The Local Issue 217, February 1, 2020

February 1, 2021 Issue 217 Banking on a good drop

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

2 About Us

www.tlnews.com.au

Front cover: Damian and Nina Norman opened the Bankhouse Brewery in Dean in January this year and their beer is already proving popular. Read their story

by Kevin Childs on page 21.

February 1, 2021 Issue 217 Banking on a good drop

The Local is a weekly community publication covering the Central Highlands. The next edition is out on Monday, February 8, 2021.

Or online on Sunday, February 7 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, February 3 Copy deadline: Thursday, February 4 Editorial deadline: Thursday, February 4 Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes

Image: Kyle Barnes

Sub-editors | Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith Sales | Henry Maxwell

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout, Carol Saffer, Jane Williams and Donna Kelly Photographers | Kyle Barnes and David White

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

Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness

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

Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Indre Kisonas (design), Glenn Robinson (cartoons), Darren Lowe (gigs) and Matthew Richardson (money) Accounts | Julie Hanson

Delivery | Tony Sawrey

Editorial & advertising: 5348 7883 or 0416 104 283 The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.tlnews.com.au We welcome all feedback.

Local Lines The River of Life.

Life is like a mighty river!

In infancy it’s just a trickle of water, struggling out from mother earth's womb, seeking out every ounce of sustenance, being nurtured into life by nature's love.

As a toddler, like that of a tiny brook, stumbling along, spilling over hurdles in its way, it wanders and meanders about aimlessly, taking any course that it is led.

It is carefree in its life and surroundings.

The teenager, now grows into a creek, gathering speed, seeking out new land, trying to find its path, its direction.

It joins with others in its quest to grow, gaining in might and strength with each mile.

Now a young adult, a stream, it has chosen its path.

It flows along with certainty, although there is still an undercurrent, filled with snags and unforeseen obstacles.

Through rapids it forges its way.

As middle age arrives it solidifies into a river, smoothing out the hurdles and bends.

There are tranquil waters, areas of serenity, where it can relax and take its time, others where it must conquer and control.

news@tlnews.com.au or sales@tlnews.com.au See a photo you like? They are available for sale.

Contact Kyle on 0416 104 283

Retirement comes, it is now an estuary.

It flows with a slow grace, reflecting on its past, savouring the effort, it has taken to reach here, before petering out into great oceans, only to become a memory, yet its legacy lives on.

- Gary Wilkinson (2021) Gary is married to Kerrie with two children and four beautiful grandchildren. He and his family have lived in the region for around 25 years and run a small Angus stud in Blampied called Kyah Park Angus.

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

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News 3

Communities rally around Brad Fernando

C

OMMUNITIES around the Central Highlands, Ballarat, Bendigo and beyond are rallying for wine connoisseur and regional wine advocate Brad Fernando, after he was diagnosed last year with an aggressive tumour of the jaw.

Friend Kate Davis said Brad would never ask for help for himself, but with months "to endure and some major expenses along the way including speech therapy and the hope of reconstructive surgery", his friends were rallying for him.

"It's always the most generous people who ask for nothing in return. But now we are asking for the friends of the most giving person, Brad Fernando, to come forward and support him.

"Raised in the inner north Melbourne suburb of Carlton, home to iconic Italian restaurants as well as Jimmy Watson’s Wine Bar and King & Godfree supermarket and wine shop, there was a life plan mapped out for Brad, even if he was unaware at the time.

"Brad started his first part-time role at 14 years of age, packing groceries at King & Godfree, while his mum Heather worked just down the way at Watson’s Wine Bar. "'All my wages went on cured meats, Bisleri mineral water, plus olives and cheeses etc. from the great deli at K&G', he always says.

"At the very young age of 17 and a half, Brad headed to Europe, where he worked front of house in London for a couple of years.

"Six and a half years later, he returned to Melbourne and worked at Alphington House wine bar in Carlton, under the guidance of Brenda Symons, and alongside renowned chef and restaurateur Annie Smithers. From here, it was on to the Lord Newry Hotel in North Fitzroy, followed by time spent with Iain Hewitson at Memories of the Mediterranean.

"Brad had the privilege of working with some amazing people at Memories of the Mediterranean, and learnt so much about the hospitality industry.

"Years later a move to regional Victoria to Ballarat where Brad worked at Bibo café, followed by time at Eclectic Tastes.

"A job came up with well-known Pyrenees winery Summerfield. Brad worked with Summerfield for eight years, before going out on his own with his own business Regional Wine Sales Victoria, and also working with Australian Wine Agencies.

"Brad always was a great advocate for the region and now represents some fantastic wineries from the Ballarat, Pyrenees, Grampians and Macedon Ranges wine growing areas."

They include A.T Richardson, Grampians, Clarnette & Ludvigsen, Grampians, Fratin Bros, Grampians, Tomboy Hill, Ballarat, Sally’s Paddock, Pyrenees, DogRock, Pyrenees, Will Talbot Wines, Pyrenees, Summerfield, Pyrenees, Amherst, Pyrenees, Glenlofty, Pyrenees, Granite Hills, Macedon Ranges, Welshman’s Reef Vineyard, Bendigo, Turners Crossing, Bendigo, Bill Brand Family Vineyards, Coonawarra, 321 Cider, Learmonth and Springmount Fine Foods.

But Kate said last September, Brad was diagnosed with an aggressive tumour of his jaw, resulting in the removal of most of his bottom jaw, and a lot of his tongue.

Brad has spent the last three months at the Alfred Hospital, and is now undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

He has, she says, a path to endure with major expenses including speech therapy and the hope of reconstructive surgery.

