The Local January 3, 2022

January 3, 2022 Issue 244 Welcome 2022

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

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News 3

Looking back at 2021: January & February In our January 18, 2021 edition, journalist Jeff Glorfeld reported on the pandemic in America and Australia along with offering a handy list of pandemic reading material. Who knew we would still need them in 2022.

In our February 15, 2021 we celebrated our fantastic producers including Florian Hofinger who runs Mt Franklin Organics where he grows heirloom veggies, herbs and berries.

I

T LOOKED like Victoria had beaten Covid-19 into submission, and then new cases began leaking in from NSW.

Here in California, hospitals are reporting record numbers of cases and deaths related to Covid-19, as we experience another wave of infection and as a vast number of Americans continue to refuse to wear masks or accept the reality of the pandemic.

Recently a new, reportedly more infectious, strain of the virus has found its way to the US from the UK. So, happy 2021. With that in mind, here are a few books to read during a pandemic.

1. The Stand, by Stephen King

King published The Stand in 1978 but has revised it a couple of times, so even if you’ve read it years ago, it’s worth picking up a new copy.

It is only tangentially about a pandemic but what happens is, an extremely snotty, man-made flu-like disease called Captain Trips (and why are we stuck with a nerdy virus like Covid-19 - why can’t we have a bug with a cool name?) wipes out almost the entire population of the US - the rest of the world doesn’t figure in the story.

This being Stephen King, of course, the next thousand or so pages involve supernatural powers influencing survivors to coalesce into two groups - one good and the other evil - who battle it out for control of the world.

2. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson

Matheson was one of the great masters of horror literature, and this novel from 1954 was one of his best. The story has twice been adapted for the cinema. In 1964 Vincent Price was masterful in a version titled The Last Man on Earth, an excellent attempt at capturing the mood of Matheson’s tale. As for the 2007 movie with Will Smith, it’s barely adequate and takes too many liberties with the book.

Matheson’s story takes place in a US city - it could be Los Angeles - after a disease has left a man named Robert Neville as the last human. But he isn’t alone - the pandemic disease has turned everyone but Neville into vampires. It’s horror writing at its finest.

M 12th year.

T Franklin Organics is a small certified organic farm on the eastern slopes of Lalgambook (Mt Franklin) now in its

Growing all sorts of heirloom veggies, herbs and berries for local food boxes, restaurants, markets and produce shops, producer Florian Hofinger, pictured inset, says his farm is also off-grid passive solar "which means no fridges, just good old-fashioned 'picked fresh that morning' kind of produce".

"Tomato season has just arrived here in Central Victoria and this is the first year that we have used a poly tunnel which essentially gives the plants a security blanket for those late season frosts and cooler days that surprise us throughout the typically 3. Wanderers, by Chuck Wendig turbulent Victorian weather.

Wendig is one of the most prolific writers you’ve probably never heard of, unless "But given that it is a different growing environment than the open paddock you’re a fan of comic books spun off from the Star Wars franchise. there is lots to learn and so that keeps things challenging, which is a good thing. The This is a recent book, published in 2019, and at almost 800 pages, even a writer season is going great guns thus far. of Wendig’s fecundity would’ve had to have started it before the Covid pandemic "We grow about 50 different heirloom varieties and my favourite is rouge de struck, which makes it extremely prophetic. marmande.

There are about 500 plants in the poly and another 400 outside, all The book takes its time getting into its main plot, and to discuss it in detail would certified organic and using mostly our own seed. be to drop too many spoilers. Suffice it to say, many elements of the story could have "Our tip to lovers of tomatoes is to plant with compost and pot ash and to never come directly from the pages of any newspaper, populated by heroic, disease-fighting public health workers; heavily armed, right-wing lunatic militias; duplicitous, useless place in the fridge. We enjoy our toms sun ripened, quartered, with a pinch of good quality salt and pepper and a splash of local olive oil. Our mate's olive oil, Beats politicians; and a frightened, angry general population.

Martini, is the best around town."

