The Local Issue 35 December 22, 2014

SECURITY CAM | 3 23:45 24/12/2014

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, January 5.

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 31 Copy provided by: Thursday, January 1 Editorial deadline: Thursday, January 1

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

Seen a photo you like? Photos are just $20 each and will be emailed at high resolution. You can print as many copies as you like...

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.

Front cover: You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town!

Photo: Kyle Barnes with a little help from Mark Ward and Santa

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

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Clockwise from top left...

IT’S a busy time of year whether you are an elf taking time out for a quiet ale, a hopeful child posting a letter to Santa, a dog who wants his owners to stop dressing him in stupid costumes and another elf taking a breather by a random tree.

The Local’s crew wishes all its readers and clients a wonderful Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. See you in 2015!

4 Our artists

The Local - tlnews.com.au

The art of recycling

I

T’S a pretty extreme tree change. From Southbank to Blackwood.

But it’s a move that Robert Bridger and his wife Jenny made in 2011 after his retirement from a career in the timber and furniture industry.

And the pair is keeping busy with Robert recycling timber finds into furniture and Jenny working in homewares and clothing store Kuki in nearby Trentham – which also stocks her husband’s creations.

Robert said he looked for timber with a past history and that could create a new history.

“Most of today’s furniture has a maximum lifespan of about 20 years, if you are lucky. That’s because most of it is made out of chipboard, and even just the moisture in the air will see it breaking down over time. And you can’t burn it, well you shouldn’t, so it just becomes landfill.

“Some of the timber I have here is New Zealand kauri, and it comes from a piece of furniture which is about 120 years old. And the tree it came from might have been 300 years old. So you have a piece of timber that is 400 and something years old and I will be able to rescue part of that and make a bit of furniture which, with a bit of luck, will last another 100 years. And then some robot will pull it apart and turn it into something else.”

Robert said “first and foremost” he worked on making functional pieces, such as tables and chairs, and then created an aesthetic appeal “to make it that little bit different”.

“And I suppose I have three things I hope to get from each piece. First I am recycling so that’s got to be a good thing, then I am supplying something that people are going to get some use out of and finally it’s something beautiful to look at. That’s what I hope people see and appreciate.”

And while Robert said anyone can learn to make something off a plan, with a stack of new timber, his craft was working around the imperfections of recycled wood.

“Every piece is different, there are cracks and holes, and it takes a lot more time. You have to make the most of what you’ve got.”

Robert said while he and Jenny had spent most of their lives in Melbourne they had bought their house at Blackwood about 16 years ago as a country escape.

“When I retired we swapped the city environment for trees and kangaroos, lifestyle, no traffic lights and no traffic.

Probably the same reasons as 90 per cent of the people living here. The only downside is we have about the worst fire risk in Australia. It’s on the CFA’s do not attend list.

But if you live in an area like this you suck it up. You know about it and make allowances for it.

“If you had a big fire go through here, forget it. The plan is always to leave town early.”

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

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Korean award for veteran Gladys Pretty

K

OREAN War veteran Gladys Pretty has been awarded an “Ambassador for Peace” medal by the Republic of Korea.

A certificate, written in both English and Korean, says “it is a great honour and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy”.

“We cherish in our hearts the memory of your boundless sacrifices in helping us re-establish our Free Nation.”

The award event was held earlier this year and included the medal award ceremony and a dinner at the Australia Club followed by a concert with many top Korean performers at Hamer Hall. And Ms Pretty, a long-time Daylesford resident who attended with her daughter, said she had “a ball”.

“They hold these events now and again, and I try to go to as many as I can, but it was just marvellous. The performers and their costumes were just incredible.”

For Ms Pretty, a member of many organisations including the Korean Veterans Australian Association, the Australian War Veterans Association, the HMAS Melbourne Association, Legacy, the War Widows Guild of Australia and the Daylesford RSL, the event also brought back memories. Some good, some difficult.

Ms Pretty was a nurse during the Korean War which was fought from 1950 to 1953 with peacekeeping activities then extending to 1957. Her service was from 1952 to 1960. America was the first to stand up to North Korea followed

by Australia and then another 19 countries from around the world. Ms Pretty’s nursing work was based just under the North Korean border, near the 38th Parallel, and involved looking after injured soldiers in the most basic of conditions.

“If a patient was very ill needing urgent surgery they would be evacuated by helicopter to Seoul. There were hospital ships and a general hospital in Japan.

Within South Korea there were four medical centres and hospitals. Evacuation of the wounded and sick was in the hands of the American Forces until the casualties landed in Japan or were carried in RAAF planes to the British Commonwealth Occupying Forces areas. There were also two field ambulances based 20 miles to the north, right on the border.”

And Ms Pretty said the roads were “terrible”. “In the wet season (it was) mud and in the dry season red dust covered everything. Living conditions were naturally primitive. Sleeping quarters were tunnel shaped huts made of corrugated iron, they had concrete floors and were portioned into cubicles of about eight foot square. At one end of the hut – under the same roof – was a four gallon jerry can of water, icy cold - in the worst weather it could fall 40 or so degrees below freezing. This was how washing was done and in the same area would be a six-hole communal open pit toilet. No privacy in Korea. It was almost a military manoeuvre. Firstly a scout would be sent to check out that the way was clear then two officers would escort you out the door, retreat six paces and wait until you appeared to escort you back to the mess. All water for the unit was brought in by road and if it rained heavily the roads became icy and couldn’t be used. “(There) are many, many more stories of those times but over the years names and faces have slipped from memory, but never the wounds and the injuries – absolutely horrific – and the ongoing suffering of those unfortunate lads and men seems to remain fresh in one’s sad memories forever more. The power of one is unthinkable until you witness personally your own strength, power and privilege – sharing special extra time with those in need due to no fault of their own. They left their homelands to fight a battle for freedom for others. Each (veteran) would know of various experiences they have witnessed and all gone through personally but haven’t spoken of them to others because they wouldn’t be able to share the meaning of such events, or as I call them ‘chapters’ in the book of life, unless they were at the same places, at the exact times, as (they) remember.

“Wars aren’t anything to be glorified by any stretch of the imagination but it is hoped that personal sacrifices by many will at least be remembered.”

But whatever her memories, Ms Pretty is grateful for the gratitude of the Republic of Korea, and not just for herself. “There was a group of veterans who were invited to go over (to Korea) to one of these events and some of them left here with bodgy wooden legs. But when they came home they arrived in Australia with dinky di aluminium legs. That’s just how appreciative they are.”

Top, Gladys Pretty and her Ambassador for Peace award, middle, Ms Pretty, third from the left, at the awards ceremony, right, Ms Pretty during service in the 1950s

Inspiring 5

6 Opinion

Just sayin’...

Merry Christmas

The Local - tlnews.com.au

by Donna Kelly

H

OW nice. We were doing a post office run and a woman came up to me and said “I just wanted to say how much I enjoy The Local and thank you for doing it - Merry Christmas”. Wow. And no, I didn’t pay her.

I think it’s testament to what The Local is all about. It started as a small newsy magazine but has sort of morphed into a community connection tool. If that makes sense.

For example, when we do features on amazing people whether they are artists, musicians, restaurateurs, inspiring young people, inspiring older people, we hope that readers will think “I know that person, but I never knew that” or “I always dreamt of doing that, I am going to give it a go” or just “gee we are lucky to be living in this creative community”. And makes the world a little smaller.

I think that is a good thing. The world is a big, sometimes scary, place, and I like to think that most of the terrible things we see on television and read in metro newspapers, are not what is mostly happening here.

And when we feature another fantastic festival - watch out soon for the New Year’s Eve parade in Daylesford, the New Year’s Sports Day in Glenlyon, the ChillOut Festival all over the region - we hope that readers will think “I love that festival, better lock in the dates” or “I didn’t know that was happening, better lock in the dates” or “my Melbourne friends will love this, better lock in the dates” and we connect even more community.

