The Local January 2, 2023

The year that was!

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Front cover: It's 2023 but we are taking this last chance to have a look back at the year that was around the Central Highlands. Back to regular programming for the January 16 edition.

Diane Caithness

January 2, 2023 Issue 270 The year that was!

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 former director.

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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.

The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.

The next edition is out on Monday, January 16, 2023. or online on Sunday, January 15 at www.tlnews.com.au

Space bookings: Wednesday, January 11 Copy deadline: Thursday, January 12 Editorial deadline: Thursday, January 12

Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au

Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes

Sub-editors | Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester

Editorial assistant | Eve Lamb 0493 632 843

Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout, Eve Lamb & Donna Kelly

Photographers | Kyle Barnes & David White

Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness

Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (gigs), Matthew Richardson (money) and Jen Clarke (recipes).

Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey

Image:

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

The Rex sold to locals

Welcome to 2023. As is our custom for the first edition of a new year, this edition of The Local is all about looking back. but with the story of the sale of The Rex breaking over the past couple of weeks, we felt it was one we could not miss.

HEPBURN Shire Council has named local entrepreneurs and businesspeople Eddy and Malinka Comelli, and David and Yuge Bromley, as the successful bidders in the purchase of The Rex building in Vincent Street, Daylesford, following a public expression of interest process.

The building sold for $3.75 million. This was above the reserve price of $3.7 million, which was set in accordance with an independent property valuation and the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020.

There was substantial interest in the purchase, and the council received six formal submissions.

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the sale of the building marked the beginning of a new chapter for the heritage property.

“The Comelli and Bromley submission was very strong. Their unconditional offer was clearly the preferred bid, and their submission outlined a strong desire to redevelop this property in a way that will benefit our community,” he said.

Both the Comelli and Bromley families live in Daylesford and have strong connections in the community. They said they were looking forward to making the most of The Rex’s potential.

“With both of our families local to the Daylesford community, the honour of purchasing and developing this iconic building into a thriving destination spot for both locals and visitors alike was our key driver,” Yuge Bromley said.

“We are truly honoured to have the privilege of purchasing this building. We will take time to regroup and plan but our intention is to tap into our combined passions, connections and resources to transform the building into an evolving dining, retail and entertainment destination with a diversity of culture, food, art, music and entertainment.

“We have some initial plans regarding the arcade and atrium, making it a place where visitors local and from afar can frequent time and time again. Our driving goal is to create a space that our children and grandchildren can look to with pride for what the combined energies of the Comelli and Bromley families can bring to fruition.”

Cr Hood noted that any works that fell outside the existing planning permit would require planning approvals including heritage, which is separate to the sale process. “The sale proceeds will be used to repay the loan linked to the purchase of the site and remaining funds will be allocated into a financial reserve for future expenditure on staff accommodation and community facilities,” Cr Hood said.

“We have already begun our planning, and we will progress our investigation into options for staff accommodation and community facilities throughout 2023. This will include community consultation.”

The council’s principal objectives of the sale process were to identify a proponent with the financial capacity to purchase the land and develop the property; identify a proposal which provided an economic and social benefit for the local community; respond to the council plan; and achieve an optimal financial return to the council.

The EOI and sale process was overseen by an independent probity advisor to ensure the transparency and integrity of the sale process. The marketing and sale campaign was managed by real estate agent Fitzroys.

Cr Hood acknowledged the challenging history of the building since the council purchased it in 2016. “The decision to sell The Rex was a complex one and we appreciate there has been considerable interest in the building, its legacy and the sale process. We are optimistic that the Comelli and Bromley families will breathe new life into this historic building in the heart of Daylesford.”

Council’s original purchase of The Rex building and other matters relating to the Hepburn at The Hub project remain under investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate.

Above, inside The Rex as works originally got underway, inset above, Eddie Comelli, inset below, artist David Bromley

Words: Eve Lamb | Main image: Donna Kelly | Insets: Kyle Barnes

We prepare for power outages in extreme weather. You can too.

Make a plan and know what to do in a power outage this summer

We’ve all seen the damage extreme weather can cause – whether it’s rising flood waters inundating homes to strong winds bringing down massive trees and powerlines.