Meanwhile, if Young Farmer of the Year Max Hofinger, four and a half, hasn’t 4. The Great Influenza, by John M Barry eaten all the day’s harvest then you’ll find them at Hepburn Wholefoods, Tonna's For non-fiction readers, and first published in 2004, this is one of the best books Fruit & Veg, Blake Family Grocers, Ruby Goose Trentham, Daylesford Sunday available on the 1918-20 influenza pandemic that killed “more people than any other Market or served at many local cafes, restaurants and caterers. outbreak of disease in human history”.

Barry does an amazing job telling the story in a highly readable style while Pictured above, tomatoes by Mt Franklin Organics, basil by Adsum including the dark details and the enlightening science. It is unfortunate that this Farmhouse and goat's feta by Dreaming Goat Dairy book resonates so profoundly in today’s world.

4 About Us

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Front cover: It's that time of year, time to make resolutions. And take a look back at the year that was 2021.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year from the crew at The Local.

January 3, 2022 Issue 244 Welcome 2022

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

The next edition is out on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Or online on Sunday, January 16 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, January 12 Copy deadline: Thursday, January 13 Editorial deadline: Thursday, January 13

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Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | sales@tlnews.com.au The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes Sub-editors | Nick Bunning and Lindsay Smith

The Local is a registered trademark of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd.

Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout, Carol Saffer & Donna Kelly

The Local is a member of the Victorian Country Press Association, with editor Donna Kelly, a director.

Photographers | Kyle Barnes, David White & Louise Gay

Want to support local, quality journalism? Donate by scanning the QR code.

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.

Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (gigs), Matthew Richardson (money), Jen Clarke (recipes) and Glenn Robinson (cartoons).

Accounts | Julie Hanson

Delivery | Tony Sawrey

BBQ SAFELY THIS SUMMER.

KNOW THE DRILL B E F O R E YO U G R I L L 1 CHECK FOR GAS LEAKS WITH SOAPY WATER 2 IF YOU SEE BUBBLES, TURN THE GAS OFF

There were too many dangerous gas BBQ fires in Victoria last summer. So please BBQ safely.

To find out more, and to order a free soapy water bottle, visit esv.vic.gov.au/knowthedrill

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News 5

Looking back at 2021: March Pets@Work In our March 8, 2021 edition we ran another of the popular Pets@World series...

Irish wolfhounds, Fearghal, left, and Flynn, right, certainly punch above their weight, more than 75kg each, helping out at Trentham Post Office.

Elizabeth Parsons said the friendly, 18-month-old hounds were pure PR, looking after customers and happily meeting other pooches along with "getting in the way". Elizabeth and her mum Leanda celebrated six years running the post office in August.

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Looking back at 2021: April

In our April 26, 2021 edition we remembered those who sacrificed so much, covering Anzac Day services in Eganstown and Daylesford. Lest We Forget.

Let’s support our community and shop local!

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Restaurants, Bakers, Butchers, Cafe’s, Local vineyards, Distillers, Brewers and of course each other.

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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.

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Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Lesley Hewitt said councillors fully understood the frustrations of the community.

"We have asked council officers to facilitate a workshop where councillors can be advised of the implications, financial and non-financial, of exploring all options when it comes to HE current Hepburn Hub at The Rex project the project, including ceasing it. It's important we explore the may be cancelled.

At its Tuesday, May 18 meeting, Hepburn Shire legal implications of any future decisions. This is a complex project and works have not progressed as expected. We are Council received a report on the proposed Hub as part of a commitment to provide a monthly update to the community currently negotiating with the builder and working with them daily to resolve some of these issues." and to be open and transparent about the project.

Meanwhile, the completion date of June or July this year At the meeting Cr Jen Bray said the delays at The Rex has been delayed until at least October. had been a "very frustrating" process for the project team, The building, a former theatre, was bought by the council councillors and the community. in 2016 for $6.345 million. The empty building has two large Cr Bray asked Infrastructure director Bruce Lucas: "At David Bromley murals, one on the wall leading up to the what point does the council draw a line in the sand and say cinema and the other on the wall outside staff toilets. 'enough's enough'?" Mr Lucas replied officers continued to look at all options with provision to terminate the contract.

In our May 24, 2021 edition we reported that the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project had started to look a little wonky.

TL TheLocal

Looking back at 2021: May

News 7

May 24, 2021 Issue 228 Back to the drawing board

T

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Looking back at 2021: June In our June 21, 2021 edition we looked at the storm damage from the June 8/9 storm that wreaked devastation across the region. Images courtesy of Daylesford Spa Country Railway (below & top right) and Sandy Scheltema.

