Front page: CresFest is happening from April 4 to 6 and the Creswick Chorus is in fine form. As well, children from each of the town’s three primary schools are taking part in some pretty special workshops, learning how to play African drumming rhythms and to sing traditional African songs. Read all about it on page 17. And a new gallery in Creswick!
Image: Kyle Barnes
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The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, April 7, 2025. or online on Sunday, April 6 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Wednesday, April 2
Copy deadline: Thursday, April 3
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General manager: Kyle Barnes on 0416 104 283 or kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly on 0418 576 513 or news@tlnews.com.au
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Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (music), Sarah Lang (recipes), Jeff Glorfeld (life) & Bill Wootton (poetry)
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The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Community anger with release of Rex report
The previously confidential Local Government Inspectorate report into Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex/Hepburn Hub has been published by Council Watch on its Facebook page.
It has since been widely shared around the community with comments across social media scathing.
The report into the failed creation of the Hepburn Hub in Vincent Street, Daylesford was started in 2019 but last September the LGI said the investigation had been finalised and there was "insufficient evidence to prove to the requisite standard of proof the commission of any disciplinary breaches or criminal offences contrary to the 1989 Act".
"Accordingly, the LGI will not be taking any further action in respect of the investigation. Nor will the LGI be publishing any report."
The LGI also re quested all draft copies of the report be destroyed or returned. It is believed all were watermarked with the name of the recipient.
The Local was sent a copy of the report in 2021 but was told by the LGI it was illegal to publish it in any form and to do so could lead to hefty fines.
As a small publisher keen to continue to produce a free newspaper for its community, and which cannot afford to be fined or stage a legal battle, The Local decided not to publish the report
The report released by Council Watch is dated June 2022 but is believed to be different to the April 2021 draft given to councillors and others involved.
The Local wrote to the LGI last week asking if any action would be taken against Council Watch, and now parts of the report had been published in metropolitan newspapers, was it no longer confidential, and would it be formally released. The LGI wrote back saying last September's media release had not changed but did not answer other questions.
On its website, Council Watch has a piece titled The Rex - What Happened? "What began as a well-intentioned initiative to create a community hub in Daylesford, Victoria, spiralled into a financial disaster, resulting in a cash loss of $5.6 million, reputational damage, and a failure to deliver on community expectations."
In a media release issued last week, Hepburn Shire Council acknowledged the apparently unauthorised release of the Local Government Inspectorate draft report on the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project.
"Council also acknowledges that due to the report’s release, our community will be feeling a range of emotions; frustration, anger, sadness, discontent and discomfort. Council has been calling for the finalisation and release of the LGI report for many years, to bring closure to the situation and allow our community to move forward.
"The way the confidential draft report has been made public is concerning and council has formally written to the LGI to request a thorough review of the situation.
"As far as council’s awareness of the matters raised in the report, in 2021 a number of councillors and officers were provided with an earlier draft for comment. However, they were under a legal obligation not to reference receipt of the report or disclose its contents. This 2022 version of the report, though, is unfamiliar to our organisation and councillors and council cannot comment on its origins or accuracy."
Mayor Cr Don Henderson said the current council leadership (post2018) had implemented important improvements to governance, service delivery, community engagement, and transparency.
"The financial loss associated with the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project was $5.65 million. This included the purchase of The Rex in 2016 for $6.345 million, additional expenditure of $3.04 million, and proceeds from the sale amounting to $3.74 million.
"The $5.65 million is significant, however, it is important to be clear to the community that the current rate cap variation and savings associated with the implementation of our Financial Vision would still be required even without it. The Financial Vision notes an annual shortfall of $4 million per year across the 10 years so, had the loss associated with The Rex project not been incurred, the shortfall would still have amounted to $3.5 million annually.
“The community has every right to be disappointed, but any anger, attacks or threats are inappropriate and will not be tolerated. Over recent weeks we have seen an increase in poor behaviour by community members towards staff and councillors who continue to work hard to deliver services and projects for the benefit of the community.”
On its website Council Watch calls itself "a team of volunteers with a keen interest and history in local government". "We seek to advocate on behalf of all residents and ratepayers in Victoria. Local government has very little oversight and makes its own rules. This leads to consumers' rights being removed or restricted.
"We seek to help people know their rights and to challenge council where they have acted inappropriately. We seek to educate Victorians about local government and create a fairer system for all."
Council Watch president Dean Hurlston, pictured right, says "council bureaucracy is strangling the goodwill in our communities, rates are ever increasing and service standards are lower than ever, there are far more of us than them".