It’s why electricity distributor Powercor is reminding households, business owners and visitors to Ballarat, Daylesford and the Central Highlands to know what to do if extreme weather affects power supplies this summer.

“While extreme events can happen at any time of the year, it’s more likely in summer when storms, lightning, high winds and heat can lead to power outages,” Powercor’s Head of Customer Experience, Adam Nason, said.

“Power outages affect everyone differently. Cars being trapped in garages with an electric door is a common one we hear. Phones running out of charge and frustrations with trying to keep the kids entertained without a mobile device is another. Either way we know it can be incredibly inconvenient.

We encourage everyone to make preparing for power outages part of any emergency plan.”

Powercor works year-round inspecting and maintaining the electricity network to keep it reliable. This includes inspecting more than 171,000 power poles and using a combination of helicopter and ground-based LiDAR inspections to monitor vegetation.

So far this year, the average duration of power outages affecting Powercor customers has been 82 minutes which is lower than the average for 2021 of 90 minutes.

“We prepare for major weather events so we can respond quickly and

minimise the time customers are without supply. In particular, we have extra resources and strike teams on call during the busy Christmas, New Year and Australia Day period,” Adam said.

Over the past 12 months, Powercor has also upgraded the local network, conducting extensive patrols along powerlines in the Central Highlands impacted by storms over the past year, and installing new bushfire safety devices to improve both safety and reliability outcomes for customers.

“Our safety devices are operated on more senvings during summer and on Total Fire Ban Days to minimise fire starts and keep communities safer,” Adam said.

“Outages on these days may take longer to restore, as our crews are required to patrol the lines after each fault.”

Simple steps customers can take to prepare for power outages include:

Look after your health – particularly if you rely on life support equipment and need a back-up plan

Stay connected – by having mobile phones and laptop computers charged to stay connected with family and friends

Have back-up energy ready – like batteries, lamps and barbeques and have your eskies ready

Stay up to date – visit our website to choose your preferences for getting notifications from Powercor about power supplies.

Civic recognition for Danny's tireless work

In our February 14, 2022 edition we reported on volunteer extraordinaire Danny Moynihan and his appointment as Hepburn Shire's 2022 Citizen of the Year.

“YOU don’t look for appreciation, but I suppose it’s nice when it comes your way.”

Those are the humble words of Hepburn Shire’s 2022 Citizen of the Year Danny Moynihan, who has spent the past 37 years helping improve the lives of others through countless volunteer roles with more than 24 organisations.

At the January 25 Community Awards and Civic Ceremony, Mayor Tim Drylie described Danny, as a “quiet achiever”. “Once he makes a commitment to be involved in a community cause or project he is there for the long haul.”

Danny moved to Daylesford with his wife, the late Roz Moynihan and their two young children, Justin, then six, and Natalie, then three, in 1984. Born in Ballarat, he joined the Post Office in 1968 as a postal clerk in training. Danny, pictured with Natalie's dog Waru, was sent to Melbourne for what was meant to be a six-month stint which lasted 16 years.

“I was at Huntingdale and the office was downgraded so I didn’t have an ‘attachment’ to a post office and was transferred to Daylesford. The fellow here, Lloyd Williams, had died, just in his 40s, so I thought I might as well come up to the bush. I was also sick of the travelling in Melbourne. We had a house in Mulgrave but I could be working at Seaford, or Port Melbourne or City Road. It was a long way to go to all these offices.

“So I moved in December 1984 and Roz and the kids came up in January 1985 so Justin could go to school. We bought a house in Hospital Street, opposite the hospital, which we eventually sold to the hospital and then moved to Tipperary Springs in 1987. And we have been here ever since.”

That’s except for a short transfer to Maryborough for Danny just eight months after he started at Daylesford. Again, it was supposed to be a short stint of just three months but lasted 18 months. With just one car between them he stayed during the week and returned on weekends so Roz could have the car to ferry the kids around.

He and Roz eventually bought the post office in 1998 and ran it until 2006.

