The Local Issue 34 December 8, 2014

December 8, 2014 Issue 34 “Moor Please”

The Local The Heart of the Highlands’ own community publication

The Local - tlnews.com.au

2 About Us

The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Heart of the Highlands. The next edition is due out on Monday, December 22.

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/DHSLocal to receive your e-edition early - on Sunday evening!

Advertising deadlines for the next edition of The Local: Space bookings: Wednesday, December 17 Copy provided by: Thursday, December 18 Editorial deadline: Thursday, December 18

Money, money, money...

General manager | Photographer: Kyle Barnes Managing editor | Layout: Donna Kelly Sub-editors: Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith Sales: Nick Bunning Accounts: Jan Oldfield Editorial and affordable sales - 5348 7883 | 0416 104 283 donna@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au e-editions at www.tlnews.com.au

Advertisements in The Local are very affordable - unlike traditional print media we don’t charge like wounded bulls!

So here goes with our loyalty prices...for six adverts over six months.

An eighth of a page - $50 plus GST A quarter page - $100 plus GST A banner - $100 plus GST A half page - $200 plus GST A full page - $400 plus GST

Christmas Idea!!!!!!

Have you seen a photo you like in past editions which would make the perfect Christmas gift? Photos are just $20 each and will be emailed at high resolution. You can print as many copies as you like and pop one in a frame!

Front cover: Jason Jones has started his latest eatery, Moor Please, in Hepburn Springs. Read his story on page 39.

Photo: Kyle Barnes

But wait, there’s more!

All adverts in The Local are full colour and we can help with graphic designs and layouts too! At no extra cost, of course.

So, if you want to get your business or organisation out there in the community, in the best-read publication in the Heart of the Highlands, give us a call or send an email. (See our details left.)

Oh, we also have an average of 76,000 impressions online each edition at www.tlnews.com.au - even more reasons to get in touch.

(Tourists love The Local too - just sayin’.)

THE OLD HEPBURN HOTEL

An authentic country pub with a focus on food, family and entertainment.

MENU Modern Australian with pub classics.

Midweek specials.

Chef Josh Lucassen can design a menu for all occasions.

MUSIC Host to local musicians and some of Australiaʼs premier artists.

THE PUB Open 7 days lunch & dinner.

Courtesy bus.

Group bookings (up to 100 guests).

Amber Dooley

236 Main Rd, Hepburn

Beer garden.

drink@oldhepburnhotel.com.au

www.oldhepburnhotel.com.au

ph:03 53482207

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 3

The Local lauded in Australian Parliament as the future of regional media

S

ENATOR John Madigan has lauded The Local as an example of the future of regional media while speaking in the Australian Parliament late last month.

Senator Madigan, who comes from Hepburn Springs, addressed the parliament about the ongoing cuts to regional and rural media by the ABC and then Fairfax Media, which owns The Advocate in Daylesford, The Courier in Ballarat and The Advertiser in Bendigo.

“It is an attack on our most vulnerable communities, small towns and regional cities - outback places and places off the beaten track,” Senator Madigan, pictured above with the latest copy of The Local, said.

“It is an attack costing communities jobs. It is an attack on the fabric that holds communities together. And so far, this has gone almost uncommented on in this place. Last month, (Fairfax) announced another major restructure. This so-called restructure is the precursor to the biggest attack on regional journalism ever seen in Australia.

“I understand Fairfax has distributed a proposed new editorial and sales structure for south-west New South Wales. I am told 25 per cent of staff will still go. The restructure will continue in Victoria, I am told, and the whole of the regional network will be impacted in the next 18 to 24 months.”

Senator Madigan said while there was no doubt the media was under attack, people living in small and regional communities should not “take this lying down”.

“In crisis there is opportunity. To the people of rural and regional Australia: if your newspaper is dying, if the big shots in Sydney are killing your local paper, start your own. That has happened in my home town of Hepburn Springs where a former Fairfax journalist, Donna Kelly, and her husband launched a paper appropriately called The Local. There are many ways to skin a cat. There are

many ways to tell the news effectively and cheaply. The time to act is now.”

The Local’s editor Donna Kelly said the acknowledgment of the publication, as the future of regional media, was humbling but true.

“We started The Local because we felt the community was not getting a good read from our opposition. As a former journalist with some of the biggest media companies in Australia, I do know how difficult it can be to provide good copy under tight deadlines. But I left before journalists were also expected to take photos and footage, upload to social media and not have the backing of well trained sub-editors to make sure grammatical errors were erased and local knowledge came into play with things like street names.

“The sub-editors, to me, were like a reassuring back-stop. Young journalists do their best now but it’s a lot of pressure and I see the mistakes they are making all the time. They are not getting the time to learn the craft.

“But with The Local we have experienced writers, photographers and proof readers - and it’s all done locally. So we also have that local knowledge. That’s why The Local works so well - and it is the future of regional media.

“If anyone is keen to start up their own version of The Local we are only too happy to help with our experience. Just sayin’.”

A Fairfax Media spokesperson said: “We share the Senator’s commitment to local communities”. “We are in an ongoing dialogue with our staff and other stakeholders about plans to revitalise and strengthen the local voice of the hundreds of newspapers and websites we operate across regional and rural Australia. Our focus is entirely on improving and modernising our Australian Community Media business to ensure it is sustainable into the future. Standing still and doing nothing is not an option.”

Donna Kelly’s Just sayin’ - Page 6

4 Our artists

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Travel inspires Greg’s abstract landscapes

G

REG Mallyon has worked with the Indigenous arts industry in more than 40 remote communities. His background has always been gallery director, administrator or educator – until his tree change to Daylesford. He was one of the 30 artists who took part in the Daylesford Macedon Ranges Open Studios last month. Greg took time out to chat with The Local’s editor Donna Kelly.

DK: What’s your background?

GM: Before my tree change to Daylesford I worked for seven years in the Indigenous arts industry working with over 40 remote area communities in the Northern Territory, South and Western Australia.

I saw some amazing scenery and worked with many inspiring artists during this time.

DK: When did you know you were an artist?

GM: I won a scholarship to attend art school when I was 17 so that began a life journey.

DK: What do you concentrate on?

GM: My travels within Australia and overseas are the main inspiration for my work. My abstract landscapes are created from photos and sketches taken on board aircraft or sometimes helicopter and balloon flights. Through the internet I can also revisit locations through Google Earth and other websites. This aerial view of the world combined with mapping is not new but very ancient and common to many cultures across the globe including our own Indigenous artists.

DK: Can anyone be an artist or is it inherent?

GM: Only a small percentage of artists, musicians or writers can make a living out their ability and yet most of us have some inherent creative skill. Australia has an amazing wealth of talent both on an amateur and professional level.

DK: How was it?

GM: People rarely get to see inside an artist’s studio as most interaction takes place within a commercial gallery. It also provides each artist with a platform to share their story with potential buyers. I had over 250 visitors and strong sales so it was a fantastic (and exhausting) time.

DK: Why did you take part in the DMROS event?

GM: This unique arts event has become one of Victoria’s top cultural draw cards. Art lovers from across Victoria (and beyond) visited the region through the three open weekends. As a new artist in the area it has provided me with a great opportunity to showcase my work to new audiences.

DK: Where can people see your work?

GM: My work can be viewed (by appointment) in my humble bush studio at 22 West Street, Daylesford or at Bokeh Gallery and also on my website www.gregmallyon.com.au DK: What’s your tree change story?

GM: Small Sydney terrace house, cramped studio space, noise, traffic, pollution and here in Daylesford I have kangaroos hopping by my studio window, peace, fresh air and inspiring landscape everywhere.

ANDREW HUNTLEY INTERIOR DESIGN COLOUR CONSULTING SERVICE FURNISHING & DECORATING AWARD WINNING DESIGNS 0413 997 224 andrewhuntley1@bigpond.com

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Trentham’s Bette McLaren pitching with the best

B

ETTE McLaren has been playing softball “on and off” for 30 years now.

The Trentham resident, who takes care of a host of community duties in her town from Christmas Carols to Spudfest, headed to Queensland last month for the Pan Pac Masters Games – and came back with her team after winning the silver medal in the “bottom grade” of the 35-45 years division – “even though most of us are about 50 years old”.

Bette, who plays with the Monash Magic Masters, part of the Glen Waverley Softball Association, because there are no teams closer, picked up her medal at Jells Park. It has the motto “play it, live it, love it”.

“That applies to many around here and wherever,” she said.

“Softball is like having another family – we do so much together. And I went to Italy last year and played softball in the World Masters Games - 19,000 athletes all over 35 years and many locals donated prizes for our fundraising.”

Bette said her softball association recently held a fundraising day for breast cancer awareness and last week lined up their bats, with their caps on top, and had 63 seconds’ silence for cricketer Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit in the head by a cricket ball.

Bette said she didn’t start playing softball until “later” in her mid 20s.

She said she became a pitcher after her team’s pitcher called in sick. The coach lined them all up, gave them a try at pitching and pointed at Bette saying “you’ll do”.

News 5

6 Opinion

Just sayin’...

The Local - tlnews.com.au

by Donna Kelly

W

HAT an amazing week!

It started with a simple media release from Senator John Madigan who hails from Hepburn Springs.

Anyway it talked about regional and rural media being shut down by the ABC and Fairfax Media.

And about how important it is to have publications in smaller regions which tell the local stories about local people and local events. And he called on communities and people to make their own publications - to fight back!

Now I have spent most of my journalistic career on smaller papers, mostly weekly, although I have delved into the dailies now and again. But I found that the care factor, and sorry journo friends at dailies, was a little less.

I have been at interviews where the metro journo was clearly not interested in the “talent” who I knew as Miss Jones and was just keen to grab a comment and a photo and move onto someone more interesting.