Now among all this goodwill I am not saying The Local is not a business. It is, and we need advertising to make it work. But I also like that The Local has kept its prices very reasonable - if you ever wonder just do a ring around - so even small businesses can advertise big. Let’s face it, we all know what a budget is like, and how quickly money can go, but The Local has been a part of some businesses doing really well. We know, because they have thanked us, which, again, like the lovely woman this morning, is really nice.

And it is not all about the money. For any non-for-profits out there, please keep in mind The Local offers two free adverts each edition, as part of its Connecting the Community project. OK, it’s something we just dreamed up one day, but we thought there must be some small organisations busy raising funds for charities without taking into account advertising budgets. And offering a few free adverts is one way we can make a difference to a host of good causes. Just because we can - and also because we believe in giving back.

Anyway, I better stop there or there’ll be rumours I do have a heart...so back to the future.

Next year is looking great. We have some fun new features - which we will quickly invent over the next few weeks, and will also be focusing on the people who keep us safe such as firies, ambos, SES volunteers - and asking why they take on those sometimes thankless tasks.

And we’ll keep bringing you the people and the events that make up this wonderful region of ours.

If you have any ideas for stories, photos, features, just stuff we should be covering, please email anytime, or call, mostly during business hours would be nice. Just sayin’.

In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas and a safe, healthy and happy New Year. See you in 2015!

Cheers, Donna

The Local - Hepburn Shire’s own community publication

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and safe New Year.

Thanks for all your support and we look forward to playing again in 2015!

From the crew at The Local

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 7

Edible flowers on offer from Glenlyon

A

MAZON Empress, Confetti Mix, Merry Melody, Pink Pirouette, Summer Smile and Monsoon Gold.

You could be forgiven for thinking you were looking at a colourful line up for the Melbourne Cup. But they are all names of edible flower mixes on offer to Melbourne’s top restaurants – grown down a lane in Glenlyon.

Lauren Richardson has “borrowed” some land on her parents’ property, where she grew up, to supply fresh, colourful flowers to wholesale agent Flowerdale Farm based at the Melbourne Wholesale Market in Footscray.

Lauren said she started her foray into the world of edible flowers in December 2010. She was offered work at Flowerdale Farm while studying an arts/science degree at university.

“Flowerdale was getting requests from customers for edible flowers so they started doing that and then, when it got too big to manage, they asked if I wanted to do it for extra cash during uni holidays. Then I kept doing it part-time while studying and finally decided I needed to do it full-time. I started at Flowerdale and then moved to Glenlyon two years ago.”

Lauren said most of the flowers were English cottage varieties including nasturtium, pansies, violas, marigolds and roses. And while she loves the work, like all farming, there are challenges.

“There are lots of challenges – wildlife, protecting crops, lots of bugs, and just supply and demand. I will have lots of product one day and that’s not what the market wants…and when I don’t have it that’s what they want. It can be difficult to balance demand.

“But probably the biggest challenge is winter and hot summers.

We have just come out of winter, then spring flies by, and then you get hit by the summer heat. Then autumn will be short and we’re into winter again.”

Lauren’s day starts with receiving an order at 7am, picking the flowers into punnets and placing them straight into the fridge, labelling each punnet and then driving to Footscray – often quite late at night. The product needs to arrive at the market by midnight. Flowerdale Farm then sells the flowers to provedores and greengrocers, with the provedores then selling on to mostly high end restaurants.

“I have tried my flowers at some of those restaurants. Some of my customers invite me because they like to show me what they do with the produce. I would like to see them use it more as an ingredient rather than just a decoration. Rose petals and nasturtium have quite a distinctive flavour.”

Lauren said she had plans to expand her business, with the flowers now being grown on about a one-acre site, but said it was more about labour than space. She is also working on a website to create an online store for home users in a few weeks.

It’s a career choice that has pretty much taken over her life but she is also keen to finish her Masters in architecture and take on a few projects in that field.

“I would like to do some part-time work and through my business have been meeting some customers who are interested in designing certain things which are quite specific to agriculture

Lauren Richardson in her hothouse, and below right, with a bouquet good enough to eat, literally...

or restaurants. So hopefully it will be a balance of the two.

“The dream, eventually, would be to have the winter period off when I focus on my architecture.

But there is now a demand for edible flowers all year round. And the demand is growing. But I love it…although a holiday would be nice.”

8 News

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Time for travel for Russell and Michael

Left, Michael Reed and Russell Brewerton at Balconies Daylesford, above, Michael greets the Queen Mother

B

Y THEIR own admission Russell Brewerton and Michael Reed, owners of Balconies Daylesford since 2006, are inclined to “get a bit bored”.

So just as their property has been ranked as first top hotel in Victoria and eighth top hotel for Australia, by travel site trivago.com.au, it’s time to move on. The award for the six-bedroom bed and breakfast was based on traveller reviews and ratings from more than 175 worldwide travel sites aggregated by trivago – but there’s a big For Sale sign outside.

The pair, who met in England in 1991, is keen to travel, mostly around the western side of Australia, for a year at least, perhaps longer. And fair enough.

They have spent their lives in the hotel industry ensuring others enjoy their breaks, and designed Balconies as the place they would like to visit.

And Russell says, it’s those extras, that they love, that make the difference and get their property over the line for awards.

“I think it’s our attention to detail. We care a lot about our customers and have invested time and money into ensuring they have a great experience. We are not a motel where they just get handed a key. We talk them through the map, what there is to go and see, restaurants we like, dining options…we try to go the extra mile.”

And while some may think of bed and breakfasts as “chintzy” Balconies is far removed. Added extras include great soaps, bath robes, fluffy bath sheets and iPod docking stations. Then there is the breakfast…

And that experience. Russell has a background in five-star luxury hotels dating back to the 1970s, while Michael opted for banqueting which saw him in charge of huge functions, some of which involved the English royal family members.

“I started at Park Lane Hotel in 1980 and had a lot of patrons coming to events being held there – and met the Queen Mother that same year. I was the banqueting manager so it was my event, and she was the patron for the event, which was for ex-service people, and I had to welcome her into the hotel. I was

in my mid to late 20s so it was really quite exciting. Then I moved to the Royal Lancaster, which was very large and close to Buckingham and Kensington palaces, and they had a lot of royalty there.

“I have a photo of me meeting Prince Phillip, and there was Diana and Charles and Princess Margaret – so many of them came to so many different functions. It was such a thrill.”

Russell and Michael eventually moved from the bigger hotels to their own bed and breakfast ventures, first in Stratford on Avon and then Brighton. It was there that Australia beckoned. The pair headed to Australia for a holiday, with Russell having some family here, and travelled the country and “absolutely loved it”.

That was 2005 and a year later they were back for another holiday. A friend had told them about Daylesford – “fabulous place, big gay community and spa capital” – but the idea of moving to the country didn’t really appeal.

Not long after they found themselves in a bar in St Kilda and flicking through a magazine which had a “For Sale” advert for Balconies Daylesford.

Not sure if it was fate, they rang the owners, had a chat, and came for a threenight stay at Easter during which time they looked around the town and chatted to tourism experts – including the volunteers at the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre – little knowing Russell would find himself offering his time there not long after.

“I thought we can certainly do something with the building in our style and literally went back to the owner and said ‘yes, we’ll buy it’,” Russell said.

They sold their Brighton property in two months and were back in Daylesford

by October. And in a twist of fate, their first clients, the only bookings they had when they took over, were English.

“Russell quickly got on Wotif and that’s when the magic happened. And it’s been fabulous.”

Pets@Work 9

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Curly Rosie

S

O finally, after many editions, we actually make it onto Pets@Work. Great.

