can be fenced for under $20,000. We’ve got a lot of support for it. We ran a petition and we got 450 signatures in two weeks.”

Negotiations between the council and the group have been taking place, and the Community Bank Trentham & Districts has provided $3500 to print the calendar that’s now being sold to raise dollars which dog owners hope can eventually go towards fencing the Victoria Street site.

Trentham photographer, and dog owner, James Walshe donated his time and considerable expertise to take the shots which feature in the calendar – all of them local dogs including Dr Proctor’s boxer dog, Crumpet (aka Miss March), above left, and James' border collie Paddy (aka Mr May), above right.

“It was a bit of fun,” said James whose professional background as a photographer includes photographing animals for Guide Dogs Victoria and for the RSPCA as well.

“The cover shot has four dogs in one shot and I thought it might prove a bit difficult to get them all looking in the right direction at once. But they behaved beautifully,” James said.

Admittedly some tasty payola helped James out while on location, and now the $20 calendars are being rapidly snapped up.

“We had 450 calendars printed and I think about 250 of them have already sold within a week,” Dr Proctor says.

Copies of the calendar are available at the Trentham Post Office, the Community Bank Trentham & Districts and via the Dogs of Trentham Facebook page. They’ll also be for sale at the town’s December 17 market - “and also some street stalls that we’ll also be having between now and the market,” Dr Proctor says.

Words: Eve Lamb

“The cover shot has four dogs in one shot and I thought it might prove a bit difficult to get them all looking in the right direction at once. But they behaved beautifully.”

Attempt to stop gold mining in Daylesford

AGROUP, Don’t Undermine Daylesford, or DUD, has formed to try to stop Red Rock Australasia from mining for gold under the town.

The British-owned mining company was granted an exploratory licence for gold mining in May this year and has identified the Daylesford region as “highly prospective but well underexplored in terms of the modern exploration environment”.

The mine being looked at is the old Ajax line, under the name Blue Angel, in the western area of the town near the waste recovery centre. Areas in Yandoit and Glenlyon are also named in various reports.

DUD spokespeople Gary Lawrence and Lisa Brophy said while Red Rock may have a licence to look for gold they did not have a social licence with the community.

Ms Brophy said there were many concerns about the possibility of gold mining under the town including potential contamination of its iconic mineral water.

“If you Google Daylesford the first pages that come up are all about our mineral water and wellness. What happens if the water becomes contaminated?

“We don’t want our community tourism and destination appeal put at risk, or our economic activity from tourist businesses impacted.

“There are so many things wrong here and one of the most important stories around this is that these people are allowed to come into our environment and cause all this angst – and for what – for whose benefit? Theirs, not ours.”

Mr Lawrence said some of his concerns included the possibility of heavy metals being released from the bedrock and leaching out into the environment.

“We also don’t want to contemplate the impact of removing tonnes of rock to a treatment plant somewhere. Where is that going to be?”

Mr Lawrence said the equipment needed for the exploratory drilling alone would cause vibrations throughout the area – and would be ongoing for three to four months. "Then we have the old DD06 issues, the worries about methane gas at the former capped tip."

The group met with Hepburn Shire Council last week with Ms Brophy saying they were confident their concerns were acknowledged and that there was a better understanding of the issues the community is facing.

“Our meeting with council was positive. We are also more aware of the legislative restrictions placed on councils in relation to what they can and can’t control or influence in relation to mining licences,” Ms Brophy said.

Red Rock Australasia Community and Environmental Liaison spokesperson Kiara Reddingius said the company held an exploration licence, not a mining licence. "We have done no physical work so far in the area outside literature study and research."

Asked about some of the group's concerns including what benefit mining would bring to the community Ms Reddingius said it was outside the scope of their licence to educate the benefits of mineral resources to the Victorian community. However, she added aside from both direct and indirect spending into the local and state economy, during 2020/21, minerals sector companies directly contributed over $2.8 million to 63 separate community groups across Victoria in a wide range of areas including health, education, environment and the arts.

Ms Reddinguis also said groundwater was protected under legislation and any risk to its health would need to be addressed in an application of a mining licence.

"Over the term of the exploration licence, comprehensive and detailed water studies will be conducted to understand the interface of the ground water and the geology."

Ms Reddinguis said effective noise control measures significantly reduced sound levels of an operating rig, and it was a condition of their licence to ensure that noise generated by exploration activities did not exceed limits set by the Environment Protection Authority and the state of Victoria.

The company had tried since July to install a small environmental weather, noise and vibrational collection station in the area to collect baseline data but neither the surrounding community or Hepburn Shire Council "have been cooperative in this proactive environmental monitoring".

Ms Reddinguis said an exploration licence was held for a five-year term, with an option to apply to extend a further five years.

"At this stage, two to four months of low impact drilling is planned to understand the nature and extent of mineralisation below the already existing Ajax workings which extend past 200m."

Words: Donna Kelly

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Ho, ho, ho - some Christmassy things to do

Daylesford and Hepburn

Daylesford Christmas Market - Daylesford Town Hall Fridays, December 9 & 16 - 5.30-6.30pm

The Daylesford Community Brass Band will play carols at the Daylesford Christmas Market (above) then carols around Hepburn - Monday, December 12 from 6pm followed by carols by candlelight at Hepburn Sound Shell on Thursday December, 22, 8pm with the finale being Christmas Eve Carols, Vincent St, Daylesford on Saturday, December 24 from 10.30am

Clunes

Parade, carols, dancing & street feast - Friday, December 9 from 7pm

Christmas Lights - Register your lights in Clunes ‘Let your Light/s Shine’ competition at www.facebook.com/christmasinclunes

Creswick

Pre-Christmas Creswick Market, Victoria St. - Saturday, December 17

Trentham

Carols and Christmas teachings at St George's Anglican Church, Trentham, Sunday, December 18, 7pm

Kyneton

Kyneton Fire Brigade Santa Run Saturday, December 24 from 10am

Leonards Hill

Leonards Hill Christmas Market Saturday, December 17, 9am-2pm with Santa visiting from 11am to 1pm

Woodend

Carols in the Garden at St Mary's Anglican Church, Woodend Friday, December 16, 6pm

Got a Christmas event happening after December 19? Email editorial@tlnews.com.au and we'll give it a run in our next edition of The Local!

Three-year anniversary for health service

IT HAS been three years since the amalgamation of Hepburn Health Service and Kyneton District Health to become Central Highlands Rural Health.

After almost nine years of service Central Highlands Rural Board chair Phillip Thomson says he is most proud of his role in positioning the organisation to better serve the communities of the Hepburn and Macedon Ranges shires.

“This is something of which I am incredibly proud," he said, of the amalgamation on November 30, 2019.

He is also full of admiration and praise for the quality, breadth and depth of services delivered across CHRH’s five campuses of Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham, and the capacity and capability of staff to keep patients, residents and clients safe, especially over the past almost three years.

“I know at times the staff have been incredibly tired, but they have shown great resilience and commitment to the health and well-being of their community,” he said.

“And I hope the staff are as proud of themselves as the board is of them.”

At the time of the amalgamation, Phillip was the chair of Hepburn Health Service, having served on its board for six years.

