January 11, 2021 Issue 214 Pick me...
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
2 About Us
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Front cover: Bingo, a staffy-cross, is our first 'Pick me' pet for 2021. Each edition we feature a dog or cat or guinea pig or even a rabbit, housed at Mt Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine, looking for their new forever home. Turn to page 22 to read about Bingo. And if you have adopted a pet from 'Pick me' we would love a photo and a few words. Email donna@tlnews.com.au Image: Contributed
January 11, 2021 Issue 214 Pick me...
The Local is a weekly community publication covering the Central Highlands. The next edition is out on Monday, January 18, 2021. Or online on Sunday, January 17 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, January 13 Copy deadline: Thursday, January 14 Editorial deadline: Thursday, January 14 Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes Sub-editors | Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout, Sandy Scheltema and Donna Kelly
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a director.
Photographers | Kyle Barnes and David White Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Indre Kisonas (design), Glenn Robinson (cartoons) and Matthew Richardson (money) Accounts | Julie Hanson
Delivery | Tony Sawrey
Editorial & advertising: 5348 7883 or 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au or sales@tlnews.com.au See a photo you like? They are available for sale. The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.tlnews.com.au We welcome all feedback.
Contact Kyle on 0416 104 283
Hepburn Shire CEO moves to Ballarat City
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"We’ll continue to balance the opportunities presented by Ballarat’s ongoing growth with the need to preserve the unique qualities that make this city a great place to live, work and invest." Ballarat Mayor Daniel Moloney said while a two-month search was conducted nationally and attracted executive-level applicants from across Victoria and interstate, Mr King was appointed, with a four-year the stand-out candidate was found close to home. contract, as CEO of Hepburn Shire Council in Cr Moloney said Mr King brought a decade of senior local government July 2018. experience to the role, including the past two and a half years as CEO of Hepburn Shire Council Mayor Cr Lesley neighbouring Hepburn Shire Council. Hewitt said Mr King’s departure - he finishes up "While Evan's clearly a highly experienced local government executive with a on January 29 - would be a loss for the shire but proven track record, councillors were equally impressed with his strong background extremely positive for the larger region. in the private sector." "Evan has been an active and productive Before becoming CEO at Hepburn Shire in July 2018, Mr King was the director CEO of our shire and he will be missed by not of Corporate and Community Services at Pyrenees Shire Council from 2014 to 2018. only councillors and the organisation, but many His local government experience includes a further four years as Hepburn Shire’s in the community. Evan, alongside the executive team, has been a wonderful support for all the new councillors since the elections last general manager of Corporate Services from 2010 to 2014. Prior to commencing his career in local government Mr King held senior year. positions with the Salvation Army as the business manager for Western Victoria, and "While we are sad to be losing him to the City of Ballarat, it is a great finance manager at Mars Wrigley Australia and Friction Materials Pacific. appointment for the region and also for our shire, as we work with the City of A long-term Ballarat resident, Mr King graduated from Federation University Ballarat in many ways and having Evan there can only help us further strengthen our with a Bachelor of Business. He is the president and a life member of the Ballarat already strong partnership." Athletic Club and a member of the Stawell Gift Hall of Fame. Mr King said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time with Hepburn Shire Council Prior to Mr King, former Hepburn Shire CEO Aaron van Egmond spent six years and looked forward to continuing to be involved with the Hepburn Shire community with Hepburn Shire Council, resigning in March 2018 to take up the same position through the joint work of Ballarat and Hepburn Shire councils. with Hobsons Bay City Council. "Hepburn is a wonderful and engaged community and I sincerely appreciate the Before Mr van Egmond, Kaylene Conrick was Hepburn Shire Council's CEO time I have had here, working with the community, various organisations and council from 2008 to 2011. Ms Conrick left to become Community Services director at to help continue making Hepburn Shire the best it can be. "It is never easy to make the move to another organisation however accepting the Bayside City Council. She is now CEO at Mansfield Shire Council. CEO role at the City of Ballarat is an incredible opportunity for me." Mr King said he was excited by the opportunity to serve as CEO of the City of Words: Donna Kelly Ballarat. "Having lived and worked in the region for many years, I’m honoured to take on this role. I look forward to working with the councillors, executive leadership team and our community to develop a robust council plan to meet the challenges and opportunities of the next four years.
EPBURN Shire Council CEO Evan King has resigned to take up the role of CEO at the City of Ballarat with a start date of February 15.
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Legends 3
A look back at 2020
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O 2021 is upon us and it's time to have one more look back at the year that was 2020. Rather than look at the doom and gloom, and masks and sanitiser, The Local is looking back on the positives of the year. And there were many. So sit back and have a wander through the pages and see who was doing what in 2020. Enjoy the read. First up are some of our Legends of Lockdown - and Coles Woodend staff!
And just a few of our other local legends...