In our June 7, 2021 edition we farewelled our great friend and long time supporter of The Local Don Breen. Don was born on September 16, 1940 and passed away on June 1, 2021. We miss you Don.

D

AYLESFORD and the wider region has lost one of its real characters and enquiring minds with the passing of Don Breen last Tuesday, June 1.

The Local interviewed Don and his wife Sandy for their golden wedding anniversary on October 24, 2018. Don chatted with Kyle and I talked with Sandy.

We had met them in 2009, a few years after our move to Glenlyon.

The couple were regulars at the Farmers Arms Hotel in Daylesford where Sandy would make her way around the bar, chatting to one and all, while Don, in his fisherman’s cap would head straight for the quiet back wall with his beer in hand.

Different personalities but it was easy to spot the deep love and respect between them. Don called Sandy “Pearl” and he was always “Donny”.

In our interview Don remembered meeting Sandy in Prahran in a pub with “a whole team of young women - it was a pub where the local tramways people meet, you know, drivers and conductors, so the place got a bit boisterous; it was good fun”.

Don said there were myriad attractions at first sight including Sandy’s bright mind and artistic ability which proved a good attribute in later years when she helped him out with his various business ventures doing marketing and design.

However, at the start of the romance, Don, an electrical engineer with his own amazing mind, found himself headhunted by Hewlett-Packard and left for America for a six-month training program. But on his return, he proposed and the couple were married in the registry office, with Don making it just in time.

“A trade show in Canberra ran through the day before, so I had to pack up the station wagon and drive through the night to get back to Melbourne, arriving only a matter of half an hour before the ceremony, so all hell broke loose. It was a bit of a rush, not the ideal way to gear up for a wedding, but it seems to have worked.

“I guess 50 years sounds like a long time, but in reality the way it’s all unfolded it hasn’t appeared like 50 years. We have had very few, if any downsides during that period, however one of the regrets I have during our early stages of marriage was the fact I had to disappear overseas for work for sometimes large chunks of time leaving Sandy at home with our three young children. But at least I was around for all the births. But she bore the brunt of having to keep the business going and raising a young family. I hugely respect her tolerance in respect to putting up with that sort of lifestyle.”

June 7, 2021 Issue 229 Vale Don Breen

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

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News 9

Looking back at 2021: July In our July 5, 2021 edition we reported on new national parks for the region.

T

HREE new national parks will be created either side of Ballarat, and north-east of Bendigo, adding 65,106 hectares to Australia's national park register.

In a decisive move, the state government announced the new parks which includes the merging of the Wombat State Forest and the Lerderderg State Park.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio said the government had listened to the community.

“The new national parks will be created by linking existing state forests, parks and reserves. The largest will bring together Lerderderg State Park and much of the existing Wombat State Forest to create a new national park covering more than 44,000 hectares between Daylesford and Bacchus Marsh,” she said.

“We’re listening to the communities that use and care for these areas and balancing the needs of public land users, industry and the environment.”

The Central West Investigation was undertaken by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council after a request from Minister D'Ambrosio in March 2017.

The state government delayed the announcement for more than two years after more than 3000 members of the public, community groups and residents made submissions to VEAC. For some groups, like Wombat Forestcare, the news is welcomed. Spokesperson Gayle Osborne said it was a great result.

“Areas with high conservation values will be included in the national park and areas around townships will be designated regional parks to enable recreation, dog walking, horse riding, fossicking and domestic firewood collection,” she said.

“The Wombat Forest is home to many threatened species, including the endearing greater glider, powerful owls and brush-tailed phascogales. A leafless bossiaea, bossiaea vombata, is endemic to the Wombat Forest. All these species will finally have the protection they need to assist with their survival,” she said.

However, Bush User Groups United, a Facebook page created to advocate against the initial proposal for national parks, called the decision devastating.

Co-founder Bill Schulz said there was a massive number of people who vehemently disagreed with the decision.

Creswick’s Dr Kevin Tolhurst, regarded across the world as one of Australia’s most respected fire ecology and management experts, said a major concern was the “reservation equals preservation” philosophy many people give to national parks.

