The Local Issue 158 September 9, 2019

September 9, 2019 Issue 158 Just Chillin’

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

2 About Us

www.tlnews.com.au

Front cover: ChillOut Festival has a new director, Michele Bauer. Read about her and plans for ChillOut 2020 on page 7.

Image: Kyle Barnes

September 9, 2019 Issue 158 Just Chillin’

,

les of Writing: Read “The Six Golden Ru ite, write, write.” read, read, and wr - Ernest Gaines

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands. The next edition is out on Monday, September 23, 2019.

Or online on Sunday, September 22 at www.tlnews.com.au

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

Advertising deadlines for the next edition of The Local:

The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association.

The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.

Space bookings: Wednesday, September 18 Copy deadline: Thursday, September 19 Editorial deadline: Thursday, September 19

HE Local is a free publication distributed throughout the Central Highlands of Victoria. The first "monthly" edition was published in September 2013 and immediately became fortnightly thanks to the demand of our readers and advertisers.

Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes

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The Local is brought to you by a team of local journalists, photographers, columnists, sub-editors, graphic designers, book-keepers and, of course, great delivery people. So when we talk about being local, we really do put our money where our mouth is.

The Local's motto is to "connect the community" by bringing people closer with great features on amazing local people and ensuring you know what is happening around your community whether that's a festival, a fete or maybe just a great special from one of our fantastic advertisers. Content is key.

We love writing about local people doing inspiring things and even local people doing ordinary things. And as some people, mostly politicians, have found out, if you are not local you will not appear in the pages of The Local.

You will find The Local, and all the back copies, online at www.tlnews.com.au and we deliver bulk drops throughout the region along with smaller "cafe" packs to every cafe, hotel, bar and restaurant we can find. We've even heard of The Local turning up in places like a cafe in St Kilda and a bar in Bali! All up we have a print and online readership of about 14,000.

The Local's advertising rates have always been kept affordable so even small advertisers can advertise big. Colour is free, the sizes are an eighth, quarter, banner, half and full page and we can help with making up branding and graphics. The world is confusing enough, so we like to keep things simple.

Finally, from the start, we have offered two free adverts in every edition for notfor-profit organisations along with a rescue pet looking for a new home. It's just our way of giving back. We really hope you enjoy this edition of The Local.

Cheers, Donna (Ed)

Sub-editors | Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith Sales | Kyle Barnes on 0416 104 283 or kyle@tlnews.com.au Writers | Kevin Childs, Kate Taylor, Anthony Sawrey, Peter Young and Donna Kelly Photographers | Kyle Barnes and David White Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness Columnists | Glen Heyne (gardening), Indre Kisonas (design), Sam Redlich (wellbeing) and Tanya Loos (nature).

Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Anthony Sawrey Call us for news and advertising on 5348 7883 or 0416 104 283 Email: news@tlnews.com.au, donna@tlnews.com.au, kyle@tlnews.com.au See all our e-editions at www.tlnews.com.au See a photo you like? Photos are just $22 each, or $55 for commercial use, and will be emailed at high resolution. You can print as many as you like...

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The Local - winner of: *Daylesford Rotary's 2017 Employee of the Year *Rural Press Club of Victoria 2015 Best Feature Series *Daylesford Rotary’s 2015 Business of the Year *Kyneton Daffodil Festival Parade 2015 Best Commercial Entry

“The Local is the future of regional publishing!”

- former senator John Madigan in the Australian Parliament Just sayin’... :)

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Grand finals 3

Hepburn netball winners

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EPBURN A-Grade netballers, pictured above and above left, have taken out the 2019 Premiership defeating Springbank 44 to 41 goals during a thrilling game at Ballarat's Mars Stadium on Saturday, September 7.

The C-Grade team also won, defeating Springbank 36 to 21.

Meanwhile the B-Grade team were defeated by Springbank, 36 to 23.

In the football, Hepburn Seniors, pictured below left, lost their grand final hopes defeated by Waubra with a final score of 14.13-97 to 6.9-45.

In the football reserves Creswick, pictured below right, defeated Springbank, 8.1-49 to 5.8-38.

Images: Alan Marini

4 Words

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Local Lines Ca’ the yowes tae the knowes (Call the ewes to the hills )

Tucked in behind a suburban railway station, this last home in a life where home is life, with its lovely carers and clean rooms cannot conceal its sense of loss.

These wise and richly experienced forgetters of the unimportant sit like piles of dishes waiting for the kitchen-hands.

Having taken all that life can throw at them they still refuse the indulgence of self-pity.

“Ca’ them wha the heather grows...” filters across the hallway from the singalong.

My once lively, sporting and academic friend, unable to walk with hips worn out from too much living, pitying poor Margaret his wife who now remembers nothing, and poor Maureen, his daughter with the intellectually disabled son she mothered for twenty years before her suicide which no one blamed her for.

“And in my arms ye’se lie and sleep, An’ ye sall be my dearie...”

Once happy looking after himself at home, visiting others, running the museum and playing golf, his world is now reduced to a television and a newspaper, daily life a still photo freeze-framed between visitors from the world.

“While waters wimple to the sea, While day blinks in the lift sae hie...”

I sit admiring his acceptance, his having become wise before he got old, his concern for others, his knowing that his life will end here, reductio ad absurdum.

“Thou’rt to Love and Heaven sae dear, Nocht of ill may come thee near.”

I am not getting up and down the wicket as fast as I used to, he smiles.

Nor troubling the scorer.

Or coming in off my long run.

I remember his marriage advice

all of those years earlier about not having to play at every ball and allowing some deliveries to pass through to the keeper, and how it has probably helped him to remain not out despite facing some bumping pitches and blinding light, and now with an hour to play as the last man in.

“Fair and lovely as thou art, Thou hast stown my very heart, I can die but canna part, My bonie Dearie...”

- Tom Perfect His poems notwithstanding, Tom Perfect is a happy man who lives in Glenlyon with his wife Judy, and is frequently visited by his grandchildren who climb all over him.

Poems for Local Lines come predominantly from a group of poets. However, other locals who would like a poem considered for publication can contact Bill Wootton - cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

Our junior writers Change I wish I could get some change, not that much, just little to keep up. I wish I could be rich, I would not need change, then again that’s not reality...it’s not easy to be like me, I am a poor, dirty and suffering person. I’m stuck, stuck in poverty...all I need is some change; streets as my home, old rags as clothes, each breath comes with pain...oh I wish for some change.

People walk past me with disgust, not many walk past with sympathy.

Oh I wish for some change; deep in my soul I wonder...what’s it like with lots of money, if I will ever get enough change to buy food, and that’s not from a dumpster.

Why don’t people give me change? Even the wealthy ones just laugh and walk away...on a cold winter day like this, oh I wish for some change.

Just enough to buy some blankets...sometimes I wonder, why have I been chosen to live a life like this? Will I die like this, a poor sad man? Is this my destiny? Oh I wish for some change...

I never lived in a home, I thought everyone lived like me...I was wrong, I can always hear the happy kids singing their song of joy, in a warm cosy home, were as I ...am stuck moaning for help...oh I wish for some change.

I feel the constant weight on my shoulders, I have been getting dragged into a sad lonely black hole that I can’t escape...I look at a dumpster and recognise it as a shop, but with gross rotten food. My life has always been torn, I never had a family, or fresh food. Oh I wish for some change...my grip is loosening...I can’t hold on, I’m getting pulled into poverty. Oh I wish for some...change.

- Lukas Schroder, 11, Trentham

(Lukas's poem was one of several entries in the Trentham Words in Winter Ellen Kemp competition. The Local would love to hear from other junior writers keen to have their work published. Email donna@tlnews.com.au)

Our writers 5

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Writers learn through sharing and networking

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HE Central Highlands' standing as a place of artistic achievement has been boosted by two writers taking out national awards, with one also going on to score in an international competition.

Karen McCrea from Trentham, pictured right, and Susan Yardley of Woodend, left, won their sections in the Children and Young Adult Literature competition, which draws thousands of entries nationally and internationally. Karen also won third place in an American short story competition that involved using the words map, orange, roadkill and/or tumbleweed. She used all four in a story called Roadkill, about zombie kangaroos. She also won a prize and publication for a poem in an annual NSW collection of stories and poems on grief and loss.

Karen’s epic fairytale won the inaugural section of the Children and Young Adult Literature competition, Everything is a Genre Aspiring, for unpublished authors of adult fiction.