Luke Zu and Steve Mason - Daylesford Post Office
Staff - Coles Daylesford
Chantel Leaver - Coronavirus Support Facebook
EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP DOING THE THINGS WE LOVE Every test keeps us on top of this virus. And keeps us doing the things we love. So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.
For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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A look back at 2020 When you complete your first children's book you think about things like public launches. But when a virus won't go away, suddenly you are reading online to an audience on Facebook you can't see.
Author Claire Clifton, like others, had to pivot when her book The Magical Flying Hippopotamus, came to fruition. But like all creative people, Claire found another way to get her work out into the world. And because this one was for granddaughter Audrey, she is now busy working on another for her grandson Lonnie "to make it fair".
Magic 5
“They were always tales of overcoming your problems, courage, friendship and never giving up – and I think the main thing was believing in your dreams.”
The world needs hippopotamus magic
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LAIRE Clifton grew up on Enid Blyton books – Noddy and Big Ears, Book of Brownies and most especially, The Magic Faraway Tree.
It was the early 70s and life was a lot simpler. Younger kids believed in fairies and magic and built cubby houses and made, and probably tasted, mud pies. Books didn’t have ulterior motives or agendas, they were just good stories with lots of wholesome adventures and happy endings. Fast forward to 2020, and Claire was looking for a few presents for her granddaughter, Audrey, set to turn three in June. Wandering around the shops, many months earlier, Claire spotted a little plastic hippopotamus and thought Audrey could add that to her farm animal collection. Next was a wooden doll with blonde hair – just like Audrey. The two toys spent the next few months sitting on Claire’s computer and every time she passed by she wondered about them. Could Audrey sit on Hippy? And if yes, could Hippy actually be a grounded but magical flying hippopotamus? Claire, an abstract artist of some note, but new to writing apart from a manual on how to relocate a house, realised she needed a third character. Cue in the golden-tipped glass echidna sitting on top of her fridge, a gift from Australia Zoo from friends she had collected mail for while they were on holiday – and the new children’s book trio was complete. Princess Audrey, Hippy and Master Spike, who between them solve Hippy’s confidence issues with flying, and then head out on a few adventures of their own. Claire, who moved to Glenlyon 18 years ago with husband Brian, from Geelong, said the book, The Magical Flying Hippopotamus, happened quite organically. “I used to sit down and think what happens next, and it felt like I had gone back into childhood a bit, because bad things might happen in a child’s book back then but there was always a resolution. “They were always tales of overcoming your problems, courage, friendship and never giving up – and I think the main thing was believing in your dreams. I wanted something, really just for my grand-daughter, that was simple and magical and fun with positive life affirmations. I am really a bit tired of authors who write stories about farts.” The book is illustrated by Claire’s daughter’ Kiara's boyfriend, Gerard Horvat, who just happened to be sitting at their table one day drawing visual novels, or cartoons for grown-ups. “I said to him ‘hey, you don’t want to have a go at a hippopotamus, do you?’ And his illustrations were perfect – a really simple organic style.” Claire said she originally just printed a few copies for her family but interest from others led to a short print run of just 200 for the book, which suits children up to about eight. She is also keen to do a public YouTube reading of the book in four parts with all the voices “otherwise there is no point”. “I just wanted to put out the message to kids that you can have whatever you want, you just have to work out how to make it happen, that is the hard part and the fun part. Kids need a bit of escape, especially now, and the whole world could do with a bit of hippopotamus magic.” Next up is a book for her grandson Lonnie “to make it fair”. Audrey and Lonnie’s parents Jonathan and Kerstin are, naturally, the king and queen, and Lonnie’s title is only fairly prince, to match Princess Audrey. Claire is also busy, halfway through, writing her own life story, something she hopes her family, right down to greatgrandchildren and beyond, will read one day.
“I would love to pluck a book off the shelf and find out what my greatgrandmother did in her life, what school was like, what her first job was... “But, you know, I don’t really know what’s next and that’s probably one of the good things. I am just having fun doing what I am doing right now.” For a copy of the book, with a price of $17.50, email Claire at Brewster_claire@ hotmail.com and check out selected outlets in the region.
Link: www.ebay.com.au/str/Abstractions-Art-for-the-Soul Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes
This article is supported by Hepburn Shire Council's COVID-19 Community Support Grants. First published August 2, 2020
6 Our sports
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A look back at 2020 COVID-19 closed down a lot of sports including junior soccer, which was as disappointing for the coaches as the kids. But coach Hiroshi Masuda took it all in his stride and was ready for when his teams could start playing again.
He started playing soccer himself in grade 2 at primary school in Japan and made it all the way through to the professional league. But Hiroshi found his enjoyment of the game was waning. It was not until he found himself playing with the Daylesford Soccer Club, and coaching, that his love of the game returned.