Words & Rex image: Donna Kelly | Profile shot: Contributed
Dr Bronwyn
Dr Ashvin
Dr Loshna
Tour de Cure support
Daylesford’s Tony Raftes is taking part in his third Tour de Cure, this time as a support member, looking after the welfare of the bike riders and their crews.
Tony first got involved when his father was diagnosed with a very rare gastrointestinal cancer and was given just three years to live. A friend was also struggling with their diagnosis.
A former keen cycling enthusiast, Tony’s own riding days are over through both a form of leukaemia – and a heart condition that was diagnosed after he was about to jump on a bike for the event.
His health is now stable, and Tony is keen to help the fundraiser, which started in 2007, however he can.
So far Tour de Cure has raised $138 million for cancer research, funded 177 major cancer breakthroughs and backed 1046 cancer projects.
“What I have done through the years is I've supported Tour de Cure by coming onboard as a support member. And in supporting this year, I am actually going to be in a position where I'll be taking care of others as well.
“My role will be doing navigating and driving of the lead cars and the backup car that makes sure that the riders reach their destinations in a safe environment.”
So far Tony has raised more than $15,000 over the years, some from donations, but also a lot from garage sales and personal funds.
His hope is to raise as much as possible for this great cause. And it’s not his only fundraising hat. He was also instrumental in securing a grant for an organisation making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
Readers, along with donating, can probably see Tony in action when the Airlie Beach to Port Douglas event is screened in a documentary later this year on the Seven Network. Donate to Tony and Tour de Cure via the QR code, inset.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed
Right, Tony Raftes with Seven Network's Mark Beretta
Into Africa: Gentle, open, kind, welcoming
Tori Vernon Hirt and her family have travelled widely. But even that couldn't prepare her for life in an African village.
From cooking over a woodfire on the ground to jerry-can showers, a drop toilet and frequent power outages, this was culture shock on steroids.
Nine years after starting as an aid worker aged 15 in Asian countries such as Cambodia and Thailand, driven by a passion for helping others, working in different cultures and learning from people, Tori now runs a school in one of the poorest countries on earth, Uganda, where well over a third of the people live below the poverty level.
After studying international development and political relationships, she moved to the town of Jinja in Uganda two years ago, a place known as the adventure capital of East Africa. Five minutes away was the source of the world’s longest river, the “gorgeous” Nile. For tourists it offers white water rafting, bungee jumping and the chance to see massive gorillas up close
But for Tori, it meant working in child protection in a country with twice the population of Australia, a land-locked nation of corruption, widespread disease and violence against women, including genital mutilation. The prevalence of domestic violence is linked to a high alcoholism rate. “The children see it,” she simply says. “A lot of the older children have to care for their younger siblings.”
On top of this, there is a poor and fraudulent education system, with many schools privately owned. “It’s only about making money,” she says. The cost of education means a low attendance rate, with up to 100 students in a class. At schools other than hers, children are punished by caning.
In a quiet village an hour from Jinja she found “beautiful people”. “Gentle, open, kind and extremely welcoming. I have a family there and always will now, they truly treated me as one of their own.”
Unlike other schools, her school, Lotus Junior, offers two meals a day to the children.
When she arrived in the village from her home in Eynesbury near Bacchus Marsh there was a confused reaction. “I was the only white person in the area and some people just looked at me,” she says. Children knelt in front of her as a greeting. “I just pick them up.”
It is also a custom for women to kneel in front of men.
Half the population is under 15 and there are a million refugees from strife in neighbouring countries. A further glimpse of Ugandan life may be gained by the school fees of $80-$100 a term.
Factory workers get $2 a day, teachers and shop owners $10-$20 a day. In vast Chinese-run factories in the capital Kampala, workers bring mattresses to the job to cope with long hours. Eight more multi-million dollar Chinese factories were commissioned last year. Malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS are prevalent.
As with many African nations, Uganda has its share of political unrest, not least because half of the government’s budget goes on the army, police and protection.
None of the bleak side deters Tori. She exudes enthusiasm as we talk at her job in Woodend, where she works to support her school. In the background machines screech as windows are made in the family business, Evolve Windows.
Tori plans to be back in Uganda in June or July. Above, school principal and country director Ibrahim Lwiire with Tori and one of the students, below, the school
Words: Kevin Childs | Images: Contributed
Just briefly... Coming soon...
Years of lobbying to reduce the speed limit from 100km to 80km on a section of the Midland Highway at Creswick outside the RACV Goldfields Resort are set to pay off.
Last April, responding to residents' concerns, the Hepburn Shire Council contacted the Department of Transport seeking the proposed speed reduction. MP Martha Haylett said the department has decided the lower speed limit was appropriate. The change will take place by the end of May.