And the chance of them running into Miss Jones to be told she had been misquoted was pretty much nil.

On local publications you are probably going to see Miss Jones in the supermarket every second day, or at the doctors’ or just in the main street. So you are totally accountable for every word you write. And if you get it wrong on a local publication - people let you know. And fair enough.

Anyway, that’s a hell of a digression, back to Senator Madigan.

I read the media release and thought “that’s why we started The Local” and emailed his PR bloke and asked if it was possible, and it was fine if it wasn’t, for Senator Madigan to perhaps throw us a line about The Local being on the right track. Pretty please. Nice local angle for the story then.

And the PR bloke, who is quite lovely, wrote back with “mate, not only do I know he will do it, he’s done it, on the floor of Parliament”.

And next minute, also via email, arrived the Hansard. With The Local in it forever. Oh, I also got a mention by name, although Kyle was just my “husband”.

Oh well.

But I was really chuffed. Like, sadly, really chuffed. I know, mental note to self, get a life. But unless you’re Tony Abbott or Jacqui Lambie you’re not in Hansard every day of the week.

Naturally I called my mother. She was quite excited which was lovely but then there was a quiet bit - and she started telling me about her doctors’ visits. There’s quite a few. Mum is nothing if not cautious - and fair enough again at 80. She’s actually 82 but says those two extras don’t count at her age.

Anyway, it was a great way to start the week. But nothing lasts, does it...

No, only joking, it’s been a good week.

Well, we did hear the Hepburn Shire Council was “disappointed” with the last edition’s Shabby Road comment about Vincent Street in Daylesford. The little story about Kyle nearly falling off the garden bed tiles because they were not stuck down - and the job had been hailed as complete. Kyle was a bit disappointed too - that he could have broken his neck. And as a ratepayer whose money was used to pay for the project, I was a little disappointed as well.

Oh well, I learnt young that life is full of disappointment. We lived in a road called The Range and I used to sing the song. “Home home on the range, where seldom is heard an encouraging word...” Never realised it was “seldom is heard a discouraging word”. My mother will hit the roof when she reads this...I think she lived in a different house...

And then there was another bloke who was disappointed with The Local, and me, always me, because we decided not to run free advertising for his organisation because it had paid advertising elsewhere. I would have thought that was a given - we love a great read but we also need to pay for printing and paper and ink and dog food for Rosie - the hungry kelpie cross, and Curly - the hungrier appy cocker spaniel cross - but no - we are a disappointment again.

Oh well, overall it’s been a great week and I think this is one of the best editions we’ve done. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.

But if you are disappointed, even a tad, could you please just let it ride. It’s just that I am still on my Hansard high. Just sayin’.

Cheers, Donna

The Local publication dates over the silly season...

The Local will continue as usual over the Christmas and New Year season. Our next two editions are due out December 22 and January 5. We believe it is important for publications, especially in smaller regions, to continue to provide the news along with great features and advertising opportunities.

We will also be taking a look back at the year that was 2014! Look out for your photo or story!

Contrary to popular opinion, we don’t believe the world stops for the silly season!

C����ra��n�

150 Y� A �S

1865 ~ 2015 Advert courtesy of The Local’s Connecting the Community project.

Email donna@tlnews.com.au

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 7

Daylesford officially “cosiest” town

D

AYLESFORD is officially Australia’s Cosiest Town.

A survey of 2500 Australian Traveller readers named the town as part of “the ultimate inspiration list for 2015”.

The publication says the Peoples’ Choice Awards is its annual snapspot of the absolute best travel experiences readers have had over the year from Australia’s best cities, restaurants, dream destinations to glamping sites, sexiest hotel pools, quirkiest stays and more.

“Each category is comprised of a very worthy finalist list – usually a top five, sometimes a top 10 – and, of course, a winner. (The Cosiest Town) was a particularly tough category, but such is the sheer number of excellent cosy hideaways about our nation.

“Dozens of Victorian towns were nominated, particularly those around the Great Ocean Road and Dandenong Ranges, while NSW’s Blue Mountains garnered several nominations for towns Katoomba, Blackheath and Leura.

“Brisbane hinterland town Stanthorpe was another local favourite, but none of those places came anywhere near our very pretty winner, the deserving Daylesford.

“Winter fires, fantastic restaurants and a slew of beautiful stays – not to mention all those mineral spas – who can argue with that?”

Runners-up were Margaret River, Western Australia, Bright, Victoria, Leura, New South Wales, and Stanthorpe, Queensland.

Daylesford was also voted Best Local Weekend Away for Victoria.

Meanwhile, earlier in November, Daylesford was voted “Perfect Spa Town” by a panel of six famous Australians for another travel website, traveller.

The panel included musician John Williamson, Oscar-nominated screenwriter and director Jan Sardi, yachtswoman Kay Cottee, artist Garry McEwan, TV personality, singer and dancer Todd McKenney and Golden Guitar and Mo Award-winning country singer-songwriter Felicity Urquhart.

Mr Sardi said he originally planned to set his 2004 movie Love’s Brother - about Italians living in 1950s Australia - in Melbourne’s Carlton until he remembered the town of his youth, Daylesford.

“I used to go there as a five-year-old kid with my grandparents,” he said.

“Italians were very much into mineral water and we used to take a day trip there to fill bottles with the water. When I went back up there, I fell in love with it all over again.

“It has such a wonderful European feeling. It’s so beautiful, it’s full of history with the old gold rush and then the buildings like the pasta factory with all its frescoes, and it’s the perfect place to go and relax and kick back.”

Photo courtesy of Dale Callahan

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

Danger Pets@Work

Horsing around with Monty

T

HERE is no such thing as a bad horse, says Steve Brinkworth, and he should know.

Steve has spent his life working with horses. It started with endurance riding and taking trail rides around the Flinders Ranges with his family’s business. More recently, after the insurance problems of the 1990s, Steve turned his hand to clinics, offering training for both horses and riders.

It might be that a horse has problems getting on horse floats, they might be aggressive or they might be scared of something. Mostly they have been given the wrong training program to start with and, like with a computer, Steve throws out the old one and uploads a new one.

It does take time, and commitment - and more often than not a helping hand from his Arabian workmate Monty. Sally Brinkworth said Monty, who has been part of their life for 14 years, and is now 20 years old, was a calming influence on other horses.

“Monty might go in the float first and the other horse is happy to join him because he is so calm. Steve also gives people horse riding lessons on Monty because he is so safe and they can see what the final outcome will be with their own riding. And Monty, his father was Montego Bay, can also do some amazing things. We have a video on our website where Monty is out running around on acreage but then comes straight to Steve.

And I guess when Steve is out working with horses he likes to take his own horse with him.”

Sally and Steve moved to Korweinguboora, where they now run their clinics, just three months ago, from South Australia, although Sally had formerly lived at Woodend – and sees this region as her home.

Steve said many of his clients were middle-aged women who had been horse-riders in their teenage years, stopped when they had children, and then decided to get back back in the saddle, literally.

“Sometimes they are just not as confident as they would like. When they were young they would ride just about anything but once you get older you don’t bounce as well.

“And with children, and husbands and careers, they can’t afford to fall off and get hurt. But you can train any horse and any person.

“There is no such thing as a bad horse. They have no pre-conceived idea of how to be with humans, only what we teach them. And you can very easily teach them to be aggressive, or what people call a dangerous horse.

“But they are like a computer. You put in a new program and over-ride the old program. But it needs time and consistency which is where it’s hard for humans because you might be thinking about the kids, the bills, your husband, making dinner. So people go out to their horse and they are not focused.

“But if we are consistent, they relax and calm down. It’s all good.”

Pets@Work 9

10 News

The Local - tlnews.com.au

The Drop event for wildlife

T

HE Hepburn Wildlife Shelter will hold a Christmas Fundraiser to help support the rescue, care and rehabilitation of our orphaned and injured native wildlife.

The event will be at The Perfect Drop, Daylesford on Sunday, December 14 from 4pm to 9pm.

The fundraiser is an “open mic” evening so all local musicians are invited to take to the stage and entertain the crowd with their favourite Christmas and holiday renditions.

There will also be a monster auction and the raffle for the Noah’s Ark - knitted by the Glenlyon Craft Group - will be drawn.

The Hepburn Wildlife Shelter stall will also be there with great ideas for Christmas gifts – including calendars, rescue kits and beautiful wildlife crafts.

Entry is free.

Anyone who can’t attend can still donate to the shelter by going to the website www.hepburnwildlifeshelter.com and follow the “to donate” links.

HERE’S the solution to the last edition’s crossword. See page 26 for the crossword for Issue 34. All the answers are contained within the pages of The Local! Good luck.

Mobile Lender Bruce Franzen can meet you at your Kitchen Bench.

Bruce, your local ANZ Mobile Lender can come to your home to help you get ANZ Buy Ready™ for when you find the right property.

ESSENTIAL HEALTH INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS

2014/2015 Code Red (Catastrophic) Fire Risk Policy Springs Medical Centre is committed to providing essential health services to our residents and visitors to our region.

THE PERSONAL SAFETY OF OUR PATIENTS, OUR STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES IS PARAMOUNT On all Code Red Days, Springs Medical Centre will seek to provide a Sunday/Public holiday type “Emergencies only” service from the Daylesford Hospital.