He said few if any national parks in Australia had the necessary workforce and resources to deal with critical issues including prescribed burning, introduced predators, feral animals and weed management.

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House.Land.Home. 11

A succulent subject Last issue I mentioned that succulent plants weren’t just a group of weird little sun-loving plants that stored water on their swollen stems, leaves and sometimes, roots.

Succulent is just another name for xerophyte from the Greek words, xeros/dry and phuton/plant, and is simply a plant that requires very little moisture, whether it be from the snowy slopes of the Andes or the parched plains of Mexico.

Hence the inclusion of such plants as poinsettia, dracaena, yucca, frangipani, the Queensland bottle tree (brachychiton rupestris), the vast range of terrestial bromeliads and that beautiful waxy-flowered, climbing hoya.

Their small, non-adventurous root systems and ability to survive long, waterless periods make succulents ideal for dry areas, shallow soils, steep slopes and, of course, small containers including hanging pots or baskets.

Which provides me with a perfect segue into this column’s main topic and the photo, right, of an ingenious friend’s canny combining of a collection of trailing succulents with a couple of enamel kitchen colanders.

Way back in the middle of the last century - when I was in short pants - no self respecting porch or verandah would be seen without at least one hanging plant.

They were almost always in a hanging basket, seldom a pot, in those terracottarationed, pre-plastic times. And I also remember seeing a few old paint tins on hooks.

(Readers of a certain age would remember the post-war shortage of building materials but apparently there was no shortage of wire.)

Grandpa was a passionate collector of fuchsias at that time and displayed his stock plants in large, hessian-lined baskets hung along the wall of the brush-roofed, shade house.

These days, most good garden stockists carry a range of wire baskets of all sizes and suitable organic fibre liners. They will also stock a suitable potting medium. This is the most important feature.

Weight is obviously a greater consideration for pots or tubs. A light, open mix containing plenty of peat or vermiculite will allow easy watering and at the same time retain moisture longer so that the plants will not suffer. Large baskets can usually often be watered satisfactorily from the top, but with smaller ones it is easier and does a more thorough job if you partly immerse them in a large bucket of water and let them soak for several minutes.

Frequency of watering will depend on the type of plant chosen and the location in which the basket is placed but twice a week should be sufficient in most cases.

Probably more frequently could be required in extremely hot weather.

Planting up a basket is no problem if you stand it on top of a large pot or bucket, wherever is stable. Put a layer of lining material in first, flattening it around the sides and bottom so that it doesn’t take up too much space. Coconut fibre, sphagnum moss or shredded bark work well, or you might like to choose one of the pre-made fibre mats.

Pre-punctured black polythene sheeting is sometimes used but doesn’t always allow the water to correctly drain. Besides, the organic materials will help encourage root development. In larger baskets you can insert smaller plants from underneath to add to the decoration.

As with potted plants, basket occupants will need frequent feeding and this can be best done while watering by adding a good liquid fertiliser to the water, about every fourth drink, depending on the type of plant.

The range of suitable plants is boundless providing they are content to be container bound and will, like ferns and most fuchsias, spill out and over the sides for the best effect...and maybe add a few succulents.

Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

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News 13

Looking back at 2021: August

In our August 2, 2021 edition we reported on a marathon run to protest the Western Victorian Transmission Network project. The protests continue...

B

UNDING resident Kelly Conroy has run a marathon 160km over Friday and Saturday to protest against planned transmission lines through her community.

Kelly ran eight times around a 20-kilometre loop around Ballan taking in the Daylesford Road, Old Melbourne Road, Stone Hut Lane and Blakeville Road.

Kelly's father Arch Conroy said the 160km was "close to the proposed length of the Western Victoria Transmission Network project". "(Kelly is running) to raise awareness for the concerns and safety of the many hundreds of communities, farming or otherwise, who will be affected by this build.

This is intergenerational farmland, and these are our homes.

"All donations will go directly towards marketing and advertising and legal guidance and representation to help preserve our countryside, protect our agriculture, and put the high tension, high voltage power lines underground, where they belong. "(We need) to bring awareness to the government that this project has to be rescoped to meet the requirements for the next 100 years."

At the end of her run Kelly met with Western Victoria MP Bev McArthur who will take the issue to the Victorian Government.

