January 2, 2017 Issue 88 The year that was!
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
2 About Us
www.tlnews.com.au
Front cover: The year that was - a look back at some of our favourite stories and images from 2017 - with some new stuff thrown in!
The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands. The next edition is out on Monday, January 16, 2017. (Or online on Sunday, January 15 at www.tlnews.com.au)
January 2, 2017 Issue 88 The year that was!
Advertising deadlines for the next edition of The Local:
Image: Kyle Barnes
Space bookings: Wednesday, January 11 Copy provided by: Thursday, January 12 Editorial deadline: Thursday, January 12 Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes Sub-editors: Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Writers: Kevin Childs, Kate Taylor, Donna Kelly, Jeff Glorfeld, Anthony Sawrey Photographers: Kyle Barnes, David White Graphic designers: Dianne Caithness, Robin Archer
The Local is a registered trademark of Kyle Barnes and Donna Kelly
Layout: Donna Kelly
The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local.
Money, money, money... 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 consecutive editions, or more... An eighth of a page - $60.50 plus GST A quarter page - $121 plus GST A banner - $121 plus GST A half page - $242 plus GST A full page - $484 plus GST (Prices are per edition)
Columnists: Glen Heyne (gardens), Samantha Redlich (fitness), Roy Lever (ales) Great editorial and affordable sales - 5348 7883 | 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | ads@tlnews.com.au donna@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au Free e-editions at www.tlnews.com.au See 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...
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But wait, there’s more! All adverts in The Local are full colour (it is 2017...) and we have fantastic graphic designers who can help you with adverts and branding - also at very affordable prices. So, if you want to get your business or organisation out there in the community, in the best-read publication in the Central Highlands, give us a call or send an email. (See our details right.) Oh, we also have an average reach of 14,000 readers - in print and online! Even more reasons to get in touch today.
*Rural Press Club of Victoria 2015 Best Feature Series *Daylesford Rotary’s 2015 Business of the Year *Kyneton Daffodil Festival Parade 2015 Best Commercial Entry Now that’s award winning...
“The Local is the future of regional publishing!” - former senator John Madigan in the Australian Parliament Just sayin’... :)
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News 3
Happy New Year - 2017!
F
IRST it was all about the New Year's Eve Parade in Daylesford.
Floats with messages, cars with none, bands, emergency vehicles, motorcycles and even classic hearses made their way down Vincent Street as hundreds of people cheered and clapped at the passing parade. Earlier there had been plenty of fun for the young and young-at-heart with entertainment on offer in the street in the lead up to the historic parade. Then for many it was time to party like it was 2016 before making their way to the midnight fireworks at Lake House. The following day, with a few weary heads, the Glenlyon Mixed Sports Family Day was the place to be. The event has been running for more than 150 years under the trees at the Glenlyon Reserve - and it was once again a hit with locals and visitors. Woodchopping, mineral water drinking, bullboar sausage eating, children's races and just all the old fashioned fun of the fair was just what was needed to see in the New Year. Photographer Helen Greenwood covered the parade, above, while Karen Brothers took care of the Glenlyon event, below.
More parade images by Helen on pages 26 and 27 and more Glenlyon images by Karen on pages 4, 5 and 32.
The Local wishes all its readers and clients a wonderful, safe and prosperous 2017!
2017 Glenlyon Mixed Sports Family Day Images: Karen Brothers
2017 Glenlyon Mixed Sports Family Day
Boathouse Daylesford Open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch
Open every d ay except Located on beautiful Lake Daylesford, providing year round comfort. Christ Perfect for a meal, wine with friends. mas For more information about Boathouse Daylesford, please visit our website: www.boathousedaylesford.com.au
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6 Opinion
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Just sayin’... By Donna Kelly
W
OW. Happy 2017!
My lovely Nan used to tell me how fast the years went by and, being young, I thought "what are you talking about?". Now I know. It seems literally like yesterday that I was wandering around Myer Frankston looking for something to wear to see in 2000. Not that it really mattered because we all knew the world was going to end come midnight. Somehow the scientists had failed to factor in that a computer might mistake 2000 for the year 1900 - the year codes only had two digits so the world as we knew it would collapse. If things went pear-shaped Kyle and I had a plan. Nan's place. I don't know why but older people, well some and I will explain in a minute, buy in bulk. Nan was one of those people. No matter when you turned up there was always something to eat - and we're talking good stuff like Blue Ribbon ice-cream - and something to drink cordial when I was younger and then a very nice medium dry sherry when I aged a tad. So if things went wrong and the world ran out of supplies we felt like we would be pretty safe at Nan's. Now I mentioned before it's not something that all older people do - and Mum stop reading now. Yes, my Mum's would not be a place to head to when Armageddon threatens. When we do turn up instead of the first words being "how nice to see you" it's "there's nothing to eat or drink here". And despite opening and closing the fridge a number of times, hoping for a change of scenery, that's the truth. Mind you we then say "well, we might as well go out for dinner" and Mum seems pretty happy about that. So perhaps there's a wily older person there after all. Anyway, back to 2000. I did find a nice outfit and we had a nice time and partied like it was 1999, which it was. And when we all ran around saying "Happy New Year", contrary to all reports, the world did not end. And quite unfairly, the next day we dealt with hangovers that we assumed we wouldn't have to worry about. Now it's 2017. The Local took part in the parade in Daylesford - thanks to those who got my moonboot joke - and to those who clapped as we went past. You can feel a bit of a dill waving away. And the next day one of us headed to the Glenlyon New Year's Day Sports Day - and had a very good time. If only they could remember. Nan's been gone 12 years now, January 4, 2005 was her last day here, and I usually have a little tipple of sherry to commemorate her life. When she died Mum said "take something that reminds you of her" so I took the two ornate sherry glasses we used to drink from. When Kyle and I had a fire, the same year, those glasses were turned black and I thought they were lost. But the people who cleaned up the mess said "choose something that you love and we will make it OK". So I did - and they did. Just sayin'... oh, and Happy New Year!
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The Local - Connecting the Community Pop-Up Art LOCAL ARTIST 2 Winsome Moffat Daylesford Museum
THE Local believes in giving back. So we created a “Connecting the Community” project. Each edition The Local has two free advert spaces to give away to not-for-profit organisations. Just because we can. So if your group needs a helping hand just email donna@tlnews.com.au If we receive more than we can use we use the tried and true “put them in a hat” system but also work a little bit on timing.
Weekends 10-4.30 - 21st-29th Jan. Australia day 10-4.30 100 Vincent St, Daylesford
Short talk 2pm 21st & 26th Daylesford & District Historical Society Inc f
The Daylesford & District Historical Society has re-launched Henry Maddicks popular book "100 Years of Daylesford Gold Mining History". First published in the 1980s, it has been out of print for many years. This edition has been improved with more photos from the society's archive, a comprehensive index, a glossary of mining terms and some maps. The book is available for $25 at the Daylesford Museum and is also for sale at the Daylesford Newsagency.