"Ever the bon vivant, Brad has been a passionate advocate, tireless and generous in his promotion of all things regional, wine and hospitality. Now is our chance to give back. It is time to get around our mate, and Rally for Braddy.

"We all know that Braddy would not be comfortable with people donating directly to him, no matter how tough his battle. However, we also know that he loves all things wine, and he would be happy if people were buying and drinking good wine in his name.

"Therefore, we are calling on all of Brad’s friends to donate wine, so we can create a 'Brad’s Box' to raise money for our mate. You may have one bottle, six or dozens any donation will help.

"Once we have collected all of the wine, we will package them into a Brad’s Box”, which will consist of six bottles of wine and these will be sold via the Mitchell Harris Wines website. If you can donate wine, or if you can buy wine, then you can help!

"If you are in a position to donate wine, we are asking for all bottles to be dropped off to the Forge Pizzeria, 14 Armstrong Street, North Ballarat by February 5.

"Once we have all of the bottles, we will create the boxes and the wine will go on sale from February 11. All boxes will be priced at $150, although depending on donations we may also have some premium offers which will be priced accordingly."

Anyone interested in receiving an email when the wines go on sale can email Kate at kate@plateupballarat.com.au. The sale will also be promoted on the social media pages of Plate Up Ballarat and Eat Drink West.

All wines are to be collected from Housey Housey at The Forge on the weekend of February 27-28 unless it is being delivered.

Words: Kate Davis & Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed

4 News

Trout hatchery sign launch

We’re all about service. Are you?

people

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T

HE Friends of Cornish Hill have officially launched their interpretive sign on the site of the historic Daylesford Trout Hatchery.

The ceremony took place last Saturday, January 30, and was attended by Friends, volunteers, Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Lesley Hewitt, businesses and Daylesford Rotary.

Friends chair Margie Thomas said back in 2015 the group was doing some research around changing landscapes and someone mentioned an old trout hatchery.

"With a bit of research we found the old buildings. The trout hatchery was one of the most well known in Australia and was even on the tourism circuit with people coming up from Melbourne by train to visit it."

Margie said the group received sponsorship from Daylesford Rotary and the Hepburn Shire Council for the sign. It was produced by signwriter Dan O’Toole with Jamie Kavanagh making the steel backing plate.

The sign is located on Hepburn Shire-managed public land and the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation also supported the project and granted permission to include their logo.

You’ll be the face of Daylesford Community Bank Branch and will be given the support you need to do what you do best - listening to customers and helping them achieve their financial goals.

In return you’ll become a key part of a diverse team in a rewarding work environment where you will have the opportunity to learn and advance your career.

So if you think you’ve got what it takes to be part of the Bendigo team, we want to hear from you.

Visit jobs.bendigobank.com.au to find out more or to submit your application, quoting reference number 927194.

Applications close on Monday, 8 February 2021.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited ABN 11 068 049 178. AFSL 237879.

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Daylesford Community Bank® Branch

COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ARE IN PLACE Coronavirus restrictions are in place to help keep us safe and open.

Keeping on top of this virus is up to all of us.

Keep a face mask handy at all times.

Stick to visitor limits in our homes.*

And please practise COVIDSafe behaviours to keep us safe this summer.

• •

Keep 1.5 metres apart from those you don’t live with.

Keep your hands and surfaces clean.

•

Stay home if you feel unwell, and get tested.

For all current restrictions, go to CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au *Babies under the age of 12 months are not included in daily limits.

Authorised by the Victorian Government, Melbourne

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News 5

Agronomy and economic benefits of hemp

I

NDUSTRIAL hemp, or just plain old hemp, is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant species grown specifically for industrial use.

Unlike the medical or recreational varieties of the plant, industrial hemp has next to no THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and has been in use for centuries for the manufacturing of paper, rope and textiles. But over the course of the 20th century as synthetic alternatives emerged, hemp’s uses and benefits became under-rated, even maligned.

However, over the last decade hemp has been making a resurgence around the world including Australia, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Kyneton’s Lyn Stephenson. She has been a trailblazer for the Australian hemp industry, is the founder of the Industrial Hemp Association of Victoria and a tireless advocate for the plant's commercial production and use.

Lyn is originally from Sydney but after a corporate job relocation to Melbourne she began researching on all the varied uses of hemp back in 1999. By 2002 she had established the IHAV to raise awareness and lobby governments to change legislation to allow farmers a more streamlined process in growing the crop.

“Because of all the good stuff I was discovering in my research I decided that I should start writing to politicians and bureaucrats to see why we were not growing it and what we could do to change things. And that advocacy continued right up until we finally got federal government approval through Food Standards Australia New Zealand to finally have hemp seed approved as a food.”

Despite hemp seed food approval, the hemp food industry continues to be hobbled by outdated regulation. “Once we harvest seeds from the crop we can’t allow animals to graze on it, there is still a testing regime in place and we have to pay for that. You don’t have all those hoops to jump through with wheat or barley.”

However Lyn sees areas where such red tape is starting to relax and one of the things that helped was the approval of medicinal cannabis in 2015. Lyn is quietly confident that things can get moving to release the industry from some of those strict regulations still in place in Victoria. She points out that Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia are going ahead in leaps and bounds while Victorian growers are being held back.

Part of her optimism was the forming of a hemp task force in August 2019 by the Victorian Government chaired by the then minister for regional development and agriculture Jaclyn Symes, with Mildura independent Ali Cupper and Fiona Patten of the Reason Party. Last month they released an interim report that recommended, in the light of industry feedback, “regulatory amendments that will make it easier for Victorian growers to grow hemp”.