“Now I feel a little bit of satisfaction for bringing soccer back to this town. Daylesford has very nice quality soccer which is good to watch and play. And I can enjoy soccer again.”
Hiroshi enjoying soccer again and winning
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IROSHI Masuda started playing soccer in grade 2 at primary school – and as was the way with the country at the time, pretty much trained at least five days a week after school.
He continued playing until he was 18 when he had the chance to try out for Japan’s newly formed pro league. But Hiroshi also realised he would need a career to fall back on and so instead headed to college to study teaching for four years. He came out qualified and also realised that his passion for soccer had diminished a little, with every game’s sole objective to win. “I had a bit of a loss of joy for soccer and I thought that it was going to be just my hobby from now on.” He later met his wife Meaghan Quinsee and they returned to Australia 17 years ago. Living in Melbourne, Hiroshi said he didn’t see one soccer match and came to the conclusion that the game was not played in Australia. But the couple had been spending some time in Daylesford and had fallen in love with the country life. “I like the countryside for living and after being in Tokyo I had more than enough of city life. At the time we were in publishing but the financial crash of 2008 left us with nothing, so we decided to restart in Daylesford and make the commitment to move. That was 10 years ago.” The move also led Hiroshi to the Daylesford Soccer Club, which at the time, had fewer members and was struggling a bit to survive. “For some reason the club was small and there were not a lot of players. But Ivan (Carter) and some other people organised the games and within a couple of years we got our soccer back. Now I feel a little bit of satisfaction for bringing soccer back to this town. Daylesford has very nice quality soccer which is good to watch and play. I find it very interesting and exciting. And I can enjoy soccer again.” Hiroshi, who coaches the Under 9s, including his son Finn, said the club also had one of the largest group of junior players in Victoria. “It is fun to coach them although the hardest part is getting them focused. But it is very satisfying because at that age kids improve surprisingly quickly.” Of course, COVID-19 closed down the season which Hiroshi says was to be expected but was very disappointing for the youngsters. “But hopefully we can continue next year. It’s very exciting.” Meanwhile, Hiroshi and Meaghan’s latest business venture, creating unique visits to Japan, has also been impacted by the pandemic but they are taking it in their stride. Hiroshi, like so many others, has pivoted and is starting to offer Japanese language lessons - along with Japanese cooking lessons like one pot dishes. Oishii so!
Words: Donna Kelly
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AYLESFORD and Hepburn United Soccer Club had a stellar 2019 season, with junior teams in grand finals and the Division 1 seniors winning the league and cup double for the first time in nearly 20 years. This was some achievement for a club that didn't have a team in Division 1 in 2018, and struggled with numbers and youth.
The club and players have had time to reflect on this rare achievement, and came to the realisation that a strong squad comes from leadership and consistency. There were none more consistent and effective than Daylesford's captain, and fan favourite, Hiroshi Masuda. Hiroshi led by example, crunching tackles all season and sweeping up in midfield and creating chances for the strikers. He scored goals and set up goals and prevented goals, but also gave the youthful squad much direction and leadership. Admiration for Hiroshi only grew throughout the season, he somehow managed to lift for the big games every time, and was in the best players most weeks.
Daylesford were blessed with Masuda's talent over the past decade, but it wasn't until 2019 that he was surrounded with players in his team of similar talent. This lifted his presence and allowed him to teach a possession-style football to the youth and play champagne football. Masuda moved to Daylesford over a decade ago, and has grown in stature around the club, as a junior coach and top player. His strong soccer background trumps anyone in the Ballarat & District Soccer Association league, having represented Japan as a junior player. His talents are something to see, and despite being in his mid-40s, he scored the second most league votes for Daylesford. Daylesford were also blessed with one of the greatest coaches the league has ever seen, Dragi Koleski. Koleski's relationship with Masuda has grown close over the decade, with two soccer masterminds. Koleski, a superb player also, found the perfect role for Masuda in defensive midfield, and a winning combination. Koleski coached to perfection in the nail-biting final series, coming from behind in the last three games to win each in thrilling fashion. The cup final echoed Masuda's popularity and respect in the Ballarat League, with other clubs chanting “Hiroshi” and wearing his facemasks as support. Masuda will be remembered as one of the greats for his 2019 heroics and captaincy by fans and players alike, as will Koleski in his coaching role. It is hoped both will play on and enjoy a bright 2020.
Words: Ivan Carter
First published August 24, 2020
August 24, 2020 Issue 194 Kicking goals
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A look back at 2020 For some, being locked down by COVID-19 was a blessing. Well, if not a blessing, it has afforded them time to do what they do best.
Trentham artist Catherine Abel is one who found the year gave her an edge, seeing her consistently create for three to four months. Catherine spent lockdown working on a commission for the developers of an 82-year-old Art Deco building in Glasgow. The developers, twin Hungarian brothers, found her work online and quickly signed her up to the project.