Bruce Franzen bruce.franzen@anzmortgagesolutions.com 0438 977 980

 We will close our Daylesford Clinic at 10 Hospital Street Daylesford  We will close our Trentham Clinic at 22 Victoria Street Trentham  Please heed the advice of the CFA and other authorities  When a CODE RED rating is applied, we will attempt to contact all patients with booked appointments to reschedule as appropriate

ANZ has been awarded ‘Home Lender of the Year’ by Money magazine in 2014. ANZ can provide Approval in Principle to eligible customers who apply for an ANZ home loan and complete an application form. An Approval in Principle is an approval for a loan subject to conditions being met, including that security is satisfactory to ANZ. All applications for credit are subject to ANZ’s normal credit approval criteria. Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply. This Mobile Lender operates as ANZ Mortgage Solutions Macedon Ranges, ABN 63 122 858 413 an independently operated franchise of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) ABN 11 005 357 522. Australian Credit Licence Number 234527. ANZ Buy Ready is a trade mark of ANZ. ANZ’s colour blue is a trade mark of ANZ. Item No. 90900C 09.2014 W409934

For medical attention contact 000 for life threatening medical emergencies 1800 022 222 for After Hours GP helpline www.springsmedical.com.au

News 11

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Highland fling

T

HE Daylesford Highland Gathering attracted hundreds of people keen to see bands, kilts and bagpipes.

Crowds lined Vincent Street before making their way to Victoria Park for the rest of the festivities on Saturday. This year the bands were joined by a group of Rolls Royce enthusiasts. The loudest cheer was for, naturally, The Daylesford & District Pipes & Drums Band, followed by a bloke in a Holden, with a trailor, caught up at the end of the Rolls Royce display.

See all The Local’s photos at facebook.com/dhslocal

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Carson Award for Community Fireguard Group

T

HE Scobles Road/Pudding Bag Community Fireguard Group has won the CFA’s Carson Award.

The Carson Award started in 2013 and is awarded annually to acknowledge the work of community fire guard members and groups who are committed to the program, meet regularly and are proactive in their fire preparation.

The eligibility criteria are: the group has regular maintenance meetings both on their own and with a CFA facilitator; group members are ambassadors for the program and act as role models by ensuring their properties are well prepared and they regularly practise and review their fire plans; and groups show initiative through innovative meetings and fire preparation ideas that maintain interest in the program.

An article in The Fire Guardian, a newsletter for community fireguard groups, said this year’s competition was “exceptionally strong”.

“The Scobles Road/Pudding Bag Community Fireguard Group is based in Drummond, south west of Malmsbury and north of Daylesford. The group’s membership has changed as people move in and out of the area, but they have remained active since they began in 2000.

“The group holds six meetings during the fire season.

They also have meetings with a CFA facilitator and host guest speakers from other agencies including the Department of Environment and Primary Industries, their local council and Landcare. Their long-standing commitment to the program and self-reliance is evident in their ability to stay motivated and arrange extra sessions to those provided by CFA.” Runners-up were French Island in Westernport Bay. The Carson Award is named after Chris Carson who was the driving force behind the development of the Community Fireguard program.

Mr Carson managed the Community Fireguard program at a state level from 2000 until 2004. He was the driving force behind developing competency-based facilitator training for CFA Community Fireguard facilitators and equipping them with resources to assist with the delivery of the program.

Mr Carson died in 2006 from leukaemia.

The Local - tlnews.com.au

12 A Sparkling Life

A Sparkling Life (AN ONGOING column by Marian Sidwell and her recollection of living in Daylesford - and early childhood memories. The first excerpt ran in The Local, Issue 28, September 15, 2014. Back issues at tlnews.com.au) Drawing by Daylesford artist Brian Nash - art@briannash.com.au THE SUN ON MY BACK With the sun on my back I travelled the South Where the cross hangs low in the sky.

I swam the oceans, I travelled the roads And heard the bellbird’s cry I saw the lights and heard the hush Of a bushland wet with dew.

Sweeping plains and rough domains, All interesting and new.

I had read of this land and its vastness, Its Father’s courage and toil.

I’d read of rickety houses, Blue mountains and rich red soil.

But it wasn’t until I saw for myself Its grandeur, colour and space That the words so carefully written Fell perfectly in place.

So with the sun on my back I travelled on home, My luggage of memories to keep.

Back to the land of the midnight sun And the snow so cold and deep.

HOW DARE THEM! It was not really until 1981 that the full impact of war came home to me. It was the Falklands crisis. Here was my beautiful Australia with her Mother Country at war! I couldn’t believe it; three healthy, beautiful sons at home, one old enough to go to war. I really could not believe it! War happened to other countries, to other people, not to me, not to my boys!

THE FALKLANDS CRISIS (Written in 1982) ‘Another year nearly gone and with it another chapter of history written. It was a year of world crisis where mothers of sons held their breath in disbelief. A year where love came home whipped along by the cold Atlantic Ocean. It was a year to take stock of our cosy corners, to re-evaluate and be thankful for what we found.’

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14 Happy & Healthy

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Happy & Healthy 15

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W

HEN Paul Walsh came home, at the age of just eight years, and told his parents he wanted to dance the reactions were not great.

“Mum said ‘disco?’, I said ‘no, ballet’.

“Dad said ‘no bloody son of mine is going to be a ballet dancing poof’.

“But I was just adamant that was what I wanted to do.”

Paul’s mother enrolled him in the local dance school in England’s Darwen, an industrial working class town, where he was the only male dancer.

He started with a class a week but by the end of a year was doing four classes every week. And Paul was soon learning ballet, tap and every dance form around every night after school but his real passion remained ballet.

Next stop, at 11, was the Central School of Ballet in London. Four years later he was accepted into the school professionally full time and stayed there for four years dancing and training six days a week.

With his focus on ballet it was a natural progression to apply to the Royal Ballet where he spent three years in the chorus and spending time with “high society” before moving onto contemporary dancing.

But the move eventually took its toll with Paul dislocating his knee six times.

Knowing how the body works – and repairs - turned out to be the perfect background with Paul moving to Australia in 1999 and retraining as a massage therapist.

He worked for Eagle Therapies for seven years but has since started his own practice Natures Wheel, now working from home in Hepburn Springs.

“The body work field was a real natural progression for me. My remedial understanding, my training, the knowledge of how our bodies are put together…

“Injury management is key for me. It is really easy to figure out what’s going wrong with people and how to get on top of things. There’s just the whole thing of being able to help people. It’s nice to nurture.”

Daylesford Holistic Massage Purchase our Bliss package gift voucher and receive a FREE $50.00 gift voucher to spend in store!

Purchase a gift voucher for our Bliss package for $295.00 per person and you will receive an extra gift voucher valued at $50.00 to be spent in our retail store. The Bliss package is 3 hours of pure bliss and includes a body polish, body wrap, 45 minute facial and a full body massage.

This offer is valid to purchase until 25 December 2014. The Bliss package can be enjoyed anytime until 31 May 2015, the free $50.00 Gift Voucher expires 31 January 2015.

shop 5, 11 howe street, daylesford 03 5348 1099 massage@massagehealing.com.au www.massagehealing.com.au

restore balance naturally ...

Remedial and relaxation massage $75 per hour treatment $100 1.5 hour treatment Phone Richard on 0425 751 293 Ask about our locals’ discount

The Local - tlnews.com.au

16 News

Vale Murray “Muzza” Winter Contributed by The Friends of Cornish Hill

and quiet he wanted in life and what he was doing gave him a sense of meaning and purpose. Recently Murray “Muzza” Winter - 9.2.1933-20.11.2014 he was reassured that there would be follow up work on his Hill, spot spraying no less, I am not sure ith love affection and admiration we whether he really approved of that but I do know that he was happy to hear it. remember Muzza.

Muzza never wanted any praise for the work he Muzza was a committed Friends had achieved. Satisfaction lay with the fact that volunteer whose passion for Cornish Hill became he could work quietly and on his own, using only all consuming. When he was well and for a couple of hours each day in the warmer weather you would his trusty axe or tomahawk, no noisy machinery to see his car parked high up on Macadam Street. With disturb the peace or polluting chemicals for him, just his physical strength and energy to do the work. He a toot and a wave, it was head down again as he had a mission and that was to get rid of those weeds continued his single handed assault on gorse and and restore the Hill to what it should look like. broom. Starting at the bottom and working his way Muzza proved that you are not too old to volunteer, to the top of the hill, he would leave behind prickly that also at times when you can’t make sense of mounds to either be burned or to rot down, when he what is happening in the world and are told that big got to the top he would go back down to start again, is better, but it is possible for one person to make a removing the seedling gorse and broom which had difference by beavering away on their own. re-emerged. I had a feeling that Muzza was using this At the Friends Committee meeting on Monday, the time for reflection to focus on what had become for committee members decided that they would take him a determination to make a difference. responsibility to see that the hill did not return to the And he was determined to get on top of the state it was in before he started working on it. invasive plants…and from that point on, the Hill I wish there were more Muzzas in this world, more became Muzza’s Hill. The name took off and it has of us wanting to make a difference and wanting to been known as Muzza’s Hill, or the hill side to the make a change. We can do it and Muzza showed us south of Muzza’s Hill or to the north. how.

What Muzza was doing for the Hill was more than just weeding. He believed that this was the contribution he could make to restoring the Hill.

He loved being in the bush, it gave him the peace

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Congratulations on yet another crowd pleasing spectacle.......... ....we look forward to

joining with you for your 64th Gathering.

Merry Christmas from your Local!

Fabulous fair for all

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HE inaugural Daylesford Community Fair saw hundreds of people head to the Daylesford Community Park on November 30.

The event included entertainment, activities and more than 20 community stalls. It was inspired by Social Inclusion Week and also coincided with International Day of People with Disability and International Volunteer Day. Sissy Austin provided the Acknowledgment to Country with the support of Aunty Sue. Maureen Andrew was the MC for the day.

Organiser Fiona Robson said the feedback had been overwhelmingly positive.

“Thank you to everyone that was involved with the fair. We are now thinking about how to make this an annual event.

“We have a wonderfully talented, creative and caring community that would be able to achieve even more by working together more.

The community fair is one way to help this happen.”

Ms Robson said the event also highlighted the need for more shade for the park.