Who do they think has been busy making the office smell nice, tearing up paper so they don’t need a shredder and letting them know when they are working too long and need a break to eat. Us. Me, Rosie, and the fat one.

And what’s the reward, being dressed up in a stupid elf suit, and made to look like an idiot. The costume doesn’t even do up around my waist, the cheapskates obviously pinched their pennies there! Probably from some cheap $2 shop. And they cut off my tail in the photo so now I look like some odd escapee from Avatar.

Anyway, I hope there’s something decent on the radar for Christmas and not another plastic stocking with one ball, one plastic chew toy and a rope thing with frayed ends. Oh no, I just looked at the mantelpiece. You would think a journo and the world’s best photographer, clearly not - remember the tail - would be more creative than that. Oh well, whatever they are, they are our carers and we do love them.

Ho, bloody ho.

No, really, Merry Christmas everyone and have a wonderful New Year!

(They made me add that bit.)

- Rosie - the grinchy kelpie cross

W Danger Pets@Work

OO hoo. We are on Pets@Work. I knew if we were good and did all the right things we would make it on one day.

That’s me, Curly, and my best friend Rosie. We are such great buddies. She is always making jokes about my weight but I know she loves me. Look, we’re playing a game of Avatar!

And look, we’re in dress ups! I love dressing up. I am not sure why the costume doesn’t fit around my tummy but even Rosie struggled so it must be a snug fit. Probably a designer outfit - they are always a little smaller. And how cute do I look in my elf hat? I love the carers - because they really do care.

What a great year, and now it’s nearly Christmas, and hopefully we’ll get one of those great stockings with lots of toys to play with. How lucky are we! I don’t know how the carers keep coming up with such great present ideas. They just love us so much.

Anyway, it’s almost tea time, so we get more of the lovely dry crunchy food. It’s good for us too. Have a really nice Christmas and a safe and fun New Year. Ho, ho, ho...:)

- Curly - the excited cocker spaniel

10 News

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Healthy start for hungry students

S

IXTY students got an extra healthy start to the day last week when they took part in a Walk and Brekky at School Day and walked through the Hepburn Golf Course to Hepburn Primary School.

Spokeswoman Kellie McDonald said the walk, under the guidance of Annie Raak and Carol Bones, meant the children arrived at school ready for a good breakfast.

Hepburn Shire Council funded the breakfast while the parents did the preparations.

“The menu included fresh fruit kebabs, muesli and yoghurt cups with pureed berries, pancakes and for the first time, fresh fruit and vegetable juices all served in the school hall,” Ms McDonald said.

“Juicing was a huge hit. The children were asked to guess the ingredients and describe textures and flavours in the hunt to discover the secret ingredients.”

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.  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

HERE’S the solution to the last edition’s crossword. See page 26 for the crossword for Issue 35. All the answers are contained within the pages of The Local! Good luck.

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

Glenlyon gherkin just one offer from family’s farm gate

A

GLENLYON family are hoping their bold move to supply home-grown fruit and vegies to residents and tourists, will encourage others to live more sustainably.

“If you can have just one or two people with a couple of acres you can supply local people with good local food. And there are people who are making a living off it – I am not yet – but it can be done.”

Edward said he was also keen to start some workshops for people interested in Edward Benedict and Fiona Buchanan, and their two children, Sierra and Mila, have been living in the small hamlet for just over two years, and starting or furthering their own food garden projects.

And while he supplies most of the basic vegies and fruit, as long as they locals have watched as their two-acre property has been increasingly turned over are in season, Edward is also keen to create a “Glenlyon gherkin” and has to produce. been experimenting for two years and is now ready to hit the Glenlyon Hall’s Edward said he had always been interested in growing food and even while living in a bedsit in his younger days took over the courtyard and turned it into a commercial kitchen to start the project.

Meanwhile, Fiona said the country was providing a great life for Sierra and vegetable garden.

Mila.

“I had a sales background in organics so I was always up this way, always “There is so much freedom here and they do know it’s daddy’s garden which is looking for land and real estate. And my two brothers are here so that was probably one of the main factors in moving to Glenlyon. Now we are just backing lovely, they know where their food comes from and what it tastes like.

“And Daylesford is so well set up for children. We are very spoilt.” ourselves to be as sustainable as possible where we eat mostly from the property and the girls get to grow up in a beautiful atmosphere. They can see where their food comes from.”

Edward said the property, which dates back to the 1880s and was once used for council dinners after meetings in the Glenlyon Town Hall, also had an empty outhouse which seemed perfect to turn into a farm gate - in the near future.

“A farm gate made sense because there are no others in the area and this is supposed to be a food producing region. And people can also come and have a farm tour and see how the food is grown using only organic methods, to showcase it, and maybe spend some money at the same time.”

Edward said he also believed the farm could be a model for future small towns that are dependent on supermarkets or long drives to food suppliers.

Season’s

Greetings

As the new Member for Ripon I would like to thank you for your support and wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

LOUISE STALEY MP

State Member for Ripon louise.staley@vic.liberal.org.au Ph. 0428 858 350 louisestaley.com.au

@LouiseStaley

/LouiseStaleyRipon

Authorised by Louise Staley MP, Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne 3002.

12 A Sparkling Life

A Sparkling Life

The Local - tlnews.com.au

(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 COW’S EYES - FUN IN THE SLUMS I can remember the day World War II ended. Bells were ringing, Mum was crying because Dad was coming home and Uncle Harry, who had been in a terrible camp or something, was coming home too, but he only had one leg left. Everyone was either laughing or crying and I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to do, but that was me…even then.

They called me ‘Cow’s Eyes’ at school. I thought I was the ugliest thing on earth. I knew just about everything there was to know at ground level because my big cow’s eyes hardly ever looked up. When I lined up at school I knew how many kids had buckles on their shoes and how many had laces. Boys legs didn’t interest me much then. All I noticed at the time was the different levels of their grey knickerbockers.

I was always timid and terrified of getting into trouble from my teachers for what reason I’ll never know. I remember, around 1946 I think it was, walking down George Street Fitzroy one morning on my way to school having been set the task the night before of learning to spell the numbers ‘ten’ to ‘twenty’. I couldn’t remember how to spell ‘eleven’ and went running home to Mum crying my eyes out. She wrote it down for me and I practised spelling it over and over all the way back to school.

Mum I suppose didn’t notice how shy and timid I was because she was too. Besides, she had worries of her own with the polio epidemic raging all around us. My sister Joan, a tiny bit older than me, was very ill. I can remember the doctor coming every day and finally the ambulance men and the trouble they had getting Joan and the stretcher down the narrow staircase from her bedroom above the corner grocer shop Mum and Dad had.

Her illness turned out not to be polio, but rheumatic fever but even at my tender age I knew I had a very sick sister. She was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital and we were allowed to visit her one day a month on a Sunday afternoon. Looking back now, I can’t understand how Mum and Dad did not go to pieces not being allowed to see their little seven-year-old for such long stretches at a time. At least the war was over and they did have each other. Joan was away a whole year, and never once did I miss a visit.

Lifestyle and business opportunity

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This business will continue to grow and comes with fully trained and loyal staff who will stay on and commit to new owners.

Rarely does a quality lifestyle business such as this come along where six figure returns are available, along with a magnificent five-acre freehold and residence.

“Ballarat” is the Aboriginal word for “Resting Place” – with this opportunity available you can see why!

Full business and property details are available only after signing a confidentiality agreement.

For full details contact Paramount Business Brokers Brian Budd 9021 9888 | Mobile: : 0417 303 196

14 Happy & Healthy

The Local - tlnews.com.au

a Christmas full of Bliss!

The perfect gift for someone special, with a free gift for you!

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 ...