The Western Victoria Transmission Network project proposes to build 190km of overhead transmission lines between Bulgana, north of Ararat, and Sydenham, in north-west Melbourne using 380 towers, each 75 metres tall.

A WVTN project report says the network is critical infrastructure required to unlock the renewable energy potential and economic development of Western Victoria.

The project entered the environmental assessment and project approvals phase in 2020 and that will continue through 2021 with construction planned to be completed in 2025.

Image: Helen Tatchell (The Moorabool News)

Essential Health Information For Residents And Visitors

SUE’S PLACE

Dr. Susanne M. Heringslake Chiropractor Moments To Ponder a little gift from me to you

It’s a New Year!

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:

Is there something about me I would like to change?

• could I smile more often?

• say ‘thank you’ more regularly?

• be more courteous, polite, patient?

Remember, if I want my life to change, then I must change.

It starts with me and the little things I do every day.

Happy New Year!

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.

www.springsmedical.com.au For all enquiries and to book appointments, please contact: Dr Susanne M Heringslake Chiropractor Mobile: 0407 301 352

In an emergency always call 000 Daylesford

10 Hospital St tel: (03) 5348 2227

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14 Opinion

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Just sayin’...

Local Lines

By Donna Kelly

Change

W

ELL, another strange year has been and gone. Who knew...

I honestly thought 2021 would see us out of this mess and back into a normal way of life. That was wishful thinking.

Here we are in 2022 and still wearing masks and hand sanitising and boosting and rapid testing. If you can find a rapid test. It seems like Australia just sits behind the eight ball at every step. Firstly you couldn't find a vaccine for the stupid virus now you can't find a test.

We had a few friends over for New Year's Eve and asked them all to take a rapid test before they arrived at our house. All six of them basically trawled all over Melbourne, trying their luck at the huge shouty chemists, the small out-of-the-way friendly chemists, big chain supermarkets and small grocers. One couple found spit tests, one found nasal swab tests and the final couple found nothing.

Luckily we had planned ahead and bought a few extra tests when they were still in supply. We did the same with masks and even hand sanitiser. I think it's the journo side coming out - you see the headlines before they happen and probably tune in to the news more than you should. But in this case it worked. (Toilet paper - hmmm, didn't see that shortage happening - how much does a person need? We also stuffed up buying food for lockdowns. For some odd reason rice and tinned tomatoes seemed like a good idea at the time, but really, there were packets of nice Luv-a-Duck going begging.)

Anyway, here we are in 2022 and I guess, touch wood, most of us have made it this far. It's been with its challenges though. Mostly I have had to contain my anger at those who still refuse to wear a mask or have them under their nose, or even under their chin. Just not that hard. Or people who don't keep their distance. We had one person rifle through the items in our shopping trolley one day. Just for fun, but honestly, in a pandemic? Don't touch my stuff.

I have given up wondering what the new year will bring. Hopefully less fear and more joy. A bit more fun and some extra laughs would be nice. More chances to be social and really relax. And travel would be amazing. As much as I love Victoria and Australia, I really miss Japan. And Kyle would do anything to get to New Zealand and catch up with whanau (family). But who knows when Jacinda will open up her country?

Workwise, The Local will keep on rolling along. We don't take breaks but you will see this edition is a bit about looking back, and the next one, January 17, is all about the history of the region.

And then on January 31 we're back to our usual programming with lots of stories about our amazing locals. If you ever think of someone or something we should be sharing with the community please get in touch. We love hearing from readers and are always up for a chat.

Anyway, I hope that you have had a lovely Christmas and New Year and managed to catch up with family or friends or even both. I hope that 2022 brings you happiness and good health and joy. And that we return to some sort of normality.

Whatever that normal may be.

And if you do find a rapid antigen test, go for the spit one. From experience, it's much nicer that the nasal swab. Just sayin'...

Catherine

KING MP

In come the dollars In come the cents Waiting for the yellow bus to replace the pounds the shillings and the pence Fingering a battered sixpence Something something or other thrown into the mix on the 14th of February 1966 and here it is No dour pennies clank to hand Change is a button -sized one cent bit lightweight and gleaming with the wide eyes of a feathertail glider front and centre and on big brother two cents a panicked frill -necked lizard

Local Lines comes mainly from a group of local poets but other submissions are always welcome.