“Friends of Daylesford Community Park have been talking with council for options for more shade for years. I’d love to hear from anyone able to help by donating, sponsoring, planting or nurturing more golden ash trees.”

Photos: Donna Kelly

ENROL NOW FOR 2015

Ho, ho, ho...shop locally for Christmas!

MOONGATE ORIENTAL ANTIQUES

CLOSING DOWN SALE

After 20 years in Melbourne & Hepburn Springs Robert & Peter are retiring.

An end of an era with great prices.

• furniture/ antiques • arts/ crafts • jewellery/giftware etc. etc.

106 MAIN ROAD 30% off HEPBURN SPRINGS all stock Tel. 5348 4396 Mob. 0433 032 344 Hours - 10 am- 5 pm THURS- SUN

Happy dogs for Xmas and beyond

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ocialisation means learning to be part of society.

When we talk about socialising pet puppies, it means helping them learn to be comfortable as a pet within human society - a society that includes many different types of people, environments, buildings, sights, noises, smells, animals and other dogs.

Most young animals, including dogs, are naturally made to be able to get used to the everyday things they encounter in their environment - until they reach a certain age. When they reach that age, they are naturally made to become much more suspicious of things they haven’t yet experienced. This age-specific natural development lets a young puppy get comfortable with the everyday sights, sounds, people and animals that will be a part of his life. The later suspicion they develop in later puppyhood also ensures that he does react with a healthy dose of caution to new things that could truly be dangerous.

You need to make sure that situations are not overwhelming for him, and that he becomes more comfortable - not more worried - each time you expose him to something. If he is concerned about something new, back off and introduce him again slowly – new things should always be a positive experience not a scary one. Don’t allow new people, especially children, to overwhelm your puppy.

The rule of thumb with puppy socialisation is to keep a close eye on your puppy’s reaction to whatever you expose him to so that you can tone things down if your pup seems at all frightened. Always follow up a socialisation experience with praise, petting, a fun game or a special treat.

Even though three to 12 weeks old is a time when puppies are most comfortable with new experiences, they might sometimes find a new experience frightening. Whenever this happens, it’s important to introduce your puppy to the scary situation much more gradually, and to make a big effort to do something your puppy loves during the situation or right afterwards. For example, if your puppy seems to be frightened while sitting on your lap in a schoolyard full of children, then sit further away from the action and offer your pup a delicious treat each time a scary noise or movement happens.

Socialisation is essential for helping your puppy develop into a happy, fun and safe companion.

By Tricia Dunlop - Dog Speak

Look who’s back! It’s Sarah! Yes, Sarah is finally back at Lily George and looking forward to seeing all her clients again!

Book in now for the silly season rush.

32 High St, Trentham 5424 1133

Merry Christmas from your Local!

Healthy outcome for art project

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PRINGS Medical Centre and Daylesford Primary School have joined forces in an innovative art project.

The five-year project, now in its second year, combines the provision of much needed resources to support visual art, with an opportunity for students’ art to be exhibited in the community at the Springs Medical Centres in Daylesford and Trentham.

The 2015 recipient of the $3000 annual art bursary is Daylesford Primary School with the money going to the refurbishment of the ceramics art program.

Ceramicist Petrus Spronk opened the “Springs Kids Art Project” exhibition last Friday.

The collection, 24 collages painted by students in grades 3 to 6, will be on display during 2015.

Students were asked to create a self-portrait that represented their past, their present or what they aspire to or see for themselves in the future.

Each student was given a black and white photo portrait of themselves as a template for their collage.

They were asked to select and manipulate paper from a variety of sources to help them make choices about depicting texture, tone colour, shape, expression and composition.

Daylesford Primary School art specialist Nicole Wassell said the bursary will allow the school to expand its art program to include more 3D art through ceramics.

Springs Medical Centre’s Beth Quin said the students’ artwork was “transformative of the medical centre”.

“We wanted the centre’s atmosphere to be more welcoming, particularly for children who can be frightened when attending the doctor,” she said.

New funding partners in the project are the Rotary Club of Daylesford and Daylesford and District Community Bank.

Last year Bullarto Primary School students saw their artwork hung at the medical centre as the inaugural school in the project.

Above, students Lachlan and Lachlan, check out their respective artworks now hanging at Springs Medical Centre in Daylesford

Ho, ho, ho...shop locally for Christmas!

Pole walking on trend

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OLE walking is quickly taking over Hepburn Shire.

A Creswick group is in its eighth year, with 15 regular pole walkers, and now it’s Daylesford’s turn.

Over the past few months a small group of people has been meeting in Daylesford every Wednesday morning to head out pole walking at a moderate pace.

Coordinated by Hepburn Health Service’s Eliz Rhook, the group is led by Dr Ross Ulman, pictured left, who is a trained pole walking leader and registered volunteer with the health service.

“Pole walking originated from Scandinavia where it is used for summer training for Nordic skiers. It is a great way to exercise the entire body by using specially designed poles to involve the arms which activate the upper body while walking,” Dr Ulman said.

“It provides a full body workout and pole walking can be a gentle or strenuous form of exercise depending on the participant’s fitness and capabilities. It is a form of exercise for any ability.”

Dr Ulman said the Wednesday group pole walked for about an hour, from 8am, “enjoying the streetscapes of Daylesford and some bush tracks”.

“As well as encouraging enquiries from fitter walkers for the Wednesday group, the pole walking group would now like to offer the opportunity to pole walk in a second group for people who would prefer to walk a little later in the morning at a slower pace.”

Details: Eliz at Hepburn Health Service on 5345 9169.

39 Albert Street, Daylesford Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm

Merry Christmas from your Local!

Youth wins bake-off

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OUTH has won out over experience in this year’s Kyneton Show.

Teenager Caroline Rutledge took the title of shortbread queen – after accidentally entering in the adult category.

And in a bittersweet twist, Caroline found the recipe in a children’s treasure hunt showbag from last year’s show, put there by Flo Watson, who has used the recipe to win the shortbread category unchallenged for the past five years.

After trying her shortbread on teachers and students at Holy Cross Primary School, Caroline decided to enter this year’s show.

The 13-year-old has been cooking since she was five and also took home the title for her fruitcake, and date and carrot muffins.

But Ms Watson did not go home empty handed. She was the aggregate prize winner in the jams, preserves and chutneys.

Ms Watson said she found the winning shortbread recipe in a supplement included in a copy of a 1960s Women’s Weekly.

A lifestyle store.

For everyone.

We’d like to thank all the Locals for your support throughout 2014.

You’re invited to our Locals Shopping Night on Thursday, 18th December.

Nibbles & Refreshments start at 4pm til 9pm and there will be a Locals discount of 10% storewide, and 20% off selected brands.

Our guest Local Artist, Tasha Miller, from Jubly-Umph Originals, will gift wrap your purchase for a gold coin donation to the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter.

See you there folks!

Caroline Rutledge, left, used youth, electricity and a steely gaze to literally beat Flo Watson, who kept to experience, elbow grease and a big grin

Connie & Kyla x 108 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs Tel: 5348 4353 Wed-Sat 10-5 Sun & Pub Hols 10-4 portal108.com.au

Do you have a Health Care Card or a Pensioner Concession Card?

If so, register for Xmas Cheer!

Call Daylesford Community Health Centre on 5321 6550 You will receive: *Vouchers

to buy your own family hamper *Toys for your children *Gifts for young adults

DAYLESFORD

COTTAGE DIRECTORY

www.cottagedirectory.com.au stay@cottagedirectory.com.au Phone: 03 5348 1255 Mobile: 0438 662 201 41 Albert Street, Daylesford

rETREAT | Relax | reTURN

Come visit us at our new office - 41 Albert Street

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 23

Vincent Street warming up for summer Thong shop goes here (STCA)

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T’S summer, and you know what that means.

Trying not to lose a shoe/sandal/thong on Vincent Street in Daylesford. As the temperature rises, the asphalt melts, again. The warm weather at the start of the month had locals and tourists both amazed by the already poor state of the main thoroughfare.

In January last year The Local ran a short story about the resurfacing of the street between Howe Street and Central Springs Road. Council later acknowledged things didn’t quite go to plan and that the street would be shut for another night and redone. But as cooler weather arrived, nothing happened.

The Local sent an email query to Hepburn Shire Council early last week to ask if any works were being considered for the latest problem but had not heard back by press time.

Meanwhile, one comment on the council’s new Facebook page, said “Not quite sure what’s going on, but was walking up Vincent Street today and thought I could hear water on the road as cars drove by”.

“On closer inspection I noticed that the newly laid bitumen on the road was melting and had not been sealed properly after the streetscape works. I know it got to 32 today but seriously not good enough Hepburn Shire. You’d be wanting to strike those contractors off the list!!!”

Meanwhile, The Local also carried out a bit of a strawpoll, also on Facebook, asking if people liked the new crossing in Vincent Street.

Here are a few comments: “I don’t mind it. It ‘compliments’ (sic) the historical bluestone gutters of this town...however there’s some amazing stonemasons in this town and it would have been incredible if they’d been given the job to showcase the talent we have here!”

“Could have kept it just as a crossing. Instead of spending all that money they should have taken every 8th car park out and planted an elm or plane tree. Make the whole street look attractive for little cost, provide shade in summer and light in winter…”

“The creativity is just amazing! Not! My goodness a town like Daylesford full of imaginative people & this is what we end up with? After ALL that debate & drama arghhh.”

“I like it, but agree that the plants are not exactly interesting. I have already seen people sitting there chatting on a quiet weekday.”

“I think it looks like something you see in a suburb or a mall. Really hope someone pulls out the boring strappy plants and puts in a stunning garden.”

“I like it! A change is good! I do however think it needs better signage and the ‘give way to pedestrians’ part is not there anymore.”