Meanwhile in 2012 as part of her quest to promote this emerging industry, Lyn purchased 35 hectares near Kyneton where she has a licence to grow the plant and has around three hectares set aside for cultivation. The previous owners of Bunjil Farm, as it is now known, collected historical structures and moved them onto the property.

They all date from the mid to late 1800s and several of them have now been turned over to showcasing myriad uses of hemp. First up is Hemp Cottage which has seen its corrugated iron cladding redone with hempcrete. Hempcrete is a slurry made with lime, water and the woody core of the hemp stalk known as hurd. It is bucketed into formwork on site and replaces bricks, insulation and lining boards in one install.

“I also have an old coach house originally from Market Street in Kyneton which I have converted to a seminar room,” says Lyn. “Then there is an old Cobb and Co. mechanics station from Coomoora which I converted into a shop and display area with potential hemp products we could be producing instead of importing.”

Bunjil Farm is a fully operational site demonstrating the agronomy and economic benefits of hemp to all comers. Furthermore, the property has also just been approved by the Macedon Ranges Shire Council to hold open days with workshops; the dates of which will be announced later this year.

Words Tony Sawrey | Image: David White

new Variety STORE Gifts, treats, toys, games & more Everything under $29 Open 7 days a week 10am to 5pm 42 Vincent Street Daylesford

Daylesford Family Day Care recruiting now

A

RE you passionate about working with children? Are you looking for a flexible and rewarding career? Do you dream of an opportunity that supports your professional development and personal autonomy? If the answer is YES, read on.

Daylesford Family Day Care are currently recruiting family day care educators to provide high quality education and care to children and families in Central Victoria.

As a family day care educator, you will have the opportunity to: Be your own boss. As a family day care educator with Daylesford Family Day Care you will receive all of the assistance and ongoing support required to establish your own small business from home; Work from home or in an approved venue. Our educators are inspired to create their own natural and nurturing home or in-venue learning environment that reflects their style, their community and the needs and interests of the children in their care; Control your hours. Our educators have the flexibility to work the hours that suit them while providing families in the community with flexible, high quality child care options; Boost your earning potential. Take charge of your financial future with your own small business as a family day care educator. Realise your personal, professional and financial goals all with the support of Daylesford Family Day Care; Create a work-life balance. Bring your family, life and career aspirations together in your own home or venue and in your own business; Work in a small group setting. Our service provides early childhood professionals with an opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with the children in their care. As an educator with Daylesford Family Day Care, you will work in a small group setting within your home or venue, teaching children skills that will set them up for the rest of their lives; and Develop tailored curriculums for children. Engage your passion and creativity by adapting the Early Years Learning Framework with programs and activities that interest you and the children in your care.

Take your first step towards a new and rewarding career now and Daylesford Family Day Care will assist you every step of the way.

If you have a passion for working with children, or if you’re an early childhood professional looking for a fresh start, we urge you to apply.

Position Requirements:

• Previous experience within the early childhood education and care sector (desirable but not essential) • Passionate about working with children and qualified, or willing to undertake, an approved Certificate III qualification in Early Childhood Education or equivalent • Ability to provide a suitable environment and educational program for young children in your own home/venue • Willing to obtain a Working with Children check • Willing to obtain a National Criminal History check; and • Willing to obtain First Aid and CPR training.

About Daylesford Family Day Care

Daylesford Family Day Care has been providing education and care to local families for over 28 years and supports educators across Victoria.

We support a network of dedicated early childhood professionals committed to delivering high quality education and care and supporting local families.

Our service has a strong community focus and takes a consultative and reflective approach to our practices and programs.

We believe that family day care isn’t just the right choice for families, it’s the natural one.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your relevant experience to fdc@daylesfordchild.org.au For further information, please contact Shirlene Nevill, Family Day Care Manager on 0428 483 702.

EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP CATCHING UP WITH MATES Every test keeps us on top of this virus.

And keeps us doing the things we love.

So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.

For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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News 7

Carnies coming to curbsides near you

H

ER stage name portrays her perfectly – Sophie deLightful.

And delightful she is. While thousands of Victorian artists and performers were starved of work and an income, Sophie turned a negative (she had a double whammy – an entertainer and a home-based travel agent) into a positive and was the inspiration behind pop-up circus Curbside Carnies.

On a mission to find any grants available during lockdown, Sophie phoned, emailed and connected with local governments across the state. And she wasn’t going to give up on her mission to find seed funding.

She had a perfect opportunity to create a pop-up circus act that could be rolled out to regional Victoria - post-lockdown of course. The act needed to engage local artists, delight performance-starved crowds and, most importantly, add a little joy after a pretty tough year.

Sophie had nothing to lose. She had time on her hands and knew she just needed to make it happen.

And Sophie’s determination paid off. With grant funding available but with the state in lockdown, councils across the state (including Hepburn, Banyule, Yarra Ranges, Whittlesea and Port Phillip) welcomed the chance to fund a unique and timely project - and Curbside Circus was born.

“I started planning a portable stage with the help of friends. Originally, I had an idea to make something that I could take to festivals for my roving cabaret show and then COVID hit and a small amount of funding from an arts festival grant allowed me to build a small, portable stage. At the start I joked in conversation that I’d roll it around the local neighbourhoods and perform in front of people’s windows during lockdown.

“I wanted to provide an opportunity to take the circus on the road and use local artists as part of the show. It gives artists work, helps local economies and gives people wonderful entertainment and a great little escape - for free. And given it’s outdoors, it’s COVID-safe which is something we all have had to manage as artists and performers.”