With the release of its 2024 Impact Report, youth mental health and suicide prevention charity Live4Life is proud to announce significant milestones.
In 2024, 14 rural and regional Local Government Areas in Victoria and Tasmania, including Hepburn Shire, delivered the award-winning Live4Life model, resulting in over 8900 young people receiving evidence-based mental health education - a 44 per cent increase from 2023. Since 2010, when the program began, 29,991 young people in rural and regional communities have received evidence-based mental health education thanks to Live4Life.
Since the opening of the Djuwang Baring mountain bike trails, Creswick has seen an influx of visitors eager to explore the stunning landscape.
To help local businesses maximise this potential, Hepburn Shire Council is facilitating a free “Gear Up for MTB Success” workshop at the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve on Monday, March 24 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. The workshop will be facilitated by Karen Oliver, an experienced industry development specialist with a strong track record of working with tourism operators, councils and regions to foster business growth and create memorable visitor experiences.
Trentham will be home to one of 65 new battery locations being announced as part of round two of the $42 million Neighbourhood Battery Program.
The Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance has received $400,000 for Mechanics Trentham to install a battery on the council-owned facility to serve as a resilience hub with backup power to serve the community in the event of extreme weather events and power outages. Neighbourhood batteries can soak up cheap, renewable energy from rooftop solar during the day and feed it back into the homes or organisations they are connected to at night, when power usage is high.
Have you been thinking about how you can ‘give back’ to the community? Do you have skills and experience which could benefit a community organisation?
If so, then the Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre is the place for you. The Committee of Management is looking for someone to act as committee secretary (minutes, agendas, must be computer literate) and one to two general committee members. Previous committee experience not necessary. You would be joining an important community organisation, working with like-minded people who want to give back to the Daylesford community and have fun doing so. Call chair Gina Lyons on 0405 533 557.
The community engagement period for Daylesford’s community facilities project in the historic town hall building has started.
The project is investigating the potential of establishing a community hub at Daylesford Town Hall, with the proposal including a library, customer experience hub and multi-purpose community facilities. Hepburn Shire residents and ratepayers are now being invited to review the council's engagement materials and provide feedback before Sunday, April 13. The cost of the project is $15 to $20 million.
Past president of Daylesford Rotary, Ron Brown, has been remembered with the donation of a defibrillator to the Daylesford Child Care Centre by the club, along with a plaque made by the Daylesford Men's Shed.
Mr Brown had 47 years service with Rotary and passed away in December 2023. He was a member of the Daylesford Men's Shed. Pictured, from left, are Chris Carbone from the Men's Shed, Rotarian Danny Moynihan, Rotarian Jenny Hopkins and Michelle Callahan from the Daylesford Child Care Centre. Got some news? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Daylesford's Timeless Outdoors is taking part in the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show with a garden titled Timeless Repose. The garden is designed by Timeless Outdoors and constructed by Latham Landscapes.
The design ties in subtle hints of old Melbourne bluestone combined with old English heritage with cleanliness and simplicity, giving a modern take on the two. The floating elements are designed to spark curiosity, and strongly emphasise the detailing of the building process. The show is held at the Carlton Gardens from March 26 to March 30.
The Florence Thompson Tour is heading to Ballarat, and the Daylesford Amazing Mill Markets, this weekend.
Created in 2017, the tour is a unique rally for women drivers celebrating the pioneering spirit and contribution of women to Australian motoring. The tour was aptly named after Florence Thompson, who, in 1905, was the sole female entrant in the Dunlop Reliability Motor contest from Sydney to Melbourne. She was one of the 16 entrants who successfully completed the five-day trial, driving a six horsepower Wolseley, over what was then nothing more than 562 miles of dirt track between the capital cities.
This year more than 95 vehicles have entered, ranging from veteran to vintage then to more modern classics and over 200 people are participating as either drivers or passengers. All participants are encouraged to dress to match the era of the vehicle that they are driving.
The community is invited to see the tour vehicles and talk to the participants at Windmill Drive, Ballarat on Sunday, March 30 from 9am to 11.30pm.
The day before, Saturday, March 29, many drivers will head to Kingston and Creswick before stopping at the Daylesford Mill Markets about noon.
Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts is calling for artists to take part in the 2025 Queerthentic Art Prize, with $2000 in prizes.
Now in its third year, the regional LGBTIQA+ art prize will be hosted at The Old Auction House in Kyneton from May 1 to May 26 with the official opening aligning with IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia, and Transphobia) on May 17.