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Happy & Healthy 15

Katie loves sugaring

Natures Wheel

Massage Therapy and Body Mechanics

Therapies available: Relaxation Massage, Deep Soft Tissue Massage, Myo Facial Manipulation, Therapeutic/Remedial Massage Reiki For Bookings: Phone: 0400

017 623 Email: paul@natureswheel.com.au

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ATIE Hartwell finished her diploma at the Australian College of Hair Design and Beauty in 2007 and has been working in the industry ever since. She took time out from Daylesford Beauty to chat with The Local’s Donna Kelly.

DK: What do you enjoy most about your position?

KH: The clients and building relationships with each of them along with the ongoing training and support. I also work with some of the best spa and beauty products out there.

uchers Gift vo le availab r t fo perfec as m Christ

You from this to this

DK: Why did you enter the industry?

KH: I enjoy comforting people and helping them unwind from the stress of their day-to-day lives. I love that I can give people more confidence in themselves by making them feel so relaxed and they can see a difference in their skin after having a treatment with me. It just gives them more confidence.

DK: What’s your favourite service that you offer to clients?

KH: Sugaring and Sothys one-hour classic facial. Sugaring is a natural version of waxing using sugar paste for hair removal. My clients get fantastic results and see a dramatic reduction in unwanted hair growth. And the Sothys facial is a beautiful spa treatment packed with so many benefits for the skin.

DK: What’s your own favourite treatment – for you?

KH: I can’t go past the Daylesford Day Spa Mint and Lemon full body exfoliation finished off with the mango and passionfruit body custard. My skin just feels so soft and is glowing.

DK: Sounds good. Finally, what’s your own “go to” products?

KH: Jurlique lip treatment - an awesome lip balm for dry lips, and Desquacrem Forte by Sothys - a deep cleansing exfoliation.

2014

FIAT 500 POP FROM $15K DRIVE AWAY Includes 3yrs Scheduled Servicing Peter Stevens Fiat Alfa Romeo 615 Creswick Road Ballarat VIC 3350 Ph: 03 5336 8777

Merry Christmas from your Local!

ENROL NOW FOR 2015

Danni in the swim at Daylesford PS

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AYLESFORD and District Community Bank’s assistant manager Danni Mackley has switched her desk for the pool to help Daylesford Primary School students learn water safety and swimming basics.

It is Ms Mackley’s sixth year of teaching swimming lessons at the school and her third as a volunteer from the bank – which gladly offers up her work time for the project.

“Children are taught how to do basic swimming techniques such as freestyle and backstroke and also learn how to be safe around water,” she said. “There is no other program like this in Daylesford and it is amazing what the children learn after just two weeks and how much they improve.” Ms Mackley is Austwim accredited and qualified.

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Thank you for your support in 2014 We look forward to a mutually prosperous 2015

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

Lessons on farming in Japan after 2011

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ON’T Forget Fukushima: A Farmer’s Perspective will be held at the Daylesford Senior Citizens’ Centre, at the Daylesford Town Hall, on Thursday, January 22.

Hepburn Relocalisation Network spokesman Rick Tanaka said nearly four years had passed since northern Japan was hit by earthquakes and tsunami.

“It was the beginning of the worst nuclear accident that humans have experienced. Though some of the scars from the natural disaster have been healed, the disaster continues at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

“HRN is extremely pleased to host an evening community dinner with a visiting young farmer family from Japan in January. The Fujimotos are not from an ordinary background. They run the Kamogawa Shizen Okoku farm, one of the best known alternative farms in the country. The pioneering organic farm on Boso peninsula, about 100kms east of Tokyo, was established in the early 1980s by a former radical student movement leader, Toshio Fujimoto.

“Toshio was in the vanguard of the back-to-the-land movement as well as reconnecting farmers and urban consumers. The farm is credited to be one of the first in the country, and the world, to introduce subscription farming and Community Supported Agriculture. Yae and Hiro grow rice on a small paddy, totalling 1.5 ha, and grow veggies while running workshops and lectures on the farm. Both are highly regarded among the ecologically conscious population.

“Following the Fukushima disaster, Yae quickly organised a local network of mothers with young children and helped circulate better knowledge and up to date information on radiation contamination. The funds raised from the HRN evening will be donated to the network. Yae will talk about her experiences of living with radiation in the shadow of further accidents.

“Hiro is a ‘drop out’ from the corporate system, a back-to-the-land farmer. He is well connected to the back-to-the-land organic farmers’ movement and is often invited to speak publicly. His honest and down to earth view is highly regarded.

Based on his experience, he will tell you about life in Japan, post Fukushima, from an organic farmer’s perspective.”

Mr Tanaka, pictured right with Yae and her children, spent almost two years with the Fujimotos before and after the disaster before moving to Hepburn, and will also speak. He will give an update on the state of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and the state of contamination in general.

Cost for the event is $10 at the door, with a light dinner included the cost is $15, pre-bookings only. Link: hrn@internode.on.net

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

Merry Christmas from your Local!

Gifts of love...from left, Carolyn Evans, Denise Longmire, Heather Gray and Nola Shields

Handmade quilts lift spirits of children in care

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HE Spa Quilters of Daylesford have donated 55 handmade quilts to Child and Family Services for children in care.

The quilters have been donating their handmade gifts of love for CAFS children for over 20 years.

CAFS is a major provider of foster care and out of home care to 100 children every night.

CAFS Programs & Services general manager Christine Harding said in the past year, CAFS had 145 children in foster care homes, with 80 carers.

“These beautiful quilts mean more to a child than people may know,” she said.

“We hear so many stories. There was a 10-year-old girl who came into care with absolutely nothing. She was given a beautiful quilt and she still has it now, at age 23. She said that she treasures it, and wants to pass it down to her children, as a reminder of when she received it and how it made her feel.

“Even when children return to their family, they take their quilts with them - they are prized possessions.”

The quilts are beautifully crafted in various sizes and designs with this year’s donation of 55 quilts produced by just 20 quilters.

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

Boite Festival on track for anniversary

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39a Albert St Daylesford 0429 192 718 Thursday to Monday, 10am - 5pm

HE Silver Streak and The Boite Singers’ Festival have joined forces to celebrate the festival’s 25th anniversary of bringing song to Daylesford.

And the traditional gift for a 25th anniversary is silver – thus the Silver Streak train which takes passengers from Daylesford to Bullarto on the first Saturday evening of every month.

But on a special one-off 90-minute ride, the train will also depart on Saturday, January 10 at 11.30am – with guests Mal Webb and The Furbelows Singers.

Mal is a multi-instrumentalist, looping, beatboxing songwriter who sings about all manner of fun stuff. And during a past festival, he performed on the train using the rivets, bolts, arm rests and window frames of the train to create his own accompaniment.

The Furbelows singers are Kelsey James, Lisa Salvo and Georgie Darvidis.

They sing close harmony vocals and hot swing of war-time Paris. Their rendition of Chattanooga Choo Choo is always popular and just one of the many songs sung by The Furbelows that tells tales of romance and longing for missed lovers.

Tickets for festival weekend pass holders is $38 and concession $35. The cost for those without weekend passes is $40.

Link: boite.com.au

50% o ff Chris All tma decor ation s Boxin s from g Day *Con

dition

s app ly

Merry Christmas from your Local!

Mustang Country Mustang Country 27 Redesdale Road, Kyneton VIC 3444 (03) 5422 2703 musaleen@ssc.net.au

22 Out & About

The Local - tlnews.com.au

The Local - Connecting the Community

The Local believes in giving back, not just at Christmas, but all year round. So welcome to The Local’s “Connecting the Community” project. Each edition The Local has two free advert spaces to give away to not-for-profit organisation. So, if your organisation needs a boost, email donna@tlnews.com.au...If we receive more than two we will use the tried and true “put them in a hat” system but also work a little bit on timing - like those to the right.

daylesford

daylesford

Courtot automotive

poster illustration & concept: jeff stewart | pre-press artwork & layout: www.designscope.com.au

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

Wishing all our clients a very Merry Xmas!