Local artists including Daylesford’s own unicycle juggler Sam Hrycrow as The Amazing Mr Fish, Ballarat’s hand balancer Erika Hansson and Castlemaine’s hula hooper Nicola Hall, will join Sophie as part of Circus Carnies.

“It seems logical to perform with the same three artists at each Curbside Carnies outing. But locally sourcing each cast is a way to showcase local talent and give them an opportunity to perform after such a long break between jobs.”

Sophie is no stranger to the region. She has been holidaying here and visiting friends for years. But, despite her familiarity with the region, she said she has been overwhelmed with the response to her initiative, reflecting that the region’s response to the circus was incredibly supportive.

“Giving back to local communities was the main reason for me starting this venture and as soon as I put out a message, there were so many positive messages of support and so many people eager to tell me about local artists across the Macedon and Hepburn regions,” she said.

The Daylesford-Creswick-Glenlyon leg of Curbside Carnies kicks off at the Creswick Skate Park this Sunday (February 7) at 11am. Curbside Carnies will then head to Lake Daylesford where Sophie and our home-grown circus talent will perform at 2pm before heading to the Glenlyon Hall for a final show at 4pm.

Pictured, from top left, Daylesford's Sam Hrycrow aka the Amazing Mr Fish, top right, Castlemaine hula hooper Nicola Hall, and below Curbside Carnies' Sophie deLightful Words: Narelle Groenhout Images: Contributed, and bottom, Elise Mezner

Cold beers on tap and great local wines.

Sunday spit roast dinners and a summer menu with loads of shareable options.

Exceptional service with food to match SPEND SUMMER AT THE DAYLESFORD HOTEL LUNCH FRI - SUN 12-3PM DINNER 7 NIGHTS FROM 6PM DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

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Our artists 9

Artist Dorothy Enders keen to hang work

T

HE Kyneton Art Group has been operating for more than 40 years. Its members meet every Tuesday at the Red Brick Hall in Yaldwyn Street Kyneton. The aim of the group has always been to provide fellowship and a space for artistic creativity.

Its very first gathering was on Tuesday, March 29, 1977 with the first teacher Geoffrey Sayer from Castlemaine. Just over a month later, in May 1977, they had their first exhibition at the library during the Kyneton Daffodil Festival. Complete with a wine and cheese opening in the supper room at the shire hall, the paintings were lined up on trestle tables, while others were pinned on a line of clothes hooks along one wall. One painting by Shirley Wakefield was sold. The title: Dingo and Pups.

Dorothy Enders was at that first exhibition. Today she is in her 80s, is the longest serving member of the Kyneton Art Group and continues to attend the Tuesday sessions. She remembers well the circumstances that led to the group's forming.

“I decided to get some lessons in painting and went to evening classes at the high school,” Dorothy says. "The classes were held in one of the portables and it was freezing so some of us decided to start an afternoon painting group. We broke off from the evening art classes and one of our members was associated with the Presbyterian Church and knew the Sunday School hall was available to rent. That’s where the group started.”

Dorothy was originally from West Footscray and had been active in artistic creativity since childhood. Her first career was as a draughtswoman, although she would say "tracer", at an engineering firm in Melbourne before getting married and relocating to Tylden and later Kyneton, where she raised two children.

“I married a man and I did what I was supposed to do; have children and look after him. I didn’t have a chance to do anything creative until I started painting again in 1970. Then my brother asked if I would do him a painting. So I thought ‘I will have a go at this’ and it worked. It was a night scene, all in Prussian blue with a little bit of white here and there. I still have the painting, it needs reframing but I’ll hang onto it. I think I will get them to bury it with me.”

Dorothy paints a range of subjects from flowers to landscape studies, but she has a particular interest in architecture, especially the array of historic bluestone buildings scattered around the town. In fact Dorothy likes to think that by documenting these old structures over the years, she has helped to preserve them for future generations.

And while Dorothy says she technically retired in 1992, other members said she had to keep coming along.

“I’m not a teacher but if they want me to help with a line or two, I’ve got a pretty keen eye and I can sort of guide them in the right direction.”

Like everything else the Kyneton Art Group was disrupted by the circumstances of the past year. For the first time in over 40 years they were unable to hold their yearly exhibition, a show which normally coincides with the Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival in September. However their display will return this year and Dorothy’s name will be on the room sheet.

“I still have some old paintings here that no-one has ever seen, which I’ve hung onto. I just have to get them framed and they will go into the show.” She adds: “I’m a terrible hoarder.”

Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: David White

“It was a night scene, all in Prussian blue with a little bit of white here and there. I still have the painting, it needs reframing but I’ll hang onto it.

I think I will get them to bury it with me.”

10 Our artists

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Connecting the world: Nature and people

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T’S incredibly difficult to sum up Macedon Ranges artist Joanne Mott’s art. Primarily she is a sculptor, making both studio-based pieces and siteresponsive artworks.

And while her successful 25-year career has taken her around the world showcasing her expansive collections including drawing and installation, sculpture and community artwork, at the heart of her work is the natural environment and the importance of connecting with the people around her. In her own words her work reflects an "ongoing exploration of the inextricable relationship of nature and culture".

Joanne, pictured top in her studio, moved to the area seven years ago with fellow artist and partner John Power and together they are planning to unveil their collaborative art studio they worked extensively on during COVID. “I was really happy to move out of suburbia and here we have the best of both worlds in this beautiful environment,” she said.

Like many artists worldwide, COVID put a halt on hosting exhibitions and community art projects. A number of commissioned works were also postponed. But for Joanne, the lockdown and isolation gave her the chance to work on her studiobased artworks and plan for her next exhibition.

“Everyone went through their own challenges over lockdown and I was able to draw inspiration from materials for my postponed community art projects to develop new works during isolation.”