To have a poem considered for publication contact Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

Sure Queenie is still there on the flip side but these coins feel Australian and up-to-the-minute Soon to surface will be silver echidna fives lyrebird tens and platypus twenties but the copper promise of what would later be termed shrapnel demonstrated on V Day that change was not only possible it was here - Bill Wootton

Mary-Anne Thomas MP

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Opinion 15

Kyle’s Rant PALMER STEVENS & RENNICK Barristers & Solicitors Property and Conveyancing Criminal Law Family Law Wills and Estates Commercial Law Employment Law Appearing in all Courts PLEASE CONTACT US It's been a long year and I'm taking some time out.

Catch you in the next edition.

Short & sweet rant over!

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Looking back: September services LAND CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT SEPTIC servicesSYSTEM INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE PERIODIC INSPECTION AND REPORTING OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE SUPERVISION OF SLUDGE PUMP-OUT LATEST SLUDGE-JUDGE TECHNOLOGY

In our September 27, 2021 edition journalist Narelle Groenhout caught up with Joe Camilleri, a Macedon Ranges residents.

H

E IS one of Australia’s favourite rockers, an ARIA Hall of Famer and together with The Black Sorrows he’s sold more than two million albums. And just last month he released yet another album.

But 73-year-old, Joe Camilleri has no plans to slow down. In a 75-minute chat we cover topics ranging across a leaking makeshift home recording studio, gardening, endless housework, more than 400 shows cancelled, lockdown stresses, friendships with his neighbours and random acts of kindness that he has never experienced before Image: Ian Ritter

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16 Opinion

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Your Say Hepburn Hub at The Rex Leadership is clearly hard work and not everyone is up for it. Scott Morrison for instance finds it much easier to let us look after ourselves than put his role on the line and actually make a decision about mask mandates.

Blaming past councils and administrations for the mismanagement of the contract to repurpose The Rex building demonstrates an appalling lack of leadership.

With $6 million of costs sunk, plus $140,000 of community donations gone, the amount of money involved is staggering and with nothing to show for it.

I strongly suggest council review its misguided decision to abandon The Rex project and complete the works so that Daylesford can again benefit from a cinema and other facilities.

If this is not the case, I would be looking to an external review of contract management and governance processes used by council surrounding this project, given the vast amount of money involved.

There must be accountability to the community. How a project can, after many years and with such a waste of money reach this point, is ripe for external investigation.

However, there are certainly some golden rules when it comes to local government.

Rule number one is that if you are going to make a decision concerning millions - Nora Vitins, Daylesford of dollars, make sure you have consulted far and wide and flagged with everyone what you might be about to do.

I would argue that 99.9 per cent of the shire have been blindsided by the Letters are always welcome. Please keep them shortish and to the point. decisions made about The Rex building, and yet we are constantly invited to respond Email news@tlnews.com.au Any addressed Dear Sir will be deleted. to surveys about sundry other minor things.

To an extent, councillors can't be expected to ask for guidance on every vote, but they certainly should resist making heady decisions in the heat of the moment without making sure the community knows about it before it comes to a hands-up.

Guaranteed, if it was put to a vote, most of the community would endorse only minor renovations to the existing Daylesford buildings at minimal cost.

- Pat Hockey, Clunes

Let me take you back. Before council ever got involved in The Rex Arcade, the community had a functioning cinema in a privately-owned building.

I was part of the cinema committee that stood in the street and collected donations so the young people of this town could have a holiday program of films.

Items from the St Kilda film festival would be shown in Daylesford and on bleak mid-winter nights there was an inexpensive way to meet friends, support local cafes and see a film currently showing in big cities. All of it funded by the community.

We wrote grant applications and philanthropic trusts like the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust gave us $23,000 because of the positive social impacts of a community cinema which would reduce isolation and support mental health outcomes.

The Blues Brothers film night, right, was a hoot and $140,000 was donated overall by the community to pay for seats, soundproofing and projection. The Hepburn Shire Council gave us a $2000 grant. The second committee of volunteers took this vision and the cinema and went to a new level to sustain the cinema as a viable business in the future.