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Out & About 23

Painting the town red...with poppies

By Cheryl Johnson

M

AGGIE Nightingale and Denise Robinson want to paint the town red. And they need you!

They are knitting as many red poppies as they can for Daylesford’s Anzac Day centenary tribute next year and calling on everyone to get on board and help.

“The poppies can be in any medium: painted, knitted, crocheted, patchwork, paper-crafted, felted, mosaic, carved, etched, metal, printed, drawn, baked. As long as they are red and a manageable size we’ll use them. It would be wonderful if we could wash Vincent Street in red poppies from the cenotaph to the town hall next April,” Maggie said.

Maggie hopes traders will also decorate their windows in poppies and that poppy banners and signs will hang in the main street.

The poppy display will be a showpiece of the Anzac 100 commemoration evening at the Daylesford Town Hall on April 11 and the Daylesford Sub Branch RSL Anzac Day service.

Maggie and Denise, volunteers at Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre, were handed the poppy-making baton by Trish Tinetti, whose was inspired by a library talk by Lynn Berry, leader of the Victorian 5000 Poppies project.

The women also hope to drum up support from schools, community groups, senior citizens and crafters. Already Maggie’s 90-year-old mother has knitted several dozen poppies and librarian Claire Csihar-Gardiner is hoping to run a children’s poppy felting project next year.

Denise, who is also an Anzac 100 organising committee member, said she was talking with local suppliers to see if they are able to order in inexpensive yarn. Donations of needles and red wool can be left at the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre. Patterns are available at the centre, The Good Food Store DAYLESFORD RSL HEPBURN SHIRE in Howe Street, Daylesford and the Daylesford Springs Medical Centre.

Helping hand...Glenda Rozen is one of many taking part

Run for the Willow S at ur da y 3 r d J a nu ar y 2 0 1 5

Full card of Victorian Athletic League footraces $2,000 Telstra Daylesford 100m Gift kids races & activities ~ fundraising event for camp quality adults $10 ~ children/concession $5 Cricket Willow, 355 Hepburn-Newstead Rd, Shepherds Flat

www.runforthewillow.com.au

The Local - tlnews.com.au

24 News

TRENTHAM STATION SUNDAY MARKET Victoria Street, Trentham On the fourth Sunday of each month 8.30am - 2.30pm Enquiries/Bookings - Gwenda on 5424 1611 or Ross on 5424 1509 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!

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

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

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Christmassy things

D

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.

T

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

Daylesford: 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 Trentham: 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

C

hristmas @ The Anglican Parish of Daylesford

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

Wednesday, December 24 - 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.

T

HIS fabulous Christmas image was created by Tasha from JUBLY-UMPH.COM for Christmas swing tags, sold at Portal 108 in Hepburn Springs, to raise money for the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter.

Mmm. They may be sold out…but you can see loads of Tasha’s designs which are now exhibiting at Portal 108. And go to hepburnwildlifeshelter.com to donate to the shelter. Just sayin’. (Oh, see Tasha’s cool Chrissy Cocky on p31.)

News 25

26 Inspiring

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

YDIA Edwards, pictured below, is dux of Daylesford Secondary College with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 95. Lydia scored 49 out of 50 for legal studies and received a Baccalaureate for English literature. It is the first year the school has awarded a Baccalaureate which is designed to encourage students to study a language, higher maths and achieve over 30 in English.

Glenlyon’s New Year’s Day Family Sports Day Held at the Glenlyon Reserve, the event is run by volunteers with all monies raised going towards local organisations and charities.

Last year $16,800 was raised.

Rotary business awards

E

VERY year Daylesford Rotary Club invites community members to nominate local businesses, employees and trainees or apprentices for Australia Day Achievement Awards, which are presented as part of the Hepburn Shire Australia Day Awards.

Club president Greg Thompson said the club was committed to encouraging groups and individuals in the community to acknowledge excellence in business, occupation and customer service.

Nomination forms are available from Hepburn Shire visitor information centres or daylesfordrotary.org.au Entries close on January 14.

Features of the day include the woodchop, pony races and show jumping, mineral water drinking world championship, bullboar eating championship, ladies gumboot throw, ladies nail drive and children’s foot races.

Plenty of food and drink available - or BYO a picnic!

Adults - $10. Gates open at 10am!

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 27

Trentham author shortlisted

T

a hung parliament; she asks him to investigate RENTHAM author John Scott’s fictional book N has been shortlisted what she believes was murder on her behalf.

“N tells its sprawling, multifaceted story for the Victorian Premier’s Literary in a variety of forms, interweaving the main Awards.

The awards were started by former Victorian premier John Cain in 1985 to mark the centenary of the births of renowned literary figures Vance and Nettie Palmer and to honour and reward literary achievement by Australian writers.

There are five annual award categories fiction, non-fiction, drama, poetry and young adult - each with a prize of $25,000.

N is described on the award website as “a fantastically inventive alternate history of Australia during World War II, that plays with ideas, genre, language and (of course) history itself”.

“John A. Scott takes both the facts of our history and the mood of our political present as a springboard to imagine a not-implausible world where an emergency right-wing wartime government surrenders to the Japanese for commercial advantage.

“This sparks a full-scale attack on Sydney reminiscent of that on Singapore, and an occupation of most of Australia, in which business interests are complicit. Meanwhile, artists (and art) are under attack. And highranking public servant Telford is approached by the wife of the MP whose death resulted in

narrative with diaries, Hansard excerpts, newspaper clippings, intelligence files, letters and play extracts.”

Mr Scott is the author of 16 books of poetry and prose and he has received Victorian Premier’s prizes for both poetry (St Clair) and fiction (What I Have Written). The film version of What I have Written, for which he wrote the screenplay, received an AWGIE (Australian Writers’ Guild) award for best screenplay adaptation and won the International Mystery Film Festival in Bologna.

His novels Before I Wake and The Architect were both shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award and the Victorian Premier’s Prize.

Mr Scott is working on a book-length poem, Rudolph & Miranda, which resurrects an abandoned project dating from 1967. He lives with designer Elizabeth Francis.

www.daylesfordcinema.org.au

Sunday 21 December 12pm Paddington (G) 2pm Alexander and the Terrible... (PG) 4pm Paddington (G) 6pm Mockingjay Part 1 (M)

Sunday 28 December 1pm Paddington (G) 3pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (Open Caption) 6pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

Tuesday 23 December 2pm Paddington (G) 4pm Alexander and the Terrible... (PG) 6pm Mockingjay Part 1 (M)

Tuesday 30 December 1pm Paddington (G) 3pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies 6pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

Wednesday 24 December 2pm Alexander and the Terrible... (PG) 4pm Paddington (G) 6pm Mockingjay Part 1 (M)

Wednesday 31 December 12pm Paddington (G) 2pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (Open Caption) 9pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

Friday 26 December 2pm Paddington (G) 4pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies 7pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies Saturday 27 December 2pm Paddington (G) 4pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies 7pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

Friday 2 January 3:30pm Annie (PG) 6pm Big Hero 6 (PG) 8pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies Saturday 3 January 3:30pm Big Hero 6 (PG) 5:30pm Annie (PG) 8pm The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Advertorial 29

Time for a change for Ziad, Christine and Catrina

Z outlet.

IAD Ishak and Christine Kintzoglou have sold Daylesford Chargrilled Chicken, aka “the chicken shop”, in Vincent Street, Daylesford, after 13 years at the helm of the popular takeaway

So it’s back to first names rather than “the colonel” and “the chicken shop lady”.

