Front page: The ChillOut Grand Parade is becoming a bit of a circus but the Sunday, March 9 event in Vincent Street, Daylesford is shaping up to be a real crowd pleaser. Read about the latest entrant - Elle the Elephant (pictured with Daylesford's Amazing Mill Market owner Mark Ward) - on page 7.
Image: Kyle Barnes
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The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, February 24, 2025. or online on Sunday, February 23 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Wednesday, February 19
Copy deadline: Thursday, February 20
Editorial deadline: Thursday, February 20
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), Jeff Glorfeld (life) & Bill Wootton (poetry)
Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
ChillOut president Matt & all things rainbow
ChillOut president Matt Clarke was born and raised in regional Victoria in the small town of Wycheproof. The youngest of six kids, life was all about "heavy" farming, agriculture and local sport.
"And then you finish school and move away and come up with whatever you're going to do for the rest of your life," he said.
"I was a bit lost when I left school, I didn't really know what I was going to do. I could have been a lot of things. I wanted to be a vet, I wanted to be a paramedic. I wanted to be a heap of things. But I had a really underlying passion for horses and the equines."
Not into doing things by halves, Matt headed to a big harness racing stable in Great Western, Victoria and spent the next 15 years there, on and off, training horses and competing all over Australia and New Zealand.
It was a hard life, but one he loved, with the only downside the region and industry not offering the chance to open up as "a proud gay person, or lesbian or trans".
"That just wasn't something that would happen. I mean, I was never scared to come out and I had to my family, it was just the environment you were in. It was a challenging space. But, you know, if people believed or had an idea that I may have been gay, that's fine, and if someone was to ever ask me, I would have talked about it. But in such a small community people just had their own views and mindsets, and that is just how it was."
After a while Matt, doing that full-on thing again, moved to Ballarat for "the love of my life - but that didn't work out".
He puts the end of the relationship down to a few things including having his mum pass away from a quick and sad death from melanoma. "That was really challenging. I was extremely close to my mum. So I guess that played on a lot of the emotions and the challenges of a relationship."
Matt said he remained in Ballarat but was lonely and without a tribe.
"I'd been to ChillOut a number of times, viewed the parade, been to Carnival Day and just immersed myself in that from a distance. And then there was a call-out for a meet and greet for potential committee members.
"It was a workshop day where you were asked to talk about yourself, like is there something that is going to let us know a little bit about yourself. I got up and I explained to the group about two tattoos that I had put there after my mum had died. One thing she always said to me was that she didn't want me to have a challenging and difficult life as a gay person and before she died she told me to be strong and she told me to be happy.
"The first tattoo on my left arm is a symbol of strength. And then the second tattoo on my right arm is a symbol of happiness. I look at them every day and they remind me of those powerful words. I shared that story to a group of strangers and just burst into tears."
Matt learned more about ChillOut and its history and "a little bit of a fire was lit". Next thing he was on the committee and then the president.
"It's been great. A really satisfying journey on a personal level of growth and development and connection. It's also seeing the festival continue to evolve, also in terms of engagement from community stakeholders and sponsors. We're up to our 28th consecutive festival and rolling into our 30th anniversary, which is really exciting."
Matt joined the committee in the first year of Covid. A challenging space, he says. "We all had to learn about Skype and Teams and FaceTime calls and how do we communicate. And then the ever-evolving process of, are we allowed to be together? What do the spaces look like?
"The festival did go ahead in a live space, down at the amphitheatre at Hepburn Springs with big circles drawn on the grass and people having to sit within their circle. They essentially had to be self-contained.
"And the flagship event of the weekend, the parade, took a whole new turn. It was done virtually and we asked our supporters to record a clip of themselves in full gear or costume and we blended them into a streamed parade. And we took that as a tick, it was a festival."
Matt said this year's ChillOut would offer many of the loved activities like the Bush Dance, the Grand Parade, Carnival Day, the Youth Muster and the Friday night opening which will be held in the Big Top at Victoria Park instead of the currently under renovation Town Hall.
The theme for the weekend is Circus, which gives people plenty of scope for fun outfits which relive the fun times of country carnivals and circuses.
Matt said his many skills from the equine industry and also in sales and management had given him a great skillset for ChillOut and he was loving the role.
"One of the things that we love is seeing all of the businesses get involved in the festival. I mean, there are many queer-owned businesses in Daylesford and those that aren't are just as welcoming to a queer community in regional Victoria.
"When the committee members go down and line the streets with our bunting, many of the businesses ask if they can get more - because they love the festival."
House.Land.Home.
February 24
Out in time for the Labour Day long weekend. If you are selling houses, land or homes, and are not in this publication, ask your agent "why not?"
Who's the elephant in the room? Parade!
The ChillOut Grand Parade is becoming a bit of a circus but the Sunday, March 9 event in Vincent Street, Daylesford is shaping up to be a real crowd pleaser.
The Amazing Mill Market director, and avid collector of weird and wacky stuff,rMark Ward is bringing in a new member of his family, and introducing her to the crowds on the day.
Tipping the scales at 300 kilograms, but no fat shaming please, Elle is a fully motorised elephant.
She was built in Disneyland for Myer Adelaide to attract more children to the store. But plans do sometimes go awry.
Rather than attract more customers, Elle was so life-like she actually scared the kids away. And was quietly retired from her department store position.
Luckily, Mark saw her merits, paid thousands for his new pet, and proudly drove her from Adelaide to Geelong in the back of his ute - gaining attention from numerous newspapers and even a police escort for part of the way.
"Elle looks so alive, she blinks her eyes, moves her tail and flaps her ears. That was the best drive I have ever done."
Elle will be ridden down Vincent Street, decked out in circus gear, in keeping with ChillOut's Big Top theme, and hopefully will not scare any children.
Meanwhile, over at The Local, plans are underway for a clown car - complete with journalists and photographers.
Editor Donna Kelly said TL HQ was generally "a bit of a three-ringed circus so it’s not too much of a stretch to put together the clown car float”.
The Local is a media partner with ChillOut - a partnership which started in 2014. See you over the weekend!
Words: Kyle Barnes
Queens Park fountain in need of repair
With structural cracks clearly visible and many of its exquisite little features broken and decayed, the historic fountain in Clunes' Queens Park is clearly in need of some significant care.
Responding to questions from The Local, the Hepburn Shire Council has confirmed that it intends to explore future funding opportunities “to achieve renewal works to the historic feature”.
Much to the concern of locals and visitors who appreciate and value unique heritage assets, the little 1880s fountain is visibly falling victim to time and weather.
Hepburn Shire Acting CEO Bruce Lucas says: “The Queens Park fountain is a much-loved historic feature in the township of Clunes. Our Parks and Open Spaces team monitor the fountain and carry out water quality maintenance as required.
“The Queens Park Masterplan identifies and addresses gaps in infrastructure requirements; improved accessibility and safety; and increase participation, visitation and reserve connection opportunities for the local community.
“One of the actions contained in the Masterplan is to ‘refurbish the existing Queens Park Fountain and check for any damages, leaks or blockages, (and to) provide feature paving around the fountain which is consistent with the post-contact heritage aesthetic’.
“Delivering this action from the Masterplan is currently unfunded and would need to be considered with other council priorities and attracting relevant external funding. Council will continue to explore future funding opportunities to achieve the renewal works to the Queens Park Fountain.”
Featuring a recurrent floral motif, the fountain was built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887. Words & images: Eve Lamb
Never too late to say 'I do'
After 30 years together, Kevin Quick and Ivy Owen have said "I do", marrying in Creswick on February 5. The pair met in 1994 and spent the next 14 years together travelling around Australia.
However Ivy thought she was still married to her first husband and would need a divorce to marry Kevin. After years of not knowing, in 2024, she found out her first husband had died in 1986. She was free to remarry and the idea became a reality.