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She will first paint two large works, showing a woman overlooking a cityscape and featuring a train and the lion of England and the unicorn of Scotland to be joined, photographed and printed.
How Catherine found the great world of art
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ATHERINE Abel found COVID-19 offered her an advantage. The Trentham artist says she was left alone and it was “great" to close her business for three or four months.
And instead of travelling to Scotland for a sizeable commission, she is doing the work here. It’s fair to say that if her story were a book or a film she would probably be a household name. She grew up in Townsville, followed a path through marriage, motherhood and part-time study to finally find the world of art in Paris and, later, notable success. Instagram was the way she achieved her latest, stunning commission, a 5.5-metre mural for a cocktail bar in a renowned, 82-year-old Art Deco building in Glasgow. The developers, twin Hungarian brothers, found her work online and she was signed up. “People contact me from all around the world,” she says, after some prompting. While painting a portrait of the wife of a fabulously wealthy and seemingly mysterious Swiss businessman, she was contacted by the scion of seven generations of beer brewers in Germany. He has three of her works, so she paid him a visit. For one exhibition she was summed up as being “renowned internationally for her striking figurative oil paintings. Combining the sleek, stylised geometry of the Art Deco period with the clarity, richness of colour, and depth of light of the Italian Renaissance Masters, her works are powerfully seductive compositions of beauty, elegance, strength and grace”. Not bad for someone who had to take her baby daughter with her to night school as she spent five years part-time studying graphic design. This, as she says, was old school, using protractors and learning hand-lettering. “I was young, naïve, and driven.” Then she found it wasn’t what she wanted to do. Only when she was 30 did she succeed in a lifelong passion to move, where she began to thrive as an artist. “I set myself up in a little apartment and set myself to do 10 paintings, by which I would judge myself.” But before they were completed she was approached by a gallery in California, thanks to well-placed friends. Her 18 months in Paris were followed by the same amount of time in the US. Then it was back to Sydney and her daughter, before moving to Trentham “eight winters ago”. A delightful aspect of the Glasgow mural is that she will first paint two large works, one pictured below right, showing a woman overlooking a cityscape and featuring a train and the lion of England and the unicorn of Scotland to be joined, photographed and printed. The original pair of paintings will be given to the brothers.
Their building, The Beresford Hotel, is a stunning example of classic Streamline architecture which opened in 1938 to provide accommodation for visitors to the city’s Empire Exhibition and was described as Glasgow’s first skyscraper. It now houses 112 private apartments. Catherine’s early life included being stolen away from her father by her mother who hid Catherine’s past. In 1997 Catherine tried to find her father, an Italian cane farmer who returned home, but did find a half-sister (her father remarried), who was living in, guess where? Paris. If this were a movie, roll the credits and swell the music.
Words: Kevin Childs | Image: Sandy Scheltema First published July 20, 2020
Cold beers on tap and great local wines. Sunday spit roast dinners and a summer menu with loads of shareable options. Exceptional service with food to match SPEND SUMMER AT THE DAYLESFORD HOTEL LUNCH FRI - SUN 12-3PM DINNER 7 NIGHTS FROM 6PM DAYLESFORDHOTEL.COM.AU
8 Our producers
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A look back at 2020 Pandemics come and go but someone has to bring home the bacon.
Wife and husband farming team Catherine Taumoefolau-Evans and Bohdan Evans with their three children Angus, Hepi and Leon, specialise in just two main products, free-range pork and eggs. The Glenlyon family utilise what they can from the area because a big part of their philosophy is centred around reducing food miles whenever possible. Their customers like to know not only exactly where their food is coming from but also the quality and care that has gone into the whole process.
Ethical farming
Essential Health Information For Residents And Visitors CODE RED BUSHFIRE RISK POLICY Springs Medical is committed to providing essential health services to residents and visitors to our region. THE PERSONAL SAFETY OF OUR PATIENTS, OUR STAFF AND THEIR FAMILIES IS PARAMOUNT. On all CODE RED days we will:
CLOSE Springs Medical at Daylesford, Kyneton and Trentham.
Attempt to contact all patients with booked appointments to reschedule as appropriate.
For NON urgent medical attention on a CODE RED day contact the After Hours GP Helpline 1800 022 222. Springs Medical will be CLOSED for the Australia Day Public Holiday on Tuesday 26 January 2021 If you have an urgent, non-life-threatening health concern after hours, call the After Hours GP Helpline 1800 022 222.
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In an emergency always call 000 Daylesford
10 Hospital St tel: (03) 5348 2227
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22 Victoria St tel: (03) 5424 1602
“The truck was the first coop we started with. We could drive it around to move the hens. All the animals get moved once a week. It reduces stress on the ground and reduces worms and parasites in the animals.”
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IFE and husband farming team Catherine Taumoefolau-Evans and Bohdan Evans with their three children Angus, Hepi and Leon, have returned to a simpler life.