“But blaggh for Daylesford, couldn’t we have had amazing plants and trees that look amazing and unusual at least?”

“I reckon it looks pretty good. Nothing particularly creative but then it doesn’t necessarily need to be either I suppose. Once the plants have grown it will probably look better.”

“I like it.”

Hepburn Shire Council infrastructure general manager Bruce Lucas said one of the criteria of the quotes received was local content “which resulted in a number of local tradespersons and material suppliers being engaged”.

“The design of the crossing and materials selection was carefully considered to aesthetically fit with the existing streetscape. There is an opportunity to supplement the plantings within the central garden beds, which will be further considered next spring where there may be an opportunity to include some colour.”

Meanwhile, a number of people have commented to The Local that the white markings on the crossing have started to be covered by asphalt caught on car tyres.

Thong shop

Photo, just slightly, digitally enhanced!

The Local - tlnews.com.au

24 News

TRENTHAM STATION SUNDAY MARKET

Christmassy things

Victoria Street, Trentham

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On the fourth Sunday of each month 8.30am - 2.30pm Enquiries/Bookings - Gwenda on 5424 1611 or Ross on 5424 1509

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A great variety of stalls in and around the beautiful Trentham Station **Permanent carriage stalls open every weekend** Including - Craft in the Carriage, Kaye’s Soaps and Candles, Leigh’s Homemade Preserves, Snax on the Trax & Trentham Olde Worlde Lolly Shoppe Trentham - Always relaxed and refreshing!

AYLESFORD Community Brass Band Carols by Candlelight will be held at the Hepburn Springs Reserve Soundshell on Monday, December 22 from 8.30pm.

Gold coin donation for a carols sheet and a candle. Performances by the Daylesford Community Brass Band, Cool Harmony Choir and the Daylesford Pipe Band. BYO picnic and chairs.

HE Uniting Church – Highlands Cluster Christmas Services will be held at:

Daylesford Sunday, December 14 – barbecue at 5.30pm and Carol Service at 7pm Sunday, December 21 - 4th Advent Service Holy Communion at 9.15am Christmas Day - Cluster Service at 9am Ballan Sunday, December 21 - 4th Advent Service Holy Communion at 11.15am Sunday, December 21 - Pleasant Sunday Afternoon at 2pm Christmas Eve - Cluster Worship at 6pm Blackwood Saturday, December 20 - barbecue tea at 5pm with Carol Service to follow Trentham Sunday, December 14 – Messy Church at 4pm Sunday, December 21 - Carol Service at 7pm Sunday, December 28 - Cluster Worship at 10.30am (shared lunch)

Details: Minister Jenny Hayes on 0428 215 291

Country Market Leonard’s Hill Hall Saturday, December 20 9am-2pm Plants, Sausage Sizzle, Jewellery, Devonshire Teas, Wines, Preserves, Crafts, Collectables & much more STALL HOLDERS WANTED (No Take Away Food Stalls) For enquiries/bookings phone 5348 3351 or 5348 6569

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hristmas @ The Anglican Parish of Christ Church, Daylesford

Sunday, December 14 - Ecumenical Christmas Carols @ Daylesford Uniting Church from 5.30pm. Barbecue followed by Carols with the Daylesford Band.

Wednesday, December 24 - Family Christmas Service with Carols @ St John’s Glenlyon at 5pm.

Midnight Mass @ Christ Church Daylesford at 11.30pm.

Christmas Day Eucharist @ Christ Church Daylesford at 9am.

Details: Father Jeff O’Hare on 0407 192 316.

TRENTHAM

&

MAKERS MARKET

Two Markets – One location Spring has sprung – The grass is ris – I wonder where the birdies is???

The Town Square in Trendy Trentham The Trentham Farmers Market has joined with Trentham Makers Market

Third Saturday, 9am – 1pm Advert courtesy of The Local’s Connecting the Community project

News 25

The Local - tlnews.com.au

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11B

12A

The Boite Singers’ Festival celebrates 25 years of song

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13A

INGING facilitator Fay White, one of the driving forces behind the annual Boite Singers’ Festival, enjoyed a day of music and singing to launch the 2015 program and celebrate the 25th anniversary.

Ms White developed the concept of the Vocal Nosh, a community gathering which brings together singing and feasting.

Her first appearance was at the Daylesford Community Breakfast at the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre last Thursday followed by a Daylesford Library Story Time session.

Ms White has produced dozens of CDs and resources many of which are for children. Her songs have a strong focus on environmental themes and encourage children’s wonder in the world around us.

The Boite promotes cultural diversity and community participation in the arts.

The Singers’ Festival, which takes place on the second weekend in January, is a four-day festival of song with over 40 workshops across the weekend, concerts and special events in the evening. It features more than 20 artists.

Above, singing facilitator Fay White, right, gives Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre manager Denise Hanaphy-Shearer a few tips

‘Marlene Dietrich’

A Lions Club for Daylesford – ‘We Serve’

ay

id Fr t 12 h er

b

m

e ec

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Cabaret starring Maureen Andrew.

The Life, The Loves, The Legend.Cabaret at “The Grande Hotel”, 1 Church Avenue, Hepburn Springs.

Tapas and/or dinner. Show $15.00 per head. Drinks from 7.00 p.m.

Show time 8.00 p.m.

Bookings essential: manager@thegrandehotel.com.au 03 5348 1978 | www.thegrandehotel.com.au

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Are you looking for, Opportunity, Fulfilment and New Experience then ‘Be a Lion’

Help your community, make a difference, get new skills, be a leader, energise your life.

Meet us: Vincent St. 22 Nov & 13 Dec Contact us: daylesford@lions201v1-4.org.au Advert courtesy of The Local’s Connecting the Community project

26 News

Mt Franklin Estate is proud to announce the release of: 2014 Pinot Grigio and our new range of Nudes Cab/Sav Shiraz and Chardonnay!

Cellarbrations Daylesford stock our Pinot Grigio, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo

The Daylesford Swing Band would like to invite any musicians out there to come and play with us. We play a mix of Swing/Jazz, Latin and Blues.

We are a community band with members in the age range from 14 to 80, and we love to make music.

We are currently looking for a drummer/percussionist, trumpet and guitar in particular.

Email: dswingband@gmail.com Mobile: 0418 560 477

If you feel like a leisurely drink by Lake Daylesford drop in and see Andrew at the Bookbarn - he carries a full range of our wines.

Bookbarn Promotion - December 13-24 Come meet winemaker and artist Michael Gray on December 13 and 14 for great Christmas gifts.

And ask us about special prices for dozens and half dozens for that Xmas party or to enjoy over the Xmas break. www.mtfranklinestate.com.au 130 x 70mm

130 x 70mm

130 x 70mm

Mt Franklin Estate

Mt Franklin Estate

Mt Franklin Estate

Daylesford Victoria

Daylesford Victoria

70 x 55mm

70 x 55mm

Mt Franklin Estate CleanSkins Value, Quality, Consistency.

CleanSkins

2010 Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Daylesford Victoria

Mt Franklin Estate CleanSkins Value, Quality, Consistency.

The Mt Franklin CleanSkin range of wines are created to

The Mt Franklin CleanSkin range of wines are created to

The 2010 Cabernet Cabernet Sauvignon presents as a well

The 2010 Shiraz expresses blackberry, plum and spice while

medium ruby red colour ensures this wine will be well regarded

ßavours. Added complexity comes from creamy French and

CleanSkins

award drinkers a quality wine at an inexpensive price.

rounded and balanced wine. Subtle fruit ßavours with and a by many. Varietal characteristics like black currents and a smooth palate are quite discernable.

13.5% ALC Vol. Approx 8.0 Standard drinks Fined with the aid of egg products. Minimal preservative 220 added 2010 Shiraz Mt Franklin Estate, Whybrow St Franklinford Vic 3461 www.MtFranklinWines.com.au p: +61 3 5476 4475 750ml

award drinkers a quality wine at an inexpensive price.

CleanSkins

the palate is a complex array of berry fruit and pepper American oak, Þrm tannins and a drying Þnish.

13.5% ALC Vol. Approx 8.0 Standard drinks Fined with the aid of egg products. Minimal preservative 220 added Mt Franklin Estate, Whybrow St Franklinford Vic 3461 www.MtFranklinWines.com.au p: +61 3 5476 4475

750ml

Mt Franklin Estate, Whybrow St Franklinford Vic 3461 www.MtFranklinWines.com.au p: +61 3 5476 4475

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 27

ANZAC 100 to honour memory of WWI

By Cheryl Johnson

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NZAC 100 is a one-off commemorative event marking the 100 years of Anzac.

Supporting Daylesford Sub Branch RSL, the event will be honouring the memory of men and women from the Daylesford district who served in armed conflicts, especially WWI and the Anzac landings at Gallipoli.

This ticketed event will be held at Daylesford Town Hall on Saturday, April 11, two weeks before the centenary of Anzac Day on April 25, 2015.

Money raised will go towards the redesign and landscaping of Daylesford’s War Memorial as part of a joint RSL and Hepburn Shire Council initiative.

ANZAC 100 will take the form of a dance, concert and country-style supper with music, dancing and songs from WWI and WWII. Local bands and singers will be featured and guests will be encouraged to wear clothing from those eras.

As a community event, there will be approximately an hour’s free street performance and ceremony related to the ANZAC 100 theme. The activity will be centred around the Daylesford Town Hall in Vincent Street come rain or shine, for families and visitors who would like to remember those who served.

ANZAC 100 wants to encourage people to take themselves back to an era, when Australia’s young people went to war for their country, and try to understand what families experienced.

One of the event organisers Frank Page said: “The horrors of any war are unimaginable and WWI was one of the deadliest conflicts in human history”.

“More than 62,000 Australian military personnel died and more than 150,000 were wounded. We hope our event will give today’s generations time to remember and imagine what their forebears lived through and sacrificed so long ago.