"The growing burden of compliance and the desire to deliver better services to meet the future healthcare needs of our rural growing townships was the impetus for our decision to amalgamate with Kyneton District Health," he said.

Phillip also acknowledged the commitment, contribution, and service of Peter Matthews, the former Kyneton District Health Board chair at the time of the amalgamation and the immediate past chair of CHRH.

Phillip said despite the challenges of the pandemic, the benefits of amalgamation continued with the larger, more flexible organisation able to work closely across the expanded footprint, sharing resources and spreading best practices.

“We’ve also been fortunate to attract grants to continue the redevelopment of our Creswick Aged Care facility and upgrade theatres at Daylesford during this time."

And according to Phillip, the profile and reputation of Central Highlands Rural Health are on the rise.

“As a larger rural health service, offering acute, community health, and aged care services, we readily attract high-calibre clinical and non-clinical staff keen to relocate to the Macedon Ranges and Hepburn shires," Phillip said.

"This depth of talent is reflected across the organisation."

CHRH has also recently recruited three new highly skilled board directorsProfessor Pauline Stanton, Sally Kirkright, and Louise Johnson were appointed in July and join a board comprising of Kate Redwood, Mary Delahunty, Bronwyn Malignaggi, Karen O’Sullivan, Ken Gray, Professor Alexander Heriot and Professor Jeffrey Zajac.

“Serving on this board with such esteemed directors, and now as chair, has had many rewards,” Phillip said.

“At the end of the day, we are all motivated by giving back to the community and keeping people safe.”

A Daylesford resident for 25 years, Phillip and his wife, Sharee, relocated to Kyneton in late 2020.

When he’s not out walking their pet schnoodle, Paddy, Phillip enjoys riding his motorcycle along country roads, travelling, cooking, entertaining friends, and catching up with the locals at the Kyneton Hotel.

Words & image: Contributed

This summer, significant pasture growth in paddocks and roadsides means that fast-moving grassfires will be a serious risk across Victoria. Rural grassfires can be just as dangerous as bushfires, and can actually spread even faster, travelling at speeds of up to 25km/h. If you live close to open paddocks or grasslands, you could be at risk and need to be prepared. On Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger Rated days, the safest option is to leave early.

Plan. Act. S u r v ive. G o to v ic . gov. au/knowfire

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

Grassfires move so quickly, it’s impossible to outrun them.

Defibrillator signage for Clunes state first

CLUNES has achieved a state first, getting public signposts installed to highlight the location of every public defibrillator in the town.

The woman behind the heart-warming, and potentially life-saving, achievement is Deb Bright, coordinator of the town’s neighbourhood house and also a GoodSAM.

Ambulance Victoria’s GoodSAM (Smartphone Activated Medic) program connects local volunteer responders to patients in the first critical minutes of cardiac arrest while paramedics are on the way.

Deb says GoodSAM is a free global smartphone app that alerts several volunteer GoodSAM responders to someone nearby in cardiac arrest.

It can – and in Clunes it has already – make the critical difference as it’s known that for every minute a patient doesn’t get CPR/defibrillation, their chances of survival fall by 10 per cent.

Deb is one of several GoodSAMs in Clunes and after recently learning of a South Australian initiative where physical signposts have been installed to point out AED locations, she approached Hepburn Shire Council to see if something similar could be done in her own town.

To her delight, the shire came through, and as a result in recent weeks multiple signposts have been installed helpfully pointing the way to each of the town’s five public AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators).

“We’re lucky in Clunes that we have five AEDs that are available for members of the public to access 24/7,” Deb says.

“They are at the town’s supermarket, here at the neighbourhood house, at the bowling club, the golf club and the medical centre.

“The signs have now gone in outside all of the locations of the publicly available AEDs and they point in the direction of the nearest defibrillator. They just went in in recent weeks and I can tell you that they’re already being noticed."

Deb said the town would love to have some more GoodSAMs.

“The only thing you need to become a GoodSAM is a willingness to respond when you are alerted to a cardiac incident, and knowledge of basic CPR.”

Deb says there had been multiple cardiac arrest incidents in Clunes over the past few years, some of which she has personally attended in her capacity as a GoodSAM.

“Statistically we know that use of a defibrillator in those first critical moments can increase your chance of surviving by 72 percent,” she says.

Deb says seeing the new signposts go in has been very rewarding and she is now keen to see them extended to other towns throughout the shire – and beyond.

“I’d really like to see the program extended and I’ll be contacting Hepburn Shire to suggest that it is extended throughout the shire,” she says.

Local residents who think they may be able to help out and become a GoodSAM responder are encouraged to check out Ambulance Victoria’s GoodSAM website, with some local training in defibrillator use also coming up fairly soon.

“I run regular defibrillator training sessions here at the Neighbourhood House and we advertise them on our socials,” Deb says.

“We will probably start running them again in January.”

Aries: You’ll appear more charming, magnetic, and likeable than usual and this might help you to get your big idea over the line with the higher ups. Pursue ideas that you are in love with, causes that are close to your heart.

Taurus: It might be time to expand your mind, your beliefs and how you view the world and your role in it. It can be heavy stuff to grapple with but with an open mind and heart you might be surprised by what you learn.

Gemini: Little gifts and good karma are headed your way with Venus offering you helpful connections. A monetary boost or connection with a mentor who is offering a cornucopia of helpful information, or even an approval for a sum of money you’ve been waiting for.

Cancer: Relations with your partner are copasetic for the next few weeks, with clear, practical, and calming communications. Love and connectedness are a part of this storyline, but not necessarily a steamy passionate time. But a great time to reconnect and have a little relationship tune-up.

Leo: Conflict or tensions with friends are possible now, you might prefer your own company or that of your kids while your besties want you to hit the town with them. Retreating into your personal oasis isn’t a crime, you gotta do what you gotta do!

Virgo: Possible rough waters at the start of the month around the commitment at work and the pressures of home. It might feel like you’re being pulled in two different directions. This wrinkle will smooth out around December 11th, and you can enjoy the good stuff in your life.

Libra: Give the house a good tidy up for the holiday season, as you’ll want to invite friends and family over to fill your house with love and laughter. It’s a good time to set some goals and resolutions for next year, you don’t need to wait until January 1.

Scorpio: You’ll be eager to talk to others and share ideas, Venus will add some extra charm to your words, you might be more persuasive, with the ability to push your agenda forwards. The pace of your everyday life might quicken with plenty of short trips, appointments and general toing and froing.

Sagittarius: Venus is finally in the part of your chart that rules your money, assets and income, hooray. Hopefully she brings you luck and gifts that can help boost your financial picture, some fresh new ideas that come to you to earn more dosh or grow what you’ve got.

Capricorn: The next four weeks offer you the opportunity to attract favourable people and situations, others will perceive you as more charming and clever than usual. You might find that you’re chattier, and your words are well received. It’s a good time to reflect and contemplate what is next for you.

Aquarius: You might find yourself in a secretive relationship, or keen to keep your new relationship on the quiet for now. Keeping secrets isn’t a crime (usually) and can add a little spice to your life. It’s a good time to keep a journal to help process your thoughts and empty your head if it’s feeling too full.