“I had to submit the first 5000 words of a novel,” she says. “My novel, The Offering, is about identity, prejudice, self-acceptance and taking hold of your own life, told in the story of a boy in ancient Ireland, suspected of being a fairy, because he looks different. There may or may not be fairies involved.”

Karen, who is from Ireland, began writing “ages ago”, but very infrequently because she was working full-time as a clinical psychologist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist, an absorbing profession.

“My friend, who is a writer, wanted to undertake the process set out in a book of inspiration and encouragement by the best-selling author Julia Cameron, The Artists’ Way, and I decided to do it too. It changed my life, as they say, because I found I absolutely loved writing.”

Over a couple of years Karen sought out classes and did weekend workshops and a course with a New York school.

She then did an intensive five-day course. “I got to see that my writing had a real impact on the other 11 writers in the course. Then, I was hooked, but had no time.”

After a move from Fremantle in 2014, she took a long break and began writing again. “I've had a few poems published and some flash fiction. This competition was my first venture into the world with a novel-length work.

“This novel began life as a one-page homework for a writing group I used to belong to in Woodend. It grew longer and longer, then I set it aside for about 18 months, picking it up again maybe six or seven months ago, and now I have a completed first draft.”

Karen’s prize included a session with a publisher who advised her to get an agent overseas, which she is doing.

The key thing she has learned is to keep going. “Find a writing group with people who are committed to the long-haul process, and will engage with the work of giving decent feedback - and be prepared to do the same. I am very lucky to belong to a first-rate local writing group with incredibly generous, encouraging, helpful writers from all sorts of genres - novelists, short story writers, playwrights, film and screenwriters, poets, children's authors…

“The group is lively and rigorous, and that helps the process of developing writing. And learn - there are lots of good sources online, workshops, classes and so on. Ask around if you don't know of any writing groups - there are quite a few in our region. If you can't find one, start one.

“And, have a go when an opportunity arises - I wouldn't have thought of entering this particular competition if not for the urging of my fellow writers, and obviously, I'm glad I did.”

Susan Yardley entered her story, The Ark, in the unpublished Young Adult novel section. “I’m not sure how many entries were received but I believe it was hotly contested.”

She’s been writing short stories for 20 years and won other competitions, including the University of Canberra prize and the Rolf Boldrewood Award, as well as being shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Bridport Prize in the UK. Her stories are also in a collection called The Great Unknown and she has a feature film in development.

“My winning piece, the first 5000 words of a novel about a girl who grows up in a cult, is still taking shape. I am still working on a draft and hope to have completed it before Christmas.

“The opportunity to have a judge read my work and provide feedback was incredibly motivating and confidence building.”

Like Karen, she says being part of a good writers’ group is crucial. “Sharing work, learning from others, giving and receiving feedback and networking is just so important. Writing is a solitary occupation, so regular communication with kindred spirits is both uplifting and informative.”

Words: Kevin Childs | Image: David White

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Vehicle funding boost for Tylden CFA

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HE Tylden Fire Brigade has received a $17,500 cheque from Cool Country Community Enterprises Limited, the board of Trentham and Districts Community Branch.

The cheque was handed over from chair Wendy White to brigade captain Marcus Fidler at the Tylden Fire Brigade annual awards night dinner held at Tylden Hall on Saturday, August 31.

The money will help with the purchase of a replacement for the brigade-owned forward command vehicle which is used to control operations on the fire ground.

Brigade secretary Nick Mayhew said thanks to the donation, the FCV would be upgraded to a Toyota Prado SUV "which is roomier, has better 4WD features and will enable its crew to operate in greater safety and comfort�.

Ms White said with the support of all its bank branch customers and shareholders, Trentham and Districts Community Bank Branch was delighted to support important community organisations like Tylden CFA. The new FCV will be operational in time for the forthcoming fire season and will assist in the protection of the local community, as well as greater Victoria, as required.

From left, brigade treasurer Ian Sullivan, brigade secretary Nick Mayhew, captain Marcus Fidler and TDCBB chair Wendy White Words & image: Contributed

Letters

Letters to the editor are always welcome Please keep them short and to the point.

Email donna@tlnews.com.au

Geesegate continues NO WARM and friendly welcome. How distressed we are by the absence of the geese and ducks at Lake Daylesford.

For 30 years we have been going there, looking forward so much to seeing them and picnicking alongside of them. Our annual holiday marred by the silence and emptiness of welcome at the Lake. The quirky, funny little feathered characters that we got to know and love and who brought a smile and sense of warmth and fun, interest and welcome. How sad we are. How upset we are.

Devastating to read the articles on Facebook and in papers about the proceedings.

No explanation from the Hepburn Shire. No council person putting their hand up to take the responsibility for making this decision.

Six thousand signatures is a lot of concerned people. Why was there no community consultation? Sure, they are not a native species but they lived in harmony with their surroundings and were a tourism boon at Daylesford. If, as the shire states, they would like to demonstrate having confidence in Daylesford as a growing tourist destination this is not the way to go about promoting it.

Not going back anytime soon.

- Elaine Mitchell, Ceres

THE arguments for the lake geese are becoming shrill and farcical.

For example, domestic geese are not on the threatened species list, and claims the geese are important to the Daylesford economy are specious and unsubstantiated.

One despairs of the disregard for native waterfowl (many folk seem to think these comprise only swans), and for the lessons of history which in Daylesford are all too obvious.

If council was negligent it was in not acting way back when the geese were first dumped, and I might add, without community consultation. I can at least be glad the perpetrator didn’t think a flock of turkeys might go well in the Gardens.

- Greg Pyers, Daylesford

Council queries SIX years ago we bought a home in Trentham - not a property investment that we intended to profit from.

Property developers have subsequently carved up blocks in and around Trentham and house prices have been elevated to levels that are not affordable for the average citizen. We were shocked to get our recent rates notice with a $252 hike in our annual rates.

It was accompanied by a glossy shire flyer attempting to justify how well our rates are being spent, including provision of recycling (really?), footpaths and drainage (we have none for our road) and a number of other services that I suspect will not be improved to the magnitude of the rate rise.

I can only imagine how this impacts elderly and low-income earners who simply live in their houses, not reaping any benefits from the increase in value.

Developers are being preferenced over regular home owners, and there is no consideration for equity. The council needs to peek behind the dollar signs and find different ways to raise funds, for example reduce rates on primary residences and increase rates on any additional homes or rentals.

Anyway, why do people want to move to the country? For affordability, the clean air and nature - but that's not what you will get in Trentham. I'm so disappointed and disheartened. Have we looked at moving because of the development and increasing Airbnbs around us? Yes. Do I want to leave my friends and my community? No. Would leaving solve this issue? Maybe.

- Merilyn Lanigan, Trentham

RE THE Rex, Hub Development, Vincent Street, Daylesford.

The ratepayers of Hepburn Shire have not heard exactly what is happening at the Rex. Some people are calling it the T-Rex, because it has become a dinosaur.

The Hepburn Shire Council has given the ratepayers no information as to its status at the moment. The development was due for completion in July 2018.

It is now September 2019 and no work is being done. There are no building contractors on site now, or for the last 12 months. I ask the Hepburn Council just when is the Daylesford Hub Development due for completion? It is a simple question. We, the ratepayers want an answer.

- Rod White, Daylesford (See Just Briefly - page 35)

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Our people 7

ChillOut Festival all about audience experience

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HE key to a good event, says new ChillOut Festival director Michele Bauer, is all about a great audience reaction.

“Audiences are so different, but we are in what people are dubbing the ‘experience economy’ and I think that’s true and really true for festivals as well.

“And one of the beautiful things about festivals in general is that it provides you with the experience to step out of your day-to-day. And pride festivals in particular are not just about stepping out of your day-to-day but also embracing a part of you. Maybe you can’t go to work or be at home and be out and proud every day so you can go to a pride festival and really embrace that part of you in a very public way. And I think it is really important to continue to celebrate that. I guess what makes a good event is if the audience is taking away a good experience overall.”

Michele, who moved to Daylesford last year with her partner, has a background in theatre and events, and had been “bouncing between Melbourne and Sydney” which included being interim CEO for Sydney’s Mardi Gras. She said the role of festival director for ChillOut came up, she applied and had the right skills. It also means less commuting and becoming more involved in the community.

Michele said ChillOut, in its 23rd year, was now “middle-aged”.