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Our people 7
Lavandula - a work of art for Carol White
N
This style of architecture features, among other elements, intricate stonework and large cellars for storing produce during harsh winters, and the whole country through the Jim Crow Ranges to Yandoit is thick with it. Lavandula could arguably be one of And for good reason. It is a beautiful slice of northern Italy right in our own back yard. It boasts shady gardens, lavender groves, gourmet food, art, sculpture the finest examples of the form. Initially Carol’s plans were to establish a working farm but as circumstances are and heritage. More than 70,000 visitors pass through its gates every year and the prone to do, they changed. “My marriage fell apart soon after acquiring the place property has hosted many memorable weddings and festivals. It is a grand work in and so I had to make a plan how to work at home and develop a business. From progress and exists due to the vision of Carol White who opened Lavandula to the the beginning I was inspired by the lavender fields in the south of France. I knew public in 1990. Twenty-six years later she continues to oversee the daily running of the farm and is still amazed at her good fortune in acquiring it back in the late 1980s. it would suit the buildings and wanted to tie the two together. While I didn’t know much about gardening it is amazing when you have to learn, you do learn and you’re “Yes, it is my project,” she says. “It keeps me busy and I’m happy with my plot.” Over a perfect flat white, a plate of scones, farm-produced jam and transcendental passionate about it. I also planted 400 olive trees, a traditional style vineyard, pine nut and chestnut trees.” cream, Carol takes time to recount the story of her life’s work. From these early beginnings, the farm came together and with it came an almost “In '88 I lived in Spargo Creek, where we had a weekender. We were Melbourne inevitable interest from tourists. It meant that the farm could sustain itself and grow people and it was really for our kids to run around because we had no garden in into what it is today. “Tourism is tied to what we do here,” Carol says proudly. “The town. We had developed a general store there but decided get something with more architecture, history, heritage, and what we grow. We harvest and produce and have acreage. the festivals to bring all this together for visitors to see first-hand." “I’m really interested in renovating and preserving buildings and I came across Lavandula has been a successful story at Shepherds Flat and Carol is happy to this as a ruin, and it really was a ruin. It had been empty for 25 years, there were no trees, no garden and there were big mullock heaps behind it. The cottage had fallen-in continue as she has for all these years because it is her own work of art. “I really feel that this landscape is my canvas and I enjoy people visiting and being inspired by floors, the barn was derelict, but it was stone and it reminded me of Europe where I what we have created. I like that people can go home from here and feel they could have spent a lot of time.” do something similar. It makes it all worthwhile.” They were the second owners of the just under 39-hectare property. The original The Lavender Harvest Festival will be held on Sunday, January 8. landholder was Aqualino Tinetti who came from Italy in the 1850s to escape the turmoil of the revolutions of 1848. He arrived in the area looking for gold and ending up building the house and barn in the traditional style of rural northern Italy First published in Issue 70 - go to www.tlnews.com.au where he was born.
O TRIP to Daylesford is complete without dropping into Lavandula at Shepherds Flat.
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8 Our producers
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A sensible organic return to old world ways
T
HE land around Blampied has been farmed for generations. In the early days everything was extracted from the land through sheer physical labour.
Itinerant workers would take care of these duties, arriving and departing depending on the season from picking potatoes, cutting wheat, shearing, mustering and weed control. That’s what farming was all about and it employed people in numbers we can hardly conceive of today. Captains Creek Winery was just such a place. Four generations of the May family have worked the property since Joseph May purchased it in 1909. For much of that time the family grew mixed cereals, hay, beef cattle and dairy cows. “It certainly was much more hands on in the early days,” says proprietor Doug May. “During harvest time for example there would been a dozen workers staying in this hut and cooking their meals on the open fire over there.” We are standing in the tasting room at Captains Creek, a converted labourers’ bunkhouse with original shingled roof and festooned with black and white photos and the tattered relics of a hundred years of farming. But today it’s been revitalised as a wonderfully cosy redoubt for the numerous visitors who visit the family’s cellar door. They come to take in the history and sample a wonderful array of hand grown organic red and white wines, ciders, and fresh produce. Doug and his brothers Rod and Greg, and their families, manage the farm and it has been certified organic since the 1980s. “My older brother Rod came home from America at the time and convinced our late father Maurice to phase out chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. Like most owners around Blampied dad had been using commercial chemicals since the 1950s. But to his credit he made the move away from ‘lazy farming’ as we call it and did the three-year conversion to organic. We were fortunate that our property was not as affected by spraying as some other farms in the district.” The results speak for themselves. The brothers have since established tree crops of chestnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, and apples, plus native trees and shrubs to provide shade and shelter for livestock. Doug and his wife Carolyn, pictured right, introduced wine grapes in 1994 with two hectares of chardonnay and pinot noir. Further diversification came with potatoes, carrots, beetroot, parsnips, sweet corn, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbages, lettuce and much more. To cater for the growing numbers of visitors they opened a small kitchen in 2009. It provides a summer lunch menu showcasing their efforts and offers a tasty range of wood-fired pizzas for private functions. They also sell their produce via a veggie box service where fresh, in-season vegetables are picked, packed and delivered weekly direct to local families and farmers’ markets. While there are numerous smaller operations that operate pesticide and chemical free, it is interesting to see how the Captains Creek farm at over 200 acres, manages the extra workload that comes with going organic. “There is certainly a lot more labour involved with larger scale. Rod probably grows four or five hectares of intensive veg with mechanical weeding as opposed to spraying. "Everything is picked by hand and there is a lot more labour involved, a lot more risk. But we have been here doing it for 30 years and the vineyard since ’94. We’ve had a couple of tough seasons, with wet summers which made it difficult for mildew control, but so did other conventional growers.” This is a place that is so much more than a winery or repository of relics from a century of farming. It is a showcase demonstrating how primary producers in regions like Blampied are adapting back to old methods. It seems strange that chemical free processes in farming operations should be newsworthy at all. Except for the past hundred years, organic farming has been the dominant system for 12,000 years. “It’s very true,” concludes Doug, “all we are doing is simply returning to the ways my great-grandfather would have seen as normal. That’s not unusual, it’s sensible.”
First published in Issue 65 - go to www.tlnews.com.au
"All we are doing is simply returning to the ways my great-grandfather would have seen as normal. It’s sensible.” - Doug May
Exciting new range of Imported European Furniture 38 High Street, Trentham Ph: 5424 1164 Email: kuki@live.com.au
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Puma rumours 9
Puma rumours around the Central Highlands
S
TORIES of pumas and other big cats being spotted in the bush have been around for decades. Now an expert on animals says he has had five sightings of what he believes may be a puma in the last two to three years.