Pisces: If you aren’t happy at work, a new pathway is illuminated for you. Any new work ventures might be met with tensions from the home front, but this will quickly pass. It’s also a time when a friendship could become something more, this is the time to shoot your shot, even if it’s a friend you haven’t seen in a while.

Until next time, Jennifer Hart

For your full horoscope reading head to www.jhartastro.com or www.tlnews.com.au

Functional pieces with an earthy aesthetic

IF YOU'VE ever encountered the term wabi-sabi while exploring Japanese spiritual or aesthetic philosophy you will have a bit of an insight into the style of Clunes ceramicist Chandra Paul.

Originally a city girl, Chandra escaped the clutches of the state’s main metropolis six years ago to set up a home and ceramics studio in Clunes – complete with kiln. She has not looked back since.

“I do hand building. My work is slab and coil built,” Chandra says. Her own website describes her work as: “Hand built, small batch stoneware pottery. Minimal, rustic, contemporary, earthy and tactile”.

“Hand building is slow and laborious so in effect each piece you make is a one-off piece. I like to see the maker’s marks embedded in the clay,” she says.

Chandra’s focus is on creating original functional pieces with a beautiful earthy aesthetic to sell at artists' markets as well as online.

Exquisite little tableware pieces, unique display vases and indoor plant display pots are all part of what she does. Very recently she has also made a suite of bespoke pieces for higher end local restaurateurs looking for something very special to set off attractions on their menu.

“I want to work closely with other small businesses and their vision and help make it come alive through my craft. The design process is where a lot of the work is.”

Wabi-sabi is all about the beauty inherent in the perfectly imperfect, and the pieces Chandra creates beautifully showcase the raw aesthetic of the materials from which they are made.

To hold one of these organic little creations in the palm of your hand is to instantly conjure something precious and essential, a homage to the landscapes from which they’re derived.

But before making her move to Clunes, Chandra had never enjoyed the creative convenience of possessing her own kiln.

“This kiln and I are friends,” she says of the kiln that she ordered from Germany and waited for six months for it to arrive. “This is a good kiln.”

“I built here in Clunes in 2016. When I was in Melbourne I was a tenant and couldn’t have my own studio. I chose Clunes partly for financial reasons. It was affordable.

“But I was also thinking that 10 years down the track Clunes is going to be a bit like Daylesford and Hepburn were in the day. I thought this might be a bit of a hub for creative people.

“I grew up in inner Melbourne and before I moved here I was living in Seaford and not feeling particularly safe. Every time I came up here I felt I could breathe again. I like space.

“I had been renting some space in a ceramics co-op out in the suburbs and someone teaching art in the adjoining room had a holiday house here in Clunes and told me about it. It just sparked my interest.”

Right now Chandra has various artists' markets lined up to attend in the metro area as she loves being present to chat to those who are drawn to her work.

“It’s a niche, ceramics, but the people who love it come back because they have a yen for the things of the earth,” she says.

“The idea at the moment is online shopping with activations - that is going out into the world and engaging with people whether it’s at markets or exhibitions, or pop-up shops,” she says.

“I have also recently started a blog – I’ve never done one before – for anyone who wants to hear about some pottery minutia.

“It’s about my journey and processes with pottery.”

Words & images: Eve Lamb

Cath: Magic a roller coaster of emotions

IT'S not your average job description but being Australia’s “leading female magician and mentalist” is a profession Daylesford’s Cath Jamison simply loves.

“When I was a kid, five years old, I got a magic kit and I loved it,” the awardwinning entertainer says.

“I was a quirky kid and I’m a quirky person.”

Today, Cath’s mind-blowing and frequently uproarious shows have earned her a reputation as a leader in her field and she’s known as one of Australia’s most unusual women entertainers wielding her trademark sass, style, and mind illusion to captivate audiences.

She’s been described in high profile places as ‘Ellen DeGeneres meets Derren Brown’, and this wickedly hilarious entertainer has won more awards and done more big gigs than you can wave a wand at. Think Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne Fringe, Adelaide FEAST and Midsumma Festival.

Her inexplicable shows have held even seasoned entertainers, like Tim Burton, Dawn French and Melissa Etheridge, spellbound.

Cath and her partner Nicole Peters moved from Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula to Daylesford in March last year, as Cath says the town and wider locality ticked all their boxes.

“We’ve always wanted to live and buy in Daylesford. We absolutely love it here,” says Cath who didn’t gain the title of 'Australia’s leading female magician and mentalist' overnight.

As a youngster doing magic tricks was “a hobby” and Cath trained and became a professional gardener and horticulturist working at the Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building gardens to make a living.

But the love of entertaining, magic and mystery, and of working a crowd was always there.

“I went to magic school in Brunswick Street and I went ‘Oh my God, that’s what I want to do’,” Cath says.

Busking and playing bagpipes in a pipe band, and even dispensing one particularly crowd-enthralling act that involved juggling rubber chickens, all fed into her development as an entertainer. But it was her passion for acute observation of the human psyche that led to her evolution as a mentalist as well.

Fascinated by the psychology of human behaviour, Cath began to observe the body language and behaviours of those around her and embarked on studies in mentalism and the esoteric fields of telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance, pre-cognition and mind control.

Together with her onstage collaborator, Daylesford’s Aurora Kurth, Cath became part of the immensely popular Sass & Secrets show, a cabaret-style magic and mayhem act that blends comedy, music, mentalism and mirth.

It proved a sellout at Daylesford’s last ChillOut Festival when they performed it at Peppers Mineral Springs where they so impressed that they’re already booked in to bring it back for next year’s ChillOut.

Cath says Sass & Secrets has also just been accepted by Regional Arts Victoria to participate in the state’s Connecting Places program which enables regional venues across Victoria to host shows that might otherwise be out of reach. Maldon’s new Festival of Dark Ideas 2023 will be just one of their many dates.

But besides Sass & Secrets, Cath is also busy doing her own magician and mentalist gigs and teaching others the craft of magic.

These days she’s able to make a living from her unique talents fulltime as a magician and mentalist for hire for private gigs, from large corporate functions to intimate cocktail party affairs.

“I’m up to Cairns in a couple of weeks to do a big corporate women in business gig,” she says.

“I also have the Australian School of Magic running since 2006,” she says.

Through the magic school Cath is able to share her love of magic and teach youngsters, aged from five to teens, some of the tricks of the trade.

“A lot of magicians are getting work now because people are hanging to be connected,” she says.

“There is more to this world than can be explained and when you talk about magic, there’s a collective consciousness and it’s all about everyone connecting and being happy.

“Magic for me is really about entertaining and transporting people back to their childhood, taking them on a roller coaster of emotions.”

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: James Penlidis

Honey Glazed Ham

BY RICHARD CORNISH

We are a land of pork and honey here in Daylesford, with some of the best pig growers and beekeepers in the nation right here on our doorstep. We love the honey from Des O’Toole in the heart of town and John Cable out near Glenlyon and use their honey to make this delicious glaze to go with our magnificent smoked free-range hams.

6.0kg ham

1.5 cups light brown sugar

125ml red gum or box honey

Large sprig rosemary

Large sprig thyme

Whole cloves

Garnish: Additional rosemary and fresh pomegranate

Set the oven rack to the lower part of the oven so the ham will fit in a large roasting pan. Preheat the oven to 170°C / 160°C fan.