The wedding was held at Creswick Health’s nursing home on Wednesday, February 5 - with Ivy, aged 91 to Kevin's 83 years, joking she was a cradle snatcher.
The event was planned by staff at Creswick Health who went to town ensuring the aged care facility was transformed into a wonderful wedding venue.
The ceremony was attended by many of the residents in the nursing home, as well as family, friends and staff from Creswick Health and was presided over by Ballarat civil celebrant Tania Gunn.
Tania, who also works full-time in aged and community care for Grampians Health, said it was a beautiful event.
“It brought tears to my eyes because there was so much love for Ivy and Kevinand event organiser Cindy Stone and her team went above and beyond.
“They even had a lovely honeymoon suite for them to have a nap and Kevin stayed on for the evening meal. It was all just delightful.
“They are the most senior couple I have married and are just as in love as the younger couples I’ve married.”
Tania said Ivy's dress was beautiful. "It belonged to the grandmother of Cindy, and it looked gorgeous on Ivy. It was a dress with jacket and she had a beautiful necklace of pearls to complement that along with a lovely bouquet.
“It was a very emotional day and there were lots of tears from everybody there.”
Kevin, who lives independently in Clunes, proudly uploaded photos to the community's Facebook page within an hour of the nuptials.
Keep up-to-date by following DaylesfordChrist Church Concerts on Facebook and christ_church_ concerts on Instagram
Saturday 8 March
THE MAD LOVER
Kate Macfarlane, soprano
Hannah Lane, baroque harp
With the intimate pairing of voice and harp, The Mad Lover combines baroque emotion with timeless folk melodies. Featuring the evocative music of Henry Purcell , John Eccles , Benjamin Britten and Kate Moore. Two of Australia's leading baroque specialists bring these captivating works to life.
Saturday 10 May
O SWEET WOODS
Dowland songs of Beauty and Creation
Rosemary Hodgson, lute
Kate Macfarlane, soprano
Christopher Roache, alto and tenor
Timothy Reynolds, tenor
Matthew Champion, bass
Inspired by Sir Philip Sidney’s epic poem Arcadia, comes this ravishing new program by Australia’s premier lutenist, Rosemary Hodgson and esteemed vocalists. This concert celebrates love, nature and the beauty of creation through the music of Renaissance lyricist, John Dowland and his contemporaries.
Simon Rickard, soprano, tenor, bass, octave bass curtal
Laura Vaughan, viola da gamba
Hannah Lane, baroque triple harp
Nick Pollock, theorbo, baroque guitar
The seventeenth century began a fascinating period of musical history. The baroque style of composition was emerging from its renaissance roots, but instruments were yet to keep up with new musical trends. The renaissance bassoon, or curtal, was amongst the favourite woodwind instruments of the earliest baroque composers, due to its surprising expressive capabilities. For this program of early baroque music from Italy, Iberia and Germany, early woodwind ensemble Unholy Rackett are joined by basso continuo specialists Ensemble 642.
Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist?aid=163986 or use the QR code
Saturday 18 October
THE TUDOR CHORISTERS
Carlos Del Cueto, music director
Founded in 1962, The Tudor Choristers are one of Melbourne’s stalwart and established champions of Rennaisance-era choral music. On this 500th anniversary year for Giovanni Perluigi da Palestrina, they will lead us through an afternoon of a capella singing of music by Palestrina and English composers of the Tudor period.
Saturday 8 November
GENESIS BAROQUE
Death and the Maiden
Anna McMichael and Jennifer Kirsner, period violins
Meg Cohen, period viola Josephine Vains, period cello
Schubert’s famed quartet, Death and the Maiden trawls the depths of despair with unparalleled vibrancy and urgency. Written in 1824 with his severe illness and impending mortality. Coupled with the wonderfully rich palette of Beethoven’s quartet Opus 18, No.1, the second movement of which depicts the vault scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
All concerts commence at 2.30pm and will be held in Christ Church, Daylesford except for O Sweet Woods 10 May and The Tudor Choristers 18 November in W.E. Stanbridge Hall.
54 Central Springs Road, Daylesford
Different sizes of curtal to be used by Unholy Rackett in this concert.
Just briefly...
A free cat microchipping, desexing, and registration day will be held next month for Hepburn Shire residents who have a current concession card.
The Vet Project day, supported by the Hepburn Shire Council, is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, March 13-14 at Creswick’s Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve. Bookings are limited to two cats per household and bookings can be made at www.ow.ly/5EMx50UKMX8 online.
The Creative Projects Fund supports Victorian artists, creative collectives and organisations to develop new work and undertake professional development opportunities.
The 2025 round of the Creative Projects Fund has two focus areas, offering pathways for both new and established practitioners to develop their creative projects and careers. Uncovering Talent provides grants of $5000 to creatives at any career level, while Projects provides grants of between $10,000 to $20,000 to creatives with a proven track record. Applications close on February 13.
A free virtual women’s health clinic – for access to services like endometriosis and pelvic pain care, menstrual health, cervical screening, menopause care, breast health care and abortion, will be launched this year.
Led by specialist nurses and available via telehealth or online, it will deliver an initial health assessment and some treatment, while patients can also be connected with a GP or get referred to a relevant health practitioner as close to home as possible. Referrals can also be made to various mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, and family violence community support services.
The Mobile Women’s Health Clinic van will held in Daylesford from February 17 to 28.
Operated by BreastScreen Victoria, the van will deliver a variety of women’s health services, including sexual and reproductive health advice, clinical services and referrals for medical abortion (MTOP), contraception, and referrals to other necessary specialists. All services are delivered by an experienced nurse or nurse practitioner.
Small business owners looking to sharpen their social media and content marketing skills are invited to a free workshop facilitated by Hepburn Shire Council in collaboration with Business Victoria.
The workshop is designed to help participants master the essentials of social media and create content that connects with their target market. It will be held at the Victoria Park Pavilion, Daylesford on Monday, February 24 from 9am to noon. RSVPs: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/business-events
Ballarat MP Catherine King joined with the St Michael’s school community to officially open their refurbished learning spaces.
The specially designed space provides an opportunity for students to undertake imaginary play or independent learning, while the windows connecting the space and classrooms mean children are still supervised by their teachers. It also provides an opportunity for students from different classes to learn and play together.
Answering a query from The Local, after a widely circulated report from Council Watch Victoria about alleged issues with the Local Government Inspectorate investigation into Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex, the Inspectorate says it does not intend to take any further action.
Instead, it resent a media release from last September saying the LGI received a complaint in 2019 relating to the Hepburn Shire Council's involvement with the Rex Theatre redevelopment. The release said it had since undertaken a rigorous investigation, found insufficent evidence to uphold the complaint and would not be taking any action or publishing any report. The Council Watch Victoria report says the LGI lacked the legal authority to release any findings and reports from its investigations.
A popular tourism route through Victoria’s Goldfields region is undergoing major works.
Crews have begun works to rebuild a section of Heathcote-Kyneton Road from Diss Road to Watts Lane. A gateway to Victoria’s world-class Heathcote wine region and a key link between two of Central Victoria’s regional hubs, Heathcote-Kyneton Road caters to a wide range of road users. Other roads to be repaired include sections of the Calder Freeway, Macedon-Woodend Road and Tylden-Woodend Road.
New women's clinic
Central Highlands Rural Health is now taking new patients for its free women’s health clinic located at Kyneton Health.
In September last year, Minister for Health and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas announced Central Highlands Rural Health in Kyneton as one of the 20 locations to open specialised women’s health clinics in Victoria.
Women in rural and regional areas often face significant barriers in accessing the healthcare they need such as long travel distances, limited specialists, and delayed diagnoses. This clinic was created to address these barriers, ensuring timely access to specialised care - close to home.