“We are not the youngest LGBTIQ festival nor are we the oldest, we are somewhere right in the middle. So it’s a good time for us to look at what we are doing and how we are doing it and where we can grow and develop. We already have some fantastic things going for us and the ChillOut brand is great.

“One of our strengths is that we are a regional festival, rather than just a city, and that is hugely important, especially in Victoria where the regions are growing and with Melbourne exploding at the seams, so many people are moving regionally.

“So the regions are going to become even more important, and Daylesford in particular, which is a great opportunity in terms of where to next.

“That said, we are still a pride festival and we take that very seriously and we also understand that there are many issues that have still not been dealt with and many issues arising from the marriage equality debate like this religious bill which is under draft – we will have to see how that affects the community at large. There are also youth issues, trans…so there is still a lot to deal with and work through as a whole society, and we very much still have a role to play in that.

“I think it is about how we combine the celebration, which is important, with our maturity as an organisation. That is where we stand right now.”

Michele said she was backed by a strong committee with, as a natural transition, a few stepping down but many carrying on their positions into the future.

“I am very excited to be here and to have the role. I also see a huge opportunity to do more in the physical environment with the whole region being so unique naturally. There are many things we can do here that you couldn’t do in other places like Sydney or Melbourne. We need to make the most of the natural environment because it is a huge asset.”

ChillOut 2020 will be held from March 5 to 9.

“That said, we are still a pride festival and we take that very seriously and we also understand that there are many issues that have still not been dealt with.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: David White

Sip cocktails on our verandah as the sunset shows off.

Eat Spring dishes bursting with deliciousness.

Finish the evening with a star-filled sky and a quiet ale.

Exceptional service with food to match

SPRING IS BEST ENJOYED AT THE DAYLESFORD HOTEL LUNCH FRI - SUN 12-3PM DINNER 7 NIGHTS FROM 5PM DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU

8 Networking

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The Local Networking Event

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ORE than 50 business people got together for The Local's Spring Business Networking Event held at the Farmers Arms Hotel in Daylesford.

Guest speaker was Mt Franklin resident Lynn Johnson from Nature Needs More who had just returned from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES) in Geneva.

The Local's Summer Business Networking Event will be held at Bellinzona at Hepburn on Tuesday, December 3 from 5.30pm. RSVPs to donna@tlnews.com.au

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Networking 9

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Bridie helping everyone to be bushfire ready

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HEN Bridie McLennan moved to Dales Creek, near Blackwood and the Lerderderg State Forest some years back, she began researching bushfire-ready kits for her household’s emergency preparedness – like many others living in bushfire-prone areas.

Bridie said her first discovery was a positive. There was great information and advice available from state and territory rural fire services, like the CFA, on what to include in a bushfire kit.

“Unfortunately, it was downhill from there. I needed to go to more than half a dozen different stores, both local and online, to create a basic kit which was timeconsuming, costly and frustrating. Then I thought ‘surely there are readymade kits available, reducing the hassle and cost of building my own’.

“I found three bushfire-ready kits on the market but none of them had even half the contents advised by fire services, none had a range of options and they were all prohibitively expensive, with having to buy half a dozen more products on top to complete the kit.”

Bridie almost fell into what happens to many people when things are all too hard and time-consuming – just give up. But with more than 20 years’ experience working in emergency coordination and management, safety management and project management for aerial firefighting, she decided to do something about it. So, after a few years of further research and planning, Bushfire Readiness Kits was born.

Bridie’s kits close the gap between the great information provided on what to put in a bushfire-ready kit and the commercial availability of a range of comprehensive, affordable, quality kits to suit all budgets and household sizes.

Bushfire Readiness Kits align with advice from state and territory rural fire and emergency services with a range of 10 different kits along with more than 12 individual products to further personalise kits to suit individual needs.

The kits also include checklists of what to grab from the home including phone chargers and medication, and on the flipside is room for people to draw their house/ property evacuation plan.

The kits are priced from $99 to $465 with an option to build your own kit, with 20 different products to choose from They can be delivered throughout Australia or picked up from Blackwood.

Bridie is now working on creating pet kits, initially for dogs and cats, which should be ready by Christmas.

Link: bushfirereadinesskits.com.au

PUBLIC HOLIDAY CLOSURE

27

PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP (SIS) Wellness Program

September Springs Medical at Daylesford and Trentham will be

CLOSED on

AFL Grand Final

Friday 27 September 2019 Daylesford practice will be OPEN Saturday 28 September, 9am - 12 noon

8 WEEKS

If you have an urgent, non-life-threatening health concern after hours, call the After Hours GP Helpline 1800 022 222.

PRACTICE COORDINATOR Part Time Fixed Term - Immediate Start

Come and join our dynamic supportive team of medical, health care and administration professionals based in Daylesford.

This is a dream career opportunity for an experienced, dedicated administration support professional with health services/primary care experience and exceptional customer service skills.

Attractive above award salary will be negotiated.

To obtain the position description and application requirements for the role please go to www.springsmedical.com.au\employment

The SIS program has been running strong for over 2 years now.

Our aim is to help people self manage their condition, keep them out of hospital and maintain their independence for as long as possible. As a result of recent research advocating for exercise to be included in standard cancer treatment (COSA, 2018), we now encourage people who have been diagnosed with cancer or who are living with side-effects of cancer treatments to speak with their GP about their eligibility for the program.

The program gets people out of the house and allows them to connect with people outside their usual social groups and make new friends. They are all here for the same reason – their desire to improve their health. It is an 8 week program consisting of 2 supervised exercise sessions and 1 education session per week. We aim to include aerobic and resistance exercises, targeting each major muscle group in the body.

A number of our SIS program participants have found that they feel stronger, sleep better and have a more positive outlook on life, with many continuing with the optional maintenance phase of the program. Our Put a Spring in Your Step Program has also supported participants to find ways to include other forms of exercise into their everyday life.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact our General Manager, Emma Johns on 03 5348 2227.

Please email your application to e.johns@springsmedical.com.au by 5pm Monday 16th September 2019

If you would like to participate in the SIS program please see your GP or call 0488 313 151 for more information.

www.springsmedical.com.au In an emergency always call 000 Daylesford 10 Hospital St | tel: (03) 5348 2227

BOOK ONLINE WITH

Trentham 22 Victoria St | tel: (03) 5424 1602

12 Happy & Healthy

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Movie changes Creswick resident's life

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HEN Creswick resident Jan Worthington saw the movie Plastic Oceans in Daylesford four years ago it changed her life.

Jan started to refuse plastic and use as little as possible and even started up a wholefoods store in her hometown which only used paper bags and also had services like refills for empty detergent bottles.

Determined to get the message out to others, late last month she organised a film night with the theme of From Little Things Big Things Grow and featured the same movie that had inspired her.

“I just thought it was very important to bring the amount of plastic waste going into our oceans to the attention of the public.

Our oceans make up 71 per cent of the world and there is not one sea creature which does not now have plastic inside it.”

Speakers to the 80 people who attended the screening at the Doug Lindsay Reserve included La Vergne Lehmann, the executive director at the Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group, Narelle Huxley, Sea Shepherd’s Marine Debris Coordinator for Melbourne and Dominic Murphy, the Hepburn Shire Council’s sustainability officer.

Jan also spoke about the need for people of all ages to use their own recycled bags for shopping, promoting jute bags now available at the new Creswick IGA. “It was a great night and although we knew it was going to be difficult, from little things big things really do grow.”

From left, Jacqui Hooper, Helen Ballance, Creswick IGA owner Steve Sellars, Willow and Sea Shepherd's Narelle Huxley

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Sustainable houses

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LL aboard for sustainable house tours.

Residents in the Macedon Ranges have the opportunity to learn about sustainable house design with a special bus tour.

The tour, held on Sustainable House Day on Sunday, September 15, will run from 9.30am to 1pm, and visit innovative sustainable houses in the region. The bus leaves from Woodend Library. Due to limited availability, this tour is for Macedon Ranges residents only. For information call 5421 9660 or email environment@mrsc.vic.gov.au Sustainable House Day is an event of Renew, a national, not-for-profit organisation that inspires, enables and advocates for people to live sustainably in their homes and communities. Established in 1980, Renew provides expert, independent advice on sustainable solutions for the home to households, government and industry.

Last year more than 33,000 people visited 226 homes across Australia.

Gold coin donations and ticket sales from open homes reached $13,742 which went to 35 various charities chosen by individual homeowners.