The rest is a bad case of Yes Minister since Hepburn Shire Council got involved.

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Here's the solution for Crossword 243.

How did you go?

Oh, our cruciverbalist, Kyle Barnes, is taking a short break so the next crossword will appear in the January 31 edition.

www.tlnews.com.au

Looking back at 2021: October & November In our October 11, 2021 edition we asked people to tell us who was helping them through the pandemic.

To the fabulous Carmel, who organises Ageing (Dis)gracefully. It is getting better and better in spite of the harsh conditions imposed by governments. So important everyone to socialise, share with the heart and go out of the home.

You are doing a very important job, bringing us all together. Thank you for your efforts, vision and trust in all of us as individuals.

- Mari I would like to nominate Chantel Leaver as she provides everyone with Covid updates and has done through the whole pandemic.

She offers clear, honest and factual information and is always there for support too. She is not working for the Covid contact team. One amazing woman, all while home schooling a tribe of children.

- Shelley

Mark is the owner of the Mill Markets here and in Geelong and Ballarat.

Whenever there’s been a lockdown he doesn’t charge any rent for the stallholders at the Mill. He has gone out of his way to be kind to people in the community too. I believe he has been handing out coffee vouchers and food vouchers to visitors and locals. I think Mark is an amazing community person.

- Elaine

Betty Johns... legend full stop.

- Lisa

Michelle Clifford Legend

It happened last year but I don't think you can go past the generosity of Roger and Sue at Herbal Lore. They provided free sanitiser when you couldn't find it for love nor money. True legends and their kind idea will not be forgotten.

- Dianne I want to thank The Local's Glen Heyne for his gardening and home page.

I read it religiously and it has kept me sane on many dark days.

Don't know the bloke personally but what a legend.

- John

From left, Jill Teschendorff, Sue Mucke and Denise Robinson Image: Kyle Barnes

In our November 8, 2021 edition Sprout was busy starting to happen thanks to many individuals and groups.

T

HE shopfronts of Daylesford and surrounds will come alive later this month with 120 beautiful floral installations designed to celebrate spring and move towards a better future.

Sprout is a collaboration of many local groups and individuals, spearheaded by the Daylesford and District Horticultural Society in association with the Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, designed to lift the spirits of traders and shoppers.

Spokesperson Jill Teschendorff said the group's members would be commandeering the Daylesford Town Hall on Friday, November 19, making "beautiful foliage installations for every shop keen to be involved". They would be delivered to shopfronts by noon that day and remain on display for the weekend.

Jill said the response of traders had been phenomenal.

"It has been a hard time for everyone but particularly for the traders who have done it really tough, so we are going to use spring produce to bring people into the towns and also just spread happiness and joy.

"They (the traders) love that it is something they don't have to do, we are doing it for them, and we have also been able to listen to their stories and how much they have suffered. That has been important as well.

"We then appealed to individuals and more than 40 local groups to see if they would like to be involved. We applied for and received grants from both the Hepburn Shire Council and the Community Bank Daylesford District. We are working with a tight budget but we will get there because of the support of the community. It really is the community helping the community."

Jill said floral artist Denise Robinson would head up the team making the floral installations with many other florists also involved.

"There are just so many positives. By the end of our event there will be new friendships made, new skills learnt and everyone will have a good time."

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Looking back at 2021: December In our December 6 and 20, 2021 editions we reported on the decision

by Hepburn Shire Council to scrap the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project, and calls for the council to replaced by an administrator.

T

HE controversial Hepburn Hub at The Rex project has been scrapped.

Hepburn Shire Council voted at its November 23 meeting to sell the building. The council bought the Vincent Street, Daylesford former theatre in 2016 for $6 million. It has since spent $3 million on the building which was to house a cinema, staff offices, a library and public toilets, with another $6 million needed to complete the project.

Council officers had recommended that the council continue with the project. Councillors in favour of continuing with the hub were Cr Jen Bray, Cr Tessa Halliday and Mayor Cr Tim Drylie. Those against were Cr Lesley Hewitt, Cr Don Henderson, Cr Juliet Simpson and Cr Brian Hood.

The decision has been met with disbelief and anger by many people including the Daylesford Cinema committee and volunteers, who have asked council to revisit its decision.