Remove ham from wrapping, rinse, cover with foil and bake for 1.5 hours. Make the glaze by placing the sugar, honey, and herbs in a small, heavy-based saucepan and place over medium heat, covered to dissolve the sugar and absorb flavour from the herbs for 10-15 minutes. Stir frequently.

Remove the ham from the oven and allow to cool enough to handle. With a sharp knife, cut the skin on the side of the leg and around the bone joint. Peel away the skin to reveal the fat.

Cut across the fat to create diamond-shaped cross-hatching. This allows the fat to render and take the glaze down into the meat. Place a whole clove on each corner of the diamonds for decoration.

Remove the herbs from the glaze and brush three-quarters of the glaze over the ham. Return the ham to the oven and bake for a further 25 minutes.

Remove, brush, over the remaining glaze and roast for a further 15-20 minutes. Remove and rest for 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Carve and serve with mustard, gravy and even some cranberry jelly. Garnish with extra rosemary and pomegranate seeds.

CHRISTMAS MEATS - ORDER NOW!

We are thrilled to have teamed up with award-winning, German born charcutier and smallgoods maker, Ralf Fink from OAKWOOD SMALLGOODS, to make our special Christmas Hams this year. Our free-range pork has been brined in a special mix of salt, sugar and rich spices then hot smoked over local river red gum for heat and German beechwood for that rich smokiness and extra tang. They are then slowly cooked in a water bath for12 hours to create the most delicious, sweet, juicy and tender ham. We are also stocking all your favourite festive meats including whole turkeys, duck, porchetta, chicken, and smoked salmon.

STRICTLY LIMITED NUMBERS SO ORDERS YOURS TODAY.

Richard Cornish, award winning journo, food writer and author, is writing a series of recipes for his favourite local butcher, The Daylesford Meat Co.

Hepburn House: A country home

PEOPLE driving past Hepburn House over the past months have watched as a large building has taken shape next door.

The finish date is still a while off, August next year, but manager Dianne Jones was happy to chat last week with The Local’s Donna Kelly about “a very exciting project”.

When finished, the two-storey building will boast a magnificent upstairs 31-bed 'LGBTI and friends' wing while downstairs there will be a 15-bed purpose-built memory support unit for those living with dementia.

“Before I arrived here, it had been identified that there was a need for a property to cater for people living with dementia. It is sometimes hard to manage a facility catering for people living with dementia and those who are not. So that was the big driver for this new building,” Dianne said.

“And then when I moved into the town, I realised there was a huge LGBTI community that needed to be catered for as well. So I went and did some research and talked to the elders of the LGBTI community and discovered a lot of the elders were petrified about coming into aged care because of the discrimination they had received most of their lives. You have to remember the laws only changed in Victoria in 1980.

“So, we started out getting the Rainbow Tick which is something that is involved in all of our processes and policies to ensure they are LGBTI inclusive. The last thing we want is for anyone to feel they are not safe coming here, that they are going to be discriminated against.

“And there was a lot of discussion about this LGBTI wing. Is it a form of segregation? But our intention is to never segregate, just ensure that everybody in that wing, whether they are LGBTI or friends, are accepting of people’s choices.”

Dianne said the memory support unit was already “looking amazing”, centred around a huge courtyard with a big open lightwell along with views out the back to the rolling countryside and open areas to ensure clients “felt free” but supported. There’s also a nostalgia kitchen where residents can cook their own meals.

Also in the downstairs area will be Hepburn House’s new gym, theatre and a massive multi-purpose room.

“We really want to engage the community as well, like we have done with the Ageing DisGracefully group. We don’t want people to come into aged care and feel isolated from their community. We want it to be a welcoming space for everyone.”

Back upstairs, the 31-bed LGBTI wing also has those amazing views accompanied by big, private balconies and big communal areas. There’s even a private dining room to dine with friends or family.

The current footprint of Hepburn House and the new building will be connected by a very extended walkway – which includes a staff room on one side and a staff amenities area on the other. So more a building than just a path.

Dianne said all of the rooms in the new building were bigger than the current building, going up from 17 square metres to a roomy 23. And she is just now starting to think about furnishings and décor.

“It is going to look beautiful but I am keeping to a country theme – we are in the country after all. And that is something else people love about Hepburn House – it’s like their country home.”

For a walk through with Dianne just scan the QR code!

Front: 1 Fourteenth Street, Hepburn, $1,095,000

BigginScott Rae Corris on 0408 358 772 Image: Contributed

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

House.Land.Home.Premium is the real estate guide for the Central Highlands. The next edition is out on Monday, February 27, 2023 in time for the ChillOut Festival!

Booking deadline: Tuesday, February 21 Copy deadline: Thursday, February 23 Managing editor

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.

THE property market has finally normalised after a roller coaster ride with not only Covid but also unpredicted interest rate hikes, Real Estate Institute of Victoria president Andrew Meehan, pictured, says.

Mr Meehan said there were areas which were still rising and others which were falling but that was considered "a normal market".

"I think a few people got used to the fact that prices will always continue to rise so when they started to fall people thought that was unusual but where we are at the moment is a normal market - which is great. It offers opportunities for the buyers and opportunities for the sellers and that is the way the market should operate."

Mr Meehan said there had been a bit of a knee jerk reaction with people during Covid quitting their city lives and heading to the country.

"In my agency on the Mornington Peninsula we experienced exactly the same, because although we are deemed to be metropolitan, we operate as more of a regional market, and people were moving down for the lifestyle choices. I think those people who bought regionally and who can still work from home, perhaps just travelling in to work one day or two, then they will stay there. Others who are forced back to work full time from the office will potentially be affected by those moves to the regions.

"I think Covid made everyone reassess what they valued in life and if you can live on a lifestyle property and are not required to go back to work every day and you don't have to commute then I think people are still going to value those lifestyle properties and continue to live in them."

Mr Meehan said he was elected as president in October, as the interest rates started to rise, but said it had been a good couple of months. He also said buyers were now factoring in those rate rises - a surprise after the Reserve Bank had pretty much promised no rises until 2024.

He is also keen to get into the regions to meet REIV members. "I enjoy talking to members and the plan in the new year is to get out to Ballarat and hold a few 'get to know you' events, something very casual but talk to our membership and see what we can do better for the benefit of our members."

HEPBURN 1 FOURTEENTH STREET

DIVERSION - SECLUDED LUXURY ACCOMMODATION

CLOSE TO HEPBURN SPRINGS & DAYLESFORD

This spectacular architecturally designed residence is part of the highly successful Kudos Villas accommodation collection, offering open-plan luxury living and absolute privacy with uninterrupted views over the adjoining Spring Creek bushland gully. Sited on a large allotment (approx 1490 sq.m) at the end of a quiet street, the property is conveniently close to the stores, entertainment venues and spa retreats of Hepburn Springs. Totally unique in design and the most secluded of its properties, Kudos Villas proudly presents Diversion for private sale including all furnishings.

Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

DAYLESFORD

42 MILLAR STREET

CLEMENTINE – HIDDEN TREASURE IN PRIME CENTRAL LOCATION

With a premier location in central Daylesford just 2 blocks to both Lake Daylesford and the Vincent Street shopping precinct, this superbly renovated Federation home features a large extension where the character-filled original home merges with stylish modern architecture to provide overall accommodation of 6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, large kitchen plus kitchenette and versatile living spaces. The original front section of the home is presently offered as one bedroom short-stay accommodation while the rear of the house is a masterpiece of spacious light-filled open-plan, split level design. 6

Rae Corris 0408 358 772

43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

LYONVILLE 36 MAIN STREET

FROM

TRENTHAM AND DAYLESFORD

$820,000 CONTACT Rae

Corris 0408

KANGAROO DRIVE BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY HOME ON 10

tranquil bushland retreat just

DAYLESFORD 43 HUGGETTS LANE AN ORIGINAL DAYLESFORD MINERS

2 a 1 b 3716

SALE

FOR

1 b 1900 OFFICE

EGANSTOWN 60 CEMETERY ROAD

11.7 ACRES BEAUTIFUL BUSHLAND WITH PERMIT, 5 MINUTES FROM DAYLESFORD

This beautiful undulating 11.7-acre native bushland allotment with a current planning permit is a peaceful haven for resident wildlife. The permit approval is for an architecturally designed contemporary 4 bedroom/2 bathroom home sited high on the property – perfect as your new country home or private weekender surrounded by tall eucalypts, wattles and wildflowers.

large

11.7

SALE

$580,000 CONTACT Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

HEPBURN 239 MAIN ROAD VERA'S – HEPBURN’S UNIQUE ARTIST’S COTTAGE

2 4 a 2 b 2 c 977 e FOR SALE PRICE $890,000-$930,000 CONTACT Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

a DAYLESFORD 1/26 EAST STREET STYLISH TOWNHOUSE IN CENTRAL LOCATION • 2 Bedrooms • Split system heating/cooling & ducted heating • Fully fenced backyard with garden shed • Outdoor paved area • All town services • Block approx. 192m²

b 1 c

FOR SALE PRICE $715,000 CONTACT Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348

2 2 a 1 b 195 e FOR SALE PRICE $598,000 CONTACT Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 Curtis O'Neil 0423 904 050 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

Bullarto

Lyonville Daylesford Glenlyon

Kingston Daylesford Spring Hill Eganstown

REAL ESTATE

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Summer is here!

Summer has arrived and with it a plethora of wonderful new properties for sale. McQueen Real Estate is very proud to showcase many of the region’s most beautiful properties from a spectacular mid-century hide-away in Bullarto, a garden oasis in Eganstown to amazing rural acreage to build on. Whilst 2022 has certainly been a more challenging year in property –our team remains committed to ensuring the best possible outcome for our clients. Whether you are selling or buying – McQueen Real Estate is here for you.

Kim McQueen

in week 1

TrenthamrecordTownship price

'THE FRENCH HOUSE' - LUXURY COUNTRY RETREAT IN TRENTHAM

This very special listing may answer your spa country dreams. Alternatively, live the best of both worlds, securing this as a fabulous weekender for recreation and relaxation. Sausalito, this property's name, means 'place of abundance' in Spanish. Attracting a steady flow of bookings on the holiday market, this residence currently delivers an investment gross yield of over 7% @ approx. $55,000pa+

Geelong Businessman, Mark Ward has ownership of the Mill Markets group and brings years of expertise to this amazing concept. The Mill Markets operate three massive venues located in Ballarat, Daylesford and Geelong. With a total of over 12,000 square metres of undercover oor space, (3 acres), treasure hunters have the opportunity to spend many hours browsing and meandering through the eclectic mix of products. There is a fantastic variety of home decor, furniture, records, vintage and new clothing, books, ne china, glassware, industrial items, jewellery, antiques as well as Australian pottery, homewares, memorabilia, retro fashions and collectables. We also have many stalls selling new products and have gift vouchers for those people who have everything!

All goods are from the 1850’s right through to present day. Mill Markets lease space to hundreds of dealers, which allows small business operators and collectors who otherwise could not a ord the overheads of their own shops, to showcase their goods. This equates to a wide and diverse range of products, available and open to the public, seven days a week. Enjoy a wonderful trip down memory lane through hundreds and thousands of items available for purchase at all three locations. With over 500 stall holders over three venues, there is always something for everyone. Travel The Amazing Mill Markets ‘Golden Triangle’ and enjoy quality food and co ee at each. All venues open 7 days 10.00am-6.00pm (excluding Christmas Day).

CresFest 2023 pass

A weekend pass to CresFest 2023 could be just the ticket for anyone wondering about Christmas gifts, spokesperson Fiona Watson says.

The second artist announcement for CresFest 2023 includes female musicians Natalie and Brittany Haas from America and Monique Clare, pictured, Lucy Wise and The Maggie Carty Band.

Male artists include Fred Smith, Archer, Greg Champion, Headphones Jones and the Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers who will be joining Kutcha Edwards, While and Matthews, Ami Williamson, The Weeping Willows, Bush Gothic, Charm of Finches and Kavisha Mazzella and Austral.

Creswick, the home of CresFest 2023, will come alive from March 31 to April 2 next year. Earlybird tickets are now available.

"CresFest is also putting a call out to community members interested to volunteer or to host a performer during the festival," Fiona said.

Link: www.cresfest.com.au

Gig Guide

Odessa at Leavers, Creswick

Nigel Wearne - Saturday, December 10

Georgia Fields - Saturday, December 17

Palais-Hepburn, Hepburn

Vida Jazz - Friday, December 9

Tarab Ensemble - Saturday, December 10

with Darren Lowe

Churchy things

Catholic Church Christmas Masses

Christmas Eve - 8.30am St Peter’s, Daylesford Christmas Day - 9am St Augustine’s, Creswick

Anglican Parish of Springmount

The following services will be held to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ:

Saturday, December 24, Christmas Eve ServicesSt Matthew’s, Newlyn 5.30pm

Holy Eucharist St Paul’s, Clunes 5.30pm Holy Eucharist St John’s Creswick 7.30pm

Sunday, December 25 – Christmas DayAll Saints’ Learmonth 9.30am Holy Eucharist Holy Eucharist St John’s Church, Creswick All Saints’ Church, Learmonth St Matthew’s Church, Newlyn St Paul’s Church, Clunes

Anglican Parish of Trentham

St George's, TrenthamLessons and Carols - December 18, 7pm Christmas Day Service - 9am

Our Favourite Things - Friday, December 16

Elvis by Anthony Petrucci The Christmas Special - Saturday, December 17, above

Want to wish people a Merry Christmas or Happy New Year? Do it here...

Council news

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Council officers have completed an assessment of all Shire roads and determined that 459 roads (74% of the Shire’s 1400 kilometres of roads) were damaged during the storms in October. We have contractors working as quickly as possible to repair the roads across the Shire. We appreciate your patience and remind everyone to please drive to conditions.