Anyone who visits Joanne’s website page would understand why it is difficult for Joanne to name a few of her favourite works. One that comes to mind is the public art work in Clunes adjacent to the skate park, pictured below.

Lunaris, which responds to the geology, landscape and history of Clunes is not only a land art creation but includes an augmented reality phone app that allows visitors the chance to engage a huge 3D moon sculpture.

In another exhibition at Stockroom in Kyneton, Joanne showed a series of world globes depicting the continents of the planet with individually hand-coloured map pins, pictured middle.

And one that truly stands out for Joanne is the permanent public artwork in the Arndell Community and Health Centre where over 100 paper flowers were handmade by the community to form the portrait of a young community centre member.

“There really was something so special about working on that project with community members of all ages and the result was a beautiful portrait made by the community,” she said.

To date Joanne has featured in close to 100 solo, community, collaborative and group exhibitions locally and across the country.

And while Joanne is a sought-after artist, with an extensive portfolio in public artwork alone, her passion lies also in sharing her work with her community. She recently held a workshop for children at the Kyneton Town Hall where children used recycled materials to create wind sculptures which blended art, science and design.

She is often visiting community centres and schools, giving young and old the opportunity to be part of interactive and powerful art projects.

“There is something very satisfying about working with people of all ages, meeting their individual needs and empowering them through creative exploration,” she said.

“I love the face-to-face interactions at the workshops and it is great to see the wonderful experiences people have with their creative process.”

Joanne’s diversity as an artist has one common element – nature.

“There was a turning point early on in my career when I realised the importance of the collaboration of art, nature and the environment.”

For now, Joanne is continuing to create her home-based studio space, getting back into the community to deliver projects face-to-face and developing more siteresponsive art.

Words: Narelle Groenhout | Images: Contributed

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DAYLESFORD & CRESWICK

DAYLESFORD 14A MALMSBURY ROAD

HIDDEN GEM ON THE EDGE OF TOWN WITH RURAL VIEWS Sitting on 1227m2 approx, Manna Gums is located on the edge of the Daylesford Township with sweeping views of the surrounding rural landscape. Offering spacious open plan living areas and a magnificent alfresco area where you can enjoy a peaceful rural environment, this main residence features 4 bedrooms, main with large WIR and ensuite, and 2 & 3 have BIR. The open plan family/kitchen area leads to a separate dining room that could be used as a study. The lounge area doubles a private snug area. The separate studio is fully self-contained and features a large lounge/meals area, access to a private north-facing courtyard, kitchen, bathroom with corner spa and separate toilet. a 5 b3 c2 AUCTION Saturday 20th February at 11:30am PRICE Contact Agent CONTACT Michael DeVincentis 0417 142 152 Curtis O'Neil 0423 904 050 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

DAYLESFORD 43 HUGGETTS LANE AN ORIGINAL DAYLESFORD HIDEAWAY Beautifully private and set on just under an acre of land (3716 sq.m) on the edge of Daylesford, this 2 bedroom original miner’s cottage will suit those seeking a substantial renovation project to create their own Daylesford hideaway.

The cottage, with loads of character and a sense of history, is surrounded by a wonderful established garden that has old world shrubs and shade trees, prolific fruit trees plus a small bushland dam.

An oasis in the midst of native bushland, yet only 5 minutes to the bustling town centre.

a2 b1 c2

FOR SALE PRICE $585,000 CONTACT Curtis O'Neil 0423 904 050 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

ID and contact details are required at all open for inspections

DAYLESFORD 3 TIPPERARY SPRINGS ROAD BLANK CANVAS READY TO BUILD YOUR IDEAL COUNTRY RESIDENCE! Ideally situated in a quiet residential road, surrounded by Australian native trees, this vacant allotment of 1948m2 is close to walking tracks, bushland and Tipperary mineral springs.

This cleared block is zoned Low Density Residential in the Hepburn Shire Council and offers an astute buyer the potential to build an ultimate country retreat with a possibility of multiple dwellings (STCA).

FOR SALE PRICE $400,000 CONTACT Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

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DAYLESFORD & CRESWICK

DAYLESFORD 11 KING STREET GARDEN OASIS CLOSE TO LAKE DAYLESFORD Set privately amidst a lush green oasis garden this stylish 3 bedroom/2 bathroom residence on a corner allotment provides welcoming contemporary country living in a superb location opposite the renowned Lake House, just a minute’s walk to the shores of beautiful Lake Daylesford and 5 minutes to the town centre.

With an abundance of natural light, the property has been presented with ultimate comfort in mind, where elegant country styling and thoughtful decor throughout complements the garden outlooks from every room.

DAYLESFORD 11 VINCENT STREET NORTH ARTIST'S RETREAT IN CENTRAL DAYLESFORD An historic miner’s cottage where the central hallway and four original front rooms with timber lined ceilings and open fireplaces have been retained and are suited to further renovation. A recent extension provides a sunny open plan living-dining-kitchen and large bathroom with separate selfcontained studio apartment beneath. There are lovely western views over Doctors Gully with a wide balcony on the upper level and a paved terrace sheltered by an abundant grapevine below.

In addition, there is a huge and separate artist’s studio.

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DAYLESFORD 76 RAGLAN STREET

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CRESWICK 22 ROGERS STREET

FOR SALE PRICE $790,000 CONTACT Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

FOR SALE PRICE $795,000 CONTACT Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

ID and contact details are required at all open for inspections

SUPERB CENTRAL DAYLESFORD LOCATION Located just one block from the main street in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood, this beautifully presented character home is set back from the street and offers relaxed country living in the heart of popular Daylesford. The residence is private and quiet with a north facing elevated front verandah, 3 bedrooms, inviting and cosy living room, central bathroom and a welcoming country-style kitchen. The rear terraced gardens provide plenty of space for outdoor entertaining. Perfect for those seeking their own country residence, weekend retreat or rental investment.