“I can’t speak for the people who lost their lives in Gallipoli but as a Vietnam veteran, I do know how much it means when people take time to remember those who have served in armed conflicts.”

Details: Mr Page on 0417 010 817.

AS PART of the 2015 Anzac Commemoration, the 5000 Poppies project will be “planting” a field of more than 5000 poppies in Federation Square, Melbourne as a stunning visual tribute to Australian servicemen and women for more than a century of service in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Craftspeople around the region are already busy taking part in the project. These poppies were snapped at the Daylesford RSL on Remembrance Day 2014.

The Grande Hotel Cabaret Club presents 1 2 Dec - The Marlene Dietrich S how - Maureen Andrew (last show) Tx $ 1 5 1 9 Dec - The Fem m e Fatale S how - Claire Woodley Tx $ 20 / $ 1 5 conc (with drink ) 9 J an - Geoffrey William s sings Nina S im one & Bill Withers Tx $ 1 0 1 6 J an - The Fem m e Fatale S how - Claire Woodley Tx $ 20 / $ 1 5 conc . . . m ore to com e check out www. thegrandehotel. com . au

NYE at The Grande Hotel

R oaring 20's night 3 course m eal incl glass of bubbles on arrival, glass fine local wine with m ain and glass of bubbles to see in new year

Live 1 920s J azz & dance band in the Cabaret Club $ 1 20 per person 1 Church Avenue, Hepburn S prings B ook ings: p: 534 8 1 97 8 e: m anager@thegrandehotel. com . au

Dress : 1 920s guys & gals Get out the brogues & hats, sequin dresses & feather boas

Dining 29

Movember big winner from Tatts night

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HE Movember fundraiser at The Farmers Arms Hotel in Daylesford raised a massive $7580 towards men’s health.

The fundraiser included the four Mo Men - Ian ‘Hog’ McCarthy, John Beetham, Don Breen and Rodney Peacock getting tattoos from Dave Bamberger at Motherload Tattoo.

There was also a Monster Raffle with donations from a host of businesses and organisations around the region. The raffle proved very popular with a meat tray from Spa Meats in Daylesford going for $600 before being passed back for another $300. A total of $900 for a meat tray - clearly great meat.

In an interesting twist, current hotel owner Susanne Devine, (with partner Claire Levine), is related to one of the men who started Movember in 2003.

Her step-father’s grandson Luke Slattery was having a beer with a mate, Travis Garone, at a bar in Melbourne.

When their conversation turned to recurring fashion trends they questioned where the “Mo” had gone and joked about bringing it back.

They decided to talk their mates into growing a moustache, and inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer, chose to make the campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer.

They found just 30 men willing to take up the challenge.

As of last year, 4,027,688 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas have taken part, $580 million has been raised and 770 men’s health projects have been funded.

Participating countries now include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and USA.

Photos, clockwise from top left, John Beetham shows off his tattoo, Hog gets up close and personal to shave Rodney, Don takes a back seat and a beer, hotel owner Claire chills with Made in Movember IT girl Sally Nance s Day ristma h y C & ar’s Da Eve stmas ve & New Ye i r h C Closed ew Year’s E N Closed

Welcome to The Farmers Arms Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner The Farmers Arms Daylesford offers the perfect blend of country charm combined with a sophisticated menu, wine list and professional service.

For more information about the pub and also our current menu, please visit our website: www.thefarmersarms .com.au 1 East Street Daylesford ph. 03 5348 2091

ur o Bowling Club rk y rs! a Ma lend UPCOMING EVENTS Ca

CHRISTMASSIVE Sunday 14th December Token Exchange 12-2pm Draw 2.15pm Bistro OPEN for Sunday Carvery Exciting family gifts plus 20 Hampers to be won! www.clubmix.org.au

NEW YEARS EVE @ THE BOWLO. 2 Course Meal $35

BINGO – Sunday 2-4pm, Tuesday 7-9pm.

Big Bucks Jackpot starting at $30,000 plus lots of in-house jackpots every session.

(Payable on the night.)

Entertainment (Hats, poppers & lollies.)

Members $20.

General Public $25 XMAS DAY Lunch - Book now!

2 course, bon bons and lolly bags for the kids.

Adults $50 - Kids U10 $25 - Kids U5 $12.50. $20 deposit per adult required when booking.

Optional Seafood Platter at extra cost Must be pre booked.

KIDS EAT FREE Every Thursday.

Under 10.

Kids Menu Only.

Must be with a dining adult Bookings Essential !

MORNING MELODIES 4th Monday of Every Month 10.30am Free Entry Tea, coffee and song books provided.

Great for aged care outings, planned activity groups etc.

MUSO CLUB 3rd Sunday of Every Month.

Bring your voice or instrument. 1-5pm

Kyneton Bowling Club (03) 5422 1902 61-79 Mollison Street Kyneton 3444 www.kynetonbc.com.au manager@kynetonbc.com.au functions@kynetonbc.com.au

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Out & About 31

Memorial statue unveiled

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HE Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens have unveiled a statue gifted by interior designer Stuart Rattle’s family.

The bronze sculpture is titled Boy with the Thorn and depicts a boy removing a thorn from the sole of his foot.

Mr Rattle was killed in December last year. His partner Michael O’Neill was charged with his murder.

Below, Stuart Rattle’s mother Jill, cuts a ribbon at the statue.

Photo: Lindsay Smith

Show this ad in store and receive

20% off 4 or more bottles of wine One per customer per day.

Conditions apply - see staff for details Offer ends 21/12/14 Cellarbrations @ foxxy’s our region’s largest local and boutique wine specialists Open every day until late 55 Vincent Street Daylesford Tel: 03 5348 3577

32 Dining

The Local - tlnews.com.au

R E S T A U R A N T

Merry Christmas

treat yourself at sault!

Experience the taste of Spain with Sault Restaurant’s Spanish head chef Santiago Nine-Fernandez. Now serving tapas on our menu!

Enjoy a Christmas party or lunch/dinner with friends or family before Christmas.

locals night

Wednesday is Locals Night! Sault offers their seasonal a la carte menu with a complimentary glass of house red, white or sparkling with any main meal.

High Tea

On Sundays indulge with a glamourous High Tea between 2.30-4.30pm.

Bookings essential, call 5348 6555 to book.

BOOK YOUR TABLE ON (03) 5348 6555 E: jodi@sault.com.au

www.sault.com.au

Best Wishes for the Festive Season.

We are closed 25 & 26 December and 1 January OPEN FOR DINNER DAILY AND WEEKENDS FOR LUNCH The Railway Hotel Castlemaine 65 Gingell Street, Castlemaine, VIC 3450 PHONE 5472 1250 www.railwayhotelcastlemaine.com.au enquires@railwayhotelcastlemaine.com.au www.facebook.com.au/railwayhotelcastlemaine

2349 BALLAN DAYLESFORD ROAD, SAILORS FALLS 3461

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For Cafe Bookings Phone Matt: 0409 585 967 For Tours or Group Bookings phone Maria: 0400 854 029

26 - 28 Albert Street Daylesford 5348 3711

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Our musos 33

Watch leads to new name for Suzanne

S

UZANNE Williams is also DJ Casio. The name came in 2010 after she found a gold Casio watch in a DJ booth. Suzanne said she became quite obsessed with finding the owner but to no avail. Her obsession with the watch led to staff calling her Casio “and then the watch became mine and the name stuck”. Suzanne talked to The Local’s resident music lover Kyle Barnes.

KB: What’s your background?

SW: I moved to Daylesford for a “forced” lifestyle change in May 2012. Prior to that I lived in Collingwood. My background has always been in hospitality where I was a cafe manager and nightclub manager for a venue in the city over a 14-year period. That, I must say, is where my love of dance music and DJing began. I’d always have a mess around with the boys playing in the club and they would teach me little things every week about sounds and technical dos and don’ts. After gaining a little bit of confidence I played regularly in a bar on Brunswick Street and clubs in the city. Then I finally purchased my own gear bit by bit.

KB: When did you know you were a DJ? SW: When that happened I can’t quite remember, maybe around 2000. It grew from my love of EDM and my total obsession with DJs. I wanted to be them, I wanted to know them. It was kinda creepy...so I’m glad that phase has ended.

KB: What is your style?

SW: My ultimate favourite style is house and tech/house. Although since moving to Daylesford it is rare that I can play it. The floor filler type of music I play is 80s and modern commercial tunes. The crowd seems to love that.

KB: Are you a regular in Central Highlands venues? Do you think they are a good audience?

SW: I play once a month at The Old Hepburn Hotel. Last gig was huge. Coming into summer and wedding season the crowds are out to dance and have a great time. I’m also on a rotation gig at the Daylesford Hotel and The Perfect Drop. My other gigs are private parties and weddings. It’s a different crowd each gig. Very different. Different response to different styles of music I play.

KB: Is being a DJ hard work or like falling off a log?

SW: It’s like falling off a log and hitting your head. It’s easy but some aspects are quite difficult. If you are just a simple DJ like myself and you have all the equipment it’s easy. Practice and keep up to date with what’s out there. The hardest part is requests. That’s a no no. I had a woman aggressively pull my hair once at a gig because I had no rock ‘n’ roll. I tried, I think I played an EDM remix of Elvis Presley but it was awkward. A simple request is never a simple request to DJs. “What do you have?” is also a deal breaker.

KB: What do you think music means to people? And what do you listen to?

SW: Music is happiness, music is sadness, music is an escape. Music can change your mood in a split second. If you are heartbroken, music is your enemy. I listen to Stevie Nicks....that’s all. Just Stevie Nicks.

KB: Finally, is there anywhere in the shire we can hear you soon?