The clinic is for all women, and women assigned female at birth, going through puberty to those navigating menopause and beyond.
The Women’s Health Clinic provides expert services in:
• Endometriosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and management to improve quality of life;
• Pelvic Pain: Comprehensive care for persistent pelvic discomfort;
• Menopause and Perimenopause: Support for navigating hormonal changes;
• Menstrual issues: Diagnosis and treatment of menstrual pain and heavy bleeding;
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Tailored treatment and management plans; and
• Continence: Solutions to improve pelvic floor health and daily comfort.
The caring team understands the personal nature of these issues and provides a confidential, compassionate environment. Whether women are seeking a diagnosis, treatment, or advice, help is available.
Some eligibility criteria for services may apply and while all services at CHRH are free, some out-of-pocket fees may apply for referred services.
No referral needed. Simply get in touch to make an appointment.
Email: whc@chrh.org.au
Phone: (03) 5422 9946
Please scan the QR code for more information.
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.
Signs of change underway
It has been the saddest of years for the family and friends of Samantha Murphy.
An unfathomable loss of a wife, mother and a friend. We continue to hold them close in our thoughts and to support them. Amid the shock and sadness we all feel, the community has stepped up in a way that shows the best of us in dealing with the worst possible news.
And not just once. The community has also stepped up following the deaths of Rebecca Young and Hannah McGuire which also happened during the last 12 difficult months. Grief can be a long path to walk and having the support of people around you actually helps.
As I have said before, we the community have another task as well – making the world we live in a safer place for women. Simply living your life shouldn’t put you in danger. Women shouldn’t have to worry that being out by themselves at night or in the early morning, or even being behind closed doors in their own home puts them at risk.
I wrote in an op-ed last April that how we educate our boys in this community matters, what opportunities they have to learn how to be the fabulous, beautiful men we all know in some aspects of our lives, actually really matters.
Governments have a role to play too – with campaigns, early intervention services, a national plan from all levels of government, as well as legislated paid family and domestic violence leave and better access to childcare and early education.
There are signs of small change. Ballarat resident Pauline O'Shannessy-Dowling has told the ABC that when she is out running, which is what Samantha was doing, men who are also running make the effort to let her know they are not a threat.
We saw at the Ballarat Marathon, the first one last year, a concerted effort of dads running with their daughters, and really wanting to come together as a community to show how much they care about their girls.
And there are signs of a much bigger change underway in our community.
A partnership of organisations, business clubs and groups led by Women’s Health Grampians and called Communities of Respect and Equality – CoRE – Alliance share a vision for safe, equal and respectful communities.
Membership of CoRE Alliance usually sees between one and five new organisations join each year. Since February last year, when Samantha went missing, 19 organisations have joined – 13 of those from Ballarat including a number of schools. And this significant increase is being driven by the students themselves.
There has also been a notable increase in enquiries from organisations and individuals – particularly men – interested in CoRE and what they can do to prevent gender-based violence.
Men’s initiative information sessions saw a massive increase in registrations, and in December, Women’s Health Grampians and the City of Ballarat held a leadership forum for men interested in learning more about how they can lead change to prevent gender-based violence in the organisations they are part of.
188 people attended that event, 60 per cent of whom were men.
These are all the positive signs of change that we want. Again, the community is stepping up and importantly, men are stepping up very much as part of that.
We all need to see change across our communities, and in mine, that has been incredibly important, and felt very deeply after the deaths of Samantha, of Hannah and of Rebecca.
We want a community that is safe for everybody. Everybody, but particularly women. We need everywhere, in every community, in every place, to stop seeing violence against women. To stop losing women, like beautiful Samantha Murphy, who still had so much to give.
And this, the week of the anniversary of her death, and as we are also leading into anniversaries for Rebecca and Hannah, my thoughts and my condolences continue to go out to their families.
The legacy that we have from their deaths, is that we must do so, so much better to keep women safe in our communities.
- Catherine King, Ballarat MP
(Adjournment Speech, Federation Chamber, Thursday, February 6, 2025)
Local newspapers offer integrity
Meta’s plans for the removal of fact-checking services on content posted to its platforms and the government’s decision to introduce age limits for access to social media has brought a renewed focus on the importance of regional, rural and local news publishers.
Country Press Australia president Andrew Schreyer said publishers have never been tasked with so many layers of responsibility, and it’s never been more vital for the work they do to be appropriately recognised and valued by government and the broader community.
“The decisions local newsrooms make about content, photo selection, accuracy, fairness, balance and integrity go to the heart of the craft of journalism.
“Our papers don’t engage in clickbait, they don’t produce or publish fake AI content, they work hard to ensure mis- and dis-information are not allowed to fester in the communities we serve.”
Mr Schreyer said the vast majority of Country Press Australia publishers are the only local media outlet with boots on the ground in these communities, producing public interest place-based journalism that fulfils a vital role in our democracy.
“Country Press Australia is disappointed at Meta’s decision to abandon thirdparty fact checking on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in the US. Third-party fact checking has not yet been abandoned on Meta platforms in Australia, however the move in the US may be an indication of Meta’s intentions worldwide and is a worrying development regardless.”
Equally, Country Press Australia has welcomed Communications Minister Michelle Rowland’s strong comments that came in the wake of Meta’s announcement and her support for high quality fact-checked information for the public, such as the place-based public interest journalism produced by Country Press Australia’s 240 member mastheads.
“We are also heartened by comments from eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant on the harms of social media and the responsibility to comply with Australian law.
“The mis- and dis-information that spreads on Meta’s platforms are harmful to people’s health, wellbeing and to social cohesion. This information can be hard for consumers to recognise. The removal of third-party fact checking will see the levels of mis- and dis-information on social media increase exponentially. Without any fact checking mechanism the rates of mental health issues caused by social media will no doubt rise,” Mr Schreyer said.
He commended the government for its recently announced News Bargaining Incentive and News Media Assistance Program funding which will help Country Press Australia member publishers continue to produce the quality local public interest journalism that is so well trusted by its audiences.
“Professionally produced local public interest journalism, such as that produced by Country Press Australia mastheads, is the antidote to mis- and dis-information and this has been well recognised by the government.”
Words & image: Contributed
Contributions to The Local are always welcome. They may be edited for clarity. Email donna@tlnews.com.au They must include a name, town/city and a phone number - the latter not for publication.
Dan Murphy’s Daylesford case heads to VCAT
After a Dan Murphy’s liquor store was banned from Daylesford because it could pose a public risk and encourage harm, especially to minors, an attempt is being made to overturn this ruling.
Murphy’s is emphasising campaigning against under-age drinking as it prepares for compulsory mediation in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) this month.
This will be followed by a July hearing, for which almost three weeks has been allotted.
In what the Hepburn Shire Council called a landmark decision, the retailer's application was rejected by the Liquor Commission in August last year, with the acting chair John Larkins saying that harm from the misusue and abuse of alcohol included family violence
Now Murphy’s is asking VCAT to “make the correct and preferable decision” on the facts.
Murphy’s says the VCAT decision was made on the “mere possibility” of risk.
Those with knowledge of the events tell The Local that VCAT is confined to a matter of law, although the case is shaping up for a full hearing.
A key issue is the nearness of the proposed store site in Bridport Street to the swimming pool, Lake Daylesford and other public locations.
Twelve shire residents are involved in the VCAT hearing.
Murphy’s is owned by the Endeavour Group.
Responding to an inquiry by The Local Endeavour says that it believes the Commission erred in its decision and did not appropriately consider the positive community benefits of having a Dan Murphy’s in Daylesford, particularly in relation to the community’s concerns about underage drinking.
“Like the community, we were concerned about the claimed levels of underage drinking and the alleged provision of alcohol to minors in Daylesford. If these claims are true, we believe that there are a number of opportunities for existing licensees and the community to work together to address this issue.