The exhibition celebrates lived experiences, amplifies under-represented voices, and builds connections within the broader community. By creating a space where queer artists can authentically express themselves without the pressure to conform, Queerthentic aims to foster empathy, challenge stereotypes, and spark meaningful conversations.
Applications are open until April 20. Link: www.mraai.org.au/queerthentic25.
The state government’s Small Business Bus will be rolling into Trentham offering free expert business advice to small business owners and those wanting to start a business.
The Small Business Bus is an ‘office on wheels’ that travels across Melbourne and regional Victoria, providing in-person, expert advice to small business owners where they live or operate their business.
Small businesses in Hepburn Shire can seek general business assistance, as well as advice on business planning, financial and cash-flow management, marketing, business compliance and staffing issues – entirely free of charge.
The Small Business Bus will be in front of Trentham Town Square from 10am to 4pm on March 31. Walk-ins are welcome but bookings are recommended.
BLOCK Watch
The Scotty Camburger is the latest offering from the Daylesford Seafood Bar. It's named after Scott Cam, one of the two faces of The Block, which is now filming at Raglan Street at the eastern entrance to the town.
Meanwhile Shelley Craft, the other on-air talent on the show, is loving Daylesford where she now heads every week from her home in Byron Bay.
“I just love the actual feeling of a small town. You go into every store and everyone knows everybody else who comes in. They might not know us particularly, but they say hi to all the other customers, like their friends.
“And I really appreciate that, being from a small town myself. But just that idea, I think, of being able to get off site, and for the intensity that happens here every day, for our crews and for the contestants themselves, and all the production, to actually take a step back and just slow down a little bit on those few hours a week they have off, is a really lovely thing.
"It's a bit like Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree - every season we pop up and land somewhere else and go, what on earth does this world have to offer us?”
Scotty, who is still looking for a favourite pie, said the welcome from the town and community had been terrific.
“I've rented a really nice, lovely, quaint cottage. And that's the beauty of our job, that we get to experience the town for three months. It's not just like a fly-in business. We live here, we immerse ourselves. I rent a house, I live in it, so I live in a different household every year. So that's really fun. And my wife comes and visits. She's coming next weekend for a week.
“And then we love going out for tea, and all the great restaurants and pubs. We went to the Lake House last night, and it was incredible.”
Shelley said the news about Daylesford being the latest home for The Block had got out ahead of time and she hoped the contestants had done their research into the region.
“They should have been looking at what houses they can design here that are really going to suit the market. And that's where Scotty and I come in on Fridays, where we say, hey, you might have missed the mark here. Have you seen the eclectic lifestyle, the amount of colour that's in town? Bring in the natural environment.
“Don't just build a house that you can build anywhere. Build something specific for Daylesford that's really going to appeal to the audience that A, already lives here and might be looking for an upgrade, or B, is really going to attract new locals to the area. So, yeah, we're trying to every week go, Daylesford, Daylesford.
“And we are hoping that they have enough time in their week to get out and actually explore the area a little bit so they get those tiny details right. Yeah, see who comes here. See who wants to live here. Is it a family? Is it single people? Who's buying in the town and what style are they looking for? That's the key. If you build a house that people aren't looking for, they just go next door.”
Scotty said the show would leave a few legacy projects around the region.
“We do (this) every year. We do a community centre, something to that effect. We did a surf club last year and we get our sponsors on board so we can generally tip in quite a few bucks, like a lot, and do a reno that they would never do. And we try and do that.”
Shire councillors and council staff, including Mayor Cr Don Henderson and CEO Bradley Thomas, took the opportunity to take a tour around the site of The Block last Thursday. The Local tagged along.
They met with Scott Cam and Shelley Craft along with other members of the television show crew. Scotty told the councillors and staff the welcome from the town had been amazing with everyone friendly and happy.
"(And) there's 200 of us here roughly and we don't provide catering for our team. So 200 people have to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in town somehow, whether they cook it or buy it, or go to a restaurant.
"So from our point of view, it's great for the town. We always try and do a community service as well, somewhere along the line.
"We've also rented probably, I don't know, 50 houses. And when we come to a town, an original town like Daylesford, we go boots and all. We come in and we really get involved and we love it."
Scotty said taking part in the ChillOut parade had also been amazing and would be the first episode when The Block aired later this year.
Shelley said she lived in a regional town, Byron Bay, and loved the lifestyle that is on offer. "So I feel responsibility to introduce the rest of Australia to what regional living is like. To somehow, through the show, show that little window of how wonderful regional living can be. And perhaps encourage other city slickers to get out a little bit more, even if it's just on the weekends.