HIGH ON THE HILL This home is situated in a quiet location on an approx. 893 m2 block of land. Perched high on the hill and only 7 min stroll to the main street. This home features 3 bedrooms, with built in robes in the master and 2nd bedroom. The spacious bathroom has a bathtub. The light filled kitchen has an electric stove with ample storage and there is a separate good-sized laundry. Electric hot water, heating, ceiling fans, town services and NBN is also connected. The garden is easy maintenance with an abundance of fruit trees including a beautiful walnut tree, garden shed and cubby house.

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FOR SALE PRICE $685,000 CONTACT Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

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FOR SALE PRICE $400,000 CONTACT Janos Alles 0413 807 927 Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE 32 Albert Street, Creswick 5345 1073

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14 Out & About

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To market, to market Daylesford Sunday Market – every Sunday (pictured right) Wesley Hill Market - every Saturday Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers Market - first Saturday Golden Plains Farmers Market - first Saturday Woodend Farmers Market - first Saturday Castlemaine Artists’ Market – first Sunday Trentham Community Group Market - second Saturday Kyneton Farmers Market - second Saturday Ballan Farmers Market - second Saturday Kyneton Rotary Community Market – second Saturday Maldon Market – second Sunday Clunes Farmers Market - second Sunday Trentham Farmers Market and Makers Market - third Saturday Glenlyon Farmers Market – third Saturday Leonards Hill Market - third Saturday Creswick Market - third Saturday Talbot Farmers Market – third Sunday Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday Daylesford Rotary Farmers Market - fourth Saturday (New day!)

Trentham Station Sunday Market - fourth Sunday Buninyong Village Market - fourth Sunday

Bells Water Gardens @ Newlyn

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

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

Contact us for all your water garden requirements or come and see our nursery at 1 Campion Rd, Newlyn.

0418 567 195

LOOKING FOR CARPET?

We have an extensive range of quality carpets from manufacturers Godfrey Hirst and Victoria Carpets Call in and see Harry, Graeme or Jill for your flooring requirements.

OPEN: Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm Saturday: 9am-1pm 1a Mink Street DAYLESFORD | P: 5348 4097 | E: daylesford@qualityfloorz.com.au

www.qualityfloorz.com.au

FLYSCREENS MEASURED,

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16 Gardens

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Bee nice to our 'buzzy' friends If it weren’t for the daily efforts of the ever-busy honey bee and her nifty little pollen baskets, the world would be stuck for food. And it seems that if we aren’t careful, that could come to a sticky end.

As a country boy at heart growing up among trees, flowers and potted plants, I’ve learnt to appreciate and encourage bees. My father was an amateur apiarist who was often called out to relocate swarms - working bees who had left their overcrowded hive to follow a renegade princess to start a new colony. Unfortunately the hives were often on a nearby front door, or garden shed or on the bootlid of the woman who had kindly driven her bee-laden car to our nursery for dad to do his stuff.

In latter years, I hosted several hives among the flowering gums of my hillside property for an amateur beekeeper friend and also enjoyed many jars of beautiful honey. Little wonder we have now done our utmost to attract bees into our Daylesford garden.

It is good to remember that bees are always more focused on finding flowers than attacking humans. Their role is far greater than providing honey for your tea or toast - that’s only a fringe benefit - their major role is, to them, coincidental in that their kneecaps are equipped with bushy baskets in which they unwittingly gather up pollen as they forage the blossoms for the precious nectar.

Since Jurassic times, when their 20,000 or so species evolved alongside us and the plant life, it has always been so.

Considering that it takes each bee around 90,000km and visits to about two million flowers to create 500gm of honey, we certainly need to befriend and encourage them to ensure their continued survival. Their demise would probably foreshadow ours, because I can’t say that I would relish a diet of just seafood and insects, since that is what would probably be all that’s left.

During their up to 90km daily rambles, bees are responsible for pollinating a major percentage of our edible crops from fruits and vegetables to fruit and nut trees, and grain crops.

Little wonder orchardists and vegetable growers, who get it, work hand in hand with apiarists in seasonally placing their hives throughout their properties.

Now, with the advent of those enormous multi-greenhouse, hydroponic market gardens where bees are unlikely to venture, research is racing to find alternatives to hand pollination. That is, visiting every single flower on every single plant, spreading the pollen with a little brush.

I read with great interest that help is hopefully on its way. Apparently recent trials of a computer-driven, flying micro-robotic bee has the worldwide horticultural industry literally buzzing. No doubt they are quite successful in a climate-moderated controlled environment but I have trouble envisaging their efficiency when let loose on a multi-hectare market garden or orange orchard.

Recently, I read the alarming news in the weekend newspaper that a quarter of the world’s bee species have not been seen for 30 years. Surely an alarming statistic when you consider the important role they play in the survival of our constantly challenged eco-system.

Apparently an international researcher's recent study of records of more than 20,000 bee species indicated that they had declined by 25 per cent since 1990.

It's up to all of us to play our role in the continuance of the work of the bees by ensuring they have continuous food sources and safe working environments in our home gardens. A garden redolent of fragrant, nectar-laden flowers would be a great start.

Next week: Bee- and other insect-attracting plants Got a gardening question? Ask Glen. Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

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Crossword 17

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How did you go?