Bordering the hamlet of Glenlyon on Dja Dja Wurrung land they work in a way that Bohdan calls scale-appropriate. Put simply, that means never taking more than the land can provide, without the need for synthetic fertilisers and pesticides. “When we took custodianship of the land two years ago there was absolutely no infrastructure except for two dams,” says Bohdan. “The rest of the 50-acre block (20 hectares) was divided between empty paddocks and regrowth eucalyptus forest. But one of the big reasons we chose to jump onto a bare canvas was to be off-grid. In order to do that you’ve got to rip the band-aid off and get away from all the services just given to you when you buy an established property.” Today they have achieved their off-grid goal with the entire place run off solar including the house, sheds and pumps. Not bad in an area noted more for its rain and cloud than regular sun. After two years on their block they have only had to use the back-up diesel generator once - for about 12 hours after a lengthy run of grey days. The number of small-scale farmers working in a regenerative ethical manner is growing and our region is a hotspot. The Central Highlands has a gourmet food culture, healthy soil and temperate conditions making it a desirable place to produce and sell niche market goods. Catherine Farm is a perfect example of the trend specialising in just two main products, free-range pork and eggs. Catherine and Bohdan run around 30 pasture-raised pigs producing 100 per cent chemical-free pork and the hogs eat a balanced diet completely derived from waste stream food. This means that more than 20 tonnes of perfectly good fodder, normally destined for landfill, is diverted. Taking this waste from nearby businesses such as Shedshaker Brewing in Castlemaine and Honest Eggs in Yandoit helps keep the food production local. While they are required to process the pigs in Laverton, the carcasses are returned to Jonai Farm, Eganstown for the on-farm butcher to prepare the cuts for sale. Catherine Farm’s customers have the option of purchasing 5kg and 10kg pork packs which include nitrate- and gluten-free sausages, bacon and a range of cuts such as coppa steaks, sirloin, roast and mince just to name a few. With prices starting from $135 for the 5kg pack it is great value for a selection of premium free-range meat with larger quantities for share options available. “We try to utilise what we can from the area because a big part of our philosophy is centred around reducing food miles whenever possible. Our local customers like to know not only exactly where their food is coming from but also the quality and care that has gone into the whole process.” Free-range eggs make up the other half of Catherine Farm’s production. They have about 400 chooks roaming around the block serving as a dual purpose animal, providing eggs of course but also supplying the paddocks with fertiliser. Today the chickens roost in two A-frame style mobile sheds that are constantly in transit from one spot to another. However, taking pride of place among the chicken, pigs and humans is an old freezer van truck which served as the family’s first chook tractor. “The truck was the first coop we started with. We could drive it around to move the hens. In fact all the animals get moved once a week. It reduces stress on the ground and reduces worms and parasites in the animals.” On its side is a colourful mural with the words moa + fo’imoa painted in the middle. The phrase is a nod to Catherine’s Tongan heritage and translates as chicken plus egg. Chicken may very well equal egg, but egg plus pork also equals a secure place for Catherine Farm on the food map of the Central Highlands region. This comes via their healthy farm gate sales, regular customers through their Facebook page, support from Harvest Cafe, Spade to Blade Catering, The Surly Goat and the many customers visiting their stall at the Glenlyon Market every third Saturday of the month. Oh yes, Catherine is a sweet tooth and loves to bake so their stall is also loaded with vegan/ GF brownies, cupcakes, cookies and slices as well.
Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: David White First published October 26, 2020
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a little gift from me to you
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Local Lines Zoom a zoom zoom
In this lockdown we’ve had a boom In online meetings held on Zoom All from the comfort of your room Avoiding boredom We’re trying to find within the gloom A friendly forum When using Zoom it must be stressed That when it works you feel quite blessed However, and I think you’ve guessed You need a structure Not friends who are too self-obsessed Like an instructor Some people hide like mice when bidden And want to keep themselves quite hidden As if they’ve just been roundly chidden With such a fright They feel they’re facing Armageddon If they’re seen in light While others simply cannot listen And holding forth they think they glisten And speak as if they’re on a mission Their audience trapped And wishin’ for that missin’ frisson You leave the meeting feeling sapped Yet others really are tone deaf And really have no need for breath And turn the time into their theft Of conversation And gobsmackingly are quite deft At information
Some people speak in anecdote Liberally use another’s quote And fail to get across the moat Of having a point And with this dross they often gloat And disappoint Some talkers never ask a question Their needs just give you indigestion They talk so much they cause congestion Shutting down debate Impervious to all suggestion To moderate Some people are just so strung out They tell you off and call you out Or leave their seat and move about To wash the dishes This makes you want to scream and shout Against your wishes For many, when it’s said and done It’s watching telly, having fun Good manners they feel they can shun They’re in their home Who cares if everyone they stun Using their phone When others make their own confession Revealing a lockdown obsession The smug exude their self-possession And signal virtue Tell you with composed expression How they pull through
- Tom Perfect Local Lines has kept us supplied with poetry throughout the year. First published October 5, 2020
Bells Water Gardens @ Newlyn
Bells Water Gardens has been in the water garden business for over 25 years, building and maintaining ponds and growing a diverse range of aquatic plants for the nursery trade and public. We are passionate about building natural eco-system ponds, adding beauty and encouraging wildlife, allowing interaction with nature. Water gardens built by us are quiet, contemplative places to rest and energise the senses. Contact us for all your water garden requirements or come and see our nursery at 1 Campion Rd, Newlyn.