"We're not sure what audience these homes are going to bring as far as buyers. We hope that they end up being huge contributors to the town as well and integrate into the community."
Daylesford Seafood Bar owner Peter Kintzoglou with the Scotty Camburger. What's in it? You'll have to buy one to find out. Meanwhile, Scotty Cam is still looking for a favourite pie. Got a recommendation? Email us at news@tlnews.com.au and we will put together a list for our next edition. And don't forget there are about 200 hungry tradespeople keen to get out and about too.
Image: Kyle Barnes
Words: Donna Kelly
Scan the QR code above to see Scotty and Shelley in action.
Hepburn
Images: The Block
Hepburn Wildlife News with Marita McGuirk
Early on a cool morning in November, I was driving along King Street, Daylesford, when I saw what appeared to be a small bird, lying on the road. As I drove by a slight movement from the bird caught my eye. It could have been caused by wind, but I pulled my car over to check, just in case it was still alive
It was a New Holland honeyeater, and it was alive, but hurt in some way. I knew it needed expert care, so I took it to the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter.
The bird was assessed and diagnosed as having a broken leg, as well as concussion and possible bruising to the lungs. It was placed in the incubator, where its environment could be regulated. Luckily for this bird, Gayle and Jon have many years of experience caring for injured wildlife, with a speciality in injured birds.
The little honeyeater stayed at the shelter for several months, so that the broken bone could repair. The bird then had to undergo rehabilitation and regain flight fitness.
I received the call that the bird was ready to be released back into the wild. Honeyeaters are nectar feeders and they don’t have a specific home range but follow flowering events. Jon suggested that I find a location close to where I had found the bird, where there were some plants flowering, so that there would be an available food source.
So I went for a walk at Wombat Flat. Soon I came across a large banksia spinulosa in flower near Lake Daylesford. While I was looking at the flowering banksia a New Holland honeyeater flew into the large shrub. I thought this was a good sign.
Back at the shelter, Jon placed the lucky little honeyeater into a transport cage, and I carried it to my car and drove to Wombat Flat. Once I was back under the banksia, I opened the transport cage door and stepped back. The little bird flew straight up into the banksia. It was only in the branches for half a minute when another New Holland honeyeater joined it.
Then to my amazement this bird started hopping around the released bird, chirping and putting its beak onto the bird's head. This went on for a short time and it looked like a happy reunion. To my delight both birds flew off together.
Marita McGuirk is a field ecologist and environmental scientist, and a volunteer at the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. Marita will write monthly columns about the shelter and the animals it cares for. If you would like to donate or volunteer, or just to find out more information, head to www.hepburnwildlifeshelter.org
Rate cap variation or council no longer viable
Hepburn Shire Council is seeking approval for a higher rate cap for the 2025/26 financial year in a bid to secure long-term financial stability.
The council is applying for a total rate increase of 10 per cent for 2025/26 which includes a 7 per cent increase to the existing 3 per cent rate cap announced in December by the Local Government minister.
An additional 7 per cent rate rise would be on average equal to $2.20 per property per week but will generate $1.36 million to invest in programs and services.
The proposal has now been submitted to the Essential Services Commission and aligns with the council’s financial vision 2024-2027 that was endorsed at last September’s Special Council Meeting.
The move is being made in a bid to ensure financial viability and long-term sustainability, the council said in a media statement.
Mayor Cr Don Henderson says the council is committed to ensuring it can continue to provide essential services for the community in the years ahead.
“General rates and charges are council’s biggest revenue stream, making up 66 per cent in the financial year 2024/25,” Cr Henderson said.
“Operating in a financially sustainable way can be challenging when we have a smaller population size than the average council and when we are working from a historically low rate base.
“This proposed rate cap adjustment will form part of ensuring we meet our regulatory requirements and help guarantee the financial stability of council, which is crucial to delivering services and infrastructure for our residents.
“Councils, and especially rural councils, do not have enough revenue sources, and this has been acknowledged by both state and federal governments.
"We understand that there are many in the community struggling under cost-ofliving pressures and this decision is not being made lightly.
"Rest assured, we are continuously seeking efficiencies to minimise the financial burden on ratepayers to ensure that we improve our financial position to support our community.”
An increase of $2.20 per week would mean an extra $114.40 for someone now paying $1144. However the rates for a modest home in Glenlyon would be $3907.
VIC STATE ROOFING
Metal Roof Specialist
Hepburn Shire Council is no longer financially sustainable, Cr Brian Hood has told a meeting of concerned residents at Trentham last week.
Cr Hood said it was time the state government looked at merging Hepburn Shire into other local government areas because it no longer had the ability to continue to provide services at their current levels – even with a 10 per cent rise in rates.