Summer has officially begun! Well, at least we hope and plan that it has! Some key points to keep in mind for the fire danger preparation and aquatics season:

• We know that our landscape across much of the Shire is still saturated. However, the fire season will approach quickly and we want you to be prepared. Reducing vegetation around your home is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home safe during a bushfire. We have preparation advice, including a list of local slashing contractors if you require help at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/fire. The Country Fire Authority also has extensive information about preparing for the fire danger period at www.cfa.gov.au

• Our aquatics season is underway and entry is again free to our public pools and aquatic facilities across the Shire. The pools are well used on the warmer days throughout summer. We are still recruiting for staff to join the Aquatics Team. Employing more staff will enable us to expand opening hours. If you are interested or would like to know more please visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/jobs. We will have daily operating hour updates on our Facebook page every afternoon.

Walk Against Violence – Thanks to all across the Shire who participated in this initiative of Council. The walk is part of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence, a problem that disturbingly continues to fester in the Victorian community. It runs until 10 December, which is International Human Rights Day. It’s been wonderful to see so many events underway, and what a delight it has been to head along and participate. In the last week we have had the very successful Trentham Twilight Night, the Daylesford Show, Daylesford Highland Gathering, Carols in Trentham and Glenlyon Antique Fair. We have Sue’s Twilight Christmas markets, Christmas in Clunes and the Kingston Show in the coming weeks. You are encouraged to attend events in your area, support local traders and have fun.

Cr Brian Hood

MAYOR COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS

COOL OFF AT A POOL

Council operates a dedicated toddler pool, three outdoor public pools and a splash park throughout summer. This year the aquatics season kicked off on Saturday 3 December and entry is free.

The pools are closed on cooler days, along with Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Hours of operation are listed on our websitewww.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Swimming-pools

Follow us on Facebook for daily updates. The aquatics season runs until the end of the long weekend in March.

PREPARING FOR SUMMER

TIPS FOR SUMMER

• Keep grass around buildings under 10cm high.

• Remove leaf litter and flammable items away from buildings.

• Download the VicEmergency app and set up watch zones.

• Prepare for power outages .

• Create an emergency kit. For more information visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au. For a list of local slashing contractors or further details visit www.hepburn.vic.gov. au/fire. You can also contact our Fire Prevention Officer on (03) 5321 6433 for support and advice.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON GRANTS

We are currently reviewing our grants program to ensure its effectiveness and value to the community. Community members and groups are encouraged to complete a short surveyhttps://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/grants

The survey closes on Tuesday 13 December.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

We know that it is getting harder for people to find a permanent affordable home in our Shire that meets their needs. We are looking for your ideas about how we can address this challenge locally. Read an issues and options paper, and provide feedback via a survey at Participate Hepburn or register your interest to attend a forum in February 2023 - Your ideas will help to inform our Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan. Visit https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/affordable-housing

COUNCIL SERVICES OVER CHRISTMAS

Council offices, depots, hubs and libraries will close at 1.00pm on Friday 23 December and reopen on Tuesday 3 January. Transfer Stations are closed on Christmas Day.

Staff involved in emergency management will carry out their roles and responsibilities in accordance with emergency management procedures. Kerbside bin collection won’t be impacted over the festive period, so please put out your bins as usual.

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.

Your say... Just briefly...

Election lessons

The latest Victorian election results, particularly the results in the seats of Ripon, Eureka, Wendouree and Melton have some very particular lessons for the Liberal/National Party Coalition.

These seats were made the focus of a protracted campaign around the construction of the WVTNP. The LNP seeded a campaign fronted by local protagonists opposed to this project.

Let me be clear that the campaign was based on absolute lies. Claims as ridiculous as the towers would be 165m high to farming would cease through the proposed corridor, and sought to blame this federal project on the Victorian Labor government.

This project is absolutely necessary for the achievement of Victoria’s emissions reduction targets, and as such the opposition to it was a political campaign designed to capitalise on the sentiments of climate change deniers.

This campaign has been roundly repudiated by the voters in the four seats most affected by this campaign.

Louise Staley, a major player in this campaign, lost her seat of Ripon to Labor on a 2.39 per cent swing, Wendouree and Melton were retained by Labor with swings of 3.37 per cent and 0.92 per cent respectively to Labor and Eureka was retained by Labor with a 5.23 per cent swing against it, in part due to issues in Bacchus Marsh around contaminated soil disposal.

The lesson in this for the LNP is stop the bullshit and stop playing politics with the environment.

- Ross Redwin, Creswick

Transparency needed

There is a lot of discussion about rising interest rates and mortgage stress. However there is no discussion about banks charging interest on loans they create out of nothing

For transparency, all bank loan agreements should have an origin of funds declaration clause stating that "the sum of the loan was created out of nothing under a capital adequacy ratio of ten to one", for example,

People need to wake up to the lopsided terms of bank loans and not get caught up in the make, break and take debt trap.

It is no surprise that there are record debt levels and record bank profits built upon banks' credit creation out of nothing and the manipulation of interest rates.

The licenses of the major banks should have been revoked years ago due to breaches of fiduciary delegation. Former Australian Democrats senator Paul McLean highlighted banking corruption and malpractice during his time in the senate.

Also the 2018 Banking Services Royal Commission heard from people who had become victims of banks' predatory practices.

Rather than have a bankers dictatorship that has closed hundreds of bank branches in recent years there is a need for a people's bank to restore some balance.

This can be achieved by having a people's bank operating out of post offices Australia-wide.

A post office people's bank needs to be supported by thinking people and politicians.

- Bernie Bourke, Balliang

Letters or musings are always welcome. Keep them shortish and to the point. Or long and interesting. Any addressed Dear Sir will immediately be deleted. You know why...:)

Councils and community organisations are being asked to take part in the federal government's Disaster Ready Fund consultation process.

Up to $1 billion over five years will be made available under the DRF, with states and territories able to apply for the first $200 million to fund projects that help reduce disaster risk and build resilience to be delivered from July 1, 2023. Ballarat MP Catherine King said recent flooding events across the Ballarat electorate highlighted the need for investment in reducing the physical, economic and social impacts of disasters.

Outdoor pools in Hepburn Shire are open - with free entry on offer - but hours are limited with a sector-wide shortage of aquatics staff.

Pool opening hours are weekends, weekdays during school holidays - 2pm-6pm and weekdays during school term - 3pm-7pm. The Trentham and Daylesford pools open on days predicted to be 21+ degrees based on the Bureau of Meteorology predictions for Ballarat and the Clunes Pool opens on days predicted to be 21+ degrees based on predictions for Bendigo.

The recent flooding combined with warmer weather conditions means bluegreen algae is thriving in farm water supplies and standing flood water.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dianne Phillips said livestock owners needed to remain alert – ingestion of blue-green algae can result in the poisoning of livestock. Contaminated water should also not be used to irrigate vegetables and fruit or come in contact with plants being grown for food, particularly fruit and vegetables that are mostly eaten raw. Dogs are also prone to poisoning as they can swim in farm water supplies and should be kept away from suspect water sources.

Hepburn Shire Council is conducting a review of its grants program to ensure its effectiveness and value to the community.

The council awards a significant number of grants throughout the year including community grants, and grants for artisan agriculture, biodiversity, events and climate change projects. A survey for community feedback closes on December 13. Head to www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/grants

Central Highlands Water celebrated its 100th Choose Tap drinking fountain with a new installation at Gong Gong Reservoir Park.