SW: Daylesford Hotel, Saturday, December 27. It’s my 80s and 90s Extravaganza Part 2.

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

34 Gigs

Gig Guide Radio Springs Hotel, Lyonville

Grumpy Neighbour – Thursday, December 11, evening The Jude Parsons Set – Friday, December 12, evening Marty P – Saturday, December 13, lunch Gillian Eastoe & Terry Murray – Saturday, December 20, evening The Dear Family All Stars – Sunday, December 21, lunch

Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn

Michelle Parsons - Saturday, December 13, 9pm Gabe Atkinson - Saturday, December 20, 9pm $5 Santa Ska with The Resignators and Exit Crowd – Sunday, December 21, 5pm

Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford

DJ Sass – Saturday, December 13, 8pm-11pm DJ Daggers – Saturday, December 20, 8pm-11pm DJ Casio – Saturday, December 27, 8pm-11pm DJ Sass – New Year’s Eve, 9pm-1am

The Perfect Drop, Daylesford

One-year anniversary party with Family Farm and DJ Zolly Gold – Friday, December 12 Tania Petrini and Vida Jazz – Saturday, December 13 High & Lonesome – Friday, December 19 Memphis Joe – Saturday, December 20

Glenlyon General Store, Glenlyon

Railroad Rex & the Hapless Brakeman – Friday, December 12, 6.30pm-8.30pm Norm Gray Duo – Friday, December 19, 6.30pm-8.30pm

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

Wining & Dining 35

The Plough 3AW Pub of the Year

T

HE Plough @ Trentham has been named 3AW’s 2014 Pub of the Year.

And the announcement last Friday had owner Mark Mills literally jumping for joy.

The station’s Tony Leonard has been reviewing pubs around Victoria for the past 19 years and presents his segment each Friday morning at 11.40am on the Neil Mitchell program. Tony visited The Plough @ Trentham on August 1 and he scored the pub with a high 16 out of 20 – which resulted in the ultimate win. It is also the first win for a pub outside metropolitan Melbourne.

Owner Mark Mills took over the then Trentham Hotel late last year and after four months of renovations he opened a new bistro and bar – mirroring the menu and hospitality at his original pub in Myrniong.

Mark said since opening it had been “go, go, go” with managers, and brothers, Mitchell and Brendan Rogers, “doing a fantastic job”.

“It’s a huge honour and probably, as far as pubs go, it’s the biggest award you can receive. Tony has a massive listening audience, he sees a lot of pubs and he knows his stuff and he knows what the punters want. It is also huge for Trentham.

This brings heaps of people to the town. And they will just keep coming.”

Koukla Café & Pizzeria “Let’s take you for dinner”

Pizza and a movie @ $25 (Cinema tickets are valid for 3 months)

Monday & Tuesday Pizza Special $15 Take-away $19 Eat-In www.kouklacafe.com.au 5348 2363

Dinner: Thursday - Tuesday from 6pm Lunch: Friday - Tuesday from 11am Breakfast: on weekends from 9am Coffee & Cake: always available Locals Night: all welcome Curry & Hot-Pot Night Tuesdays $18 Fish Night Fridays: $26.50 with glass of house wine (a la carte dining also available)

PUB OF THE Open Thursday to Saturday 12 noon - late, Sunday 12 noon - 5pm 31 High Street, Trentham (03) 5424 1144

theplough.com.au

YEAR 2014

36 Dining

N

The Local - tlnews.com.au

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To find out how your photos can “pop” out of the page, contact Kyle Barnes - email kyle@tlnews.com.au or phone 5348 7883.

Lunch - Friday to Sunday - 12 noon until 3 pm Dinner - Thursday to Monday - 6 pm until late Locals’ Night - Monday Night

MERCATO @ daylesford

32 Raglan Street Daylesford 03 5348 4488 www.mercatorestaurant.com.au

Nom, Nom, Nom 37

Barcaldine House serving up big flavours

I

T’S my first visit to Barcaldine House – but it won’t be my last.

The accommodation venue, cellar door and restaurant/café has been a favourite for many people over the years with Frank and Rose at the helm.

But it was recently sold to new owners with the manager Ling making the move to the Musk – and loving it. Helping her is chef Rebecca – who is well known throughout the region - most recently she was with The Farmers Arms in Daylesford.

The pair has created a great menu, nothing too complicated, but definitely with something for everyone. The price points are great – and the view over the impressive gardens is a lovely start.

Kyle and I decided to share the steamed chicken and mushroom dim sum with three dipping sauces ($9) and vegetable spring rolls with wrapping lettuce and nuoc cham ($9).

Yum. There are four dim sum and five rolls – and that’s a perfect way to start the meal. Rebecca has quite a background with Asian cooking and it shines through here.

The dim sum are served in a bamboo steamer and are perfect. Meanwhile the spring rolls are crisp, full of flavour and, once wrapped with mint leaves in the lettuce and dipped in the delicate sauce, are amazingly good.

Oh, I am enjoying a glass of Barcaldine House chardonnay – lovely – while Kyle opts for sparkling mineral water. I think he just enjoys being the driver.

That’s my excuse. But if you do like a drop…glasses range from $8 or $9 while bottles are from $25 to $32.

Choosing mains is a little harder. The marinated chicken salad, quinoa, herbs and lemon dressing ($19) is tempting, as are the roast vegetables, nuts, grains, parmesan and pomegranate molasses ($16).

But Kyle, being an ex-fisherman, opts for the tempura prawns with cucumber and seaweed salad ($21). Big, thick juicy prawns in a light batter sitting atop an amazing salad which just zinged. Cucumber and seaweed with attitude.

I chose, on Rebecca’s advice, the pan-fried gnocchi with caramelised onion,

spinach and fetta ($18). Rebecca says she has done about 70 private catering jobs and been asked for her gnocchi at 68 of them. That’s some recommendation. And I get it.

The gnocchi are pillows of perfection – soft, light and full of the infused flavours of the onion, wilted spinach and pieces of melting fetta. There’s also some finely shaved reggiano on top. Just the right combination.

We are both satiated so we skip desserts but they are tempting. A flourless chocolate cake ($9), tart of the day – today’s is frangipani and raspberry/ passionfruit curd ($9), passionfruit with raspberry bombe ($12) and then there’s the selection of ice-cream, by the scoop ($4), with flavours including orange with chilli, chocolate with mint, lemon almond praline, vanilla and burnt honey.

And Ling says there’s more to come.

I think Barcaldine House is a place to watch.

Words: Donna Kelly Photos: Kyle Barnes

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Meals available Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 5pm - Cellar door open 7 days a week 9am- 5.30pm 238 Dairy Flat Rd. Musk (five minutes’ drive from Daylesford towards Trentham) Details: Tel: (03) 5348 2741 | Mob: 0422 954 667 | manager@barcaldinehouse.com.au | www.barcaldinehouse.com.au

Ope n Chr istm nig as ht

An Authentic Indian Experience in the Heart of Daylesford

DESSERTS 1. MANGO ICE CREAM $6.00 2. ALMOND ICE CREAM $6.00 3. MANGO LASSI $5.00 4. GULAB JAMUN WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM $6.00 5. PISTACHIO ICE CREAM $6.00

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Under new ownership Private function rooms BYO Take-away available Delivery avaliable Banquets from $40pp

Inspiring 39

Serendipitous moment for restaurateur

Jason, centre, with the Moor Please team

I

T WAS one of those serendipitous moments.

Restaurateur Jason Jones – think Prixe Fixe, Porgie and Mr Jones, Friends of Mine…and the rest - finds himself in Hepburn Springs.

Like many full-time and part-time residents, he and his partner had been regular visitors for years and then took the next step and bought a country weekender.

And then, as Jason stands outside an empty café in Hepburn Springs, which he has just rented, he bumps into chef Joseph Abboud – think Rumi and The Moor’s Head – who is holidaying with his family.

The conversation leads to the idea of Jason taking care of the café’s design and Joseph putting together the menu. And the result is Moor Please, a 40-seat modern Middle Eastern café which opened last month.

There’s wood-fired pide-style pizza on the menu - heavily influenced by this region’s produce - alongside treats like baked barramundi with roast carrot tahini.

Head chef is Gerard Phelan, formerly of Lake House, while Tristan Fraser, formerly of The Argus, is front of house.

Jason, who was brought up in Gippsland, said he loved the Daylesford/ Hepburn Springs area.

“You can take the boy out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the boy,” he said.

Jason and his partner now spend most of their weekends in Daylesford relaxing and taking time out where possible. There are also two black poodles, Billy and Ella, which, Jason said candidly in a recent interview, “complete the gayness”.

Jason puts his hospitality success, opening his first restaurant at just 17, to really understanding the industry.

“People forget so often what hospitality is. It means to be hospitable, to welcome people into your establishment as if you were welcoming them into your home.”

Jason also enjoys working with his staff who he describes as “the team” choosing them firstly for the right personality over skill – the latter which can be taught, he says.

But it hasn’t always been an easy ride. Jason moved to Melbourne at 21 but found life in the big city, like many young people, a bit of a struggle and returned to Gippsland to open a number of dining establishments before heading back to the city 10 years later.

And clearly, for anyone who’s met Jason, as I have a few times now, he is a man who is enjoying life, dancing to the beat of his own drum – those fabulous red spectacles, drawing even more interesting people into his life and getting involved in the community. You might have seen him at the Daylesford Anglican Church’s community dinner recently or perhaps buying meat tray raffle tickets at the Farmers Arms Hotel.

Rumour has it Jason won the Daylesford Hepburn Springs Business and Tourism Association raffle at its Christmas party – and quickly offered up a couple of meals to be raffled in return.

And there is a real warmth in his greeting and a genuineness about him. At a recent backyard barbecue, the one doing the cooking was Jason – without a care for his clearly expensive taste in clothes.