Link: www.sustainablehouseday.com

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Wellbeing with Sam Redlich

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AKE a big, deep breath outside. Can you smell that? It’s the arrival of Spring. Time to shake off the winter cobwebs, couch-lounging by the fire and get active again. If you have been absent from the gym, your group fitness class or even your daily dog walks, now is the time to set an intention to start again.

Here are three easy steps to help you spring into action: Step 1 – Decide. Yes, it’s that simple. Decide that it’s time to move and determine a start date sometime in September. You will then be part of the energetic wake up that Spring heralds, externally with budding growth and internally with instinctive movement.

Step 2 – Let someone know. Whenever we want to start something new, the best way to keep us honest is to let someone know of our plans. If you have a good friend, training buddy or a walking mate, tell them of your intention to start moving again. They may even be happy to join you and together you can create new health and wellbeing goals.

Step 3 – Treat yourself to new fitness gear. There is nothing better than starting exercise afresh with some new gear. Perhaps your runners are a little outdated and could do with an upgrade, or that T-shirt you wore to the gym last season can be replaced, it could even be a just a new pair of socks. Be sure to make it something that will help you to feel ready and set to go.

Spring shines with many new colours and bursts of energy as the flowers and trees bud. Organically we feel more inclined to move about, get out into the garden and the sunshine. Taking some simple steps to help embrace our desire for activity, by deciding a start date, connecting with others in our intentions and honouring ourselves with a small gift is a wonderful way to celebrate our active return.

Yours in health and wellbeing, Sam (Sam Redlich is the owner of Xistance Gym in Daylesford)

Happy & Healthy 13

Sal’s Salon

Winter specials

Cut and Blow Wave $35 $30 pensioner Half head of foils, Cut and Blow Wave $100 Tint, Cut and Blow Wave $65

@Daylesfordnailboutique www.daylesfordnailboutique.com

22 Raglan Street, Daylesford New phone number 0422 228 920

Enjoying family and making best friends

F

RIENDS and family are the most important parts of life at Hepburn House for resident Margaret O’Meara.

The move to Hepburn House, a government-funded aged care facility offering all levels of care from respite to permanent, was an easy one for Margaret because it is a home-style environment full of great people.

“I enjoy the activities and also watching television, and I love the staff and the residents. I have made my dearest friend at Hepburn House – Bev Job – and we just love each other,” Margaret says.

Activities at Hepburn House include exercise classes, craft and cooking groups and Morning Melodies.

Regular outings are also held, for residents to head into town for coffee and shopping.

Margaret also enjoys reading and listening to music – as well as regular visits from her family.

“I am a proud grandmother of 14 beautiful grandchildren and also 14 beautiful great-grandchildren.”

Adding to the comfortable lifestyle at Hepburn House is the on-site kitchen in which home-style meals are prepared and are tailored to suit the dietary and religious requirements of residents.

Residents at Hepburn House also have access to a team of allied health care professionals who regularly visit Hepburn House, alongside the team of personal care workers and nurses looking after residents.

Hepburn House is located at 1 Hepburn Road, Daylesford. For more information, call 5348 8100 or visit www.hepburnhouse.com.au Margaret O'Meara, left, with best friend Bev Job, right, at Hepburn House Advertorial

www.tlnews.com.au

Markets 15

To market, to market, to buy fresh fruit

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OU can find everything you need at weekend markets, from fresh fruit and veg to handmade jewellery and wares, throughout the Central Highlands and surrounds. Here are just a few.

Daylesford Sunday Market – every Sunday Wesley Hill Market - every Saturday Daylesford Farmers Market – first 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 Malmsbury Village Farmers Market - third Sunday (New market - 9am-1pm!)

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

food and drinks, organic veggies, local produce, craft, art, music, plants

kids' craft, handmade goods, eco-wares, 90+ stalls, friendly atmosphere

The Trentham Farmers Market has joined with Trentham Makers Market

Third Saturday, 9am - 1pm

TRENTHAM PETROL & STUFF 1 Market St PH 5424 1611 Mon - Sat 8am - 6pm Sun 9am - 6pm Petrol, oils, swap & go gas, firewood permits, farm produce / produce store, ice, milk, soft drinks, take-away pies, coffee, confectionery, local honey etc. rusty junk, secondhand books, old wares

16 News

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Market at Malmsbury

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HE inaugural Malmsbury Village Farmers Market sets up this Sunday, September 15 at the Village Green from 9am to 1pm.

Shoppers will be able to select from up to 35 stalls offering local fresh produce and locally prepared consumables. Market coordinator Meggs Hannes said she was very excited with the line-up the market had on offer.

“This would have to be the tightest local line-up in any farmers market I have worked with. The interest in this market has been fantastic from established to emerging local producers and I am proud to see these people really embracing this market.”

Produce on offer includes fresh seasonal vegetables from across the region, Harcourt apples, Drummond lamb, Redesdale beef, Tooborac pork, Monegeetta cheese, Kyneton pastured eggs, Malmsbury plants, Barfold Olives, Heathcote balsamic vinegar and condiments, Metcalfe and Blampied wines, Redesdale walnuts, Lauriston panforte, Castlemaine Puds, Maldon preserves and skincare from Kyneton and Elphinstone and much more. Live music on the day is from Kyneton-based Floyd Black Band.

This market is the 6th market on the Macedon Ranges Farmers Market circuit, joining the other markets in Woodend, Kyneton, Riddells Creek, Lancefield and Macedon. The circuit is the largest cooperative farmers market group in the state.

Meggs said market organisers wanted the local village farmers market to be another viable trading place for local producers to connect with a growing community of people eager to support local farming ventures, consume fresh local food and purchase from those people using locally grown ingredients in their production. The market is an initiative of the Malmsbury Town Hall committee.

Town Hall committee member and passionate farmers’ market champion Sue Love said she was anticipating great flow-on effects from the farmers market to the town.

“It will be great to see the street teeming with life and the local traders getting the attention they deserve. The Calder Freeway bypass has really affected Malmsbury and we are keen to see it buzzing again.”

Details: Meggs Hannes on 0407 860 320, or at malmsburyfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

Malmsbury Town Hall committee and market founder Sue Love samples kombucha from K’Boocha Woodend with Karina Reed

Help for small business' social media marketing

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HARON McNamara-Youl moved to Malmsbury a year ago and is now providing social media and marketing services to small businesses in the region.

Back in Melbourne, Sharon had been working with small business owners in the creative services area such as graphic designers, interior designers and architects, providing them with business coaching. She was originally trained as a graphic designer, working in small businesses from junior positions to general manager but about 15 years ago decided it was time for a change.

"I changed my focus from actually the doing side of design to managing design businesses. So while my skills were originally solely on the creative side, my business background comes from hands-on experience, being self-taught along with being mentored by some pretty great people.

I have always been exposed to some strong design businesses in Melbourne and learning how to market and promote brands in a really effective way. And now I am taking that learning and applying it at the right scale for where I am now.”

Sharon said she decided, along with her move to the region, to transition herself so her professional and personal life could fill the same space, and she could focus on social media marketing “because I think that is where the greater need is here”.

“Small businesses often lack the time and skill to take on their own social media. As a small business person myself I know what it is like to wear 100 hats at once. The activity that doesn’t immediately relate to income generation is usually the one that gets pushed to the side. And it can be a bit spooky as well, the whole marketing brand management and social media thing – so it can also be dealt with in a slightly more ad hoc way. I am offering to either train small business people so they can do it better themselves, or they can delegate that work to me.

Sharon said the amount of time needed to be set aside for successful social media differed from one company to the next. "You have to ask ‘what do you hope to achieve by the use of social media?’ You could invest a crazy amount of time but for most of the businesses I am looking at I think it is about 10 to 12 hours a month" Sharon, who moved to Malmsbury to be closer to her daughter and first grandchild in Romsey along with getting off the “hamster wheel and having quality of life” says the region is perfect for small businesses to thrive. “The same quality of life we are experiencing is why so many people are moving here, and that’s good for business and good for businesses. There is a lot of tourist trade to take advantage of and tonnes of opportunity. That’s what excites me about being in this area.”

Contact Sharon on 0412 218 863 or sharon@malmsburyvillagemarketer.com.au Promotion

circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au

SPRING HAS SPRUNG … … and we have been busy listing and preparing beautiful properties all over this wonderful region for launch over the coming weeks.