The pair, pictured with daughter Catrina and nephew Dion, said it was time for a change but they were not leaving town any time soon.

“We really want to thank our customers and all our supporters who have been with us over the past 13 years through all the good times…and a few bad times,” Christine said, referring to the fire that engulfed their store some years back. “We have loved it. Our customers have grown with us – I was only 21 and Ziad 23 when we started here. And six years ago we had Catrina – so our customers have seen our family’s journey.”

Ziad said it was the people who had made the business such a pleasure for the couple and their staff.

“They are the ones who have made it 100 per cent for us here. We have made so many connections – with the babies, the kids, the teenagers, the mums and dads, the grandparents. We have even met the babies and then watched them come into the store as teenagers. And we are ‘people people’ so we love those connections.

It’s like a package when you come here. We know everyone’s story and they know our story, it’s not just about the meal. We like to make people feel welcome. We enjoy people.”

Christine and Ziad said they were “definitely” staying in Daylesford so they would still catch up with former customers while they were out and about.

“We love Daylesford too much to ever leave. We have our family here and enjoy the company of the people here. But first up we will just take some time out and enjoy the holiday season with our daughter. We have always been busy working.

And we really want every one of our customers and staff members to know how appreciative and thankful we are for the past 13 years. We have many memories and stories that we will forever cherish. We will miss you all.

“Happy holidays to all and Merry Christmas.”

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

ROBBIE WILLIAMS & KATY PERRY TRIBUTE Saturday 28th Feb Meals 6-8pm Extra on the night Show 8.30pm Members $25 General Public $28

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

Read all about this Chrissy Cocky design on page 25.

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 04/1/15 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

Meal deals for locals

E

VERYONE loves a locals’ deal. Especially a meal deal! So here are the dining establishments to head to for great value and meals.

Monday

Mercato, Daylesford – main dish & a glass of local wine - $30 The Grande Hotel, Hepburn Springs – two courses and a glass of house wine, beer or bubbles - $38 Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn – Parma Night - $17.40

Tuesday

Cosy Corner, Hepburn Springs – Curry & Hot Pot Night - $18

Wednesday

Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Pot and Parma - $20 Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn – Roast - $17.50 Sault, Sailors Falls – a la carte menu with glass of wine

Thursday

Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Steak Night - $20 The Plough, Trentham – two courses - $25, three courses - $30 Radio Springs Hotel, Lyonville – Thai night

Friday

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham – two courses - $25 Cosy Corner, Hepburn Springs – Fish Night - $26.50 with a glass of wine *Fundraising raffles for local organisations are held at The Farmers Arms Hotel, Daylesford, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham and the Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn.

Happy Hours

Daylesford Bowling Club has Happy Hour ‘n’ a half, from Monday to Thursday, from 4.30pm to 6pm.

Perfect Drop, Daylesford, also has a Happy Hour, every day, from 4pm to 6pm with $10 cocktails and $1 oysters.

Want to share a locals’ deal? Email news@tlnews.com.au

26 - 28 Albert Street Daylesford 5348 3711

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Nom nom nom 33

Delightful setting offering real Italian and history

By Glen Heyne

T

HE iconic Macaroni Factory has stood at the gateway to the Hepburn Springs historic precinct since the goldrush brought the Swiss Italians to the area in the 1850s.

Lucini’s

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lt has been many and varied things in its long history - Australia’s first manufacturer of pasta, historical museum, and the living breathing set of the internationally released movie Love’s Brother and, latterly, restaurant/cafe - all operated by the same family.

These days current owner Maria Viola, a fourth generation descenant, and her son Matt now operate “Lucini’s” - named in honour of its founder.

Lucini’s offers all-day breakfast and lunch in hearty traditional Italian style from 8am to 3pm Wednesday to Sunday.

As long term lovers of “real” home-cooked Italian meals, Peta and I decided to pay a visit.

It was a pleasant day so we tossed up between the option of the shady street-side al fresco dining and the cool history-laden main room with its fabulous National Trust listed mural ceiling - and the ceiling won.

Our now legendary inability to make decisions when it comes to ordering food meant a dip into the all-day breakfast menu for me and lunch for Peta.

Matt came to our rescue by matching us with a couple of his Nonna-inspired dishes.

The massive Banquet Breakfast ($19.50) with Lucini’s own recipe sausage, bacon, grilled tomato, sauteed spinach, mushrooms and poached eggs (cooked to my liking) on sourdough bread was just what I wanted.

Meanwhile, Peta went straight to the lunch menu for Spaghetti Maggiore ($25) – Lucini’s own sausage in a tomato based sauce.

To sustain us until our food was ready, Matt provided us with another Lucini special, Prosciutto and Egg Panzerotti ($12) - a delicious pan-fried pizza-based pastie.

Unfortunately our haste to demolish the panzerotti dangerously put into doubt our ability to do justice to the generous serves to follow. (Worse, it was half-gone before Peta remembered I hadn’t yet taken a photograph, which explains the sorry state of the third photo down…)

My breakfast certainly was a banquet and had I gone for an early breakfast would, no doubt, have cancelled out any need or desire for lunch that day. As it was, my later scan of the dessert menu was purely academic.

Peta’s pasta was of similar proportions and disappeared at the same pace as my breakfast, although she needed reassuring when Matt said the sausages were five generations old.

They had obviously been made in-house that week but the thought of sampling traditional family secret recipes from our gold-rush past was exciting and to Peta’s delight and relief not too spicy for her delicate taste.

We wisely decided to take a rain check on desserts although the listed all-time favourites were tempting. We settled on a cup of good old espresso coffee instead, vowing to return for the desserts and another tilt at the menu sooner rather than later.

The setting was delightful, evoking happy memories of trattorias past, and a wonderful sense of a history, not usual to Australia.

Lucini’s provides a great venue for family gatherings and especially children who are well catered for with their own special menu – prices range from $5 to $7.50.

It is fully licensed with a wide range of local wines, local and imported beers, and spirits. To “keep it Italian” grappa, samba, chianti and other delights are served. BYO for wines and champagne is offered with a realistic $5 per bottle corkage.

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

At the Old Macaroni Factory Licensed Pasta Restaurant: 64 Main Road, Hepburn Springs Come sip the wine, eat the pasta and enjoy the ambiance or take a tour of the oldest Italian building in Australia.

Open: Wednesday to Sunday Breakfast & Lunch 8am to 3pm Friday & Saturday nights Dinner from 6pm

34 Gigs

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Gig Guide Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn The Performance Night Afternoon Sessions – Sunday, January 4, 3pm til 6pm The Wild Comforts – Sunday, January 11, 5pm-7pm Liz Stringer – Sunday, January 18, 5pm-7pm

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

Glenlyon General Store, Glenlyon Phil & Trudy Edgeley - January 3, 3pm-5pm Liz Frencham – Friday, January 9, 6.30pm-8.30pm Vida Jazz – Friday, January 16, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham Zeebz vs Miss Vitula – Sunday, December 28, 1pm Family Farm Band – New Year’s Eve, 9pm-midnight DJ Swami Salami – New Year’s Eve, midnight to 1pm The Tin Roof duo – Sunday, January 4, 1pm Gussy & the Barn Cats – Sunday, January 11, 1pm

The Pizza and Wine Club, Kyneton The Opposite of Everything (Canada) – Sunday, January 25, 1pm

Check out The Local’s wining, dining and music pages for loads of New Year’s Eve gigs.

Looking for new bowlers now!

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Wining & Dining 35

Happy New Year!

2

015 is hurtling towards us but there is still time to see in the new year in grand style.

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)

Christmas Lunch @ Jimmys Bar 4 Course Lunch 12pm-3pm $125pp Limited Tables Available bookings essential 53482363

info@frangosandfrangos.com

Plenty of places are offering fun and frivolity, as well as great wining and dining, for the biggest night of the year.