His property is about 20 minutes from Daylesford but he asked to remain anonymous because he fears that shooters could come hunting and harm his stock. But he has gone further than many who say they have seen big cats - he made a plaster cast of what he says is a paw print. The cast puts him in conflict with a puma expert who told The Local the marks were made by a human hand plus claws which may have been detached from a wallaby or kangaroo. This response drew derision from the cast-maker, who said, “I’ve seen it. I saw tail marks as well”. He says he made a plaster of Paris cast within half an hour of seeing the marks of a puma about 12 months ago. “The first one I saw was on a foggy road. It stood up and I watched it for about half a minute.” He says a neighbour was told by a backpacker guest that he also saw what seemed to be a black panther. Given the doubts thrown on the cast, could the marks be a hoax? “No way known,” he says. “I saw the tail marks.” He says he also saw a young big cat from the rear. Many sightings have been reported around Drummond, he says. As for the cast, the expert, retired Professor John Henry, formerly of Deakin University, tells The Local that it is not of a big cat, big kangaroo or wallaby. When both paws of a kangaroo or wallaby are side-by-side as the animal hops its prints can be mistaken for a big cat. “The plaster cast is of no known animal in the Australian bush,” says Professor Henry. “My conclusion is that the cast was taken of a fabricated paw print where a person’s palm was pressed into soft soil with a sideways motion followed by the imprints of the two middle fingers and the little finger. Toe four is probably an imprint of the person’s thumb imprinted separately after the palm and fingers one, two and three were pressed into the soft soil. “Toes 5 and 6 are most likely imprints of other materials. They look claw-like so could be detached claws from a wallaby or kangaroo. The dimensions of the plaster cast fit with my assessment that the primary action in the fabrication was a human hand 17.5cm long.” Professor Henry, who made extensive and intensive studies of claimed big cat prints says they are similar to that of a dog, but with clear and subtle differences. The big news is that 10 years ago a sighting was confirmed at Rocklands Reservoir near Mt Bepcha in the western Grampians. Professor Henry says the sighting was made by Hamilton’s city engineer, David Hamilton, and a local farmer, Wally Smith. They too, made a plaster cast, so the sighting was recorded. Referred to a State Government inquiry on the subject, it was ignored by timid public servants. Seven years ago a website commentator called Shane said that every day after school and on weekends he would ride his dirt bike around and through the Wombat State Forest near Bullarto in 1988. “This one particular day I will never forget, I can’t even sleep at night thinking about it. As I was riding my motocross bike through a track called Coopers Lane… [when] directly in front of me appeared a long sleek black figure, dart out of the shrubs, dart alongside hugging the inside of the track, down and around the corner with the sun beaming down on its beautiful black coat. Then it disappeared as fast and as stealthily as it appeared. “I have seen most animals on my travels, this was like Satan himself. Long, like six feet, low to the ground like a snake, travelling at stealth speeds, making no noise and kicking up no dust, and black, blacker than anything wild I’ve ever seen.”
“I have seen most animals on my travels, this was like Satan himself...blacker than anything wild I’ve ever seen."
First published in Issue 72 - go to www.tlnews.com.au
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The next edition of The Local is out on Monday, January 16 (online on Sunday, January 15). Space bookings are needed by Wednesday, January 11 and artwork/ copy is needed by Thursday, January 12. Unlike other publications we don't leave you in the lurch by closing down over the holiday period! Just sayin'...
SisterNails Manicure $25 Pedicure $35 Manicure & Pedicure $50 Gift vouchers available Shop 2/52a Vincent St. Daylesford (In the Coles Breezeway)
Time to travel to Clunes.
time travellers Remarkable Vintage & Antiques Timeless Gifts for Guys and Gals
Time Travellers Clunes Saturday ~ Sunday 11- 5 pm
33 Fraser Street Clunes Ph: 0428 316 224
Challenge yourself with our crossword! Look for the answers in the pages of The Local. Last week’s solution is on page 24.
Geelong Businessman, Mark Ward has ownership of the Mill Markets group and brings years of expertise to this amazing concept. The Mill Markets operate three massive venues located in Ballarat, Daylesford and Geelong. With a total of over 12,000 square metres of undercover floor space, (3 acres), treasure hunters have the opportunity to spend many hours browsing and meandering through the eclectic mix of products. There is a fantastic variety of home decor, furniture, records, vintage and new clothing, books, fine china, glassware, industrial items, jewellery, antiques as well as Australian pottery, homewares, memorabilia, retro fashions and collectables. We also have many stalls selling new products and have gift vouchers for those people who have everything!
All goods are from the 1850’s right through to present day. Mill Markets lease space to hundreds of dealers, which allows small business operators and collectors who otherwise could not afford the overheads of their own shops, to showcase their goods. This equates to a wide and diverse range of products, available and open to the public, seven days a week. Enjoy a wonderful trip down memory lane through hundreds and thousands of items available for purchase at all three locations. With over 500 stall holders over three venues, there is always something for everyone. Travel The Amazing Mill Markets ‘Golden Triangle’ and enjoy quality food and coffee at each. All venues open 7 days 10.00am-6.00pm (excluding Christmas Day).
Recently, the Mark Ward Group acquired Decor Impact – a dynamic business featuring great visual items for sale and hire. Life size animals, figures, dinosaurs and outdoor props. A great range of exciting new stock will be hitting the country on a monthly basis. Showrooms open at all Mill Markets venues!
12 Us Two
Us Two - with Victor and Anna Szwed Anna and Victor Szwed both grew up in St Albans after their respective parents came to Australia postWorld War II. Anna's parents came from Poland and Victor’s from Belarus. Victor lived down the road from Anna and was her brother’s best friend.
Anna: Victor visited our place often. When I was 18, he was 22, he came knocking on Victor: In the seventies I worked for the former Board of Works as a town planner, the door and I said that my brother was not home and slammed the door in his face. He tapped again. I opened the door and repeated that he was not home. Victor said “I did not come to visit him, I came to visit you”. The rest is wonderful history. We became an item. We have a lot of common interests. These include family, good food, travelling, bushwalking, wonderful friends, camping and red wine. In our younger years we both studied town planning and worked in local government. Whilst sometimes we have different points of view, we have learnt over the years to work together as a team. We were married in 1979 and have two great adult children, Christopher and Nadia and recently our first grandchild. Love the baby sitting! I worked as a town planner for 25 years in four Melbourne councils. My claim to fame is that when I started I was one of only two female town planners in Victoria working in local government. More than half of my working life has been permanent part-time and/or job share. This was difficult to achieve at the time in a maledominated industry. Thankfully nowadays workplaces are much more flexible to accommodate balancing family and work. Twelve years ago I decided to leave local government. Christopher and Nadia were at university and in our family home in Melbourne. They knew that we would leave one day, so we then left home and embarked on our new journey to Daylesford. A win-win situation. A year after we moved to Daylesford I started working as a receptionist at Springs Medical Centre in Duke Street. What a far cry from local government. I found a family in a caring environment. I tell the story that in the first week of working at Duke Street I happened to walk into the tea room to find one of our doctors on his hands and knees wiping up water from the floor. The fridge had leaked. I was startled and said “I should be doing that!” only to have the reply “I got here first!”. I then knew that I would like this organisation. I thought "I can get used to this!" I have now been there for 11 years. The staff and doctors are fantastic. The patients are friendly and appreciative of our health services. We are very fortunate in a country town to have such an excellent facility.