“Dan Murphy’s does not sell alcohol to minors and has an industry-leading approach to the requirement for identification to prove that our customers are adults.”
It says that 44 million customers nationwide were reached in the 2024 financial year with messages about responsible drinking - the equivalent of reaching every adult drinker three times throughout the year.
“We also have a ‘refusal of service’ policy that prohibits sales based on the risk of underage drinking and secondary alcohol supply and we exclude patrons from our premises for problematic behaviour.
“Dan Murphy’s would support local campaigns (for example, DrinkWise’s 'It’s OK to say nay' campaign) to educate parents about the importance of saying no to their children if they seek alcohol before the age of 18, which existing licensees could be actively supporting.”
Endeavour says the entire liquor industry has a role in minimising alcohol-related harm and that “our experience and knowledge - when applied to Daylesford” - could help the community.
Endeavour says up to 30 new jobs would be created here as well as offering “local products that can be enjoyed responsibly by the Daylesford community and tourists alike”.
“Daylesford is a unique community with a rich history and a strong sense of identity. Our goal would be to respect and contribute positively to the local heritage and culture, ensuring that our presence aligns with the community’s values.”
Endeavour is confident that supporting local producers and regional pride initiatives, as well as contributing to the local environment and economy would be a positive contribution to the community without undermining its unique identity.
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Contributed
The decision to overturn the liquor licence for a Daylesford Dan Murphy's last August was the first time the new definition of “harm” under the Liquor Control Reform Act had been used to refuse a licence.
The packaged liquor licence was for proposed premises located at 63 Central Springs Road, Daylesford.
On July 26, 2022, Victoria Police advised that it did not object while on August 12 Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas advised that the council objected. Another 204 objections were lodged to the original application.
Former Birch Ward Cr Jen Bray said it was "always going to be a huge battle to go up against a corporate entity as big as Dan Murphy’s but we felt we had to stand up and let the Liquor Commission know how this was going to impact our children, our teenagers and the broader community”.
Above, residents celebrate their win in August last year
CEO remains suspended
Hobsons Bay City Council CEO Aaron van Egmond remains suspended from his position.
In a joint statement on February 1, Acting CEO Sustainable Communities director Rachel Sarah Lunn and Mayor Cr Daria Kellander said councillors became aware of concerns about safety in the workplace, as well as the CEO’s fulfilment of his duties and responsibilities more broadly.
"Councillors continue to take these matters very seriously and made the decision to suspend Aaron van Egmond (on January 25), pending further investigations, following thorough and careful consideration.
"The Acting CEO has taken immediate steps to seek to ensure the safety of staff and the commencement of a fair, comprehensive and respectful investigation into a range of concerns, as well as supporting the continuity of council services.
"Council requests that the names or other identifying information of council staff, and speculation as to matters under investigation, are not published in the interests of protecting staff safety and providing procedural fairness.
"Council can make no further comment at this time."
Mr van Egmond was CEO of Hepburn Shire from 2012 to 2018 when he left to undertake the same position at Hobsons Bay City Council.
Mr van Egmond could not be contacted for comment.
Words: Donna Kelly
History
Hepburn Together Council Plan 2025-29
We are asking community members to register their interest to join our Deliberative Engagement Panel.
The panel will play an important role in guiding and informing the priorities of the Council Plan 2025-29.
Panel members will receive a $100 gift card for attending the four sessions.
Register via the QR code or visit www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Council news
As we see the news and social media becoming increasingly available, we are more exposed to the realities of life, so it is important to focus upon some important issues.
Crimes that once went relatively unnoticed are now highlighted, as are world events.
We have seen recently the impacts of mental health issues involving prominent personalities, sometimes resulting in people taking their own lives. The physical health of our residents is mostly obvious, but sometimes mental health issues are less obvious and are not seen in time to take action, or given the required help and support.
Recently I have become involved with a group of dedicated people, some of whom have been impacted by the loss of loved family members and friends. The group plans to have a dead tree painted or a simulated blue tree placed in a prominent place in our towns or other areas to remind people of the need to be vigilant and watch out for warning signs of depression and reach out. The group have been running fundraisers to purchase the trees and I recently attended one at the Daylesford Hotel. I understand that some trees have been promised by a medical centre already and details will be revealed in due course. Watch out for the fundraising events and support this very worthwhile project.
There is plenty of opportunity for residents to get involved with the future direction of our Shire, so watch out for upcoming pop-up sessions where you can meet with Councillors and staff to have your ideas heard and documented for use when important decisions are being made. There will also be working parties set up so that residents can have discussions with their peers and the outcomes will be a big influence on such things as Hepburn Together and the Council Plan. Details will be on Council’s website and social media as well as print media. Remember you do not have to have a university degree to participate as all contributions are important. Keep your diaries free for important signature events coming up around the Shire such as ChillOut, Trentham Spudfest, Clunes Booktown and CresFest in Creswick.
Cr Don Henderson, Mayor
SMALL BUSINESS SUPPORT
Small business owners looking to sharpen their social media and content marketing skills are invited to a free workshop facilitated by Council in collaboration with Business Victoria.
Date: Monday 24 February 2025
Time: 9 am – 12 pm
Location: Victoria Park Pavilion, Daylesford Visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/business-events
LISTENING POSTS
We will be hosting a series of Listening Post events throughout 2025, aimed at strengthening communication and engagement with the community. The events will be held in major townships as well as smaller communities, with the opportunity for residents to share their ideas, provide feedback on services, and discuss matters that are important to them.
As part of the initiative, senior Council staff and Councillors will be attending local community spaces throughout the year. The first three Listening Posts scheduled are:
• Saturday 15 February – Creswick IGA, 10 am to 12 pm
• Thursday 27 March – Daylesford Coles, 4 pm to 6 pm
• Saturday 3 May – Trentham Spudfest, 10 am to 12 pm
Details of other Listening Post events, including dates and locations, will be made available at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/listening-posts
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Council’s Biodiversity Grants and Sustainable Hepburn Grants are open for applications. The Sustainable Hepburn Grants Program supports community-based projects and initiatives that aim to reduce future impacts of climate change and promote or establish circular economy-focused programs, while Biodiversity Grants support community driven biodiversity initiatives. Applications close on 16 March and announcements will be made about successful recipients in April.
For more information regarding Council’s grants program visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/grants. To discuss a project idea email grants@hepburn.vic.gov.au
REUSABLE PRODUCTS VOUCHERS
Want to make the switch to reusable nappies, period or incontinence products? Council is offering households a $50 voucher code to use on the purchase of eligible reusable products from local business Darlings Downunder. Vouchers can be used for:
• cloth nappies
• swim nappies
• training pants
• wet bags
• period products
• nursing pads
• incontinence underwear
• and more.
The discount voucher code is valid until 31 May 2025, unless allocated funds are exhausted prior. Find details about the program at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/reusables
Cr Don Henderson Cr Lesley Hewitt Cr Brian Hood Cr Tony Clark Cr Tim Drylie Cr Pat Hockey Cr Shirley Cornish
A haven in the hills
Blackwood - A Haven in the Hills is the name of a poem by the late Grace Rayner. It is all about the village's rich history and scenic beauty.
And it has also provided much of the inspiration for new Blackwood Hotel owners Jerry and Jess.
The couple, with their two young children, have been locals of Blackwood for more than seven years. They also have plenty of hospitality experience with other venues including two in Docklands where their Cargo and Berth, in conjunction with the Salvation Army, host annual Christmas Day Brunches for those less fortunate.
So, they are local and know food, hospitality and kindness. A great combination. The fantastically renovated pub opened over the January long weekend and it has been pumping with plenty of local support, and visitors keen to find a real country hotel again.