Our experts’ strong track record of providing genuine, practical advice on the preparation, launch and timely sale of not only heritage and lifestyle property but commercial, residential and rural holdings as well, is a great source of pride, but more importantly it offers our vendors the confidence and security that we have the experience and dedication to work both professionally and promptly in achieving a positive outcome for all parties.

If you would like to discuss any of your own sale, purchase or any other property related enquiry ... assured of our discretion, please contact …

Dominic Romeo Property Sales Consultant - Heritage Property Specialist M: 0438 500 277 E: dominicromeo@circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au

Sue Gratton Principal & Licensee - Lifestyle Property Specialist M: 0407 599 559 E: suegratton@circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au

REIV round up From REIV CEO Gil King:

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PRING has sprung and that means the property market is also heating up.

Your real estate guide to the Central Highlands

Lock in your property advertising for 2019 | 2020

Although stock levels remain low as we come off a correction period, you should start to see more ‘for sale’ signs dotted around your neighbourhood, as Spring is traditionally the most popular season to buy or sell a home.

Last Spring 7749 homes sold via private sale in regional Victoria compared with 519 using the auction method.

If you are contemplating putting your property on the market this season, you need a plan to get the best possible result.

The first step is to find the right agent. Do your research, ask around, pop in to your local agencies to get a sense of their approach and feel free to ask questions. The REIV recommends prospective vendors get appraisals from at least three agents from competing agencies and consider how they stack up.

An appraisal will outline an estimated selling price (usually based on recent sales in the area and market trends), marketing and advertising campaign options and commission fees. Remember the cheapest agent isn’t always the best.

A skilled and experienced agent will be able to negotiate a sale with one or more interested buyers and will have access to a database of potential buyers who may have missed out on a similar property in your neighbourhood.

REIV members are well educated, trained and informed, with access to the most comprehensive market information including quarterly median house prices, auction results and legislative updates. It is a condition of membership for all REIV members to have professional indemnity insurance.

Link: www.reiv.com.au

Contact: Kyle Barnes 5348 7883 | 0416 104 283 House.Land.Home. is a division of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd

House.Land.Home.

Design with Indre Kisonas

Go for gold - it's Spring

Where form follows function The principle of ‘form follows function’ is associated with the architectural and industrial design paradigm where the shape of a building or object should relate to its intended use.

My personal journey is about shoes. Soft Italian versus work boot and city versus country.

My pain started as soon as I put the work boots on. They are specific work boots built for a specific function. Firefighting. In my little design mind, I analyse everything with a notion to how I can improve it. What are the flaws and how would I improve this?

These boots are heavy. They are hard. Difficult to thread, tighten and then loosen in order to prevent chafing and blistering. Chunky and definitely a tripping hazard, they have to be worn in. My mother always taught me not to bother with a shoe if it had to be worn in. It should fit like a glove, be well-balanced, become an extension of your leg and be easy to wear for hours.

You get what you pay for, believe me but in this case, the firefighters work boot fits none of my criteria. The city swan has turned into Herman Munster with a predilection for placing unavoidable holes in walls, getting caught in doorways and tripping over her feet because it just can’t be helped.

These boots are heavy, chunky, steel-capped and just as they were designed, for their function. They are protection from falling objects, a burning ground, heat, embers, water and wear. Long thick socks are a necessity, not an option. They function just as they are meant to.

Having moved to the country from Melbourne my wardrobe is definitely divided. City shoes and country shoes. There is no place for heels, suede and nonwaterproofed in the country. The next step for this new country chick is the work boot and learning how to survive the wearing-in process without sounding like a princess.

Indre Kisonas - owner and principal designer - iok design www.iokdesign.com.au | indre@iokdesign.com.au

I have it on the highest authority and the million golden daffodils shouting it from gardens and roadsides everywhere can’t be wrong...and let’s not forget the glorious golden wattles.

In fact, to my shame, I almost overlooked the old traditional day of tribute to our national flower, Wattle Day, September 1, the first day of Spring.

My excuse this year was that it was overwhelmed by the excitement of it also being Father's Day. Weather-wise, the arrival of Spring this year had decidedly been touch and go. but true to form, a week of squalls and heavy rains gave way to sunshine and warmer days. Hopefully announcing the end of hibernation and an end of any excuse not to get out and garden.

It’s still time, if you hurry, to prune roses and deciduous fruit trees before the new growth is too advanced. In fact, I prefer to wait until now as it is much easier to identify the strongest new growths and to select the lesser ones for removal.

The latest soaking rains, and now the slowly warming sun, will soon dry out the topsoil enough to enable the sowing of summer annual flower and vegetable seeds or, if you prefer, seedlings.

If your soil is a little heavy it may be best to leave it to dry out a little more. It’s always better to cultivate and plant into friable soil rather than turn over large, soggy clods of earth - unless your crop is potatoes.

At least we have now had sufficient rain to moisten the earth to a suitable depth to allow the young roots to get off to a good start.

The downside to all of this is that the warm sunshine also encourages an army of weeds, but at least the damp soil makes them easy to hoe or pull out. The message being - don’t give them a head start and leave it until they can get a hold.

Out and about

The coming of Spring also heralds the arrival of garden shows, exhibitions, open gardens and festivals and our region is well and truly catered for with these.

The first and probably most exciting event is the currently-running Kyneton Daffodil Festival which opened last week and closes with the grand parade along Mollison Street on Sunday, September 15 from 12.30pm. There are also flower shows and 18 open gardens to view.

Another worthwhile event to put in your diary is the Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, November 9 and 10, showcasing 10 beautiful and enchanting local home gardens.

I will be featuring an extraordinary rural property as my Spring “Garden of Note” in the next issue of The Local.

detox home YOUR

DETOX YOUR HOME IS SAFE, FREE AND EASY TO USE. Dispose of common household chemicals without harming your health or the environment.

Simply turn up on the day with your unwanted items, and we’ll do the rest.

DAYLESFORD EVENT Saturday 14 September 2019 10.00 am to 1.00 pm Daylesford Transfer Station, Ajax Road, Daylesford FOR FURTHER INFORMATION sustainability.vic.gov.au/detoxyourhome 1300 363 744

Pride Furniture “WE CREATE FURNITURE SUSTAINABLY AND RESPONSIBLY”

Paint, batteries and fluorescent lights are not accepted at this event.

For safety reasons we can’t accept containers larger than 20 litres or 20 kilograms.

Please bring your chemicals in non-returnable containers.

Factory 7-37 East Street, Daylesford Phone: 0402 474 019 Email: pridefurniture@y7mail.com PrideFurnitureMelbourne Tuesday-Friday 9am - 3pm Sunday-Monday by appointment

SPRING IS HERE … TIME FOR A CHANGE? GREAT TIME TO SELL PROPERTY… CALL LUMA TO CHAT ABOUT YOUR REAL ESTATE OPTIONS

0418 779 159 www.daylesfordmineralspringsrealestate.com.au

Suite 4,Shop 6, 22 Howe St Daylesford Vic 3460

House.Land.Home.

THE HELLEBORE SPECIALISTS

p OS t office farm NURSERY

Open to the public every Sunday in July, August and September

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

FLYSCREENS MEASURED,

MADE, AND FITTED ON THE SPOT! FROM $ 00

03 5464 7380

• Roller Shutters • Security Doors • Fly Screens

39

SECURITY DOORS MADE TO MEASURE AT FACTORY DIRECT PRICES *Conditions apply.

Hepburn Shire & Ballarat

Phone: 03 5464 7380 or Michael 0422 643 901 Email: sales@onsiteflyscreensballarat.com.au www.onsiteflyscreens.com.au

www.tlnews.com.au

Out & About 21

Macedon Youth Awards

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HE 2019 Macedon Ranges Youth Awards have been announced.

Art Exhibition & Sale Of recent paintings by Daylesford artist Brian Nash at The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham.

Everyone is welcome to the opening of the show on

The annual awards are planned and hosted by the council’s youth ambassadors - a group of dedicated young leaders who plan and host the event - aimed at recognising and celebrating the extraordinary and diverse achievements of young people aged 12 to 25 years who work, live or attend school in the Macedon Ranges Shire.

The categories are academic achievement, academic excellence, music, performing arts, visual arts, business employee, business enterprise/innovation, community participation, mental health promotion and sport - group and individual.

The 2019 youth category winners were announced by Macedon Ranges youth ambassadors who co-hosted the evening.