Newly elected mayor Cr Tim Drylie said councillors realised the decision would “result in mixed feelings across our community”.

“While we recognise the value in creating a community hub and consolidation of our council offices, we ultimately decided that the best choice for the community is to discontinue the project, which now provides a clear direction for The Rex site.

“The Hepburn Hub at The Rex is a legacy project from decisions made by the previous council. We fully understand the disappointment that many in the community will be feeling, including those who were looking forward to having a community auditorium, our passionate library patrons, and council staff who were to be consolidated into one office building.”

Daylesford Community Theatre president Gina Lyons has sent an official complaint to council asking councillors to revisit their decision.

“Council’s decision on Tuesday evening came as a huge shock. We were not expecting you to abandon the project because your public statements about The Rex have been positive, for example: ‘At the council meeting on 20 July 2021, then mayor Lesley Hewitt said council’s vision was to return The Rex Theatre to the community as a public facility. In repurposing The Rex for this purpose, a number of contemporary uses have been included to maximise its use. These uses include a public auditorium, a library, public amenities, a digital co-working hub and council offices and customer service. This is to make the best use of these impressive spaces and ensure the building is preserved for the future. All its heritage features are being retained and the works completed in a way that preserves its heritage while bringing it up to current standards.’

“The council paid $6 million for a building worth $3 million, another $3 million was spent on it, if you sell for $3 million, you will be locking in a cash loss of $6 million – with nothing to show for it.

“By abandoning the project in the way you have, council has effectively killed off the cinema because you will only be focusing on alternate arrangements for staff offices and the library. The cinema is on its own. The fact is there is no other building in Daylesford which lends itself to being used as a cinema and which is available for this purpose.

“Our complaint is that the council should have consulted with Daylesford Community Theatre and the broader community about the intention to abandon the Hepburn Hub at The Rex and sell the building.

“On any reading of the (council’s community engagement) policy, the Hepburn Hub at The Rex meets the criteria of high strategic importance, high impact and with high community sentiment, therefore, there should have been consultation prior to making such a shocking, final decision to end the project, the outcome of which will spell the death of the community cinema.”

Former Holcombe Ward councillor John Cottrell has sent an open letter to the council suggesting it “completes the project, brings the property to full operation – then - offers the property for sale with a long-term lease back to the council”. “The option provides council with full construction integrity to completion and presents an attractive investment proposition – a completed and fully functioning prime centrally located property in Daylesford offering an attractive commercial return on investment.”

The purchase of The Rex building and other matters relating to the project remain under investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate. It is not known when the Inspectorate will release the report.

A

PETITION is circulating asking for the Minister for Local Government to replace Hepburn Shire Council with an administrator.

The move comes after Hepburn Shire Council decided, at its November 23 meeting, to scrap the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project, which could see a loss of up to $6 million of ratepayer monies.

The petition at change.org, created by Daylesford Theatre committee president Gina Lyons, says The Rex project has been mismanaged from the outset and the Hepburn Shire Council needed to be held responsible and accountable.

“The Rex debacle between 2016-2018 has been well documented and has been the subject of investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate. We await their findings with great anticipation.

“In voting to discontinue the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project and to sell the building without any community consultation, councillors have treated our community with contempt. They have failed to follow their own Community Engagement Policy.”

The petition continues on, saying that council and library staff work in substandard conditions in non-compliant buildings. It says the community cinema, built up over more than four years into a community asset is now facing closure.

Ms Lyons told The Local the petition would be open for signatures until the end of January and she hopes to gain 1000 signatures by that time. The petition had more than 600 signatures at the time of going to print.

Mayor Cr Tim Drylie told The Local the decision had been made in accordance with all relevant governance rules and the Local Government Act. Cr Drylie, who was one of three councillors who voted in favour of continuing the project at The Rex, said he had a post graduate degree in cinema studies and was a big supporter of the arts but as mayor he supported the council’s decision. He said there had been discussions at a council level on the ability to reverse the decision.

However a motion by Cr Jen Bray at the December 21 council meeting, to delay the decision pending community engagement, was voted down.

The purchase of The Rex building and other matters relating to the project remain under investigation by the Local Government Inspectorate with a report pending.

Petition link: https://chng.it/GrjFBJMNGP