0418 567 195
LOOKING FOR CARPET?
We have an extensive range of quality carpets from manufacturers Godfrey Hirst and Victoria Carpets Call in and see Harry, Graeme or Jill for your flooring requirements. OPEN: Monday-Friday: 10am-4pm Saturday: 9am-1pm 1a Mink Street DAYLESFORD | P: 5348 4097 | E: daylesford@qualityfloorz.com.au
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12 News
Motorfest 2020 just managed to make it in before COVID-19 really hit. It has been cancelled for 2021 but will be back, front and centre, in 2022. So start polishing your vehicles! These images, above and below, were first published February 24, 2020.
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Gardens 13
Layering can take place most times of the year except, of course, during the heat of summer and could take several months to complete. Deciduous plants will lay dormant through winter before anything happens but it is the safest time. A strong flush of growth from the selected branches should be the clue to take a careful look at the progress. Only separate the new plant with a sharp knife or secateurs if you are confident the new root system is strong enough for the plant to survive on its own. Plant it out into good friable loam perhaps mixed with about one third of sand to give the new roots a gentle start. Water in with a very diluted solution of seaweed-based fertiliser to help soften the shock of the move and place in a sheltered, wind-free spot until there are signs of fresh, healthy growth.
Gardening Rs - re-use, replant, reproduce
I couldn’t believe my eyes last week when I spotted a healthy young camellia (pictured right) sprouting seemingly from the rocks atop the retaining wall in our front garden. It would have been there unnoticed for some time but had made a burst of growth with the recent rains. Obviously not a seedling, it could only have sprung from the out-reaching roots of the ancient camellia on our front fence, more than three metres away, and it was going to be mine to excise from its parent and join the other orphans in my little greenhouse. Or so I thought. After removing the surrounding rocks and tracing about 30cm of meandering stem, I was disappointed to find it connected not on a clump of fine roots that would form a strong new plant, but to a solid root almost as thick as my wrist. So the rocks were replaced and we now have another camellia to grace our front garden, anchored by a pile of rocks. Had I been successful in separating the plantlet, I would have used the age-old technique known as layering where plants either naturally reproduce by sprouting roots from ground-hugging branches and surface roots or are artificially encouraged to do so. Apart from the problem of dealing with encouraging fresh growth from a section of huge root, what would I do with 30cm of twisted and distorted stem? Flexible ground-hugging branches can be encouraged to produce roots if the branch is pegged down, mid-stem, into a compost or peat moss-filled depression in the soil. Some will already have dormant root nodes at the leaf junctions and need no encouragement. If not, a short shallow cut with a sharp blade close to a leaf node can help things along. The illustration, opposite and taken from Volume 3 of E.B Heyne’s The Amateur Gardener of 1881, shows two variations. In figure b the top of the stem is removed to direct all energy to that branch into creating roots. The stem in figure c is kept raised to encourage strong growth for its whole length.
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Mystery of the glass phials
I’ve had several enquiries about the contents of the row of glass phials in the photo in a recent column. It’s OK, I haven’t been indulging in any Dr Jekyll experiments. Since we double-glazed our current home I’ve discovered that our south-facing kitchen window has provided me with the best environment for growing cantankerous plants since the heated glasshouses of my childhood. In fact, I’ve never been so successful in striking and growing such things as African violets etc., and water-borne cuttings are a cinch. What you saw in the phials was a thriving philodendron and two healthy young Wollemi pines - not that I wish to brag about being able to reproduce those incredible dinosaurs of the plant world in my own kitchen.
Got a gardening question? Ask Glen. Email glenzgarden@gmail.com
14 Opinion
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Just sayin’...
Pick me, pick me
By Donna Kelly
A
NOTHER moan of disappointment from Kyle. No, not that we clock up 25 years of marriage this year. Another online purchase gone awry.