First published in Issue 77 - go to www.tlnews.com.au ('Us Two' is an occasional series in The Local. Know someone we should feature? Couples, friends, workmates...email news@tlnews.com.au)
then the state government. I realised that local government was much closer to the real community so I joined Sunshine Council in Melbourne’s west for 10 years. There were many social and community challenges. I got into senior management roles and then acted as CEO in the lead-up to amalgamation of councils in 1994. The whole world of local government was thrown up in the air and fortunately I landed the role as CEO in Hepburn Shire when it was created in early 1995. Initially that involved building a whole new organisation from four shires. This was very difficult as the state government required us to reduce staff and cut rates significantly. I developed a 10-year financial plan to get our council out of the deep hole it was in and the community accepted this. This was probably the first such plan in Victoria. Redevelopment of the Hepburn Bathhouse took several years to achieve with many hurdles, however I always focused on achieving the outcome rather than the politics. There were many amazing councillors and staff over my 13 years as CEO and some who weren’t. There is enough material for a mini-series. I enjoyed being out there in the community as we have so many wonderful people in Clunes, Creswick, Trentham, Daylesford, Hepburn Springs and throughout the shire. I encouraged staff and councillors to use common sense and not forget that the only reason we were all there was to serve our local community. We love being part of a very vibrant community, much more enjoyable than being in Melbourne. We always say it is nice to visit Melbourne, but nicer to come home to Daylesford. Anna has been a volunteer at the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre since 2005 and myself since 2008. Together we play a community liaison role for the Deakin University Medical Students who are posted each year to Springs Medical Centre. I have been with Daylesford Rotary for 21 years including serving as president and being awarded the Bing Baker Award three times. Anna was in Rotary for three years. We both are members of the Bushwalking Group and U3A. We also support Daylesford Men’s Shed, Friends of Cornish Hill and Daylesford Cinema with memberships. I am also on council’s Mineral Springs Advisory Committee, a trustee for Creative Clunes and on the committee of ARTOBER, promoting art events across the shire. Our passions are each other of course, as well as family and the great friends we have here in Daylesford. Cooking from our own garden is fun. We are both passionate about this beautiful part of the world we call home. We love the natural beauty and most of all the wonderful people that help create a unique community spirit. We are truly blessed.
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Emerald Village needs your gumboots for ChillOut
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HILLOUT celebrates its 20th anniversary this year – and Daylesford and surrounds are going green.
Festival director Merryn Tinkler said with emeralds being the stone to celebrate 20 years, the leap has been made from the Emerald City of The Wizard of Oz to the Emerald Village of Daylesford. “And rather than a ruby slipper we are after emerald gumboots to help decorate the village. “We are doing a drive around town to see if we can get people’s old gumboots and we are going to spray them green, cover them in glitter and use them to decorate the village Corporate Logo and Carnival at Victoria Park –Brand just to put a stamp on our country carry-on! “Anyone who has spare gum boots can drop them at the Daylesford Regional Visitor Information Centre and we will decorate them and you will see your boots out and about during ChillOut. “If people want to do their own decorating, that’s fantastic too!” Baskerville Bold March 9 to 13 over the Labour Day long weekend and all ChillOut Festival runsSemi from ticket details will be in the January 16 edition of The Local. Ms Tinkler said the 20th anniversary would be “bigger than ever with lots of great new events like a Judy Garland drag competition, a youth event and the reintroduction of gumboot and handbag throwing at Carnival”. “It will be the best festival ever, so look out for ticket details.”
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The Rant
Opinion 15
by Kyle Barnes
I
HOPE you aren’t tuning into my column to pick up nuggets of wisdom, or gems of inspiration. Be warned anyone reading past this bit, it has been a rough holiday season and I am tired and emotional. Read any further at your peril…
in with the new...
So, that was Christmas! What a huge, stressy race to a finishing line that never actually finishes. It seemed before Christmas that everything had to be done by the sacred day - it was as if the world was going to end, and then miraculously be reinvented after. Well, I am here to tell you nothing happened. My 10,000 relatives and free-loading friends visited, depleting anything and everything that resembled food or drink, except for that bloody ham. It is still there, the useless hunk of meat, taking up precious beer room in my fridge. Speaking of which, the mother-in-law has since moved on and the screeching sound of kids leaving their stuff all over the place has been replaced by the cockatoos. Life as we know it has returned. That is, except for the water pump that blew up and left us high and dry and the door knobs that now need to be replaced from the thousands of kids hanging off them. “Bloody hell, it’s a door, surely you have them at home, they’re just not that interesting – get off it!!!”, I cried in vain. It seems this year, instead of ending with a glorious final lap of honour, has slid sideways into the goal posts. It has left the world with a massive void of talent, new ways of doing terrorism including driving your truck into a crowd (spine-less bastards) and new and not so interesting ways of karaoke including singing with famous people in cars around the grounds of the White House. WTF? Anyway, it’s over thank heavens, and we are on to a new year where the world is my oyster. Well, these days I seem to view the world as a festering oyster that’s been in the sun for too long. But let’s see what 2017 holds. Happy New Year.
Enjoy one of our 2 or 3 hour packages or a 105 minute massage/vibrosaun session and receive a Tribe Of The Tree flower essence kit absolutely free!
Rant over…
This offer is valid for treatments enjoyed in January 2017 and paid in full at the time of booking. Mention this ad when booking to receive your free Tribe of the Tree flower essence kit (either In With The New or On Purpose) valued at $50.