So check out The Local’s pages for what’s on offer at, in no particular order, The Perfect Drop - Daylesford, The Grande - Hepburn Springs, Frangos & Frangos - Daylesford, Kyneton Bowling Club - Kyneton, The Galley Diner Daylesford, The Cosmopolitan Hotel - Trentham, Daylesford Hotel - Daylesford and Railway Hotel - Castlemaine.

And, if you want to work up an appetite, first head to Daylesford’s Vincent Street where there will be food, activities and fun from 6.30pm, and the New Year’s Eve parade will start at 8pm. (Make sure you cheer The Local crew...)

And for those, perhaps with children, who don’t fancy a big night out, a screening of The Hobbit will be on at the Daylesford Cinema from 9pm.

Finally, when the night is over, and the new year starts, make your way to the Glenlyon Reserve where the New Year’s Sports Day has been held since 1857.

It’s a fun, old fashioned day with events including the ladies gumboot throwing and nail driving, bullboar eating and mineral water drinking competitions, a very serious woodchop and less serious children’s races.

Bring a picnic to share under the trees or enjoy the food and beverages for sale. Gates open at 10am.

Happy New Year!

NEW YEARS EVE MASQUERADE @ FRANGOS & FRANGOS Frangos & Frangos will help keep all your secrets hidden behind your mask $120pp 5 Course meal Complementary glass of bubbles Entry to our after party

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

Boo k esse ings ntia l

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EED food photography for your website, Facebook page, Instagram page or menu?

But need affordable rates?

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

• • • • • •

An Authentic Indian Experience in the Heart of Daylesford Under new ownership Op e n C hris for Private function rooms tma BYO Don Night! s ’t Take-away available Boo miss ou k no t Delivery available w! !

Banquets from $40pp Tuesday - Sunday 5pm - 10pm Closed Monday 51 Raglan Street, Daylesford Ph. (03) 5348 4183, M: 0406 434 951 www.tajmahaldaylesford.com

Come and join us for High Tea served in our Heritage Restaurant every Saturday from 12noon to 3pm Ribbon Sandwiches Begin your journey with a selection of delicate ribbon sandwiches Scones & Conserve Savour Bellinzona’s Honey & Fig scones, with double cream and strawberry conserve Petit Fours Spoil yourself with dainty handmade petit fours Tea & Coffee Your choice of espresso coffee or tea selections High Tea $39.00 per person Royal High Tea $49.00 per person Includes: High Tea and a glass of sparkling wine

77 Main Road, Hepburn Springs (03) 5348 2271

News 37

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Dancing on the edge...

by Father Jeff O’Hare Vicar of Daylesford

W

HAT makes a hero...what ran through the mind of Tori Johnson in the hours of terror and uncertainty in the company of face-to-face evil in a chocolate shop in Sydney?

We will never know...we will be told by commentators, speculation will abound and the terrified companions of an extremist’s rant will fill our imaginations fuelled by media who in time will fall over their own rhetoric and cloud the precious truth and even the memory of a young man who turned up to work.

Who we are told happened to be gay - as if that makes a difference to his being person or citizen or remembrance for all who loved him. But it seems we had to know.

He was a human being like all of us, who happened to be in the worst space at a horrible junction in time and in his humanity he tried to bring something to an end, maybe in response to the human suffering he saw around him. The next day, more than 130 children were murdered by terrorists in a school in a country not too far away. Grief abounds for the loss of innocence and for a moment, hope...that we might find peace.

Story is all about truth, conveying a message that might give us some meaning and perspective on our human experience. This Christmas, we tell the same story. It’s about a child born out of wedlock, a refugee family, displaced with nowhere to go. Victims of an occupied country and hate, and with a glimmer of hope and a mountain of faith.

Favoured? Blessed? My goodness. The story is played out over and over in the lives of thousands of refugees...victims of mad men with too much permission to do with others what might give them power.

The story of Jesus is the story of millions: real and relevant, human and loving in adverse times and a dance that sits and waits on the edge, an invitation to hope and peace in the form of a child who is believed to be God, but who like us will need to have his nappy changed and nurtured, so that he might be brave enough to be a transforming, courageous human being, loved and remembered for his participation and place in a very human world. Blessings to you and yours this Christmas. May your hearts be open to love deeply and unconditionally.

luxury bed & breakfast - vineyard

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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

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

38 News

Y NIG

H

See new years in with a bang Join us for a Western Style New Year’s Eve Party

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

• • • • •

Live Entertainment Full Range of drinks Great Meals & Snacks No Cover Charge Open until 2am

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

The Grande Hotel Cabaret Club presents 9 J an - Geoffrey William s sings Nina S im one & B ill Withers Tx $ 1 0 1 6 J an - The Fem m e Fatale S how - Claire Woodley Tx $ 20 / $ 1 5 conc 23 J an - Fox Force Fatale Burlesque Tx $ 20 30 J an - Wom en of R ock S how - Gillian Eastoe 6 Feb - The Barbara S treisand S how - Maureen Andrew Tx $ 1 5 . . . and 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 of 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

News 39

The Local - tlnews.com.au

Call for artists for Trentham show

A

RTISTS are needed for the Trentham Easter Art & Craft Show.

Spokeswoman Bette McLaren said the show ran from April 2 to 6 “so start thinking about your works for entry as it will come quickly once the rush and excitement of Christmas is over”.

Entry forms will be sent out to all artists on the show’s mailing list at the start of next month.

Closing date for entries is Friday, March 13.

Entry details: Dorothy Hancock on 5424 1813 or trenthameas2015@hotmail.com General details: Jill McCallum on 5424 1483 or jillmccallum@live.com

FESTIVE TRADING TIMES CLOSED 24th, 25th, 26th OPEN 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st

OPEN NEW YEARS DAY

from 9am for breaky, bucks fizz and burgers to welcome the new year We’d like to extend our gratitude to our loyal and hungry customers, and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Safe new year

From the staff at Galley Diner

Peace, Love and Hamburgers

Day istmas Day r h C & Year’s as Eve hristm s Eve & New C d e s Clo ear’ New Y 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

LITTLE YVETTE, a unique sculpture inspired by the1917 Mack AC Bulldog trucks used by British Soldiers in France during WW1 NOW ON DISPLAY at:

FROM the WORKSHOP of PARADISO ARTS

Castlemaine Market Building/Visitor Information Centre Summer Spirit Art/ Sculpture Exhibition Open 7 days, ends February 1, 2015

PLANTS ON SALE 10 - 12 am every Thursday morning and first Sunday morning each month at the

Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens potting area, adjacent to Wombat Hill House

Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens POBox 267 Daylesford friends @wombathill.org

Also, see a wide range of sculpture and decorative furniture on display at: PARADISO ARTS GALLERY AND COURTYARD

1089 Telegraph Road, Sailors Falls www.paradisoarts.com.au phone: 5348 6600

Moss Shading Solutions For Hepburn Shire’s total shading solutions talk to Brian & Deborah Moss

Exterior Awnings Folding Arm Tension systems Drop screen Traditional canvas

Internal Blinds Roller & sunscreen Roman blinds Shutters

SOMFY MOTORISATION SPECIALISTS

RING FOR QUOTATION / ADVICE 5348 4045 8B, 38 EAST ST, DAYLESFORD (NO SHOWROOM)

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 41

5000 Club wraps up another year of good cheer

T

HE 5000 Club held its Christmas break-up last Friday with plenty of food, entertainment and gifts for the children.

Founder Loretta Little said the club, which is held at the Daylesford Anglican Christ Church hall, was organised and operated by volunteers.

“Many different people have come together and we have now been running three and a half years,” she said.