Kyle and I headed there on Saturday and were met by Jerry, as was pretty much every customer as they arrived. Along with meeting and greeting, Jerry is also hands on with serving, pouring drinks behind the bar and even cleaning tables. Busy but relaxed and clearly enjoying his latest venture.
Jerry showed us to our table by the window in the dining room. There's also a dog friendly verandah and an inviting bar. We opted to leave the food selection up to him - a great idea.
Three entrees arrived - the sizzling saganaki with peppered figs ($16), hummus with caramelised onion, sumac and flat bread ($12) and Asian glazed pork belly with sticky soy ($20). All fantastic. I love saganaki but this absolutely hit the next level with the sweet and slightly spicy figs. Kyle's favourite was the pork belly, tender meat with crunchy crackling.
Next up, the mains, a very decent sized Parwan Valley porterhouse with chips, salad and a huge round of garlic herb butter ($45) and the barramundi atop cashew cream with green beans, roasted tomatos and a fennel and herb salad ($38).
Jerry couldn't have known but this was the perfect pairing. I am not much of a meat eater but while Kyle rarely has steak, he pretty much ate the lot. "I don't need a steak knife," was about all I got out of him for a while.
Buying from Parwan Valley is just part of Jerry and Jess' ethos to shop as local as possible. (They are also providing work for locals - with a crew of 20 plusBlackwood's biggest employer!)
The barra was amazing. Perfectly cooked with crisp skin and firm flesh atop the vegies and cream. And these are big serves - no-one is going home hungry from Blackwood. We didn't do dessert, we couldn't. But there's sticky date pudding and choc mousse ($15 each) and a seasonal sorbet ($12).
It's not a huge menu but it covers all the bases and every dish is done well, something I think most people appreciate these days. I think the days of broadsheetsized menus is well and truly over - or should be.
The Blackwood Hotel is a great country pub and I am sure it will be one of those places long talked about as it reclaims its place in the history of not only the town but also the region. I love the "real" front entrance, not a side door, the nod to its past with some of the original wallpaper left up and framed, a front bar with a bar you can actually sit at, staff with big smiles and the sound of friendly banter.
Oh, I nearly forgot the drinks. Plenty of beers from the tap, a good choice of wines by the glass, nothing overly expensive. As I said, a good country pub.
See you there. I'd give you an address but just find Blackwood. You can't miss it. Link: www. blackwoodhotel.com.au Words & images: Donna Kelly
EAT | DRINK | ENJOY
Out & About in the Central Highlands
Walks of the Central Highlands with Eve Lamb
Trentham & District Historical Society member Nat Poole at Trentham’s Gweneth Wisewould Memorial Clock Image: Eve Lamb
Inset: Dr Gwen Wisewould Image: Trentham & District Historical Society
My sturdy walking companion, Paddy H, and I had been planning to complete Daylesford’s famed 15km Three Lost Children Walk for this series, having trekked the first half for the last instalment. However, with weekend temperatures nudging 40 degrees we decided to delay until the arrival of kinder bush-walking weather. Instead, a leisurely mid-week sampler of the following fairly special new short stroll seemed just the thing.
Since launching a couple of months ago, Trentham’s new self-guided walk honouring the life of Dr Gweneth Wisewould has been proving a real winnermuch like the good doctor herself.
Featuring an informative brochure, the self guided tour takes walkers around numerous Trentham township sites that were of central significance in the life of the much loved local medic (1884-1972).
The new Gweneth Wisewould Walk brochure has been developed by the Hepburn Shire Council, drawing on detailed information that the Trentham & District Historical Society compiled a couple of years ago to mark the 50th anniversary of Dr Gwen’s January 1972 death.
The walk brochures are now available at both Daylesford’s and Trentham’s information centres. So armed with our copy, as the mercury climbs to 32 degrees, we set out to follow it to the letter, starting at No 15 Market Street, the site of the good doctor’s surgery from 1938 to 1954.
Along the way we are joined by Trentham & District Historical Society treasurer Nat Poole.
The walk covers an easy distance of about 3.5 km all up and includes sites like Dr Gwen’s old surgeries in both Market and High Streets, the former butcher shop (now a cafe) where she used to store her perishable drugs in the cool room before reliable refrigeration arrived in the town, and the town’s former bush hospital site where she performed surgery and delivered a whole generation of Trentham babies.
For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading Dr Gwen’s biography by Ian Braybrook, or her own (at times hair-raising) autobiographical work, Dr Gwen arrived in Trentham late one rainy evening in 1938, steam erupting from the overheated radiator of her ancient Plymouth. She would spend the next 34 years supporting the most vulnerable and sick in the Trentham district - and becoming much loved by the community in the process.
She hailed from a wealthy Melbourne family and had recently left her role as a leading surgeon at the Queen Victoria Hospital (now closed).
Together with her devoted housekeeper and companion Ella Miller Bell (Ellabelle) and their two dachshunds, Dr Gwen arrived in the Central Highlands seeking a new start - and what a new start it would prove to be.
Her training and superb surgical skills saved many an injured local and those seeking treatment for all manner of incidents, mishaps and conditions, at the Trentham Bush Hospital.
Dressed in her trademark boots and greatcoat, Dr Gwen often worked tirelessly through the night to attend to patients, driving all hours on muddy tracks in a variety of vehicles including her old Dodge truck - she was also known to ride a motorcycle. She was never known to refuse a request for help.
The walk also takes in many more points of interest from her life including St Chads at 69 High Street, one of Trentham’s oldest residences which became Dr Gwen’s home after her prior Trentham residence was lost to fire.
The walk brochure records that: “It (No 69) was built for Donald McPherson and later given by then owner Patrick Murphy to the Catholic Church and enlarged for use as a convent. Following the loss of Westacres, Dr Gwen’s beloved earlier Trentham home of 20 years (in a 1965 house fire) St Chads was the house that the people of Trentham quietly cleaned and thoughtfully filled with new household goods as a surprise for the town doctor on her move-in day.”
Especially noting the contributions of historical society member, Sue Worthington who is currently overseas, Nat says the walk is a great way for people to learn about this larger-than-life character whose community involvement also extended to plenty of lively civic activities as well.
“I think everybody should know about her,” Nat says. “She was a pretty amazing woman. If you mention the name Dr Gwen, even today, people just start telling you stuff.”
But Nat reckons that if Dr Gwen was to look down from somewhere lofty above today she’d be a bit “flabbergasted” to see herself honoured in such a way.
“She was one of those people who just gave and gave and gave and never expected anything in return.”
Paddy H and I continue on to complete the walk, including the final resting place of Dr Gwen, a peaceful grave-site at the town’s cemetery. At rest also in the same plot are Ellabelle and Dr Gwen’s foster sister Dorothy Bethune.
As the walk brochure notes: “All three graves face west to capture Trentham’s gorgeous bush sunsets.”
Photo journeys among fungi with Alison
Funga Obscura, Photo journeys among fungi has been released by Daylesford's Alison Pouliot.
The bestselling author of Wild Mushrooming (CSIRO, 2021) and Underground Lovers (NewSouth, 2023) offers a stunning collection of fungus photography from across Australia and the globe.
"I scanned the forest floor around me. I couldn’t yet see fungi, but I could smell them. Lowering my nose to the ground, I inhaled a distinctive fungal funk. I rolled over some bark and there they were.
"Gossamer threads of mycelia wended their way through the layers, weaving them together. Soon these furtive fungi would fashion their mycelia into mushrooms and heave their way through the earth."
This book is about fungi, and the photography of fungi. The title – Funga Obscura – unites the two. Beginning in elemental landscapes of ice and rock, the book traces the evolutionary path of fungi as enablers of life on land, and creators of soils and forests.
Crossing continents and ecosystems, we navigate lichencovered landscapes, crawl in the fungal undergrowth, scale glacial extremes and duck between rainforest shadows.