“When I came up here it was a corporate office owned by Australia Post. The exchange was there as well, all under the one building. But they subdivided the building in the 1990s and after 30 years as a postal manager I became a licenced postal manager. The building was quite dear at the time, well I thought it was because they were selling other post offices for less, but they said quite rightly it would be worth a lot more in the future. It’s been good superannuation.”

Danny said Roz was always keen to get involved with the community and causes and when he arrived back from Maryborough she was already well known. But it didn’t take him long to make his mark as well, joining many of the same organisations but also doing his own thing.

Among those he has been with, or the 11 he still is with, are Daylesford Rotary, Hepburn Regional Community Cheer Committee, ChillOut, Daylesford Good Grub Club, Hepburn Shire’s White Ribbon, Daylesford Hepburn United Soccer Club Junior Group, Hepburn Shire Neighbourhood Watch, Daylesford Agricultural Show, Daylesford Community Op Shop, Daylesford Indoor Recreation Facility Organising Committee, Community Based Bushfire Mitigation Group, Daylesford Hospital Redevelopment fundraising committee, Daylesford Hospital Redevelopment Committee, Daylesford Scouts Management Committee, Daylesford Girl Guides Management Committee, New Year’s Eve Parade, Daylesford Speedway, Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, Daylesford RSL, Very Special Kids Annual Appeal, Daylesford Probus, Daylesford Gift Run on New Year’s Day to raise funds for Camp Quality and the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal street collection.

One of his most remarkable, or perhaps different, achievements was being elected the first, and probably only, male president of the Daylesford Girl Guides.

Danny said hearing his name called as Citizen of the Year was “more pleasing for the family than the individual.

“Roz was placed on the Hepburn Shire’s (Heather Mutimer) Women’s Honour Roll in 2019 so I said to Nat now I can put my certificate alongside hers.

Inset: Danny with his family, from left, daughter Natalie Moynihan, granddaughter Wynter Grey, Joel Grey and son Justin Moynihan

Words: Donna Kelly | Main image: Kyle Barnes (Ed's note: Danny was in the back of our ute for the 2022 ChillOut parade. I said to Kyle: "Wow, people are really cheering for us this year!" Of course, I finally worked out it was Danny they were cheering for. And quite rightly.)

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Principal inducted onto shire honour roll

In our March 14 edition, we reported on Bullarto Primary School Principal Jo Pegg and her induction onto the Hepburn Shire's Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

INSPIRATIONAL Bullarto Primary School principal Joanne Pegg has been inducted onto Hepburn Shire’s Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

At last week’s event celebrating International Women’s Day, Jo was surrounded by family and friends, colleagues, past and present students and their families.

Her work in the school system, a system that often sees children fall through the cracks of mainstream education, her advocacy, her tenacity and determination was recognised through her inclusion on the honour roll.

Jo was featured in The Local last February at the height of Covid. She had moved to the little school on the edge of the forest from the Grampians. While it was assumed she was there to create an exit strategy for the school with four students, Jo had other plans and with the help of a passionate community, the school now has 22 students, and a menagerie of animals.

In the Victorian public school system teachers and principals can no longer freely speak to the media without going through the bureaucratic hoops. Jo will always be the advocate, willing to share her thoughts, fight for the wellbeing of her students, her son and children of all ages, if it means voices are heard.

On the night, Jo spoke about the influence her parents had on her life. Being born with a hand anomaly her parents raised her believing she could do and be anything.

Growing up she witnessed her parents advocate for her every step of the way. When she was stopped from using scissors in kindergarten, and when her Year 9 teacher refusing to teach her typing, Jo’s parents intervened and instilled the power of advocacy. They fought for her when she was too young to have her own voice. Now she’s the voice for many children and their families.

“My parents are the reason I am here. My colleagues, my school community and my parents. If you are a student of mine, I’ll have your back forever.”

#BreaktheBias

One of the themes for this year’s International Women’s Day was Break the Bias. Hepburn Shire Mayor, Tim Drylie, broke the bias in his own way – not only delivering a powerful speech – but actually delivering the speech when it was suggested by a few that it wasn’t his place.

“I take full responsibility for my own biases and recognise the privileges that come my way as a white, able-bodied, heterosexual, Anglo-Saxon middle-aged man,” he said.