The Academic Achievement category was won by Rosemary Howarth, who is completing a Masters in Arts and Cultural Management at the University of Melbourne while working part-time and raising her son.

Winner of the Academic Excellence award was Year 12 student Andrew DeLeonardis, who is studying at university level through the University of Melbourne and received first-class honours in linear algebra - one of the most difficult undergraduate subjects.

Musician Jasper Leach, who won the Music Award category, is the 2018 Battle of the Bands songwriter winner. He performs regularly at events throughout the shire, including the Macedon Ranges Youth Festival, and is working on his own EP. Accomplished dancer, Keely Corcoran won the Performing Arts award while prolific artist, Year 9 student Annabel Thiele, won the Visual Arts award.

Alice Knox was awarded the Business Employee award for her hard work and excellent customer service, while Adrian Black won the Business Enterprise and Innovation category for his approach to sustainability and his contributions to conservation and the environment.

The Sport (group) award was won by Victorian and Australian level champions - the Kyneton Secondary College Aerobics Squad, while Darcy Peavey took out the individual sport award for outstanding individual accomplishment and contributions to the school sports program.

In the Community Participation category, the five winners were Laura Crozier, Miranda Johnston-Jones, Maddie Sumner, the Camp Campaspe Program organising group, and the Gisborne Secondary College Sustainability Group.

The individual and group winners were recognised for their outstanding contributions to youth voice and youth mental health in schools and the community.

Tiarna Mayman, who was nominated across two categories, was awarded the Staff Pick (individual) category winner for her perseverance through illness and ability to overcome challenges and start her own business.

The Staff Pick (group) category was awarded to KidzFlip Youth, a non-profit organisation that aims to provide resources and improve educational opportunities for young people.

Mayor Janet Pearce said she was impressed to see the number of young people, and groups of young people, who were achieving such great things in the community across a really diverse range of activities.

“All of those nominated should be very proud as it is a great achievement and we are all very proud that we have the opportunity to recognise their achievements.”

Saturday, September 14 from 4pm to 6pm.

WALKING TOURS

OF DAYLESFORD

, Bookings are essential: Daylesford Visitor Information Centre t: 1800 454 891 or trybooking.com

Come on our engaging guided walk and all will be revealed…

AlicesJourneys alicesjourneys8459

0455 519 111

info@alicesjourneys.com

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Thursday, Sunday, Monday 5pm - 9pm Friday and Saturday 5pm - 10pm Tuesday & Wednesday CLOSED

HOME DELIVERIES FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 5348 4123 t "MCFSU 4U %BZMFTGPSE 7JDUPSJB

www.mineralspringshotel.com.au Bookings Essential: 03 5348 2202 124 Main Rd Hepburn Springs

u! Locals Night at The Argus en g M Every Monday $45 per person “feed me”. in Local seasonal food prepared by our chefs in r Sp w a shared banquet style for two or more. e N Includes a glass of local house wine or beer.

THURSDAY

BEER GARDEN

Locals Menu – all day

Mains from $22

2 Courses $32 3 Courses $37 3 Courses + Wine of Week $42

FUNCTIONS

when everyone is a local

Kids menu & regular menu also available

Thursday to Saturday 11am – close Sunday 11am – 4pm 31 High Street, Trentham (03) 5424 1144

theplough.com.au

Private dining room Catering for 8-30 guests Set menus available

D AY L E S F O R D B O W L I N G C L U B BISTRO Book now

Great Food Great Atmosphere Morning Melodies

for your Christmas Function

1st Thursday of the month - 11am to 12pm

DISCO BINGO

Thursday Meat Raffle Friday Raffle

2nd Thursday of the month 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Come make it your club!

To avo i d d i s a p p o i n t m e n t b o o k i n g s a r e a p p r e c i at e d

8 Camp St - Daylesford | 03 5348 2130 | www.daylesfordbowlingclub.com.au Stay updated on the latest events by visiting our website or Facebook page

Daylesford

Cellarbrations @ foxxy’s - our region’s largest local and boutique wine specialists.

Open every day until late.

55 Vincent Street, Daylesford.

5348 3577

Do you feed and water people?

Advertise here.

ON THE BANKS OF LAKE DAYLESFORD

Mercato is now offering two dining spaces from Thursday, July 18.

Enter the door on the left where we will be offering breakfast from 8am until 11am and lunch with a different price point from 12 until 3pm.

Enter the door on the right for the Mercato you all know and love for lunch from 12 until 3pm and dinner from 6pm until late with our new a la carte “comfort food”.

Exquisite water views from any vantage point, The Boathouse Restaurant offers a sophisticated dining venue for lunch and dinner. You can take in the beautiful views from our warm and cosy indoor dining area for winter catch ups and our outdoor deck and seating area during the warmer months.

The Boathouse Restaurant provides year-round comfort with stylish food and a relaxed yet professional style of service, making it the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine over a meal with family and friends.

REGULAR DINING HOURS LUNCH

Wed - Sun 11.30am - 2.30pm

(last main course orders) DINNER

32 Raglan St, Daylesford Phone: (03) 5348 4488 Download WOWAPPS from the Apple Store or the Google Play Store, and search for MERCATO@DAYLESFORD”

SEPTEMBER SCHOOL HOLIDAYS DINING HOURS LUNCH

Mon - Sun 11.30am - 2.30pm

(last main course orders)

Fri & Sat

DINNER

(last main course orders)

5.30pm - 8.30pm (last main course orders)

5.30pm - 8.30pm

Fri & Sat

The Boathouse Restaurant does not take bookings for lunch but welcomes guests on a walk in basis. Reservations are available for dinner.

2 Leggatt Street, Daylesford | 03 5348 2199

Students celebrate Periodic Table with Lit Up There's Hydrogen and Helium Then Lithium, Beryllium Boron, Carbon everywhere Nitrogen all through the air With Oxygen so you can breathe And Fluorine for your pretty teeth Neon to light up the signs Sodium for salty times Magnesium, Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorus Then Sulfur, Chlorine, and Argon Potassium and Calcium, so you'll grow strong Scandium, Titanium, Vanadium And Chromium and Manganese (Sung to the tune of the Can-Can)

I

F THE Periodic Table of Elements - and/or music - is your thing, and that’s just the start of the 180 in the song above, then make your way to the Daylesford Town Hall on Friday, September 20 when Daylesford College will be hosting the light and sound extravaganza, Lit Up.

Year 8 students are celebrating the International Year of the Periodic Table, its 150th anniversary, by projecting their element projects onto the walls of the town hall from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Science teacher Eirinn Taylor said Lit Up, in its second year, sought to deliver the science curriculum of light and sound in an exciting and engaging way to the school’s Year 8 students.

“It can be a pretty dry subject, but we had the idea last year to use a visual communication program so students can learn how to match images and soundwaves – and then make it even bigger by projecting their images onto the town hall. We had about 250 people come last year and great feedback. We are hoping for 400 this year.”

Eirinn said students who were usually disengaged all joined in because they wanted to be a part of sharing their projects with the broader community.

“They all chose an element, and many of them like carbon, sulphur, oxygen and methane are about the climate crisis, which just shows how informed they are about what is going on in the world. Of course, there are also positive messages.

“The main thing is they got to learn about sound and light, the curriculum, but also to express their voice about what is concerning them.”

Visual communications teacher Craig Frankland said from his perspective it was about students learning how to animate type, with many also creating their own gifs.

“STEM is thrown around a lot but what it looks like is…this might be a start for us, a collaboration between science and the arts. We can bring them together and they thrive.”

Student Jasmine Gruar, 13, said she chose methane, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon, which contributes to greenhouse gas, because she wanted to do something about climate change.

“I found the overall experience really fun and everyone was really engaged. It was not necessarily hard work, but it was challenging. My music is Jumpin’ Jack Flash because the lyrics are about gas.”

Floss Haughie, 14, chose argon, primarily because it was used in lights and Lit Up was a light show. “It was really fun and definitely very immersive to see how you can use all those different lights and research different facets and put it in a story. For music I chose Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It’s very upbeat. I also did two gifs and used Photoshop for it, learning how to do basic sequences and colours. I reckon it will be very rewarding to see it presented at the town hall.”

James Childs, 14, said he had also chosen argon. "It has always interested me because lights are what make things light up. It was a really good element to study and learn about. I did a space theme and it was a really good experience to learn about the program used, which was Adobe. It should be a really good night at the town hall.”