You may recall last year Kyle bought a plane. No, not a real plane but one big enough to need a little landing strip. I think he was missing flying at the time. Anyway, he found a reputable website, clicked a few links and with that, had ordered his plane. It arrived a month or so later, in a very small box which clearly said "plein inside". Looking back it was a little red flag before he even opened the package. And when he did, inside was indeed a plane but one that he could fit inside the palm of his hand - and his hands are not that big - and one that would not be flying anywhere soon. I think you could tie a piece of string to it and drag it around. Accordingly, he contacted the website and asked for both an explanation and a refund. Oddly, neither came, but that could have been because China was in lockdown. Maybe. But Kyle is nothing if not hopeful, some would be cruel and say naive, but I think hopeful has a nicer ring about it. And so just a few weeks ago he headed back to his desktop to research fake logs. His idea was to turn a huge steel fire pit I gave him for his birthday in October into a gas-fuelled, fake log burning instalment. Perfect for Summer, warmth at night but no risk of embers. And so he ordered his fake logs. Ten of them for just $99. Perhaps the price was another red flag but Kyle is nothing if not hopeful but also, let's not say tight with money, that's not nice, but careful. Anyway, they arrived last week and thus the moan of disappointment and the quietly spoken "lying bastards". They were in a small parcel, weighing perhaps five kilos, and not much longer than a pen. See photo above. They were definitely not what we call logs in Australia, more like twigs, but perhaps in their country of origin, where they are called mù yuánmù, they are seen as logs. (Interesting note, as of November 2020, China has banned all imports of real mù yuánmù from Australia.) Anyway, the upshot is that even if Kyle uses all 10 of them, the logs are not going to make a dent in the giant fire pit. He either needs to spend another $400 to fill it with more fake twigs or just look for an Australian manufacturer. Or accept that fire pits are for real fires when there are no fire restrictions and gas is for inside heaters for Winter days. What's that clicking? Seems like he is going for the first option. And more moans coming my way. Just sayin'...
Hey there, I am Bingo. I am a three-year-old staffy cross. I am a pretty energetic boy so need a bit more training, good high fencing, older kids or teenagers would be best, and I like dogs but not cats. Oh, how cute am I! MC#956000010253553 BR100938 Call 5472 5277 to make an appointment. (Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie and Curly - we picked them!)
The Local - Connecting the Community
T
he Local is all about Connecting the Community. We run good news stories about amazing people and places, and festivals and events. And our fantastic advertisers run great deals for locals and visitors alike.
To give back to the community, The Local has been running its Connecting the Community adverts for eight years. The adverts are for not-for-profit groups and organisations to lend a hand when finances can be a bit tight - or just don't exist. We all know how hard it can be to make volunteer-run organisations work on the smell of an oily rag! To apply just email donna@tlnews.com.au with your event or organisation. We also put call-outs on our Facebook page and those of the various communities in our wonderful region. We work on a first-in basis, with a nod to time-lines too. There are a few conditions, well mostly that not-forprofit bit, and also that you aren't grabbing a free advert and then we see a whacking big paid advert in other media. That wouldn't be fair.
Cheers, Donna (Ed)
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Spudfest 2021 Sat May 1st
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Opinion 15
Kyle’s Rant
Y
OU either love them or you hate them - and mostly people seem to love Kyle's Rant.
During the second lockdown he was one of many who headed out for a walk - and forgot his mask. Luckily he was able to duck into a piece of secluded bushland and think what to do. It was then he spied a bird's nest - empty - on a branch just in reach. What to do?
S
OMETIMES I wonder what sort of new phrase paradigm we have dropped into? Stay with me here.
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Firstly we find ourselves living in "unprecedented" times, we are all "pivoting" our businesses and lives and "reaching out" to our community who are all "bingeing" on "TikTok" while "self-isolating" in "lockdown". Secondly, folks are getting eye strain from the computer and TV while the "covidiots" roam the streets without masks giving the bird to the cops and wondering why they are wrestled to the ground. And finally, the "frontline workers" have become the heroes and we are all trying to figure out if the "mute" button has been turned on or off as we make a quick exit to the loo after an intensive one-hour "Zoom" meeting. Some days I feel like heading back under the doona just thinking about it but yesterday instead of giving up I went for a walk after two days of not seeing anyone, apart from the better half, and I made a huge mistake. I left the sanctuary of TL HQ without a mask. Now, I am all for wearing a mask but not being a social butterfly, and with the weather inclement, I hadn’t ventured out for a while and simply forgot. What pricked my memory was about a kilometre into my walk I saw a guy driving a car by himself with a mask on, which I think is a bit OTT, but this threw me into a spin as I hunted through my pockets only to come up with an old tissue. So I quickly secreted myself into the bush beside the road to find a solution. The first that came to mind was to put my hoodie on backwards but how was I going to see? Could a tissue be enough of a face covering to get through the next few kilometres? But how should I tie it on? I was in a pickle, even though there wasn’t a soul about I wasn’t only breaking the law, I was putting mankind and myself at risk. Surely I could fashion something from the bush, maybe some leaves, but it is Winter and there is not a lot around. I spied a bird's nest...but what to do with the early-born chick inside? Perhaps not. I finally decided that if anyone saw me, I would pull my tee-shirt up over my face and walk quickly, while rubbing my head with my sleeve, that would surely throw them off the scent. I wouldn’t have thought back a year ago that a face mask would be such a dilemma, but it does just go to show our new reality presents a lot of extra external pressures which weigh heavily on a lot of people, so we do need to exercise patience towards others. Weirdly gooey rant over…
First published August 17, 2020
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Carmen picks her delicious heirloom blueberries early so you can enjoy them for your breakfast. River Bend Blueberries are locally grown heirloom blueberries that are so fresh, you can almost taste the sun that ripened them. Carmen, along with dozens of other local producers, come in several times a week to drop off their prized fruit, vegetables, herbs, meat, smoked goods, cheeses and even gorgeous bouquets of local, organic, sprayfree flowers. For we are a different kind of food store. First and foremost, we are dedicated foodies and appreciate the value of sourcing high quality ingredients. We want to make sure that you can always find the best local produce, fantastic artisan foods and those international gourmet delicacies that are increasingly difficult to source. And, we haven’t forgotten those that have speciality requirements either. We stock an impressive range of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free products.