“When I asked my daughters what they thought about me giving a speech at an International Women’s Day event they said I shouldn’t do it and I am sure there are some people who would agree with them.

“However, after speaking with several other men and women, I realised that I could be an ally by speaking in solidarity with women and to continue to take proactive and preventative measures to help ‘Break the Bias’ associated with this toxic masculinity.”

Cr Drylie spoke about recently formed group, Safety, Respect, Equity and the work sexual abuse survivor Grace Tame and parliamentary staffer Brittany Higgins are doing. He called on men to stand up in solidarity.

“Call out and break our own biases and refuse to be a part of this toxic masculine identity that pervades the top tiers of government and filters down, and to be better for others,” he said.

“In our own relationships as men we need to look in the mirror and acknowledge our biases, to be honest with ourselves and begin breaking repeated patterns of abuse and control, be it of a physical or emotional nature. We need to understand that healthy relationships are based on respect, good communication, trust, honesty and equality.”

Above right, a moment to shine: Jo Pegg, her son, Jack Pegg, and her mother, Elaine Morrison, at the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll celebration

Words & image: Narelle Groenhout

(Ed's note: Late in 2022, Jo announced that Bullarto Primary School had reached an enrolment of 19 students for 2023 and a full-time teacher. The little school that could, did.)

Don't sell The Rex - group's call to council

In our April 11 edition, we reported on a group, Rethink The Rex, calling on Hepburn Shire Council to change its mind about the Daylesford building.

APUBLIC meeting held by organisation Rethink The Rex, has resulted in a call for Hepburn Shire Council to “rescind the motion to sell The Rex and release the Crowe Haworth auditor’s report”.

Macedon MP and Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas and Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane have been asked to release the Local Government Inspectorate report on the building’s recent history.

Mayor Cr Tim Drylie told The Local last Thursday that, in accordance with the Local Government Act, the motion to cease the Hepburn Hub project and sell The Rex building could not be rescinded "as officers have commenced actioning it".

Group spokesperson Jules McDonald said the meeting, held on April 5, saw 120 people at the Daylesford Town Hall with another 126 watching via streaming.

“The meeting focused on providing information to give people an understanding of the story behind the long and sad saga of The Rex, the difficulties experienced in finding the information and the emerging picture of the appalling mismanagement of the project dating from the purchase in 2016 and finally resulted in an abrupt decision to sell the building in November 2021,” Ms McDonald said.

“Whilst not providing solutions, the meeting presented many positive ideas about alternatives to continuing with the plan to accommodate council staff in the currently uninhabitable, water-compromised concrete base within the basement of the building.

“It was suggested that a cheaper alternative would be to utilise this space as a twolevel car park which could then be built above either as a library or accommodation or even a boutique hotel with entry from Duke Street. This would leave options for community use such as the cinema, social enterprise café and hospitality training space and a Made In Daylesford shop.

“Many positive ideas were introduced. Tammi Jonas, a local regenerative and agroecological farmer and key organiser for the Hepburn Food Hub, was excited about the possibility of a physical food hub in Daylesford offering producers muchneeded facilities for processing and distribution, and a collectively managed resource to improve locals’ access to local food.

“(And) local artist Kristeena Saville encouraged us to imagine young and old coming together in a central space, where artisans and artists are encouraged to express and share. A connective space with a theatre and a food hub for youth training with locally produced and made goods, served on locally made ceramicswhere workshops are held, ideas shared, and skills exchanged.

“Just think …visitors could experience a vast amount of local talent that is normally hidden away due to the prohibitive costs associated with exposure in one of the most prominent buildings in the area.”

Ms McDonald said Mary Crooks, executive director of the Victorian Women’s Trust gave an inspirational talk emphasising the importance of retaining the history and culture of the town which often resides in iconic buildings such as The Rex. Ms Crooks outlined ways of developing community projects using social capital such as community owned or social enterprise models.