11 howe street daylesford phone 03 5348 1099 www.massagehealing.com.au
Holistic Funeral Directors
Sustainable & authentic funerals Call 5427 3112 visit NaturalGrace.com.au
Standing up for the Hepburn Community
P: (03) 5338 8123 F: (03) 5333 7710
Over 150 years of service to the shires of Daylesford, Hepburn, Creswick, Clunes ,Trentham, Kyneton and surrounds. ————————
Andrew Nuske and Alicia Kay 24 Bridport Street Daylesford 3460 53482762 info@vereyfuneraldirectors.com www.vereyfuneraldirectors.com.au ————————
Pre-paid and Pre-planned funeral plans available
www.daylesfordcinema.org.au Tuesday 17 January 10am Moana (PG) 1pm Sing (G) 3.30pm Moana (PG) 6pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Wednesday 18 January 1pm Moana (PG) 3.30pm Sing (G) 6pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Thursday 19 January 10am To Catch a Thief - classic event (PG) Friday 20 January 3pm Sing (G) 5.30pm Moana (PG) 8.00pm Red Dog: True Blue (PG) Saturday 21 January 3pm Moana (PG) 5.30pm Sing (G) 8pm Red Dog: True Blue (PG) All movies & Sunday 22 January screening 1pm Moana (PG) times 3.30pm Sing (G) subject to 6pm Red Dog: True Blue (PG) change Tuesday 24 January 10am Sing (G) 1pm Red Dog: True Blue (PG) 3.30pm Moana (PG) 6pm Red Dog: True Blue (PG) Wednesday 25 January 1pm Moana (PG) 3.30pm Sing (G) 6pm Red Dog: True Blue (PG) Thursday 26 January 1.30pm Sing (G) 4pm Red Dog: True Blue - OC(PG) 6pm Passengers (M) Friday 27 January 3.30pm Red Dog: True Blue (PG) 5.30pm Sing (G) 8.00pm Passengers (M) Saturday 28 January 3.30pm Sing (G) 6pm Red Dog: True Blue (M) 8pm Passengers (M) Sunday 29 January www.theyprint.com.au 1.30pm Sing (G) 03 5348 2950 4pm Red Dog: True Blue (M) 6pm Passengers (M) Tuesday 31 January 10am Red Dog: True Blue (M) 6pm Passengers (M) Open Caption Selected Sessions
Sunday, January 29th, 2017 | Day 3 of Beef Week
High Quality, performance recorded, working age and yearling sale bulls from top sires
Brian & Wayne Mobbs, 45 Lyman St, Daylesford Vic 3460 Ph (03) 5348 2357 Brian 0427 482357 Wayne 0427 373 044 Kevin 0428 531 173 Email highspa@highspa.com.au Website www.highspa.com.au
January 2017 Sunday 1 January 1.30pm Trolls (G) 3.30pm Queen of Katwe - OC (PG) 6pm Nocturnal Animals (MA15+) Monday 2 January 1.30pm Trolls (G) 3.30pm Nocturnal Animals (MA15+) 6pm Queen of Katwe (PG) Tuesday 3 January 10am Queen of Katwe (PG) 1.30pm Nocturnal Animals (MA15+) 3.30pm Trolls (G) 6pm Nocturnal Animals (MA15+) Wednesday 4 January 1.30pm Trolls (G) 3.30pm Nocturnal Animals - OC (MA15+) 6pm Queen of Katwe (PG) Friday 6 January 2.30pm Moana (PG) 5.15pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) 8pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Saturday 7 January 2.45pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) 5.30pm Moana (PG) 8pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Sunday 8 January 12.45pm Moana (PG) 3.15pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - OC(M) 6pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Tuesday 10 January 10am Moana (PG) 1pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) 3.30pm Moana - OC (PG) 6pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Wednesday 11 January 12.45pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) 3.30pm Moana (PG) 6pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Thursday 12 January 10am Breakfast at Tiffany’s - classic event (PG) Friday 13 January 3pm Sing (G) 5.30pm Moana (PG) 8.00pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Saturday 14 January 3pm Moana (PG) 5.30pm Sing - OC (G) 8pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M) Sunday 15 January 1pm Sing (G) 3.30pm Moana (PG) 6pm Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (M)
High Spa Invites you to their Open Day
Details and directions visit www.highspa.com.au
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Our volunteers 17
Feeding the community one week at a time
S
O FAR this year, 19 families, couples or individuals, have received a three-course meal – thanks to Michelle Symes and her 52 Gifts project.
The founder of the not-for-profit Bake Share Care, said she knew she wanted to do something for the community but didn’t have a lot of time. The idea is that once a week, for the year, Michelle chooses a family or couple or individual who she thinks could do with a hearty meal, and after making contact, arrives on their doorstep with lovingly prepared dishes. Recent dishes in the cooler weather have included slow-cooked food like hearty lamb chops with sweet potato mash and zucchini with lemon and goat’s cheese. Or maybe a beautiful beef rendang curry with homemade roti bread. Those with small children might find themselves the recipients of something fun like baby baguettes filled with meatballs and cheese or building their own burgers with a host of ingredients. And it all comes packed in baskets and the odd casserole dish, along with little notes on them “this is what you do with this”. “I am into week 19 and I haven’t had to double up on any dishes as yet. I have made something different for every single person which is great.” Michelle, who has cooked since she was young and done stints in the kitchens of Lake House and The Argus, said she started off thinking she would be feeding people in poverty or who were homeless. “I thought that would be the core group but as it evolved I realised that actually everyone at some point in time needs help, whether it’s their health, a family tragedy or personal stuff. I could pretty much cook for everybody in this community. “There is always a story but I have also done a couple of celebration meals just for people for being an amazing part of this community.” Many of her recipients are referrals via Facebook or Instagram, as people find out about Michelle’s 52 Gifts project. “When I applied for the grant with Hepburn Shire Council I already had earmarked some people in the community but since then I have received referrals. “I haven’t had anyone defensive about it but everyone thinks there is someone out there that deserves it more. I have only had one person turn it down and everyone has been very grateful and receptive. And if people suggest recipients I ask them to talk to them first so they know what I do, or to go onto my blog at 52gifts.com.au, just so I don’t go in blind and they are prepared.” Michelle said she arranges her meals on plates and in casserole dishes from opportunity shops – and there is no request to return them. "I just take them in my baskets, unload them on the kitchen bench and take my baskets away. I have already seen a few of the casserole dishes back in the op shops. And some people have returned them and quite a few have done that with something in them. “Just this week I made lemon curd from a bag of lemons I received. And I have had quite a few locals dropping off excess veggies for me to cook with which has been really nice." Michelle, who has a day job as a personal assistant at Lake House, said one memorable meal was dropped to the “mayor of Eganstown” Winsome Menadue. “When I delivered to her I said ‘I am not sure about the pastry, I am not happy with it’ and she gave me eggs, a pastry recipe and feedback on the idea of including recipes with each meal so the recipient can make it again themselves. She was fantastic."
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First published in Issue 72 - go to www.tlnews.com.au
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Thursday, Sunday, Monday 5pm - 9pm Friday and Saturday 5pm - 10pm Tuesday & Wednesday CLOSED
HOME DELIVERIES FRIDAY TO SUNDAY 5348 4123 t "MCFSU 4U %BZMFTGPSE 7JDUPSJB
18 News
Gig Guide Horvats Supper Club, Daylesford Adrian Deakin – Friday, January 6, 7pm Bella Frisky – Saturday, January 7, 7pm-10pm Angie & the Doc – Sunday, January 8, 3pm-6pm Adrian Deakin – Friday, January 13, 7pm Wes Green & the 45’s – Saturday, January 14, 7pm-10pm Phisha – Sunday, January 15, 3pm-6pm
- Food & Product Photography
The Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn Springs Friday Frivolities – Friday, January 6, 6pm Gilly & Terry – Saturday, January 7, 8.30pm Jessey Jackson – Sunday, January 8, 4pm Friday Frivolities – Friday, January 13, 6pm Matty Chaps – Saturday, January 14, 8.30pm Backyard Boogie – Sunday, January 15, 3pm
Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn Springs
Robin 0416 079 158 magic@platingupfoodphotography.com.au Image from a ‘Grange Bellinzona’ promotional series
Lunar Dust (duo with Vanessa Craven pictured above) – Friday, January 6 Josh Dance (duo) – Saturday, January 7 Jazz Deuce – Sunday, January 8 Phisha – Friday, January 13
Belvedere Social, Daylesford
Yenni & John – Friday, January 6, 8.30pm Mucho Macho – Friday, January 13, 8.30pm Mucho Marcho – Friday, January 20, 8.30pm
FARMER’S ARMS HOTEL CRESWICK Pub, dining, music. Nose to tail/in-house butchery. Live music weekends. Open 7 days. Albert St. Creswick – 5345 2221 www.farmersarmscreswick.com
Advertise your dining venue from just $33.27 per week.