Eirinn said Vincent Street would be closed from 6pm and people were asked to bring their own chair and also support those businesses which remained open. There is also a people’s choice award for the best element with $100 going to the winning student or students.

“We also have three school bands playing – very different bands, along with an Acknowledgement of Country by the students. We hope the community gets behind the school and comes along to enjoy this great event.”

Above, from left, James Childs, Jasmine Gruar and Floss Haughie, with the periodic table; Inset, an image from last year's show Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

www.tlnews.com.au

Out & About 27

Wine festival on at Daylesford Town Hall

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OR the third year running, Daylesford is playing host to 35 winemakers who are in the world-wide spotlight for their sustainable growing and winemaking styles.

Everything In Its Right Place, run by Wine and The Country, is on Sunday, October 31 from noon to 4pm at the Daylesford Town Hall.

Organiser Jen Latta said the event was sure to convince people that “real wine” is best.

Jen said the event would focus on great wines from great people. Along with the line-up of winemakers involved, wine lovers are expected to front up for a great day of music, wine and festival vibes.

Wine producers include Eastern Peake, Cobaw Ridge and Jamsheed along with newer faces like Koerner (Young Gun Wine 2019 winners), Dirty Black Denim, Attwoods and many more.

Food for the day will be catered by Daylesford delicatessen Dos Deli – with items like chicken liver paté baguettes and truffle cheese toasties on the menu.There are also DJ tunes, masterclasses with the makers and hundreds of wines to try.

Tickets: $30 from wineandthecountry.com.au or daylesfordwinefestival.com

The Local has two double passes to give away courtesy of Wine and The Country. Email donna@tlnews.com.au by noon, September 21 with 25 words or less of why you would like to attend Everything In Its Right Place for your chance to win.

Meal deals!

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VERYONE loves a good meal deal. So here are some of the dining establishments offering great food and great prices!

Monday: Peppers Mineral Springs, Hepburn - Feed me - includes a glass of beer or wine $45pp (New Spring menu!)

Wednesday: Bellinzona, Hepburn - two/three courses & a glass of wine - $40/$50

Thursday: Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Steak Night - $25 The Plough, Trentham - Locals' All Day Dining - 2 courses $27/3 courses $32

Friday: Criterion Hotel, Castlemaine - Express Jalapeno Poppers $12, Fried Chicken Wings $12, Refried Bean Rolls $12, Fried Baby Calamari Tostada $16, 12-2.30pm The 5000 Club, Daylesford - noon every Friday at Victoria Park, Daylesford.

Sunday: Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford - Roast, a pot or glass of wine or soft drink - $25

Raffles: Fundraising raffles for local organisations are held on Friday evenings at the Farmers Arms Hotel, Daylesford and the Daylesford Bowling Club.

Gig Guide Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn The Mary Janes - Friday, September 13 Buck Edwards - Saturday, September 14 Next Episode - Sunday, September 15 Meet The Brewer - Shedshaker - Friday, September 20 Jefferson Smith - Saturday, September 21 Jazz Deuce - Sunday, September 22

Palais-Hepburn, Hepburn Springs Harry Lamb – Friday, September 13, 7.30pm Shane Nicholson – Saturday, September 14, 7.30pm Show us your arts, open mic winners Stevie Rigby and Sofie Browers-Morrison – Friday, September 20, 6.30pm Pearl - The Australian Janis Joplin Show and Shannon Bourne plays Hendrix – Saturday, September 21, 7.30pm Hawke & Dove – Friday, September 27, 6.30pm Mimi Gilbert, Al Mattcock and David M Western – Saturday, September 28, 6.30pm

Daylesford RSL, Daylesford Open mic - 1st Sunday of the month, 3pm-5pm

Got a gig coming up?

Email news@tlnews.com.au It's free!

Native birds swoop in as breeding season begins

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HE warbling of magpies is one of the most familiar and endearing sounds of Australian wildlife, yet the whirring and whooshing sounds of a swooping magpie approaching fills most with dread.

With Spring now upon us, breeding season for native birds is underway, and swooping of unsuspecting humans (and dogs) begins.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Grampians Compliance Operations regional manager Nathan MacDonald said bird swooping was part of life in Australia.

“Swooping occurs every year during breeding season and is largely a defensive manoeuvre carried out by some male birds when we come within close range of eggs or fledgling birds. They are simply taking action to deter any threat to their young.

“Being swooped by a territorial bird isn’t pleasant and can even cause injury. But the swooping is seasonal, healthy bird behaviour and so, if possible, the best response is to keep away from the area.

“It is illegal to harm native birds and offences can result in fines or imprisonment.

It is up to us to co-exist peacefully with wildlife and respect it.

“If you do end up in an area where there is a swooping bird, try to protect your head and eyes and move quickly through the area.

“We encourage people to share information about swooping birds by logging their encounter on DELWP’s Swoop map.”

To report a swooping incident by any species of bird on Victoria's swooping bird map, visit delwp.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/wildlife/swooping-birds

Top 10 tips to protect yourself against swooping birds: Know your local swooping hotspots and keep informed about parks, schoolyards and bike trails in your local area by viewing Victoria’s Magpie Map or contacting your local council.

Avoid the area. The best way to protect yourself from a swooping bird is to avoid venturing into their territory.

Move quickly. If you must pass through the area – move quickly – do not run.

Cover your head. Wear a hat or carry a stick or umbrella above your head. Cyclists should wear a helmet, dismount and walk through the area.

Eyes at the back of your head. Birds may be less likely to swoop if they think you are watching them. Draw a pair of "eyes" and attach to the back of hats and helmets.

Do not harass wildlife. Don’t interfere with or throw stones at birds. This gives them added reason to see humans as a threat and may increase swooping behaviour.

Do not destroy nests. This may prompt birds to rebuild their nests, prolonging the swooping behaviour.

Don’t feed swooping birds. This may encourage swooping behaviour.

Travel in a group. If possible, try to travel in a group in areas where there are swooping birds.

Notify others. Put up warning signs for others who may not be aware that there are swooping birds in the area or ask your council to do so.

Know a hotspot? Let us know. Email news@tlnews.com.au

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#geesegate 29

Shire helping keep geese safe at Riddells Creek

M

ACEDON Ranges Shire Council has no plans to remove geese from the Riddells Creek area.

This is despite Hepburn Shire Council removing geese from Lake Daylesford in July this year, with mayor Don Henderson telling an August council meeting that “dumping of domestic waterfowl in the wild is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act”.

“Retention of the dumped domestic waterfowl, or their descendants, could not continue to be ignored, and certainly not celebrated as a tourist attraction, where it may encourage others to dump unwanted waterfowl,” Cr Henderson said.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Assets and Operations acting director AnneLouise Lindner said the council had recently engaged with the Riddells Creek community, police and VicRoads about how to best make the area safe for all users.

“Those discussions are ongoing and there are no plans to remove the geese from the area.”

On the shire’s website, posted last year, it says a flock of geese has been enjoying the surrounds of the Walter J Smith Park for some years, with many residents and visitors enjoying seeing the geese in the park.

“From time to time the geese wander out of the park and across Main Road. As this is a busy road, the wandering geese have at times become a hazard for motorists.

“In October 2018, council, Riddells Creek Police and VicRoads asked the community of Riddells Creek to share their ideas on how to keep the community safe, including the geese!

“It was obvious from the many comments received that the geese are a muchloved and admired part of the community and for many residents, a symbol of their community.

“A range of suggestions and ideas for keeping the geese, drivers and pedestrians safe were put forward, however there were essentially four key themes.”

The council is now working with the community and relevant agencies to implement four actions.

Meanwhile Cr Henderson said there were plenty of domestic species on waterways “however some of these birds are not mixed with native species and people do not feed them”.

“The cruelty comes in when they and native species are fed incorrect diets and they develop all manner of organ failure. This is not always picked up when these birds are in the wild unlike farmed animals.

“Many municipalities and government agencies regularly remove non-native birds as evidenced by the contractor making a living out of doing this job. I know of two areas in neighbouring shires where domestic ducks and geese just disappear overnight.

“It is not for the Hepburn Shire to tell other municipalities what to do. I have had many discussions with other councillors from other areas lately and most just get rid of them whilst others do not think about the issue.

“Perhaps we, in Hepburn Shire, take biodiversity more seriously than some others as well.”

A number of people concerned about the removal of the geese and the lack of consultation by Hepburn Shire Council will be asking questions at the next meeting of council held on September 17 at the Trentham Neighbourhood Centre.