Alison, ecologist and environmental photographer, captures these remarkable lifeforms in this visual love letter to fungi.
Alison is an ecologist and environmental photographer with a focus on fungi. Her journeys in search of fungi span northern and southern hemispheres, ensuring two autumns and a double dose of fungi each year.
Words & image: Contributed
Glen's Garden
Keen-eyed koala scouts ahead for likely new home. There was great excitement recently, when this solitary koala was spotted atop one of the massive eucalypts fronting our house, much to the delight of the local children and their parents.
Garden queries for Issue 325:
Unfortunately, it was only a whistle stop - after a couple of days of scouring our local propertieswith a grunt and sigh he/she did a moonlight flit to 'greener pastures'.
This wasn’t the first koala experience we've had. Our property includes an easement that runs right down to the old gold mines in Doctors Gully, and over the years we’ve encountered a few adventurous youngsters off to find a tree and a mate of their own.
Q. Hi Glen, Where have all the flowers gone? Not one of my rose bushes has flowered this year, although they look healthy and have lots of leaves. What could be causing this? In previous years they have never failed to flower. - Sandra, Clunes
A. Blame it on El Niño. And maybe a little too much care and attention? Roses are fond of well-drained, compost rich soil and a little boost feed once the flowers are in bud. Any other time it all goes into the new growth…hence the lack of flowers. Another cause could be the use of a growth stimulating, nitrogen-rich fertiliser. I must confess that we mis-judged the weather with our rose pruning this year - they have responded with fewer flowers - and lanky long stems.
Q. Is there such a thing as a salad tree? My neighbour said she read that there were fruit trees that bear more than one type of fruit on them. Is this possible, and if so, would it be successful in our climate? - J.B. Kyneton
A. Yes, the tree you are thinking of is known as a multi-grafted fruit tree, where several varieties of similar fruits are all grafted or budded to a parent tree. The most common are nectarine and apricot. ln the case of apples, pears and plums more than one variety is needed for pollination. The simple reason is to have more fruit varieties in a limited space. I am not too sure that they would suit our climate. You would have to contact one of the wholesale specialist nurseries for an answer to that.
Q. Glen, I started a strawberry patch last year and have had some very nice fruit this season, but now they are sending out young plants all over the place. What should I do with them? - Keith W, Creswick
A. This is great. Leave them growing until they have established roots then cut them off at the plants. Plant them into pots of sandy soil mix and if you have the space once they have established, extend your strawberry patch, or place them in large pots.
Your garden questions answered!
Simply email your enquiry to: Garden queries c/o glenzgarden@gmail.com
You should see your answer in the next edition of The Local
Pickleball proves a big hit in Clunes
Looking for a fun and easy way to stay active and meet new people? Join Hit and Giggle pickleball at the Clunes Sports Centre every Wednesday at 1pm or Friday at 5pm.
Spokesperson Maxine Hardinge said the lively social game had been running for the past six months in Clunes, with a small but committed group of regulars who have been steadily improving, learning the rules and how to score, while enjoying a friendly hit and lots of laughs.
"Pickleball is a fun and dynamic paddle sport that is played on a badminton-sized court, combining elements of that game, as well as tennis and table tennis," she said.
"It is accessible to all skill levels and abilities, is very easy to pick up and quick to master.
"We'd love to have more players join us. We welcome all genders, all ages and all skill levels. No experience is necessary: you'll quickly learn the basic rules and scoring as you play.
"Come when you can, pay when you come. Just bring your sandshoes, sense of fun and $10 to cover court hire and all equipment. There is also the option to play badminton at 5pm on Fridays if there are enough people interested."
To find out more call organiser Wendy Vorstenbosch on 0458 372 906 or look out for posts on the Clunes online noticeboard, Creswick Community Page or All Together Pickleball, Ballarat and surrounds Facebook groups.
Above, from left,Wendy, Carolyn, Wendy and Jenny, below, the game is on! Words & image: Contributed
Carbon offset project
Landholders across the region can enjoy the benefits of having native vegetation on their property, under a local carbon offset project aimed at helping councils in Central Victoria reach their net-zero emission goals.
Grow Towards Zero is a project managed by the North Central Catchment Management Authority with funding from the City of Greater Bendigo, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Hepburn Shire Council, and Mount Alexander Shire Council.
The project is seeking expressions of interest from landholders across the North Central CMA region or within the areas of participating councils.
“We’re looking for landholders keen to have trees planted on their property to offset local carbon emissions and take on-ground climate change action,” North Central CMA Business Development manager Matthew Dawson said.
“Native trees and shrubs bring all kinds of benefits to a property. As well as looking great, native vegetation means increased habitat for wildlife and can help reduce soil and wind erosion. Increasing native vegetation can also play a big part in helping owners pass on a healthier property to the next generation.”
Grow Towards Zero is looking for individual sites where the combined planting area is five hectares or more, or a group of neighbouring landholders looking to create corridors of native vegetation.
“Undertaking revegetation on private property can be costly. This program addresses this by using carbon offset needs to source and plant the trees and shrubs and maintain them for two years,” Mr Dawson said.
The first round of expressions of interest for the project is open until March 31. The project will develop a portfolio of potential sites, with intentions to stagger implementation on a selection over the coming few years.
Hepburn Shire Council Facilities and Circular Economy manager Sean Ludeke, pictured inset, said: “Grow Towards Zero demonstrates the power of local and regional collaboration on climate action, uniting landowners, council and the North Central CMA to create biodiversity habitat and build in stronger resilience to climate impacts here in the Hepburn Shire.”
Link: www.nccma.vic.gov.au/grow-towards-zero
GREENHILLS NATURAL
Words: Kyle Barnes
GREENHILLS NATURAL WHOLE 4KG RUMP $99
Rump is a hardworking muscle, but this means that it has bangs of flavour. From quick stir-fry’s to slow cooked goulash, Vietnamese pho, Brazilian picanha, or just a great steak on the bbq, there is no better value than to buy the whole rump - we will even cut it into steaks at the thickness of your choosing! Amazing value for premium grass-fed beef. Visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au/rump for great recipes!
GREENHILLS NATURAL DICED BEEF 2KG FOR $50
These chops are cut nice and thick. The same cut as a T-Bone, they contain the loin and fillet either side of the central bone with a layer of fat running down one side. From our own farm in nearby Malmsbury, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better lamb chop.
VISIT US IN-STORE FOR SOME INCREDIBLE CUTS
We have got some incredible cuts of beef coming in from the farm lately including magnificent Greenhills Natural Rib Eye along with some prime Wagyu.
Rewarding a movie passion for Alison
Alison Robb has such a passion for films that she would sometimes see three a day at the Melbourne International Film Festival, as well as belonging to four cinema clubs.
Imagine, then, her dismay when she moved to Daylesford only to find it was minus a cinema.
That is one of the reasons she has plunged in to help the campaign to bring back The Rex. Another is just what a cinema means to a community.
“I thought that, instead of complaining about it, I’d be part of the team,” she simply says.
Born in Aberdeen, Scotland, she moved to Australia 20 years ago when posted by a big international company, working in human relations. “I came for three weeks, and I stayed. I love it.”
Her life was upended last year, however, when she had no fewer than 48 strokes. Through her illness she was found to have endometrial cancer which meant having a hysterectomy. She describes herself as being “lucky” because the cancer was caught, although initially her illness left her unable to eat.
“I had a cluster of strokes and had to learn to speak and walk. I had to give up my job.”
Coming to Daylesford for her 40th birthday, she found it a place of solace. “I did feel the energy when I drove in just four months ago.”
A new avenue opened when, as a registered foster carer, she began helping mothers with their new-born babies.