About 90 people attended the town meeting with the majority from Trentham. After talking about the town structure plans, Cr Hood moved to the four-year council plan and the "overly ambitious" previous four-year plan.
“It strayed away from core business. It had five focus areas, I think 23 priority statements and 116 strategies. And while there were some successes along the way and lots of good stuff got done, it was just trying to do too much all over the place.
“On the capital side of things, we built the Mechanics at Trentham and the sports ground rooms, we did Creswick Town Hall, Creswick Trails, Bullarto Station, all those sort of things, no qualms about that. But I showed them (the meeting) a slide on the operating performance with all the day-to-day activities and services and that was a bit of an eye-opener to everybody.
“The deficits incurred over the past four years were sizable each and every year and were getting bigger. And it just said, look, the plan wasn't affordable. Yes, there were successes in it, but we've got to stop doing what we're doing there and get back to whatever we determine to be basics.”
Cr Hood said the projected $4 million a year cash gap was largely caused by escalating costs and also the cumulative effect of rate capping. “We started from a very low position, unfortunately, when they brought in capping, and that then got entrenched into it. And each year whenever we've had a rate cap increase, it's always been below CPI. So that's really put the squeeze on.
“We're small. And of course, the other geographic factor is we've got four or five centres, so there's a lot of inefficiency or duplication where, unlike, say, Mount Alexander Shire where everything's in Castlemaine, we've got Clunes and Creswick and Daylesford and so on. So it's not an excuse, it's just a reality.”
Cr Hood said that while The Rex was a financial and governance disaster, if it had never happened the council would still be facing a $4 million gap going forward.
“We have looked long and hard at selling surplus land and buildings, but to be frank, we really don't have anything that's not being used.
“The other thing that we've done with the capital works program is we're now only doing renewal work. We're not building any new assets, there's no cash for it.
“If we get the rate increase of 10 per cent it would give us $1.36 million. The other $2.64 million is coming from service changes, cost reductions, that sort of thing, which is going to be pretty challenging. We're looking at what are we going to leave the same? What are we going to give a minor cut to? What are we going to give a big cut to? What are we going to stop?
“And the best case outcome is if we get the 10 per cent rate increase then we’d be left with a council that has completely shrunk and can’t deliver all of its services. But people are paying 10 per cent more in their rates.
“But worse still, from a risk point of view, there's absolutely no cash sitting there for the next storm or flood or bushfire, any emergency. We're running on empty. (And) if we happen to get grants from other levels of government, we can't accept them because we'd have no cash for co-contributions.
“We’d just maintain what we’ve got. If you live on an unmade road today, it's still going to be unmade in 10 years' time.”
Cr Hood said those at the meeting then asked if Plan B was carving up Hepburn Shire to merge with other local governments. “And I said, yes, we have been (talking about that). Several of us have reached this conclusion. We'll advocate, particularly to the new minister, who we're seeing very soon, that this sort of review needs to be done.
“So it’s now up to the state government. Would they send Creswick to Ballarat? Would they send Clunes to Central Goldfields or Pyrenees? Would they send Daylesford to Mt Alexander? Would they send Trentham to Macedon Ranges or Moorabool. Who knows?
“I've only got as far as saying if we cut all these services and costs and get a rate increase, that's not a great outcome for the community at all. There needs to be something better. And we need to convince the state government to look at the bigger picture, that we're just too small to be viable.”
Before December 31 each year, the Minister for Local Government sets the council rate cap for the next financial year. If the cap does not meet a council’s needs, the council can submit a higher cap application for up to four years of higher caps at a time. Rate caps started in 2016-2017 at 2.5 per cent. They dropped to a low of 1.5 per cent in 2022-23, reached a high of 3.5 per cent in 2023-2024 and in 2025-2026 are set at 3 per cent.
Words: Donna Kelly
2025 Heather Mutimer Honour Roll inductees
Mary-Faeth Chenery with her schnauzer-poodle cross dog, Ellie, named in honour of Eleanor Roosevelt Image: Eve Lamb
Mary-Faeth Chenery
Affordable housing, spreading kindness, appreciating the great outdoors and peace. It’s a fairly compelling mix and it’s all part of what makes Daylesford’s Mary-Faeth Chenery tick.
Mary-Faeth is also one of the five 2025 inductees onto the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll for International Women's Day.
“For me it’s continuing to focus on kindness and inner peace and trying to radiate that to others,” she says.
Originally from North Carolina USA, Mary-Faeth retains the trace of a US accent. In her light-filled Daylesford home a Steinway grand piano is a family treasure and when quizzed she says that yes, she does play a little - “classical”.