He had the same jacket on when we met for our photo shoot, on a summer’s day outside Moor Please. He admitted the drycleaner had been involved.

And chatting you can’t help but think that random meeting between Jason and Joseph is going to turn into even bigger things for this community. Definitely more please.

Words: Donna Kelly Photo: Kyle Barnes

The Local - tlnews.com.au

40 News

Resignators performing at Old Hepburn Hotel

D

AYLESFORD musos Stacey Kilpatrick and Steve Douglas joined the Melbournebased band The Resignators five years ago and since then have toured the USA, Canada and Europe – the last time performing 85 shows in 100 days in nine countries.

The band has also done many Australian national tours and festivals reaching as far as Perth and Cairns.

The band is eight-piece and as members of the band left for various reasons they have been gradually replaced with Daylesford youth.

First Jeremy Meaden on trumpet, then Leda Scott on trombone, John Howell on bass, and Morgan Kaye on tenor sax. The most recent addition was Rael Lovell-Gamble on drums. Other than original lead vocalist and founder of the band, Francis Harrison, all members of the band are now from Hepburn Shire.

Steve said The Resignators were recently invited to play Canadian Music Week in May 2015, an acclaimed industry event in Toronto, and were currently setting up the next North American tour in conjunction with their Montreal-based label Stomp Records “The band is also in pre-production on songs for our next full length album to be recorded at Abunai Studios on the Gold Coast in January,” he said.

Meanwhile, The Resignators are enjoying a residency every Tuesday in December at Melbourne’s Cherry Bar and will also perform at the Old Hepburn Hotel on Sunday, December 21 with Castlemainebased band The Exit Crowd as support. The event starts at 5pm, cost is $10.

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42 News

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Bushfire workshop

C

FA Daylesford will hold a Bushfire Planning Workshop to raise awareness of the bushfire risk in the region.

The workshops will be held at the Daylesford Fire Station on Wednesday, December 10 from 7pm to 9pm.

Details: 5329 5510.

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39

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Sport 43

Cricket umpiring has David around the world

Ben and David Levens take some time out at the Glenlyon Reserve

I

T’S a hard life – but someone has to do it.

Glenlyon resident David Levens has spent the past 16 months travelling around Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies as one of three International Cricket Council umpire coaches.

David works with a group of umpires from each nation to develop their skills.

He also travels the world running coaching and training programs for other coaches and umpires in test playing nations.

The role sees him spending months away from home, training umpires and taking in myriad cricket games in places like Barbados in the Americas or Guyana in South America but, as he says, tongue firmly in cheek, “nothing in life is perfect”.

When he can, he travels with his family, wife Tania, and son Ben, who at 12 is already looking like a fast bowler playing representative cricket with the under 14s at Ballarat.

David said the enjoyment of his work was being with umpires, and at this stage only males, “who are striving to be better than they are”.

“Now that might sound a bit wanky but we are in a high performance culture, so we develop that, and work with these guys who all have their own strengths. They are all different and we approach each one differently. There may be some I talk to rarely while others I am always calling or skyping…I really enjoy supporting and assisting these guys from all parts of the world.”

David said one of the risks of his position which runs across every sport, was that because you were employed full-time you “look for things to do”.

“I remind myself, pretty much every day, that one of my key goals is to keep out of the way, not just do stuff for the sake of doing stuff. I see that happening a lot at the top level in sport. There is more and more support and more coaches around the top players but we need to take the approach of what is best for the player – what makes sense to them.”

David, who admits he has never umpired a game of cricket in his life, said he started his cricketing career when Cricket Australia undertook a review of coaching umpires around 2007 and recommended that they employed someone from outside the sport but with officiating experience.

As a former national coach of AFL umpires in the 90s, he was the “lucky one” and spent six years with Cricket Australia working with their top umpires.

The ICC gig then came along in 2013.

“The ICC some 16 months ago decided there should be additional support for umpires and called for umpire coaches for the UK, Sri Lanka and here. So it was not something I had planned or thought might happen but it’s been a great experience.”

That experience also means attending test matches, The Ashes, one-day cricket and T20 cricket which David says has him “really blessed that I do have that sort of menu to choose from”.

“I played when I was under-age, back then it was cricket in the summer and footy in the winter, then other things took over, like my footy umpiring. It became a major focus for me and my goal was to umpire AFL.” David is also obviously proud of Ben’s cricketing ability and says he will go “as far as he wants as long as he enjoys it”.

“Ben loves his cricket. He’s playing rep cricket with the under 14s and we are really pleased for him because he’s just turned 12.

He won’t be unnecessarily pushed and needs to know how to play the game the right way but he knows how that’s done.

“And being part of our household and with my involvement in AFL and cricket he has also come to some games over the years, had some great experiences and met some great people.

“Just last week I showed some footage of Ben, taken at the Glenlyon Reserve, to Indian fast bowler Javagal Srinath who looked at his action and provided some feedback. Jav is a lovely guy and that feedback is fantastic for Ben.”

“One of my key goals is to keep out of the way.”

44 Business Guide

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Business Guide 45

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46 News

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Postcard from polling day

By Jeff Brownscombe

O

N 29 November 2014 at Glenlyon Town Hall polling booth, democracy was the true winner. Apologies for the sporting cliché, but sometimes they hit the spot.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better example of electoral chivalry anywhere in the state. I arrived for my 10-12 shift handing out “how to vote cards” for the Greens at about 10.03. Not bad for a bloke with four kids.

With the privilege of upholding the role of local GP, I had wondered if I should appear politically unaligned. But hey, everyone votes for someone, so why not come out?

I enjoyed excellent light conversation with my Liberal and Labor counterparts.

Thanks to the ALP’s Judith from Springhill and Graeme, all the way from North Caulfield and with a personal connection to the ALP candidate.

We spoke of our own Kath Murray, whose tireless work on the Daylesford Secondary College upgrade secured funding commitments from both sides of politics. Overdue. Thanks for stepping up Kath.

I was most impressed by Keith, 91 not out, and his wife, Ruth, representing the Liberal Party. Their reflections on five generations on the land in these parts were worth hearing.

Such socialising appears contrary to party advice to avoid such fraternisation.

But for goodness sake, we’re in the country. Let’s keep it civilised. It was great to watch all the different voting types file by. Some took cards from everyone, staying pretty poker-faced. Others made their intentions clear. Some were more private, preferring not to be interrupted on their way in. Diversity is a wonderful thing, it’s the lesson of our age. Everyone’s vote counts, but not by that much.

If we can all try to engage as best we can in the political dialogue of our time and place, and vote in the way that seems right to us, then we are creating a better world.

The sun started beating down on the Glenlyon Town Hall. Per Bernard, one of the driving forces behind the Hepburn Wind Farm, then arrived to relieve me.

He remarked in his thoughtful Danish accent “we are so lucky to have such an easy democratic process in this country”.

Thanks to all on election day…it was an enjoyable day and it made me proud to live here.

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 47

Kyle’s Rant by Kyle Barnes

I

AM not much of a Facebooker.

In fact I had someone recently ask to be my friend on my personal Facebook page. I only usually have family there but, because the person in question was a kind of a Kiwi Pommy mix, and my family are Kiwis, I agreed.

But I also added the rider that my new friend better hold on for the fast paced bronco ride of news feeds, quips and anecdotes of me shopping around the region, dining at the usual haunts or hunting for great Christmas ideas.

Anyway two weeks down the track my new friend is still waiting for a post.

And I put my complete lack of interest in social media down to having “a Donna”.

Donna, who seems to be able to do 10 things at once, keeps me up to date with all the goings on of Facebook, some important, a lot not so stimulating.

Anyway my attitude to social media can be discussed at length another time. To cut to the chase, I wanted to talk about a new commodity that is trending.

First we had the cards we used to trade in the school playgrounds, cash has always been around, the cheque book enthralled me as a child - just writing an amount on a bit of paper and driving out of the service station with no consequence? How long had that been going on?

The bitcoin came around and just when I was about to throw my first million into the currency, the idea quickly dissolved.

The latest commodity is Facebook likes. Did you know that anyone can buy multiple Facebook likes for as little as $20 for 500 likes with a delivery time of two to three days, or up to 25,000 for $600 with an installation time of five days?

Donna has mentioned a couple of local businesses whose Facebook likes are springing up by over 200 in a very short space of time. Makes you wonder a little.

The Local’s Facebook page is an active information source and although it has been going for over a year we are just a little over 600 likes - of which about five percent actually comment (thanks to everyone who likes us though…). Oh, we do also have an average of 76,000 impressions online for our e-edition of The Local.

That’s huge.

And I really have to ask myself why any business would get artificial likes.

Even if they are real people they aren’t at all interested in our community.

I knew it was getting a tad crowded but I never realised I could “reach up to 140,000 people near Glenlyon” There are even a number of websites that offer to sell Facebook likes. Just search “Buy Facebook Likes” on Google and you’ll find a long list. Even Facebook itself offers us to reach more - like 140,000 people near Glenlyon.

Wow! The only fathomable reason why people go shopping for likes that springs to mind is to make their business look better followed and more important than it is.

I reckon these organisations should try the old fashioned method of gaining Facebook likes - great content. Get better content on your news feeds and grow your Facebook page naturally.

Sooner or later the Facebook likes will go the way of the bitcoin but in the meantime, if you would like to stay in touch with local news, or get The Local early on Sunday night via the e-edition, just like us at facebook.com/DHSLocal.

Rant over...and out.

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G

LENLYON resident David Levens spends his time travelling around Australia, New Zealand and the West Indies as one of three International Cricket Council umpire coaches. But as he says, with a smile, “life’s never perfect”. Meanwhile his son Ben, who plays with an under 14 Ballarat team, despite just turning 12, is gaining speed as a fast bowler.

Read the story on page 43.