Meanwhile Daylesford Community Theatre president Gina Lyons described The Rex as an iconic building in the heart of the town. Ms Lyons told the meeting while the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project may have been costly to complete, the finished result would have provided an asset for the next 50-60 years and beyond. She said if the council walked away and sold the building now, they were “simply locking in a cash loss in the vicinity of $5 million with nothing to show for it”.

Ms McDonald said the meeting called on those attending to get involved and express their views by phone or email to local councillors, newspapers and social media. It also called on the council to conduct a comprehensive community engagement process and “not to engage in a tokenistic tick-a-box process”.

“The Rethink The Rex group plans to arrange community meetings to explore some of the ideas expressed further, especially the use of social capital in communityowned or social enterprise projects.”

Cr Drylie said in November 2021, the council voted to not proceed with final construction works of the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project, and instead sell the historic building.

"Council purchased the building in 2016 and the project has had a difficult history. The project is subject to a Local Government Inspectorate (LGI) investigation after council self-reported and we are awaiting the final report. The LGI report is independent of council, and we are as frustrated as the community with the delay of its release.

"Council initiated its own independent audit of the project prior to the LGI investigation, and these findings are not able to be made public due to it being a key report being considered by the LGI as part of their review.

"We are required to undertake community consultation for the sale of any council building, and we are committed to the community engagement process on The Rex sale which will commence shortly. We will consider all feedback received from the community and council will make a final determination at a future council meeting."

Local Government Inspectorate chief municipal inspector Michael Stefanovic said the inspectorate was finalising its report into Hepburn Shire Council.

"We won’t make any further comment at this time."

Asked for any comment on the meeting and its outcomes, Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas told The Local that the Local Government Inspectorate was an independent integrity body responsible for examining and investigating potential breaches of the Local Government Act 2020.

Words & images: Donna Kelly

(Ed's note: Hepburn Shire Council sold The Rex in December to Daylesford locals Eddy and Malinka Comelli, and David and Yuge Bromley. The building sold for $3.75 million, just above the reserve price of $3.7 million. Read the full story by Eve Lamb on page 3.)

“Local artist Kristeena Saville encouraged us to imagine young and old coming together in a central space, where artisans and artists are encouraged to express and share. A connective space with a theatre and a food hub for youth training with locally produced and made goods, served on locally made ceramics...”

Shooting at Glenlyon

In our May 9, 2022 edition we reported that the Daylesford Field & Game Club could return to the Glenlyon Reserve.

THE Daylesford Field & Game Club can finally return to its home at the Glenlyon Reserve after three years now a final report has found the risk of soil contamination is "low and acceptable".

The news comes three years after concerns were raised over potential lead contamination, possibly caused by clay target shooting, and an initial assessment found elevated levels of lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the reserve.

The Daylesford Field & Game Club, which has operated out of Glenlyon for 43 years, was told to stop using the reserve at the start of 2020.

However a final report presented to Hepburn Shire Council this year has found "the extent and severity of soil contamination is less than indicated in the preliminary assessment" and "no further risk assessment, remedial actions or further management controls are required for the site based on its use as a recreational reserve".

Club secretary Colin Johns, pictured, said once a few fences were repaired, club members were looking forward to their first shoot in a couple of months.

"I have had a lot of calls over the past few days from members who are fairly keen to get back into it but we also have to do a bit of rebuilding of the club. It's been three years and some people were almost ready to give it away, but they are pretty keen to get back now."

Mr Johns, who has competed at state, Australian and international levels, said the majority of people living around Glenlyon had been very supportive. "I think we are actually more welcome than we had thought."

Mr Johns said the club would love new members and had already been talking to new Glenlyon residents who were shooters and "dead keen" to get going.

Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Mr Johns on 0427 530 559 or vice president Jody Wallace on 0417 592 952.

Words: Donna Kelly

(Ed's note: We have not heard any gunshots from the reserve in 2022 but look forward to waking up on Saturday to the sounds of real country living.)

Berends Landscape Rakes

One of the only Australian made landscape rakes on the market, this machine is ideal for raking light material, harrowing pastures and for final soil surface preparation - whether it be on the driveway, the garden or even the horse arena.

They swiped right!

In our June 6, 2022 edition we announced that Daylesford was in the running to be the home of Tinder's Big Rainbow.