As for her love of films, she rejoiced in the 2003 American comedy-drama, The Station Agent, about a man, played by Peter Dinklage seeking solitude in an abandoned railway station. A much-awarded actor, Dinklage, who has dwarfism, is 1.35m tall. He also starred in something else she enjoyed, Game of Thrones
Another favourite is Turtles Can Fly, a 2004 Kurdish war drama about three refugee children near the Iraqi-Turkish border waiting for the Americans to invade Iraq and overthrow Saddam Hussein.
Her wide range of movie loves is shown by her keenness for Departure, a Japanese film about a failed cellist who returns home to find the only job he can get is as a ritual mortician. ‘It’s powerful and moving,” she says.
“I love to escape in the cinema…when I was recovering I would watch documentaries 30 minutes at a time. And there is a feeling of comfort in going on your own to a movie.”
As a dedicated “foodie” Alison devoured the Netflix series Somebody Feed Phil, which spotlights the cuisine of featured cities and the charities and non-profit organisation in their region. Small wonder that it appeals to her; she has been to almost 60 countries and is soon off to Japan.
Through Alison’s great-great aunt, the amazing Lorna Moon, Alison is connected to Cecil B. DeMille, a founder of American cinema and the most commercially successful producer-director in film history. His astonishing output covered 70 films, silent and sound, with many dominating the box office three or four at a time.
His adopted son, Richard, was raised among the glamour and luxury of early Hollywood. From the age of eight he wondered about his birth parents. His curiosity increased because of odd hints dropped by friends and family members, and by his remarkable resemblance to Cecil's father.
After 60 years of hunting for his secret mother, Richard found that she was Lorna Moon, a Scottish-born journalist turned screenwriter, and best-selling novelist, who became pregnant during a love affair. The result was Richard, who was adopted by Cecil and his wife Constance.
With such an exotic connection, it comes as no surprise to learn that in Daylesford Alison is keen to see a cinema that would help young people learn about other countries.
“Children in a country town need to be exposed to the world as only the cinema can do, and it’s a wonderful way to bring the community together.”
This is the second in a contributed series on the people behind the drive to bring back Daylesford’s cinema.
Above, Alison Robb
Below, Daylesford Community Cinema president Jules McDonald in the cinema in The Rex building
Images: Kyle Barnes
“I love to escape in the cinema…when I was recovering I would watch documentaries 30 minutes at a time. And there is a feeling of comfort in going on your own to a movie.”
“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.
David's works of resilience and reinvention
The Trees Endure, The Land Has Memory is an immersive series of photographic works by David Rosendale.
The exhibition, created on DjaDja Wurrung Country within the Hepburn Regional Park and Wombat State Forest, captures the essence of place and the profound ties that bind us to the land, David says.
The exhibition will be held at Radius Art Space, Hepburn, from March 1 to April 12. The opening is on March 1, 3pm - 5pm
Emerging during the global pandemic in 2021, David’s work represents a meditative response to an unprecedented time of adversity. The series reflects the unique opportunity for introspection and exploration afforded by this period - time to reconnect with the local landscape, delve into art history, and investigate the timeless themes of struggle, survival, and reinvention.
Through daily wanderings in the forests and waterways of Hepburn and Daylesford, David discovered metaphors for these universal themes, mirrored in the landscape’s rich and varied histories: ancient Indigenous connections, colonial legacies, and the scars of gold mining. Yet, the series moves beyond historical documentation, offering an intimate and painterly exploration of personal connection and resilience.
The Trees Endure, The Land Has Memory combines painterly qualities with photographic precision, blurring the boundaries between visual mediums. With minimal human presence in the works, the focus rests entirely on the land’s narrative - the sun rising each day, the forest transforming from darkness to light, and the profound beauty of rediscovering the world 'en plein air'.
This series is both a reflection on the restrictive nature of the pandemic and a celebration of liberation and rediscovery. Words & image: Contributed
“When I first saw (David's) photographs, I was struck by how he captured the light and atmosphere in the paintings by the Heidelberg School. It was like stepping back in time through the lens of the camera.”
- Curator Kim Percy
A percentage of any profit will go to both the Daylesford SES & Daylesford CFA
Fine eye for detail: Strangways artist Belinda Prest
Setting off into the bushland with her fine art pens, quality paper, camera and fortifying thermos, Strangways artist Belinda Prest is one happy woman.
The accomplished artist and teacher admits she’s in her element when she has a mission of the artistic variety to complete outdoors.
Recently, Belinda enjoyed exactly this type of mission as she lovingly depicted six of the region’s significant landmarks - volcanic peaks and ranges. Her drawings have gone on to feature in the newly launched book, Six Peaks Speak: Unsettling Legacies in Southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country by Professor Barry Golding and Clive Willman.
“I had such a wonderful time,” says Belinda recounting her multiple “missions” to sketch the six peaks in question - Mounts Kooroocheang, Tarrengower, Alexander, Beckworth, Greenock and Franklin.
But the eye-catching outcrops that add vivid interest to the wider local landscape which Belinda, and her sculptor husband Trefor Prest, call home are just one of the many points of beauty this creative celebrates with her innate eye for exquisite detail.
A former primary school teacher, current yoga and dance teacher, and trained artist, Belinda’s detailed pen drawings pay homage to the stately and wizened old trees, powerful vistas and markers of human presence both humble and profound, that characterise the region.
“I always draw with fine art pens,” she says. “Sometimes I use a grey lead and just plot a little bit of perspective, but I then tend to go straight into the pen. And I like to use a good quality paper called Arches watercolour paper.”
A noteworthy additional feature of Belinda’s work is her frequent incorporation of small snippets of journalled text, typically appearing at the bottom of the drawing.
For the viewer these snatches of text provide extra insight into the artist’s personal experience at the time of creating the work - the memory of a place, a time and perhaps a precious small fleeting observation of something else unseen in the sketch itself.
Next month Belinda’s work will go on show as part of the annual Newstead Open Studios Art Trail event taking place over the March 7-10 long weekend. The large studio that she and Trefor share at their Strangways bushland home will be openalong with 13 other studios - showcasing the wealth of creative talent residing in the area.
Belinda admits she relishes these open studio events as a chance to meet others who share a knowledge and love of the area.
“I’ll have about 25 new drawings which I’ve completed over the past year since we opened last year, besides earlier works, and also some of the six peaks drawings,” she says.
Trefor will also have some of his new (and earlier) trademark organic-mechanical works, rendered in beautiful brass, copper and steel, included as part of the couple’s open studio.
Words & Images: Eve Lamb
Ulysses’ Gaze, View to Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin) 2024
Gig Guide with Darren Lowe
Leavers Hotel, Creswick
Stella Savy Avek Frer - February 28
Stella Savy’s singular blend of funk, soul, reggae and ska is unlike any other performer in Australia. Her original music is influenced by her Seychelles heritage - the sounds of the islands fused with reggae and ska guitar rhythms. Her original material showcases her talent as a songwriter and vocalist. Her expressive and soulful vocal style captivates audiences all over Australia. Stella has been a professional musician for over 20 years. A multi-instrumentalist, Stella is a renowned percussionist and vocalist.
During the course of her career, Stella has worked with musicians from all over the world. The Avek Frer line-up is world class - with her musical brothers fully committed to the groove. Andrew Vincent on double bass and Lesley Fromholtz on drums form a mean rhythm section, Bryn Hills on trombone while Wayne Parker adds pure groove and melody on guitar to Stella's original roots-based tunes
Mick Harvey - March 1
Mick Harvey performs an intimate show in Creswick for the first time with Amanda Acevedo. Mick is best known as a founding member of The Boys Next Door, The Birthday Party and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds as well as being a long-time collaborator to both Nick Cave & PJ Harvey. He has released more than 10 solo albums under his own name including the four-volume series of Serge Gainsbourg translated recordings as well as a selection of soundtracks for film and television.