18 Opinion

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Pick me, pick me

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

W

E HEADED down to Melbourne for a few meetings on Friday and with the weather as crap as it was, decided to stay rather than drive home.

As do many, I like Melbourne a lot and we used to stay fairly regularly, maybe once a month, before COVID of course.

We usually find ourselves at the Mantra on Russell, just around the corner from Chinatown, mostly because I love Japanese food, and Kyle loves Chinese. So, the perfect spot.

Returning, after what seems, I guess is, so long, was strange. It is still really quiet on the streets and most people are wearing masks even outside.

The staff at the Mantra were lovely, welcoming us back and putting a few extras in our room - some nice chocolates and a bottle of red - accompanied by a hand-written note addressed to us both. That's the sort of touch that keeps you coming back - even after 12 months.

Over at Gyoza Gyoza on Little Bourke, there was the same sentiment. The waitresses told us they were so happy to have us back and that we had brought some friends. (The friends were actually our nephew, Dylan, and his girlfriend, Annabelle, who moved from New Zealand to Australia just over a week ago - just two days before the bubble burst. Still, we texted to make sure they got tested and were negative.All good.)

The waitress said she spent about six months of lockdown in the restaurant without a single customer. Bored but always hopeful and ready to serve should someone find their way in off the street.

We had a great meal, all socially distanced of course, and a great stay. I would highly recommend a visit to either the restaurant or hotel - even if you don't get extra treats in your room.

And while we thought it was very quiet, we realised it really is all a matter of perspective. As we walked back to the hotel, about 10pm, Annabelle commented that she loved Melbourne and "the busy vibe".

I looked around and saw maybe five people in the street. Dead. But she assured me that even a Saturday night in Christchurch was quieter than that Friday in Melbourne.

Maybe we expect too much and should enjoy the quiet ride as the world becomes normal again. I can see the day will come when we once again push and shove our way along the streets of Melbourne - with social distancing a distant memory.

Having said that, it's been the strangest ride - and I will be very happy to jump off when the vaccines are rolled out. Just sayin'...

Australia Day awards 2021

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EPBURN Shire Council hosted a citizenship ceremony and civic event on Australia Day eve with awards going to the Community Event of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

In 2021, Community Event of the Year went to the Daylesford and District Horticultural Society webinar series.

Prior to COVID-19, the Horticulture Society held face-to-face monthly talks for members to attend.

During lockdown interactions transitioned to online, including Zoom, Facebook, email and eventually the first webinar was held in July 2020.

Despite the technical learning curve, speakers adjusted well to delivering talks from their own homes to a large virtual audience.

The webinar series proved to be popular with attendance rates ranging from 40 to 85 people. The webinars also involved social elements such as raffles donated by local businesses, plant of the month, guest speakers and a platform to share information with likeminded people.

Hey there, I am Mavis. I am nine weeks old and ready, after foster care, for my forever home. I am very sweet and will suit pretty much anyone but we kittens go fast so please call first to make sure I am still here. I hope not!

MC#956000012 BR100938 Call 5472 5277 to make an appointment.

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie and Curly - we picked them!)

The Daylesford and District Horticultural Society had its first public meeting in 1863 and is the oldest continuing horticulture society in Victoria. The group’s ability to adapt under the circumstances is a testament to the resilience of the group and its capacity to grow and evolve.

Meanwhile, the Young Citizen of the Year went to Matilda Hill of Clunes.

From an early age Matilda has been assisting family members at the Clunes Agriculture Show and currently works as a junior steward in the Arts and Cut Flowers section.

Matilda also volunteers at the Clunes RSL. She has an active presence on both Anzac and Remembrance Day events and has previously been a guest speaker sharing stories of her great-grandfather and the impacts of war on community and family. Matilda can be found serving afternoon tea to help raise funds on Booktown weekends.

In 2010, Matilda initiated and led a cake baking effort to support those impacted by the floods in Clunes, paying special attention to volunteers and the elderly.

And after her grandfather was diagnosed with and succumbed to motor neuron disease in 2018, she plays a big role in fundraising events such as the Big Freeze at the Clunes Football Netball Club.

Matilda has also represented Clunes Primary School and Ballarat High School in state level cross country, athletics and swimming.

She is well respected as both a netball player and coach of the under 13s which involves many hours of training and mentoring young locals.

Interestly, Matilda's great-grandfather Syd Duncan was awarded Citizen of the Year in 1996.

Finally, Citizen of the Year went to Philip Greenbank Philip is an active member of the Creswick-Smeaton RSL, accepted the role as Keeper of the Field of Crosses in 2012 and established the memorial gardens of the same name in 2015.

Philip was successful in obtaining grants for four honour board restorations, the largest being the marble Honour Board in the Creswick Town Hall.

As the Memorials and Memorabilia Officer and Historian, Philip is responsible for locating and listing all memorials in the district onto the RSL website and where required, their restoration and history.

Philip has been a CFA volunteer for almost 30 years and has been running junior fire brigades and Fire Safe Kids programs. The junior volunteer program was an initiative of Philip's 17 years ago.

For the past 19 years Phil has worked as a school councillor and is currently the Creswick North Primary School Council president.

Philip has been a member of the Australasian Guild of Town Criers for six years and current president for the past three years. He was appointed the official Hepburn Shire Town Crier in 2015.

www.tlnews.com.au

Opinion 19

Kyle’s Rant

T

HERE are certain things that trouble me in this weird, politically correct world.

We can incite hatred on Facebook, but not on the TV. We can riot in the streets for some cause we might have heard about along the way, and like a typical rebel without a cause we turn up to “support” a movement.