Daylesford is one of four finalists for Tinder’s Big Rainbow, the first BIG landmark celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ Pride and inclusion. After thousands of submissions and from more than 50 regional towns suggested, the final towns are Daylesford, Hay, Broome and Katherine.

“Daylesford, the Traditional Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, is known as the rainbow capital of regional Victoria. It’s also home to ChillOut Festival, one of the longest-running events celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ pride,” the Tinder site says.

“Nestled on the WA coast, Broome, the Traditional Land of the Yawuru people, is home to one of the most remote Mardi Gras celebrations in the country, providing a melting pot of culture and people. As the hub of The Big Rivers region in the NT, the town of Katherine, the Traditional Lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman peoples, has an ever-growing LGBTQIA+ community and annual Pride celebration for regional territorians.

“Deep in regional NSW, the small town of Hay, the Traditional Lands of the Nari Nari and Wiradjuri people, is home to the first Mardi Gras of the region, the Rainbow on the Plains festival.” Voting closes on June 30. That news was followed up in our October 10 editon - we won.

DAYLESFORD has been named the home of the Big Rainbow, Australia’s first “big” landmark dedicated to the celebration of regional LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion.

Daylesford was chosen after 16,000 public votes were cast, ahead of fellow shortlisted towns Broome (WA), Hay (NSW) and Katherine (NT). The Big Rainbow project is an initiative by online dating website Tinder Australia.

Hepburn Shire Council will now work with Tinder, and ratepayers through its Participate Hepburn website, to chose from four potential sites - Lake Daylesford, the Community Skate Park, the Lost Children's Reserve or Victoria Park.

Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said it was brilliant to see the Big Rainbow, which is 12 metres long and 6 metres wide, coming to a town that was considered to be the rainbow capital of regional Australia.

“Daylesford is the home of the ChillOut Festival, the longest running regional LGBTIQA+ festival in Australia, and home to many rainbow families. Council will soon initiate a period of community engagement to tap into the community’s local knowledge and perspectives about the best suited location for the Big Rainbow which will celebrate our vibrant and inclusive community.

“We are so grateful for the support that people across the country have shown us in voting for Daylesford to be the home of the Big Rainbow. We have a long history of supporting our LGBTIQA+ community and visitors to our town, and we hope that The Big Rainbow will be an example of what it means to show love and support to everyone.”

Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said that while the rainbow was a symbol of inclusion, he envisaged it also being a tourism drawcard for Daylesford.

“We see people seeking out the Big Pineapple in Queensland and the Big Merino in New South Wales, we believe the Big Rainbow will continue to add to our visitor experience in the beautiful Daylesford and Hepburn Shire.”

Council will now be working with Tinder on the logistics of installing the Big Rainbow, which made from ply marine wood and metal. As part of the Big Rainbow Project, Tinder has also pledged to donate $100,000 to support regional organisations which deliver services to LGBTIQA+ people across Australia.

Words: Donna Kelly

(Ed's note: There is still no word on where the Big Rainbow will end up. Many people think it will be Victoria Park and announced in the lead up to ChillOut. Others would prefer no rainbow at all. And others are concerned that there was no community consultation - Hepburn Shire Council just randomly hooked up with Tinder.)

Cricket, art, writing

TRENTHAM artist and PR legend Peter Young passed away last Thursday, July 14, after a short illness. His own Twitter handle describes him as: "Former Cricket Aust head of public affairs-turned-slow-left-arm painter. Of canvases, not houses."

In 2015, Little Gallery ran a short piece on Facebook to promote a "Talk with Artist" the following weekend. It said: "Peter Young sold cartoons to his local newspaper as a schoolboy, has drawn all his life, and has haunted galleries for decades. But he came late to painting, picking up a brush after 42 years of media and corporate life, the last 25 as head of corporate affairs at Ansett, Medibank Private and, most recently, at Cricket Australia."

In Trentham, Peter and his wife Sally were involved in many organisations including Spudfest, the Trentham Urban Sketch Club and the Little Gallery. Peter was also always ready to knock out a media release for any group needing a bit of publicity. Sally and Peter also loved to travel and many people loved reading their grey nomad trials and tribulations with Neurotica the dog on Facebook.