PERFECT DROP Daylesford’s boutique Restaurant and Wine Bar. Fine dining, local, organic & seasonal produce. Howe St. Daylesford 03 5348 1100 www.theperfectdrop.com
Mon/Tue 4pm till late Fri to Sun noon till late
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 15/01/17 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 * Not available on already discounted wines and special items
TRY O HOU
S PA C E N T R E M E A T S Suppli e rs of Ge nuin e l ocal produce
you to all our A sincere thank mers for their wonderful custo hout the year support throug yone a very and we wish ever and a happy merry christmas new year! mes from the selected Pork co All our specially d is top quality an rat lla Ba in Family local Beaumont rk po wn Australian gro e produced on th b & aged beef is lam e im lmsbury & Our pr Ma ar ne al’ tur n Hills Na family farm ‘Gree Daylesford. our premises in the beef aged on ared Kebabs, rep ep pr of llent range luding the We make an exce inc , es urmet sausag n chicken, Schnitzels and go sia lay lian ‘Bull Boar’, Ma ers make tch famous Swiss Ita bu pert more and our ex Greek lamb and ade gourmet e-m us ho of n tio n, Ham, an exclusive selec ing Smoked Baco smallgoods includ & Strasburg Ham Hocks
ylesford. 37 Vincent Street. Daus on Facebook d Fin Phone 5348 2094.
Seniors card holders 10% off !
A casual, funky, retro supper club offering dining, live music & bar.
LIVE MUSIC Fri/Sat nights &
Sunday Lunch, while you dine or have a casual drink at the bar.
DELICIOUS GOURMET PIZZA HANDMADE SILKY PASTAS PREMIUM AGED CHARGRILLED STEAKS HANDMADE FLUFFY GNOCCHI & TRADITIONAL CROATIAN SARMA
OPENING HOURS
Weds – Sat 4pm - 11pm. Sun 2pm - 11pm.
22 Howe Street, Daylesford PH 0429 585 129 Like us on facebook for updates
03 5348 3884
NOW OPEN 7 DAYS!! www.galleydiner.com.au
Breakfast Fri, Sat & Sun 8:30am - 12pm Lunch 11:30am 7 Days / Dinner 5pm 7 Days 105 Vincent Street Daylesford www.galleydiner.com.au
Ethically Produced Coffee www.camposcoffee.com
New summer menu
LOCAL LUNCH DEAL Mon - Fri 11:30 - 4pm Any Burger, Fries OR Onion Rings with coffee/drink $17 * not public holidays
BURGERS - BBQ RIBS - FRIED CHICKEN - TEX MEX
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Dining 21
Meal deals for locals...and visitors too! EVERYONE loves a good meal deal. So here are the dining establishments offering great food and great prices! Monday:
Passing Clouds, Musk - (lunch from noon) main and side from the grill with a glass of wine - $30 Mercato, Daylesford – main dish & a glass of local wine - $30 The Grande Hotel, Hepburn Springs - two courses for $35 and three courses for $45 Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford - Monday Meatball Madness - $20 (Vegetarian option available)
Tuesday:
Perfect Drop - five courses with a glass of bubbles or beer - $55 Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood - Parma Night - $15 + glass of house wine or pot Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford - Burger Night with chips - $20 (Vegetarian option available)
Wednesday:
Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Pot (or glass of house wine) and Parma - $20 Belvedere Social, Daylesford - Special of the day, pot of beer or glass of wine, $35 Horvats Supper Club, Daylesford - $10 pizza, $15 pasta
Friday:
Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn - two courses and glass of wine - $45 Blackwood Hotel, Blackwood - Fab 5 meals specials from $18 Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn - Burger Night with vegan options - $16 Blackwood Merchant, Blackwood - house-made pizza - $16-21 Small Holdings, Malmsbury - (lunch), soup of the day - $8, or house-made gnocchi with a glass of house wine - $25 5000 Club, Anglican Church, Daylesford - Free community lunch, 12pm - 1pm
Sunday:
Grange Bellinzona, Hepburn - two courses and glass of wine - $45 Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn - Curry Night with vegan options available - $18 Belvedere Social, Daylesford - Sunday Farmers Roast (lunch and dinner) featuring local ethical meat and sides, $30
Happy Hours:
Daylesford Bowling Club has Happy Hour ‘n’ a half, from Monday to Thursday, from 4.30pm to 6pm. And Happy Hour on Friday, 6pm to 7pm. Perfect Drop, Daylesford, also has a Happy Hour, Thursday to Monday, from 4pm to 6pm with $12 cocktails and $2 oysters. Blue Bean Love Cafe, Hepburn has Happy Hours from Friday to Monday from 4pm to 6pm with $5 beer, wine or bubbles
Raffles:
Thursday:
Daylesford Hotel, Daylesford – Steak Night - $20 Belvedere Social, Daylesford - Special of the day, pot of beer or glass of wine, $35 Small Holdings, Malmsbury - (lunch), Soup of the Day - $8, or house-made gnocchi with a glass of house wine - $25 Horvats Supper Club, Daylesford - $10 pizza, $15 pasta
Fundraising raffles for local organisations are held on Friday evenings at The Farmers Arms Hotel, Daylesford, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham and the Old Hepburn Hotel, Hepburn.
Open 7 days lunch & dinner Join us to experience the real country charm and all the fun at Daylesford's oldest pub. Enjoy our tasty menu and drinks from our extensive beer and wine list.
We don't take bookings, so just pop on down.
thefarmersarms.com.au I 1 East Street Daylesford I ph: 03 5348 2091
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22 Markets
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To market, to market, to buy some summer veggies
Y
OU can find everything you need at weekend markets, from fresh fruit and veg to handmade jewellery and wares, throughout the Central Highlands and surrounds. Here are just a few.
Daylesford Railway Market – every Sunday Wesley Hill Market - every Saturday Daylesford Farmers’ Market – first Saturday Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers’ Market - first Saturday Golden Plains Farmers' Market - first Saturday Castlemaine Artists’ Market – first Sunday Kyneton Farmers’ Market - second Saturday Ballan Farmers' Market - second Saturday Kyneton Rotary Community Market – second Saturday Maldon Market – second Sunday Clunes Farmers’ Market - second Sunday Trentham Farmers’ Market and Makers’ Market - third Saturday Glenlyon Farmers’ Market – third Saturday Leonards Hill Market - third Saturday Creswick Market - third Saturday Talbot Farmers’ Market – third Sunday Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday Trentham Station Sunday Market - fourth Sunday Buninyong Village Market - fourth Sunday
Want to advertise your market? It's free. Just email news@tlnews.com.au
The Trentham Farmers Market has joined with Trentham Makers Market
Third Saturday, 9am - 1pm
TRENTHAM PETROL & STUFF
1 Market St PH 5424 1611 Mon - Sat 8am - 6pm Sun 9am - 6pm
Petrol, oils, swap & go gas, firewood permits, farm produce / produce store, ice, milk, soft drinks, take-away pies, coffee, confectionery, local honey etc. rusty junk, secondhand books, old wares
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A Day in the Life 23
A Day in the Life - Tammi Jonas
T
AMMI Jonas is a bit ham-fisted…but that’s a good thing.