Since the first installation in 2015, in partnership with local shires and councils, schools and many community organisations, CHW has continued to encourage reducing single-use plastic waste to protect the environment for future generations.

Glenlyon Progress Association is hosting a hall party, "Goodbye 2022". on Thursday, December 29, from 5pm to 8pm.

There'll be live music from The Cartwheels and Glenlyon Ukulele Team, Curbside Carnies with circus and magic and food. Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 16 or concession card holders. BYO drinks. Bookings essential and available through Trybooking.

Community Bank Daylesford District has established two scholarships for students from the local area.

One scholarship will support a student undertaking bachelor degree study and the other scholarship will support a student undertaking TAFE study. Each scholarship offers up to $5000 per year for up to two years and can be used to cover expenses related to studying. Applications open on December 1 and close on January 27.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has waived a burn-off permit requirement this month for property owners of small blocks, to streamline clean-ups ahead of the fire season.

Property owners of land less than 4000 square metres will not have to obtain the usual permit from the council to burn off throughout December. Anyone burning off, regardless of property size, must register their burn with VicFire on 1800 668 511.

The Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival has been crowned the state’s best of its kind at the 2022 Victorian Tourism Awards in the Festivals & Events category.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council also took out bronze in the Local Government Award for Tourism category, which recognises excellence in tourism planning, facilities and contribution to the Victorian tourism industry.

THANK YOU!!!

Without volunteers, sponsors and supporters there would be no Daylesford Show.

Thank-you VOLUNTEERS

We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our community volunteers who work hard to make this show happen, especially the committee of the Daylesford and District Agricultural Society Inc.

Thank-you for your SPONSORSHIP & SUPPORT

Thanks also to local businesses who have put up posters and taken flyers for the show. And we are very appreciative of the financial and in-kind support offered by: Agriculture Victoria, Belle Property, Bendigo Bank - Community Bank Daylesford District, hygge property, Love My SaladRijk Zwaan, Hepburn Shire Council, Catherine King MP, Coles Daylesford, Daylesford Community Op Shop, Daylesford and District Horticultural Society, Daylesford Hotel, MapSport, The Local,

Daylesford Veterinary Practice, Mary-Anne Thomas MP, Sailors Falls Estate, Sandy Farm Wines, Sarah K Design, That Bargain Place, VAS Victorian Agricultural Shows Inc., Robbie Nathan-Kendall and Donald Mack

Thank-you LOCAL ORGANISATIONS

And thanks to local organisations including: local schools that mounted displays of pupils' work in the Tom Ford Pavilion, Hepburn Regional Community Cheer, Daylesford Football and Netball Club, Daylesford Table Tennis Association, Daylesford Art Collective, Daylesford Community Child Care Centre, Daylesford and District Horticultural Society, Hepburn Gardens for Wildlife, The Daylesford Branch - CWA and Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens

Berends Landscape Rakes

One of the only Australian made landscape rakes on the market, this machine is ideal for raking light material, harrowing pastures and for final soil surface preparation - whether it be on the driveway, the garden or even the horse arena.

Before you go away

If you have thoughts of taking advantage of this, our first post-Covid summer break and are not certain who could take care of your garden while you are away, here are a few precautions to take before you leave to keep it in good shape for your return.

For the shrub and seedling beds, a good thick layer of mulch is the answer. There are a good many materials that can be used successfully for this purpose - washed and dried seaweed, tan bark, almond shells, straw, pebbles, even coarse sand. Anything porous that will allow moisture in and keep the roots cool and moist will do.

Lawn clippings make excellent mulch, that is after they have been let stand but regularly turned over to dry, as they can become clogged and greasy during the rotting-down process.

A word to the wise, don’t use clippings from a couch-blend lawn as couch will shoot, grow and take over your garden beds.

Flood your garden and shrub beds for several days before you leave, for this, with the help of the mulch, should keep them moist for at least two or three weeks.

Your lawns, if any, will need to be soaked in the same manner to ensure their survival until you come back.

Fern house and porch plants will dry out quickly and should be well watered before you leave.

If possible, stand the pots or hanging baskets in a trough or sink and fill them with water to within several centimetres of the top of the pots. Leave them in the water to soak up all the water they can safely hold.

Keep the hose running on tubbed plants until the water runs out of the bottom hole and once the water has completely soaked in, repeat the performance several times until you are satisfied the water has reached all of the roots in the pot.

Indoor plants will keep longer if they are well watered and stood in a trough with about 2cm of water in the bottom.

A rose by any other name - cistus, the true Gallipoli Rose

Although most of us have at least heard of the beautiful red rose that was designated Gallipoli Centenary Rose on Anzac Day 2015, few would know that our Diggers fought amidst another, less glamorous, little white “rose” - cistus salviifolius, which flourished and bloomed prolifically atop the cliffs.

Cistus salviifolius or sage rock-rose is but one of many variations, natural and/ or hybrid, to be found in the dry and temperate regions extending from Turkey right through to Central Europe.

Growing mostly to around 1 to 2 metres high, or prostrate as ground covers, they thrive in our dry, sun-filled climate and make their presence felt with their profusion of multicoloured flowers.

I have four of my favourites growing throughout my garden. These include the white Gallipoli rose. It isn’t hard to see why they were likened to the old English bramble roses.

The main image, above left, is of cistus ladanifera - 1.5-2 metres and also known as the gum cistus due to its long narrow ‘clammy’ leaves. It is widely thought to be the original source of the historic fragrant resin labdanum.

The image on the top right is pink rock-rose, C. creticus which growns to 1-1.5m with soft velvety foliage and large deep pink flowers.

The image centre right is one of the C. skanbergii hybrid group. It has a soft semiweeping habit and is great for draping over steps or low garden walls with bountiful flowers.

The final image bottom right, is the hero of this story - C.salviifolius. It grows 6090cm tall with smallish (3cm) white flowers, borne singly or in threes with five sepals on the buds and small woolly, sage-like foliage.

glenzgarden@gmail.com

Kyle’s Rant

WE HAVE an amazing collection of towns and villages here in the Central Highlands of Victoria, each having their own unique history and vibe. I recently found myself at Malmsbury.

Driving up the road you can see the small squads of geese out for a walk and wandering through the botanic garden and lake, and are met by the gentle honk and squawk of these gorgeous creatures.

It takes me back to a time before the biodiversity officer for Hepburn Shire Council (HSC) took away the geese from Lake Daylesford. They, for me, gave the lake a real character, a kind of a Darling Buds of May feel.

The day they took the geese was brutal and when I goose-stepped from mild-mannered reporter to goose protector along with a small bunch of people trying in vain to save our exotic lake birds.

HSC told the community it was for the best and not to worry, soon the skies would be thick with native black swans coming to the lake. I have since seen just two black swans, clearly a fleeting visit, and a mere pit stop for them on their way to preferred shallow waters.

Aside from missing the geese, I think the issue is that we are meant to live in a democracy, but it seems the decision makers at HSC seem to make the big calls, leaving most of the community unconsulted.