(Ed's note: The Local was lucky enough to entice Peter to write now and again and feature some of his fantastic art. His latest piece ran in the June 20 edition with his painting on the front cover. The Local crew are all, like so many others, devastated by his passing. Pete, you have left us too soon and we miss you. You touched the lives of so many people and your legacy will live on through them. Hope they have a brush and easel up there - and they get your fantastic sense of humour.)

Hello there! I’m Mouse and I am a “massive smooch”. As you can see I’m a good lookin’ gal with a gorgeous tortoiseshell and white coat. I’m also desexed and young - just one year old!

I absolutely love cuddles and attention and I would spend all day having pats if I could get away with it. I would be best suited to a home where someone can spend plenty of time with me and basically adore me. I will fit in well with any good caring family. Microchip no. 956000015700738

If you would like to meet me then please contact the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine to make a time on 5472 5277. Link: www.maaw.org.au

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. And please remember a pet is not for Covid or Christmas!)

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

KYLE and I lived for a year in Karratha, WA. Below Broome, way above Perth. It was 2010 or maybe 2011. It was an interesting time. I say interesting because I can't say I really enjoyed it. It is a long way from anywhere and there was not much to do. And it was hot in summer, really hot.

We should have known. We flew over from Melbourne for a meet and greet at the KI - or Karratha International Hotel - with the board members of the tourism centre where Kyle had applied for the position of general manager.

It was all very jovial, us and about six board members of varying ages and professions, all with an interest in tourism and more visitors. For the sake of conversation I asked where was a good place to eat. "The BP's not bad," said one.

Kyle and I laughed good-naturedly, nice one. That is when we should have known. Turns out the BP was not bad, nor was the Dampier Yacht Club for Chineseonly 20km away, or the fish and chips the other way at Point Samson - maybe 40km.

Mind you, while we were living there a Chinese restaurant did open up at Karratha itself. Yay, no more long trips for a few dimmies. Only trouble was, it was BYO. Nah, not just alcohol. Everything. Plates, chopsticks, glasses, Esky...they did provide tables. You ordered at the counter, sat down and waited for them to call your number. Then you collected your order from the counter, all of a metre or so away, and took your plastic box and plastic bag, ready to go, to your table. I kid you not.

Anyway, when we were there, the mining was going gangbusters. And everyone was paid a fortune. A cleaner could be on $100,000 at a mine site. Kyle was paid a packet and we had a free house that was apparently worth over a million, way back then. And whenever he needed money for some project he would just ask one of the mining companies, Rio Tinto, etc, for a grant. And they were very happy to oblige.

It was all part of a thing called Royalties for Regions and it was a way of giving back to the community for all of the iron ore they were digging out and sending to China. And making a tidy profit on along the way.

I am thinking about this now as an English-based company has an exploratory licence for an old gold mine site in Daylesford. They are also looking at Glenlyon and Yandoit. Hmmm. If the mining does eventually go ahead and there is noise and dust and trucks and rumbling underground, what does this community receive for its inconvenience?

As far as I am aware there is no Royalties for Regions here. A company spokesperson told The Local that minerals sector companies directly contributed over $2.8 million to 63 separate community groups across Victoria in 1920/21. That's $41,269 for each group. Pretty nice, you think. But Victoria’s gold industry production alone, according to Earth Resources' Regulation Statistical Report, was worth $1.84 billion in the same time frame. That leaves $997,200,000 in the kitty.

So I can see the point for gold companies to come in, mine under our towns, maybe give us a few bucks along the way and take away massive profits.

But I really think the time has come, to say fair's fair, push off now and just let it lay there. Oh, different era and mineral but I will tell you another time about the rock art graveyard we saw near Dampier in WA. Meaningful rock art carefully collected by mining companies, so they could blast away, and placed art side down in a huge locked up area in the middle of nowhere. "Are you damaging rock art?" "No way. Look at the care we take to ensure it's survival." Just sayin'...

Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome. For information email ageingdis3461@gmail. com, call 0427 131 249 or head to the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.