The IWD recognition in large part acknowledges Mary-Faeth’s ongoing leadership in striving to ensure affordable housing exists, particularly for the largest growing cohort of homeless Australians, older women.
Prior to “retiring” and shouldering her current voluntary roles, Mary-Faeth headed up the Department of Outdoor Education and Nature Tourism at La Trobe University in Bendigo.
She has a masters in management, a PhD in psychology and has studied theosophy and spiritual traditions and practices from around the globe.
Her work toward perpetuating global peace includes serving as a distinguished representative of Australia at numerous international events organised by the Global Peace Initiative of Women.
And, as co-founder and president of Older Women in Cohousing (WINC), Mary-Faeth has made great strides in addressing the housing security needs of older women, including older lesbians.
Under her leadership, WINC is now developing a project that will provide 31 new, small, sustainable and accessible homes within a mutually supportive community in nearby Castlemaine.
Since 2017, she has worked with her co-founder to establish the organisation, acquire the property, foster a community of older women and secure planning permission for this innovative village.
“We are now receiving interest from all over Australia and from the media,” says Mary-Faeth, whose vision aims to help ensure older women experiencing financial hardship have the opportunity to live with dignity and agency.
She is also a founding member and current president of Safe Place Homes, an incorporated society dedicated to alleviating housing challenges within the Hepburn Shire and beyond.
This work, all voluntary, has notably contributed to the inclusion of four social housing units as part of Daylesford’s Middleton Fields development.
Quietly honoured and humble in receiving her IWD honour, this well-informed and erudite local pauses and reflects for a moment before thoughtfully answering the question I put to her: “How can anyone help make the world a better place in such troubled and troubling times?”
“Something my spiritual teacher Ananda Tara Shan said to me is ‘look for where the good is radiating and follow that’. That to me is a good approach.
“And,” she adds, “I think it’s terribly important to listen to others.”
Words: Eve Lamb
Mary Harvey
New inductee onto the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll, Bullarto’s Mary Harvey says her recent International Women's Day accolade comes as an unexpected surprise.
The award pays homage to Mary’s impressive role in contributing to multiple community organisations and committees as a volunteer.
Both Mary and her husband Don are well known for their volunteer roles with the Daylesford & District Agricultural Society and their vital contributions to helping bring the Daylesford Show back to life and making it happen in style each year.
A retired librarian and French teacher, Mary’s volunteer contributions to the wider local community span U3A, the French Circle, the Bullarto Hall Committee, the Spa Quilters and the Trentham branch of the ALP.
With a background as a qualified librarian, Mary shared her expertise by cataloguing numerous books and maps for the Daylesford Museum and managing the library for Spa Quilters for a decade.
Mary's skills as a publicity and publications officer were instrumental in editing the 100 Years of Daylesford Gold Mining History for the Daylesford Museum. She has compiled the 22-page schedule for the annual Daylesford Show since 2018.
The first in her family to attend university, Mary was always keen to encourage others to get involved in volunteering and also very keen to encourage girls and women to stand up and be counted.
“Don’t underestimate yourself,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to put yourself forward.
“I’d like to encourage people to volunteer. You meet some great people and work with some great people. The people I work with are fabulous. They’re selfless in a way, and somebody’s got to do it. These organisations and volunteers are the backbone of our communities. It can be very rewarding.”
Mary said it was concerning to see that many communities are struggling to attract a new generation of volunteers. “There are so many organisations in our community alone, some 80 in and around Daylesford. But our volunteers are ageing. Don is 80 and I’m 78,” she said.
As to her recent honour roll listing, Mary said: “It is a bit of a surprise being nominated. I hadn’t expected it. I was pleased…and proud.”
Words & image: Eve Lamb
Hepburn Shire Council marked International Women’s Day on March 5 with a community event in Trentham celebrating the remarkable achievements of women and marking the 20th anniversary of the Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.
The Honour Roll, which celebrates the exceptional contributions of women in our community, inducted five new members this year: Mary-Faeth Chenery, Mary Harvey, Lynda Poke, Donna Kelly and Jessie Leggatt (posthumous).
The Local will run stories on the contributions of Lynda Poke and Jessie Leggatt in the next edition, out April 10.
The editor believes enough is known about Ms Kelly to have no need for a piece to be written about her. Ms Kelly agrees.
Council news
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE DAYLESFORD TOWN HALL
The community engagement period for the Daylesford Community Facilities project has started. The project is investigating the potential of a community hub at the Daylesford Town Hall which will include a library, customer experience hub and multi-purpose community facilities. Since the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project, vital improvements have been made to project management practices, community engagement, and transparency, which includes the establishment of a community-based Project Advisory Group.