He has produced a number of acclaimed albums by other artists and consequently been the recipient of several Australian industry awards including AFI Best Original Score for Suburban Mayhem in 2006 and took out British Producer of the Year in 2011 for his (co)production on PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake. He follows up 2023’s Phantasmagoria in Blue, a collaboration with Mexican singer Amanda Acevedo with his brilliant solo album – Five Ways to Say Goodbye, his most personal recording so far with nods to his time in The Birthday Party, The Bad Seeds and more.
Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
Kim Churchill: It's Lovely To Have You Here - Friday, February 14, 7.30pm Bic Runga (NZ), pictured below - Saturday, February 15, 7pm (Sold out)
Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford
Vida Jazz Trio - Saturday, February 15, 2pm - 4pm, free event
Dolly's Disco Bingo - Thursday, February 20, 6.30pm-8.30pm, free event
Emily Grant - Saturday, February 22, 2pm - 4pm, free event
Details correct at time of publication. Check with venues.
Kyle’s Rant
This issue's rant has two non-segued bits to it. I just wasn’t feeling clever enough to link them after witnessing that buffoon’s comments about clearing out the Gaza Strip and turning it into a resort. FFS.
Before the election I did write that it was on the cards as his son-in-law had been in Gaza measuring it up for renovation. But I can’t believe he actually announced it to the world in front of what looked like a very surprised Yahoo (hello World War III).
In his first little while of being in office his trade tariff wars against Canada and Mexico have been dropped in the time it took to spell fentanyl trafficking.
And a big FU tariff to China was met with an arrogant “you need us more than we need you” FU tariff back from China. Now Trump has signed an executive order banning trans athletes from women’s sports - what a guy. This stuff would be hilarious if it wasn’t keeping me up in the middle of the night.
And here is part two, and if a segue could possibly be drawn, it would be the juxtaposition of speed in terms of getting stuff done. I do prefer methodical law making but around three years ago I started on my journey of baffling bureaucracy with the Hepburn Shire Council’s planning department.
I only wanted to realise a bit of value in my home of 20 years by subdividing a portion off the side. I live in a township zone, with no overlays, BAL ratings and am nowhere near a watercourse. I watch as homes spring up around me, some almost afloat on the watercourse that leads into the Loddon River, and still I wait.
I have made the appropriate recommended changes to my abutting block where our house is, including the installation of a strange water garden, which was my choice. Well actually I was given an ultimatum for either a water garden for the gutter water to overflow into or $5000 donation to HSC.
I also installed a new $14,000 septic system, and still I wait.
Lately I have been on the phone every other day with my new HSC friend, Andrew. A great bloke who seems to have a “get it done” attitude and who even managed to get me an address for the block. Thanks for that part.
But still I wait.
The power has long ago been located to the boundary of the block, a driveway has been put in and a fence erected on the surveyor’s marks, but still I wait.
I have currently dropped somewhere north of 70K on bureaucracy. I have always owned the land, nothing has visibly changed except for my bank balance, and still I wait.
I am a very patient guy who cuts most people a break, but how much longer can this drag on?
Waiting rant over. But still I wait.
(Ed's note: I can confirm that Kyle was on hold today for over 20 minutes after being asked to wait while a planner went searching for our file. I also recall reading somewhere that HSC once provided a building permit over a weekend. Three years does seem a tad long. Even if you were into tantric...)
Local Lines
Empathy
I see a man boot-ankle deep in snow trudging a forest fence line of king pines de-throned low with snow and as he goes he shakes each inflicted burden from their crowns and one by one they rise rise till up-right tall green free majestic.
Oh! Why am I weeping?
- Jan Price
Although well published, Jan says the hardest of all to find is the quiet to write and to realise she has run out of white when she is in the mood to paint!
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
G’day! I’m Oscar. I’m a
My favourite thing is chin scratches, but I’m happy with any kindly attention. I love to spend time relaxing and I’m always happy to have some human company. I prefer the quiet, simple life and would like to find myself a relaxed
to share with a caring human or two. Microchip no. 956000012167758. You can meet me here at the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine.
Ph: 5472 5277.
(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. And proudly supported by Daylesford's petstock - where pets are family.)
Just sayin’...
By Donna Kelly
I think ambos are among the nicest people in the world. And I have never met one I didn't like. (Well, there was one but there's always one.)
Mind you, when you do catch up it's usually in a pretty stressful situation, but it always feels like "the adults have arrived".
They never run, not sure if that is part of their training, they are calm, serious but ready with a smile, amd never tell you off for doing something stupid like breaking your ankle.
So I reckon the media release that came across my desk this week is a real winner. It's headline was: "AUSTRALIA’S FIRST PARAMEDIC PRACTITIONER LAWS PASS PARLIAMENT." Not sure why they have to do that in shouty capital letters but lots of media releases come full of random caps. Must be something they teach in PR school.
My training was in journalism. Old school. I had an editor who would throw my work back at me, it was bits of typed paper stapled together, a couple of paragraphs to a page, and yell "this is shit, do it again". I also had a sub-editor who asked me about something I had left out of the story. I told him "if in doubt, leave it out" and he yelled back "if in doubt, bloody well find out". But I digress.
So this media release said Paramedic Practitioners will be able to deliver urgent care and prescribe medicines while saving Victorians a trip to hospital.
That is just fantastic and makes so much sense. Ambos do so much training but spend half their time just sitting with patients waiting for hospital beds to open up.
The release continued: "Paramedics regularly transfer patients with serious, but not life-threatening, conditions to hospitals. With their new advanced clinical training, Paramedic Practitioners will now be able to assess, diagnose and treat patients in the field, make clinical decisions and take pressure off our busy emergency departments.
"The key change will allow Paramedic Practitioners to prescribe and administer scheduled medicines when treating patients, providing Victorians with immediate treatment on the spot."
So the first lot of 30 is now at Monash Uni getting their free Paramedic Practitioner master's degree, with the next cohort starting in a few weeks.
Once they graduate, the ambos will be equipped to treat conditions that often lead to hospital visits, such as urinary catheter care, wound care and closure, minor infections, dislocations and fractures.
Of course, only a sceptic would wonder if this could eventually lead to the closing of small regional hospitals, which generally cover this kind of thing.
And only a sceptic would wonder if the ambos will now be really run off their feet and become like a quasi, and free, doctor on call. Caring for people in their homes so those people can avoid paying a doctor for simple treatments.
I must say on the face of it, this seems like a great idea. If it works.
Oh, the ambo I didn't like. He was no longer an ambo, having quit during Covid after being completely stressed out. Almost PTSD according to him, and I get that.
But he had taken up a job doing first aid training and he was awful. Rude, belligerent, making fun of people who did not have English as their first language.
We also had to make noises when we sucked in our fake Ventolin, and got yelled at if we didn't. But because I yelled when I had my fake Epipen jammed in my thigh I got in trouble.
And when we had a short break he leaned back and asked if anyone had any pets. He had a snake, of course. And any other animal mentioned was "better off dead".
But apart from him, never met an ambo I didn't like. Just sayin'...
W RD CROSS
Here is the crossword solution for Edition 324.
How did you go?
All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.
Markets
Every Sunday - Daylesford Sunday Market
First Saturday - Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers Market, Woodend Farmers Market
Second Saturday - Trentham Community Group Market, Kyneton Farmers Market, Kyneton Rotary Community Market
Second Sunday - Maldon Market, Clunes Farmers Market
Third Saturday - Trentham Farmers Market and Makers Market, Glenlyon Farmers Market, Leonards Hill Market, Creswick Market
Third Sunday - Talbot Farmers Market, Woodend Lions Market
Fourth Sunday - Daylesford Farmers Market, Trentham Station Sunday Market