I just thank the good Lord above, or what ever power you believe in, and even if you aren’t a believer, just thank the government that we don’t as a collective public have the right to bear arms. I too saw those gun-toting, knife-wielding mofos storm the Capitol and was gobsmacked at the audacity of the dude who had his feet up on the desk. I mean surely that is the right of the highly paid politician, not an insubordinate red neck.

But to my point or my “vibe” as I like to call it. I am deeply worried about the shortsightedness of the twitchy folk known in some circles as the “anti-vaxxers”. I am all for freedom of opinion so long as it levels with mine and free speech on the same basis. And I really am not much worried for myself in terms of who wants to give their child a jab or wants to take part in the annual flu shot. However, it does concern me with the chatter and the talking out the side of mouths, on the subject of the resistance and suspicion that cloaks the soon to be released COVID vaccine.

Lots of folks I have engaged with have said they don’t want to be the first and that they will hold off a bit to see what happens to others who participate. But surely most of the developed world would have had the jab by the time the first bit gets rolled out to us. That’s billions of people including the Queen of England. The technology that these vaccines (and yes, there is more than one flavour) are built on is solid and tried and true.

And as for the 5G wankers who claim the government has inserted a microchip into the cure so as to track our every move, well you know where you sit in my opinion. And if the government wants to track me, I pity that officer who has to wade through my every movement. They are going to need a few coffees to keep awake the word boring comes to mind. The most they will get out of my tracking is perhaps a little too frequent visits to bottle shops.

I will be the first to do my bit to get our country, and eventually the world, back on track by rolling up my sleeve. Well, actually not the first as I am in Phase 2A adults aged 50-59 years, but I will be lining up. So, for the conspiracy theorists in the great words from the classic Australian movie The Castle: “Get your hand off it, Daryl.”

Vaccine rant over…

"I am all for freedom of opinion so long as it levels with mine and free speech on the same basis."

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

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1 Market Street ~ ph: 5424 1611

Monday–Sunday 8aM~6pM

Thinking about selling your house, land or home?

Place it in The Local's House.Land.Home.Premium.

Out Monday, February 22.

Call Kyle on 0416 104 283 or talk to your real estate agent.

20 Out & About

Gigs with Darren Lowe The Guildford Hotel, Guildford

Broderick Smith - Friday, February 5, 7pm Moosejaw Rifle Club - Saturday, February 6, 7pm Mark Wardle with Barry Fitzpatrick & Fred Lakerink - Sunday, February 7, 1pm

Palais-Hepburn, Hepburn

Daniel Champagne - Saturday, February 13 My High T Valentine - Sunday, February 14, 2pm

Got a gig coming up? Email donna@tlnews.com.au

South Coast Fresh Seafood

Back in Kyneton Wednesdays cnr Piper & Wedge Street car park 7.30am to 10.30am Inquiries: Gordon on 0402 197 486

Let’s support our community and shop local!

“Locals supporting Locals”

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

Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply.

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

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

Give the Foxxy team a call on 5348 3577.

Keep safe, everyone.

Cheers! Damien’s banking on a good drop

A

The first time he combined these the level of alcohol was eight per cent. Now he’s got it to a more reasonable 4.2 per cent.

“It’s taken time for a hare-brained idea to come to fruition. I just broke it down to The sign had barely been out for a minute when Damien Norman made his first sale at nine o’clock on a Saturday morning in January at Dean, on the road to one step at a time.”

Friends and family were guinea pigs for testing the brew. “They didn’t hold back,” Ballarat.

His Bankhouse Brewery business was under way. Within three and a half days he he says.

“It’s not overly 'crafty',” he says of his brew. “Locals don’t want it too fruity, but had sold out of his brew of more than 30 slabs of beer and alcoholic ginger beer. easy to drink. I’d call it between craft and traditional.”

What’s more, he did it from what may be the tiniest brewery in the country, a That seems to work because Damien’s been surprised to learn how many corners timber former bank dating, Damien believes, from the late 1800s. It measures just 22 there are on the mainly straight roads around Dean. Most of his customers say they square metres. live “just around the corner”. Some vary this and are from “just down the road”.

How he got there is quite a story, considering he began brewing in his spare Inside the brewery he has a collection of beer bottles, including Duff from The bedroom, but had to move to the dining room. That didn’t quite work, so next he was Simpsons series and an inelegantly titled brew called Piss. outside in a very basic shed.

Standing below bottle line-up are his 45-litre brewery vessels that turn out almost Then it was time to rip up the mouldy carpet in the bank, get rid of a couple of five slabs. dead possums and smarten the original Baltic pine floorboards. His wife Nina gave Damien and Nina, a care worker in Creswick, were married in the nearby Dean the joint a coat of white paint and a local signwriter whipped up a smart sign out church. They bought the bank and adjoining seventies brick home on a handshake front. with the Ballarat owner 18 years ago. The original bank manager’s handsome house Beer’s a bit of a tradition in Damien’s family. Back in his hometown, Ballarat, burnt down. his grandfather was a barman and a hero who made the front page of the local paper The smiling brewer says his brew is popular among his mates with the exception when he stopped a runaway horse and cart. one bloke his age who’s been on the VB “since he was about 12” and is unlikely to Before the brewing game, 45-year-old Damien spent 23 years working in electrical wholesale in Ballarat, taking up home brewing as a hobby about eight years change. ago.

Words: Kevin Childs | Images: Kyle Barnes & contributed “It was trial and error,” he says. “I had no formal training but I found that it’s a matter of timing, temperature and ingredients.”

The ingredients are malted barley, hops, yeast and water.

BLOKE in a ute on his way to a beach holiday with his family pulls over on a country road where a sign says there’s beer on sale.

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