Running an ethical, sustainable pork and beef family farm at Eganstown, just outside Daylesford, is a busy job – especially when you’re the resident mistress of meatsmithery. After becoming Australia’s first farm to construct infrastructure through crowdfunding - $27,000 for a converted 40-foot refrigerated container that is now Tammi’s butcher shop – and following a six-month apprenticeship learning how to butcher her animals, Jonai Farm started growing into a rather successful venture. Tammi and her husband Stuart, and their three children, live on the farm which is also inhabited by a herd of heritage breed large pigs including 12 sows, two boars and 100-120 growers at any given time, which take up to eight months to reach maturity and end up under Tammi’s knife. 8am: It’s butchering time; to butcher a whole pig takes Tammi about an hour to an hour and a quarter, and eight pigs are usually butchered each fortnight. It’s a lot quicker than the steers – they still take about three quarters of a day… it would take two hours for a 20-year veteran butcher but Tammi has the patience to get quicker at the beef carcasses and she’s currently getting about 65 per cent yield from the Belted Galloways. 10am: Nothing goes to waste in this nose-to-tail business – ham, bacon and other smallgoods are made at the farm and the herbs that are put in them are picked from a rangy herb garden as Tammi walks from the back door to the curing room which, combined with the commercial kitchen, was the result of another $33,000 crowdfunding campaign. The range of additive-free salumi and charcuterie includes coppa, lonza, pancetta, as well as pork and beef bone broths, and pate de tete. 2pm: Deliveries and paperwork: they are, of course, an essential part of the business and take up about two days per month – one regional delivery to a hub from which people pick up, and one Melbourne delivery. The Community Supported Agriculture model that Jonai Farm runs on means that people subscribe for a membership of six months or more and receive a certain weight of meat at their deliveries – it means less wastage and assists the sustainability of the farm as it can compensate for low pork supplies with higher beef products and vice versa. Tammi has about 500 kilos of meat in the back on delivery day. 5pm: Time for a trip to the airport – Jonai Farm runs a volunteer residency program which sees people live and work on the farm for three months. The family has just said goodbye to a volunteer from Denmark and have welcomed one from Alaska.
First published in Issue 64 - go to www.tlnews.com.au
The Haberdasheryp We stock cloth, haberdashery, bed linen, homewares & other handmade treasures Open 6 days 10am to 5pm (closed Tuesday’s) 6 Howe Street Daylesford Victoria 3460 hello@thehaberdashery.com.au www.thehaberdashery.com.au t +61 3 5348 1325 m +61 408 968 843
24 Our gardens
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Gladiolus, but not Edna’s Gladiolus, originating from Africa and Euro-Asia number over 250 species and are divided into summer and winter groups. The summer bloomers mostly produce flowers along a main stem as with the spectacular "Dame Ednas" and are usually reproduced from corms or bulbs. However, most notably, the winter bloomers produce clusters of flowers on tall stems. These can be grown from either seed or small cormlets. Although not widely, available specialist growers can be found on the web. I received mine, above right, from friends in central Tasmania. Thriving in an exposed corner of my garden, they finally flowered this year. They are gladiolus carmineus or sword lily.
Simple steps to successful planting Choose the right plant variety: Always select plant varieties that are well suited to your climate, soil and space. It's disappointing to watch plants struggling in conditions that don't suit them or to have to remove one that has simply grown too big for the space. Although it's possible to lighten heavy clay soil, or conversely, add compost and loam to sand, why struggle with a plant that needs well-drained soil or cannot survive drought when plenty of others thrive in those conditions? Be sure to choose a compact or small-growing variety where space is limited. You shouldn't choose a shade-loving tree for an open, exposed spot or a sun-lover for the shade. When plants struggle under adverse conditions, they become soft targets for insect pests and fungal disease. Prepare the soil: Planting is not just a matter of digging a hole roughly the same size as the container… that's flirting with disaster, especially in heavy soils. Always take the time to prepare an area of up to a square metre by digging and working in compost or leaf mould to provide an open, soft environment for the development of new roots. In heavy clay soil the addition of sand or sandy loam will aid drainage. In sandy soil extra compost and leaf mould will help retain moisture. Animal manures can be worked into the soil but make sure you leave at least 10 -15cm around the plant to avoid burning the new roots. Let them seek the food source when they are ready. Planting:
Don't choose the biggest, woodiest plant in the nursery bed. It's far better to seek out a smaller one with signs of fresh new growth. The big ones could be "pot-bound" with a ball of intertwining roots that can stifle and stunt growth. Be sure to firm the soil around the plant with your feet to prevent any air pockets causing the roots to dry out. This is the time to place any stakes you deem necessary to support the plant to avoid damaging the roots. Water the plant in well, soaking the entire prepared area. Use a light spray to prevent run-off and go back over it several times as the water soaks in. Water regularly over the next few weeks to ensure the soil doesn't dry out…ignoring all but soaking downpours because light rains do little more than wet the surface. Be sure to water regularly for at least the first summer. Don't feed the plant until you see signs of strong new growth. Instead, water in a goodly amount of seaweed-based soil conditioner such as Seasol as this encourages strong roots. It's unwise to spray pests on small plants, simply remove them by hand. If later you need to spray, be careful to use natural non-chemical insecticides and stick strictly to the directions to avoid burning the plant and causing it further needless stress.
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
Owner-operated, Established Local Business Fully Insured Free Quotes s_mountgardens@optusnet.com.au
Here’s the solution for last edition’s crossword for Issue 87. Solve it?
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Our musos 25
Danny's folk songs resonating across time
I
N OUR age, music circulates in volumes unheard of even 20 years ago. While we can access songs instantly, it is troubling to think that some of the fundamental pillars of music creation are being smothered. Tunes that connect listeners to a collective history are being drowned out by the all-enveloping spectre of music as merely entertainment.