Image by Tenylle Marie Photography, River Bend Berries.
Let’s support our community and shop local! “Locals supporting Locals”
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Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply. Delivery times are Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm. We accept credit cards over the phone or we have an on-board eftpos machine. You will need to be at home for the delivery with proof of age if asked by the driver. Give the Foxxy team a call on 5348 3577. Keep safe, everyone.
So whether you’re cooking a feast or special dish, need a coffee or quick treat, or packing for a simple country picnic, you’ll find everything that you need (and crave) at Blake’s.
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DAYLESFORD & CRESWICK
DAYLESFORD 26 HOSPITAL STREET
CENTRALLY LOCATED CLASSIC This classic C1950's brick property is set high on the hill with outstanding long views over the Daylesford township and Doctors Gully. Sitting on a 714sqm block and comprising 3 generous bedrooms, family bathroom, formal lounge, open plan dining/meals and sitting room opening onto a marvellous entertainer's deck. The kitchen has been recently upgraded to a modern finish with composite stone top, gas cooking and quality appliances including a dishwasher. Still displaying many original period features including ornate ceiling roses, decorative cornices and polished hardwood floors, original steel windows and high ceilings complete the picture. Surrounded by a fully landscaped garden this property is located within easy strolling distance to the shopping strip.
a3 b1 c2 FOR SALE PRICE $885,000 CONTACT Michael DeVincentis 0417 142 152 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
DAYLESFORD 16 TIPPERARY SPRINGS ROAD APPROX. 6582M2 ALLOTMENT - POTENTIAL TO SUBDIVIDE (STCA) Situated in a quiet residential neighbourhood, close to walking tracks, bushland and Tipperary Mineral Spring, this rare and unique allotment of approx. 6582m2 is zoned Low Density Residential with the Hepburn Shire Council and offers an astute buyer the potential for subdivision (STCA). The current 3-bedroom residence has been used as a weekender, has power and water connected and could be demolished or used to stay, whilst planning your ultimate country retreat (STCA).
a3 b1
FOR SALE PRICE $550,000 - $600,000 CONTACT Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 Janos Alles 0413 807 927 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
ID and contact details are required at all open for inspections
DAYLESFORD 160 LAKE ROAD NATIVE FOREST ALLOTMENT 5 MINUTES FROM DAYLESFORD TOWN CENTRE 13.5 acre (approx.) beautiful forest allotment opposite Lake Jubilee – Daylesford’s hidden lake - and just 5 minutes to the town centre. A peaceful, private and undulating property with native Australian bushland that is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. Walking and riding trails can be accessed directly from the property which adjoins the Wombat State Forest on 2 sides and on another the Lerderderg Track part of the Great Dividing Trail. A stunning property for your new country home or private weekender (STCA).
FOR SALE PRICE $495,000 CONTACT Rae Corris 0408 358 772 OFFICE 43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328
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1800 020das3460@bigpond.com 093 DAYLESFORD www.wastewateraus.com.au APPLIANCE SERVICE electrical appliance repair service washer, dryer, fridge, dishwasher, oven, cook top etc. Call Kiyo on
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I love my calendar girl... At 84, Peggy Warren was only too happy to appear in Hepburn House's 2021 calendar, as Miss February, in a scene from American Beauty. The calendar, published in 2020, raised money for both the drought-affected and bushfire-scarred regions of Australia with a calendar of scenes from famous movies. Others include Dorothy Nock as Marilyn Monroe and Irene Hannah as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. There's also "a really good Rocky and Risky Business" lined up. Facility manager Dianne Jones said the residents loved the community support and having a sense of purpose. "And it’s a lot of fun.� First published January 27, 2020 (And the calendars were a sell out!)