Ageing DisGracefully is an initiative of Hepburn House.

Trains almost back on track to Bullarto

In our August 15 edition reported on the state of Daylesford Spa Country Railway train tracks after the June 2021 storm.

DAYLESFORD Spa Country Railway trains are not far from heading back to Bullarto after the track was covered by fallen trees and debris in the June 2021 storm.

Board member Stuart Smithwick said Bushfire Recovery Victoria had done a fantastic job with work looking like it will be finished this Friday, August 19.

"It's great and while it doesn't mean we will be running trains on Saturday, the work BRV and the contractors have done just needs to be noted."

Mr Smithwick said the storm damage was devastating for the railway's many dedicated volunteers but "you just keep your chin up and keep plodding along and you know someone will come along and help you eventually".

"And we have definitely been proved right that it was not just a job for a couple of blokes and a chainsaw. You see the gear they are using and the volumes they have been taking out. We could never have done that."

Mr Smithwick said the organisation originally contacted VicTrack and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas with BRV unable to work on public land until legislation was changed.

"The contractor did an assessment back in January, and they brought in arborists to look at the trees, and then we all got the green light on June 30 this year. I think the six months was all about who was going to pay for it."

Mr Smithwick said despite the delays, the volunteers never gave up on their railway. "At the end of the day it is a government asset and the government recognises that we are pretty important to the region. So it was just a matter of being patientthe same as it was with the fires in 2009."

Mr Smithwick said it had taken until now to discover the extent of any track damage with "literally spots we couldn't actually see the track because there was so much debris over it".

"I walked the track last Monday and it doesn't look too bad. And if we have to put down a couple of sleepers, that is what we do."

Mr Smithwick said it could be a couple of months before the train reached Bullarto and people riding the train will find a huge change of scenery.

"There is going to be sunshine where it hasn't been for a long time, and in some spots where it was forest it is now open. "It's not until you actually go into the bush and go 'wow' that you get a real feeling of what has happened."

(Ed's note: The trains are back up and running. Make sure you get onboard over the silly season. It's a great ride. All monies raised, like those by the Sunday Market, are used for the upkeep of the trains and track.)

Here is the solution to crossword for edition 269.

Each edition, all the words appear in that edition somewhere. How did you go?

Our cruciverbalist is taking a break. Back to normal programming in the next edition.

Casual

In our September 26 edition we let you know what the residents of Hepburn House had been up to. And it's disGraceful!

THE residents at Hepburn House have been keeping busy over the past year – creating their second calendar – ready for 2023.

The theme is Ageing DisGracefully and Kyneton photographer David White has returned to work pro bono again after the success of last year’s calendar based on movie classics.

David and the residents and staff are having a lot of fun as they dream up ideas and images for ways of Ageing DisGracefully.

Hepburn House manager Dianne Jones said the calendars would be on sale from early November with the price $20.

The theme is named after the Ageing DisGracefully group started after successful lobbying of the state government by Ms Jones and the Ageing With Pride committee.

The group meets every Thursday at 11am at the Amazing Mill Markets café in Daylesford with everyone welcome. Email ageingdis3461@gmail.com or check out the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.

Above, Hepburn House resident Irene Hannah found herself going home in the back of a divvy van under the watchful eye of Daylesford Police's Senior Constable Jeremy Freckleton - it's all part of the fun of creating a calendar with the theme Ageing DisGracefully

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: David White Photography

(Ed's note: The calendar is now for sale from Hepburn House and Blooms the Chemist in Daylesford. Irene, who made our front page, was released with just a warning. Head to the September 26 edition for more photos. Oh, the residents of Hepburn House also appeared on The Project with Tommy Little and gained lots of other media attention.)

The theme is Ageing DisGracefully and Kyneton photographer David White has returned to work pro bono again after the success of last year’s calendar based on movie classics.

Spring floods wrap

In our October 24 editon we reported on the spring floods. And rain was pretty much on the radar for the next couple of months. Thanks to all those who contributed photos and video - Frank Page, Emma Visser, Eve Lamb, Michael Sayn, Sarah Dalby and Natasha Morgan.