The joke that just keeps giving, The Rex, is a case in point. The idea to house council staff in better facilities, take them away from our 100-year-old plus, damp, old buildings into something environmentally sound was a solid concept. But because of what only can be described as a botched, miscalculated and bungled idea, HSC staff are still stuck in outdated retrofitted buildings for a long time to come.

For those of us that have been around longer, you may remember “Woodgate” - a storm in a teacup over some HSC workers and their side hustle with woodchip mulch. And then there was “Bullygate”, when a councillor was accused of bullying the HSC CEO at the time. I was working for HSC then and it involved a lot of hours attending lessons on how not to bully people, yawn. And even "Tindergate". When did the council decide to hook up with Tinder?

I am not writing this piece to kick the HSC in the guts, I am simply pointing out that we, the ratepayers, have had our fair share of stuff-ups and money wasting. And I think many are now nervous as a gold mine comes closer with an exploration licence already granted. Advertised "locally" in The Courier and The Hun.

HSC needs to step up in terms of community consultation and representation, and leave nothing in the tank if it comes down to negotiating.

A giant conglomerate wants to mine under Daylesford and if this comes off, which is likely, it will require the highest diligence of negotiation in terms of potential air, noise and environmental pollution on behalf of the community that HSC represents. Underground rant over…

Local Lines

What is that out there in the night this side of that far field’s fence where searchlight-lightning strikes like a tossing military helicopter over and down the backdrop mountain stressing tall grasses whip whip whip to strobe damp-yellow to dance demented unable to flee their roots?

A chain of many follow at single-minded pace without detectable rush or debate as if Gladys Aylward leads a hundred orphaned children through cutting chill over land into hills covertly escaping the roaring enemy ploughing trees down like a madman’s army pounding earth rising water mid-air out of a paddle pond tearing snatches of moon to shreds out there in the night out there on this war-wild night.

Machine-gun wind rattles this roof as a lightning fist assaults the earth sets fire to gumtrees daylights the sky trembles this glass out of its frame. There they are! There they are! A line of black-maned wood ducks! Oh! How instinctively clever not to fly not to fly out there in the night out there on this ravenous night!

-

Jan Price

Jan lives in Ballarat and her poetry and cover-artwork continues to be published in Australia and the US. 'Escape' won first place in the Port Writers Open Literary Competition in Port Macquarie this year.

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

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

THERE'S been a lot of Black Friday sales going on, online. And that's OK, but with Christmas fast approaching spare a thought for your local businesses.

I’m young too

I’m partial to a pat

a good chin scratch, but I can be a bit bashful around people I don’t know well yet.

Here at the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare (MAAW) shelter in Castlemaine, where I’m currently lodging, they say I deserve a home with someone of quality who will give me some good care and conversation,and allow me a little time to settle in.

If you would like to meet me then please contact the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine to make a time on 5472 5277.

Link: www.maaw.org.au

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. And please remember a pet is not for Covid or Christmas!)

It's been tough, believe me we know, over the past few years, and you can bet there has been plenty of blood, sweat and tears involved. So this column is a real shout out to Shop Local! if you can. And especially Shop Local! with the wonderful advertisers who have kept your very local paper going over this time.

People sometimes ask us how we stay afloat - advertising dollars. In this edition alone, without our advertisers, you would not be reading about a potential gold mine, a real one, the Dogs of Trentham fund-raising calendar, ceramicists in Clunes, magicians in Daylesford, Christmassy things, churchy things, Glen's wonderful garden tips, gig guides, recipes, Local Lines, horoscopes, letters to the ed, Just briefly, Pick Me, or, God forbid, Kyle's Rant.

They are all here because someone chose to advertise locally. To locals. To you. So please, if you would like to say thanks to The Local for another year of news, views, features and photos, Shop Local! with at least one of our advertisers. Or more.

Now I am not keen on lists but I am going to give you just a few ideas of where to head to spend your hard-earned cash. And I reckon I am going to run out of room so it might be one of those two-part columns. Stay tuned for the next edition sort of thing. (And keep in mind these are just the advertisers in this one edition.)

So, in no particular order, first up is The Amazing Mill Markets. If you can't find something to buy there, you just aren't looking hard enough. And owner Mark continued advertising even through lockdowns because he loves local papers. Nice. Next, Daylesford Trading Co for fun, quirky and affordable. Energy prices causing you grief, call the Tin Can Collective. Cellarbrations is a no-brainer at this time of the year - say hi to Matt and the team. And what better for a night off cooking, yep, takeaway from Pizzeria La Luna. Love the Full Moon. Also on the food track, Daylesford Bowling Club for its food, drinks at genuine 1970's prices and the best view in town. Or if you do want to cook, Daylesford Meat Co is more than your average butcher with plenty of ideas for quick, easy or more challenging meals. And back to not cooking, why not make a Christmas/New Year booking at the Daylesford Steakhouse? Great food and ambience.

Who else? Oh, Herbal Lore Liqueurs offers beautiful beverages which also make stunning gifts. And who can forget Roger and Sue handing out endless free sanitiser when it couldn't be found for love nor money. God I love this community.

Music. What could be a better gift than a few tickets to CresFest in Creswick - a way off but it will be here before you know it. An earlier event is the Glenlyon Community BBQ/Picnic which has been an annual event since the 1970s. Glenlyon is such a cool little village with very nice people, if I do say so myself.

House stuff. I may fit everyone in here after all. Sanae Services for septic things, Skip Hire for a cleanup, Palmer, Stevens & Rennick if you need a lawyer son (quirky music reference), Onsite Flyscreens for screens and more, Carpet Flooring for all things flooring, not just carpet, and for the farmers out there, Macedon Ranges Ag Machinery. And if you need to fuel up, Trentham Petrol.

Whew, nearly there. Money burning a hole in your pocket and you want to donate to a good cause? Central Highlands Rural Health and Cafs are your go-to and your money stays local.

Hmmm. Now the hard ones. Not really sure how you spend your money on these at a particular time. Verey Funeral Directors. I really hope you don't need them any time soon but Andrew and Alicia are lovely, kind people. That's enough to know.

Daylesford Agricultural Show is another hard one. Maybe just plan to head there next year because if you didn't go, you just missed their first one in three years. A really hard-working committee and a big call out to president Don Harvey and his president, wife Mary. Well done.

Hepburn Shire Council? I guess you could pay your rates on time? Or tell them the Daylesford roundabouts have been looking amazing. I did that. Credit where it's due and all that. MPs Mary-Anne Thomas and Catherine King. Maybe you voted for them both so that is enough. But maybe you are more conservative, a Liberal voter or Nationals. Maybe Greens. Hard one. Christmas card saying thanks for supporting the paper? Daylesford Trading Co has Christmas cards. Two birds with one stone.

And lastly, I can't believe I made it and I did have to move Max from here to page 25, Hepburn House. A really wonderful aged care facility in our community. I know, buy one of their Ageing DisGracefully calendars. Just $20, lots of fun, and will help kit out their bus. Done. But wait, there's more, make sure you put the trade pages on the fridge - you are going to need them one day.

Really done. Go Shop Local! And tell them Donna sent you. Just sayin'...

W RD CROSS

Here is the solution to crossword for edition 267.

Each edition, all the words appear in that edition somewhere. How did you go?

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