Meaningful stories are not part of the top 10 but they still speak to us with surety. A surety expressed most profoundly in the songs of folk music traditions such as those performed by Daylesford musician Danny Spooner. Danny has been performing his vast repertoire of songs for more than 50 years and is still going strong. He arrived in Australia in 1962, spent three decades in Melbourne and moved to the Central Highlands with his wife Gael in the early 90s. Since then he has performed in folk clubs and festivals in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Europe and back home in the United Kingdom. Thanks to a prodigious memory and a willingness to develop his craft Danny is now renowned as one of the best singers of folksongs around and a “national living treasure” bestowed on him by Professor of Philosophy Max Charlesworth of Deakin University. His pieces are diverse, covering romance, working life, poverty, happy times, politics, history, and everything else in between. They span almost every part of the British and Australian folk tradition with American and Canadian material as well. He is also an historian, researcher and has released more than 21 albums. But this passion was not something he first took up on a whim; it has been there since the beginning. “I started into to get into this music when I was a kid, growing up in the east end of London. My grandparents and all the family sang and these were the sort of songs they sang. They didn’t just sing folk songs they sang everything that was going, my dad loved jazz, my grandmother sang, my uncles, and that’s where it came from.” By the time he was 13, Danny had left school and began work on a sailing barge plying the Thames and the south coast of England. Over the following 10 years he held various jobs and led an almost nomadic life, receiving a real-life education in the ways of working people. It was here where his interest in folk traditions germinated. “While my love of music grew naturally from a love of history, what got me between the eyes was when I was on the sailing boats as a kid. I worked with an old bloke named Bob Roberts who sang songs all the time. He used to make me read books, tell him something from them and he would make up a song about it. It occurred to me that this was a form of history that didn’t get heard, didn’t get written in the history books.” It was something that Danny continued to note when he came to Australia. “That’s what the folk scene’s about. It’s always been picking up tunes from here and putting them over there because I suppose really, wherever you go in the world, people are trying to stay alive, work, and if you live in the hills, the bush, you will have songs about the hills, if you’re down on the coast, you will have fisherman songs and so on. Somebody hears it down there and says, ‘that’s a nice tune, I’ll adapt that song to where I live’.” It is a vastly different attitude to song compared to what is often found in in the pubs where crowds just want to be entertained. Where bands rarely move beyond what’s on their set list and, in most instances, are little more than background to people chatting among themselves. Danny’s audiences want to hear the stories he comes to sing. His music’s power lies in his wish to recount life experiences, ones that remain important no matter what year or century you hear them in. That’s what draws people to them; they resonate across time. “These works are not just songs but an important documentation of stories,” he says. “Folk songs in my opinion, are the history of the common people, the cannon fodder, the factory fodder and are as relevant to a casual worker in 2016 as they were to an itinerant labourer in the 1920s.” While we like to think that things are different in our time, that we live in a more enlightened society, for the people of the working classes, the story remains the same. The songs which Danny Spooner keeps vibrant and alive create that vital link between the struggles of today and yesterday as time glides ever onward.
First published in Issue 70 - go to www.tlnews.com.au
$35 per hour Recording Mixing Mastering Two engineers
Denver, Vic
New Year's Eve Parade in Daylesford Images: Helen Greenwood
OZ - TRANS
DAYLESFORD The ‘Local’ Blokes
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New Year's Eve Parade in Daylesford
28 Trades
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PLASTERER Servicing Daylesford and Districts.
DAYLESFORD FIBROUS PLASTER WORKS (MACKLEY’S) • NEW HOMES • RENOVATIONS • CEILING ROSES • ORNAMENTAL CORNICE Daylesford
0427 508 840
POOL AND SPA MAINTENANCE SERVICES DAYLESFORD AND SPA COUNTRY Over 25 years’ experience in the Pool and Spa industry. Cleaning and servicing of pools, hot tubs and jacuzzis. Water chemistry and water balance Commercial properties Domestic applications Reasonable rates All enquiries welcome Noel 0419 554 319 Declan 0438 212 107
Consulting in Administration & Management Book-keeping Administration Payroll Temp service Supplier monthly reconciliation Qualified to manage a small team of office workers Christ Jules Services Julie Hanson 0459 619 701 julphil.hanson@gmail.com www.christjulesservices.com.au
Peter Mackley 5348 3085 or 0418 571 331 Gary Mackley 5348 1108
A unique heater manufactured in Daylesford from Australian products
Railway Crescent, Daylesford P: 03
5348 2586
F: 03 5348 1200 E: nedkelly@woodheaters.com.au
www.woodheaters.com.au
Daylesford Newsagency & Tattslotto Newspapers, magazines, Tattslotto, dry-cleaning, stationery, photocopying and lots more... We stock The Local! 55 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2061
www.tlnews.com.au
Trades 29
Business & shopfront Business & Shopfront
Digital Printing Digital printed full colour graphics
Vehicles & Transport
Hand Painted & Gold Leaf
Promotional & Event
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www.hepburnfencing.com.au
DAYLESFORD APPLIANCE SERVICE
das3460@bigpond.com
electrical appliance repair service washer, dryer, fridge, dishwasher, oven, cook top etc. Call Kiyo on
0419 267 685
das3460@bigpond.com
Servicing all Daylesford and Districts wastewateraus.com.au MOB: 0427 508 840 www.humevalegates.com
Western Victoria Painting & Decorating • New and existing homes • Renos • Touch-ups • Interior/Exterior • Roofs • Fences
• • • •
Reasonable rates Free quotes Prompt & reliable 15 years’ experience • Fully insured
New to town! Call Darren on 0468 748 136
Also mobile on-site service available
Moss Shading Solutions For Central Highlands’ 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 Studio 18 37 East Street, DAYLESFORD
www.tlnews.com.au
Our sportspeople 31
Winston's exceptional effort and inspiration
W
INSTON Silbereisen is this year’s recipient of the Graham Woodrup Memorial Award.
The award recognises a person who has displayed “exceptional effort and inspiration” to others in the course of his/her team's involvement with the Murray to Moyne cycle relay which was founded by Mr Woodrup and his wife Hester. Winston is a founding member of the Daylesford Wheel Suckers which raises money for the Hepburn Health Service. In the nomination, by former service chief executive officer David Lenehan, it says Winston has been a constant source of strength and inspiration for members of the team having organised, recruited, fundraised and/or ridden every year since 1992. “He is a well-respected member of the Daylesford/Hepburn Springs community through his tireless volunteering efforts with a wide range of community organisations. “Winston was recruited in 1992 by Kevin Lee, a friend of Graham Woodrup who lived in Daylesford at the time, to establish a cycling team to carry on the good work of ‘Woody’ while raising funds in support of Daylesford Hospital. “Winston had no prior cycling experience but was well-known in the community, being a teacher at the local primary school. He quickly proved to be a key asset to the team with his ability to solicit support from the community and to organise and recruit others to get involved. “Under Kevin’s mentorship Winston developed a passion for cycling and became a prolific cycler, participating not only in the M2M Cycle Relay each year, but also the Around the Bay in a Day event. Together with Kevin, Winston is one of 10 ‘legends’ who have participated in Around the Bay in a Day since its inaugural event in 1993. "Winston can often be seen cycling in and around Daylesford. Even now at 65 he still cycles at least once or twice a week! He is a great ambassador for maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise." The Daylesford Wheelsuckers has raised more than $300,000 over the past 25 years for Hepburn Health Service. The medal was presented to Winston during an anniversary dinner for the Wheelsuckers at the Daylesford Bowls Club by Hester and the couple’s daughter Kate.
"He quickly proved to be a key asset to the team with his ability to solicit support from the community and to organise and recruit others to get involved." First published in Issue 71 - go to www.tlnews.com.au
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• Roller Shutters • Security Doors • Fly Screens
39
SECURITY DOORS MADE TO MEASURE AT FACTORY DIRECT PRICES *Conditions apply.
Hepburn Shire & Ballarat
Phone: 03 5464 7380 or Michael 0422 643 901 Email: sales@onsiteflyscreensballarat.com.au www.onsiteflyscreens.com.au
Woodchopping was just one of the highlights of the Glenlyon Mixed Sports Family Day on New Year's Day. Image: Karen Brothers. More photos on pages 4 and 5 - and even more on Facebook!