Below, the geese are rounded up at Lake Daylesford Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

Letters - page 6

30 Crossword

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Our festivals 31

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Daylesford Motorfest 2020 bigger and better

D

AYLESFORD Motorfest 2020 is going to be bigger and better with room to accommodate more than 1500 display vehicles.

Following on from the success of the 2019 Daylesford Motorfest, committee members working in collaboration with the Hepburn Shire Council have secured the event for 2020.

Once again it will be held at Victoria Park and be open to all makes and models of collectable vehicles from the past hundred years, with more displays and demonstrations. But there will be some changes, with upgrades to traffic flow and management plus tickets going on sale online from September 16.

The committee itself has undergone changes as well with the resignation of former president Peter Olver from his position on the committee.

"Despite the changes that have been happening behind the scenes the Motorfest will be following on from this year and simply building on what was a fabulous event. All members of the committee would like to thank Peter Olver for his contribution and determination; we wish him well in his future endeavours," said president Kate Larsen.

This year the event donated money to local charities, clubs and community groups including Daylesford Xmas Cheer, The 5000 Club, Daylesford CFA, Hepburn CFA, Trentham CFA, Musk CFA, Daylesford Health Services, The Healthy Leg Club, Shannon’s Bridge, Hepburn Wildlife Shelter, Daylesford College, Daylesford Kindergarten, Hepburn Kindergarten, Daylesford Table Tennis, DHU Soccer Club, St Vincent de Paul, the Daylesford RSL and the Franklin Masonic Lodge.

Details: Kate Larsen at daylesfordmotorfest@outlook.com.

Tickets and information: www.daylesfordmotorfest.com and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Dave Stephenson, Kate Larsen and Ester get ready for Daylesford Motorfest 2020

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Trades 33

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34 Opinion

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Pick me, pick me...

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

W

ENT to Daylesford College the other day. Did a story on its Lit Up event at the Daylesford Town Hall later this month. You would already have read about it - unless you read from the back page in. In that case, head to page 26.

It made me feel really old. And even though I am older than I feel, I never feel really old unless I am with a doctor or police officer who seem like they could only be about 14. And really shouldn't be in anything else than a school uniform.

Firstly, there were stacks of computers. I remember when we got our first computer back in...well, I can't really remember but the hard drive weighed about 15kg. Anyway, we proudly got it out of its box, set it up on the desk and waited for it to work. Nothing. So Kyle called the tech help number and the bloke on the other end said first of all we needed to open Windows. So Kyle went to the window, opened it, and still nothing. I kid you not.

So loads of computers, a giant television behind the teacher's desk at the front, a relaxed attitude from everyone, no-one yelling at anyone else to be quiet...just a great learning environment. And I think the students might have actually liked their teachers. I even saw them engaging with each other.

Back in the old days I remember sitting in pretty rigid rows, watching the teacher draw on the blackboard. Maybe whiteboards later on. We didn't ask many questions because then the entire class might have to be held back after the bell - as if we cared about the answers.

School was to get through, so you could get a job or go to uni, not for learning.

Mind you, we had a few nice teachers. My maths teacher in Form 1 and 2 (Year 7 and 8 for you youngsters) was great. Best teacher I had I think. I never told him at the time but just this year managed to track him down through a combination of LinkedIn and Facebook and told him just that. He is still teaching and I think was pretty chuffed to get a five-star review just 40 years in the making.

Another teacher, subject English I think, was also great. She loved us and we loved her back. So much so that when her birthday rolled around one year every single student in the class lined up and gave her a gift. All different, not one the same. That was because they had been chosen by a couple of girls with a great talent for shopping and an even faster hand-eye coordination for shoplifting. Yes, I am ashamed to say, and I don't condone it, every gift was stolen. Not all from the same store though. They spread the love. And the teacher loved that love. She cried.

Anyway, things have changed for the better at schools. A great atmosphere, engaged students and teachers, and all the right equipment. And during our interview students were very able to express themselves. Gives you hope. See you at Lit Up. Just sayin'...

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The Local - Connecting the Community

T

he Local is all about Connecting the Community. We run good news stories about amazing people and places, and festivals and events. And our fantastic advertisers run great deals for locals and visitors alike.

To give back to the community, The Local has been running its Connecting the Community adverts for five years. The adverts are for not-for-profit groups and organisations to lend a hand when finances can be a bit tight - or just don't exist. We all know how hard it can be to make volunteer-run organisations work on the smell of an oily rag!

To apply just email donna@tlnews.com.au with your event or organisation. We also put call-outs on our Facebook page and those of the various communities in our wonderful region. We work on a first-in basis, with a nod to time-lines too.

There are a few conditions, well mostly that nonfor-profit bit, and also that you aren't grabbing a free advert and then we see a whacking big paid advert in other media. That wouldn't be fair.

Cheers, Donna (Ed)

Writers wanted Do you love writing? Are you interested in forming a new writers' group?

The purpose of the group would be to give feedback to each other, possibly invite experts in to talk to us and over time learn how to write better.

Amateur writers of all styles are welcome.

There is an experienced writer who is willing to help set up and guide the group.

If there are enough people interested, I will organise a preliminary meeting at a cafĂŠ or pub. The group may end up having regular meetings in Trentham, being central to the Daylesford Macedon Ranges, which is where members of the group will likely come from.

If you are interested, please provide your details to me - Anne-Marie Pedeau.

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Shared Reading Circles are for everyone. All ages, all abilities, all genders, all backgrounds. We sit and read together then talk about the reading. Like a bookclub but no reading beforehand.

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Just briefly...

Kyle’s Rant

W

OW. Did anyone know that 2019 has been designated by UNESCO as the International Year of the Periodic Table, marking the 150th anniversary of the Mendeleev Periodic Table.

Opinion 35

T

HE Rex building, which will be home to Hepburn Shire Council's Hepburn Hub, is due to be completed within the first half of next year.

Yawn, I hear. But no, I learnt this at a recent visit to the Daylesford College, which is paying homage to this milestone in its Lit Up show, and the enthusiasm of the students for what these elements mean to them is contagious.

I have embedded in the deep recesses of my brain the first 20 elements of the table which I can recite like a song. I guess it was some sort of a protection mechanism from days in the science lab when my wandering mind would wake up to “Barnes, you're going to end up on a rubbish truck". I would then trot out as requested by the teacher the periodic elements - or it was the cane. (Not that there is anything wrong with ending up on a rubbish truck, particularly when your name is Gary Barton who first established Wheelie Waste.)

Anyway, back to the school. We went into the visual communications room and this place had everything from the latest software and tonnes of computing hardware to rocking tunes and very pleasant, accepting students.

I mean, in my day, if a journalist and photographer stumbled into my 75-student school, the class would stop and the kids break out into chatter punctuated by a scream from the teacher “class, be quiet”. But times have changed. My biggest scientific achievement was burning the brows off old Hunchy, a science teacher who had a small kyphosis (hump). I lured the old bugger over, saying my Bunsen burner wouldn’t light, this was after I had purged the gas from the burner across the bench. I stood back and watched the disaster unfurl. Kids can be so cruel. But it was fun...

But back to the visual communications room. There I was trying to figure out in the photo-journalism part of my brain (that is the ability to spell out a yarn using a picture) how I was going to tell the story of these youngsters' show with a theme around the elements. I thought I would cut out the students and superimpose them on top of the periodic table (see page 26) so I looked around for a plain background.

But of course, they had a green screen in the corner, a photographer's best friend.

A little bit of a smudge on my lens was quickly removed after I mentioned it, using provided isopropyl alcohol and screen wipes. So many things at hand, just like my old school – not.

Anyway, hanging out in this high-tech class talking to the knowledgeable, problem-solving students has made me think we are in pretty good hands for the future.

Not such a rant, rant over…

In response to a query from The Local, chief executive officer Evan King said once construction was recommenced there were about six months’ worth of works to complete the build.

"Construction works will recommence when the plans are finalised. The final draft of the plans has been forwarded to the architect for finalisation. We are hopeful of a construction completion within the first half of 2020."

Mr King said he could not be more specific on a completion date until the plans were finalised.

"I understand that this process is taking a considerable amount of time, but it is important to ensure that the plans accurately reflect what has been built to date and what needs to be built to complete the project."

Hepburn Shire Council bought The Rex in 2016. When completed it will house council offices, the community cinema, the library and a social enterprise cafe.

See Letters - page 6.

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