“We receive in-kind donations from various organisations and businesses in town, to whom we are extremely grateful, and they help us run this Friday lunch club very economically. In fact, it only costs between $1 and $1.50 to serve a three-course hot meal every Friday.

“And we work with the support of the Anglican Church – and we are very happy that Father Jeff O’Hare is enthusiastic about what we do here.

“We also receive great support from the Daylesford & District Community Bank, Coles Daylesford and the Hepburn Mineral Springs Company.”

The 5000 Club is open to any community member with donations appreciated but not necessary. The club has a break over Christmas and New Year with the first lunch of 2015 on Friday, January 30 from noon.

Above: Just some of the volunteers involved in the 5000 Club’s operation, photographed as they celebrated their third year of operation

PLANT SALE Gardeners Our 3 acres of field grown Cottage Perennials are the best in Australia. We have been growing plants for over 60 years.

Many varieties are not generally available in nurseries.

Our large field grown plants grow far better than pot grown plants.

Please call in and see our plants; you will be more than pleased. Prices range from $5 to $8.

Dennis Norgate

NORGATE’S PLANT FARM End of Blue Creek Road, Newbury Vic 3458 From Trentham: Turn right at 1st Bus Shelter on Trentham - Blackwood Road Hours 9 am to 5 pm - Daily

Like us on Facebook

Telephone 03 5424 1787

The Local - tlnews.com.au

42 News

GRAND DESIGN WINDOWS

The widest range of high performance windows and doors locally made in Ballan.

OZ TRANS DAYLESFORD --------------------------------# REMOVALS # PRODUCE # FURNITURE #GENERAL FREIGHT ---------------------------------MELB. & COUNTRY VICTORIA DAILY --------------------------------FREE QUOTES

ph: Nick 0421 593 998 or Lachlan 0427 837 081

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The Local - tlnews.com.au

Our homes 43

Jane and John Beetham enjoy some time out in their impressive lounge, right, and take in the view from the front porch, with its distinctive columns, below

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There’s no place like (this) home E ARE driving around Golf Links Road in Hepburn but can’t, for the life of us, see the Californian bungalow we have been told exists.

Lots of lovely homes, with great gardens, but they certainly don’t bear any resemblance to something from America.

Now this column is designed for houses that have that “wow” factor – old renovators, churches, schools, converted sheds…

So we start to wonder, what if John and Jane Beetham’s house is not as “wow” or “Californian” as they think. It’s a conundrum because we are friends – but what happens to the friendship if their house is a plain old brick clinker…not that there’s anything wrong with that...but what if it’s a clunker?

We pull into a driveway of one of those lovely houses but the owner directs us to a property next door which is set so far back from the road it’s almost invisible.

I breathe a sigh of relief – it’s wow alright. Here, in the middle of Hepburn, is a true to style Californian bungalow.

Jane said she and John had a long held passion for arts and crafts style architecture – thanks to many trips to the US and Canada.

“We love the ethic of William Morris – of living with the landscape and a peaceful interior,” Jane said.

“We purchased the land five years ago and then did our research using our books and going online. We made specific plans and wrote down what we wanted to do.

“We decided not to use an architect but went to a local draftsman and gave him the brief and he drew up the plans. He did a great job.”

Jane said the house, which was finished three years ago after a “great” fivemonth build, had all the trappings of a Californian bungalow from pillars at the front of the house to the style of the windows and even the architraves.

“The use of timber is an integral part of this style of home.”

Jane, a part-time oncology nurse at Peter McCallum, has painted inside a calming shade of green – a feature of the three previous houses the couple has built, and one that was renovated.

“I have always used a different shade of green. It’s a very peaceful colour. We just find it works very well and when we had our bed and breakfast people used to comment how restful it was.

“I wish more hospitals would use green.”

John said the house was extremely sustainable and built – thanks to the laws brought in after the bushfires of 2009 - with double glazed windows, extra insulation in the roof and cement boards on the outside, rather than timber.

“It is terrific because our power bills have been cut by about two thirds. We keep warm in winter and cool in summer with two split systems so we have the best of both worlds – and also have a beautiful open fire place.”

Jane said the couple “absolutely love living here”.

“Every time I come back from Melbourne I walk in the door and breathe a sigh of relief. I get filled with joy I am so happy to be here.”

Meanwhile, John, a landscape and garden designer, has been busy creating an amazing garden, with hundreds of plants, in just 18 months. They include Chinese tulip trees, silver birches and Chilean myrtles.

And he credits Daylesford GP Jon Barrell with the decision for the couple to move to the region in 1995 – from suburban Melbourne – and start that B‘n’B and then Jane’s successful biscuit business.

“Jon and I went to school together in Ballarat and in 1992 I did his landscaping in Coomoora.

“I basically fell in love with the area. We were working in the snow, terrible conditions – but it was amazing and then there was the community…

“This is definitely our forever home.”

44 Business Guide

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Business Guide 45

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46 News

The Local - tlnews.com.au Call Jonathan Hurst 0411 216 043

Gardening: • Mowing including ride-on • Hedging, Pruning& Brushcutting • Maintenance & Establishment of all gardens • Holiday rental Maintenance

Landscaping: • Fencing -Paling -Colourbond -Picket, post & rail • Retaining walls • Raised garden beds • Drive-ways & paths • Paving • Irrigation systems

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DAYLESFORD FLOOR COVERINGS Your LOCAL flooring experts cnr East and Mink Streets, Daylesford Phone for a chat about your flooring needs on (03) 5348 4097

The Local - tlnews.com.au

News 47

Kyle’s Rant

by Kyle Barnes

H

O HO Hum…

Now it’s that time of year but if you are looking for a Christmasspirited person I am the last in the room to turn to.

My dislike of the season sprang from a childhood of no Christmases and fiercely grew from there. You see, I was raised a devout Jehovah’s Witness, so no birthdays, no Christmas. Most of my family were a part of the church, with my grandfather even a minister. In fact my parents got together at a JW congregation, a smaller version of the one at Etihad Stadium in October. You can Google that…

Anyway I could go on about the trials and tribulations of my upbringing – and discovering there was a Christmas at the age of nine – surprise! - but that would take years – and a lot of therapy. It also explains my ‘club foot’ gained from years of pushing it into the doors of potential converts.

But, as my wife would say, “I digress”.

Now the original spirit of Christmas was meant to be about Christ being born but let’s not throw religion into the mix.

I think its real origin was when a generous young orphaned dude, named St Nicholas and born during the third century in what’s now known as Turkey, started to give his stuff away to the needy all year ‘round.

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Fast track to the early part of last century, when a certain soft drink company rediscovered the story and shot it in the arm with commercialism, and I believe that’s what we have today.

Unfortunately, for me, Christmas is experiences like last weekend when I took a wrong turn in a department store’s bicycle section. There were two families going hammer and tongs over the last kids’ bike left on the shelf. Merry Christmas.

And another mother screaming at her kids “if you don’t behave you won’t get any presents”. Season’s greetings.

And even worse, the front cover of a newspaper recently asking readers to identify the bloke in a red suit with a white beard sitting on a tractor. Now I would just say “it’s Santa”. And I am sure any young kids reading would like to think the same. Do we really need to have a Facebook guessing game?

Anyway enough from me. I hope you all have a great Christmas, whatever Christmas means to you.

Rant over – and out.

Nearly, bah humbug. I don’t know where that comes from but I’ve always wanted to say that.

Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas & a safe and happy New Year See you in 2015!

Speedy Santa

IT WAS a case of more haste, less speed, when Santa swapped his sleigh for a groovy motor scooter while getting in some early present delivering last week.

But all ended well. Passer-by Trudy O’Connor was on hand to help pick up a couple of dropped boxes and Santa was on his merry way again.

Thanks Trudy!