To have your say and learn more about the project, including how it could be funded, visit www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au
LISTENING POST EVENTS
Come along to our Listening Posts to discuss matters that are important to you. Councillors and senior Council staff will be in attendance. The next event is on Thursday 27 March (Daylesford Coles) 4 pm to 6 pm. The following one will be Saturday 3 May (Trentham Spudfest) 10 am to 12 pm. More info at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/listening-posts
PET REGISTRATIONS DUE
Register your pet by Thursday 10 April to ensure you are doing all you can to be quickly reunited with your furry friend if they go missing. First year registrations are free for desexed and microchipped dogs and cats and discounts are available for eligible pets. Visit our website for more information www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/pet-registrations
Are you looking for a Home Care Package provider? Council
DJUWANG BARING SURVEYS
We are inviting feedback from Creswick residents and businesses on the post-opening impacts of the trails. Two surveys are available on the Participate Hepburn website www.participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au
PLANNING TEAM CHANGES
To better serve the community and streamline our processes, our Planning team will be dedicating Mondays to processing applications. This means they will not be available on Mondays for counter enquiries or phone calls. Tuesday to Friday they will be available on the phone from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm and we recommend you phone ahead if you would like to discuss your matter in person. Visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/planning
UNAUTHORISED RELEASE OF THE REX REPORT
We have recently published a media release regarding the unauthorised release of the Local Government Inspectorate draft report on the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project. Read the full release on our website www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/leak
RATE CAP VARIATION APPLICATION
Council is seeking approval for an increased rate cap for the 2025/26 financial year to secure our long-term financial sustainability. The proposal has been submitted to the Essential Services Commission and aligns with the Financial Vision 2024-2027 endorsed at the Special Council Meeting on 10 September 2024. Read the full media release on our website www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/rate-cap-variation
EAT | DRINK | ENJOY
Rustic Habitat ready for visitors in Bullarto
Elizabeth Edmunds has long dreamed of opening a little shop of her own, at her home, where she could step out of her front door, close the gate behind her, and with a short walk, be inside another world.
A house on the main road at Bullarto had potential - with room for a shop which has become the wonderful world of Rustic Habitat.
The shop began as an old garage of sorts - with two resident possums, who now live in the Taj Mahal of possum boxes under the house's verandah. Elizabeth then set about construction of her dream, with many wheelbarrows of cement, walls, glazing, lighting and insulation, and then got dramatic and painted the inside black.
"My overall desire for the shop was to create a place where everyone felt relaxed and happy. Somewhere for local families and passers-by to come, and just enjoy.
"I did spend many nights lying in bed wondering if I had chosen the right colour, but as it was, it worked out perfectly."
Being a creative person, Elizabeth then filled the shop with colourful, fun and interesting things, all with a wow factor. "When I finally finished filling it I knew it had all of those things in spades."
Elizabeth has long been a collector, storing all her precious finds up until she could finally let them shine in their cabinets and on the benches under the lights.
"Now my beloved salt and peppers line the windows and china collectibles fill the cabinets, all safe behind glass ready for their new owners.
"My love of vintage toys fills the high shelf above the counter. Huge glass jars sit on the counter top, full of lollies and chocolates, which I must admit tucking into after long days of price tagging.
"Down the side of the shop I made a rustic metal outdoor area which is now chock full of interesting odds and ends, both big and small. The sort of things that look great screwed onto old paint-peeling gates or picket fences, or the blank side of a wall near a cottage garden, and bigger things that add a bit of rustic charm to a garden."
And finally, rather than use the courtyard for selling, Elizabeth has turned the space into somewhere for children to play. She scoured Melbourne for little rides and fun things. "I couldn’t believe it when I found my all time favourite The Magic Roundabout carousel from the 70s complete with Dougal and Zebedee.
"A few trips later and we acquired a Mr Blobby see saw ride and a funny looking donkey ride, and it was coming together as I had hoped. A Playschool rocket clock, teepee and oversized connect four game finished off the area, and I topped it off with a colourful parachute above and a whole tonne of coloured balls. Free rides and fun.
"My dream was coming together. The gnomes moved in and stood to attention, ready to greet the little ones and their parents."
Rustic Habitat is open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 3pm.
Pictured, Elizabeth and her son Reece; below, the play space (Advertorial)
The Stones, Clydesdale, open for garden lovers
The Stones, an ever-evolving tough climate garden, created around an 1850s stone farmhouse in central Victoria, will celebrate its first autumn opening with Open Gardens Victoria on April 26 and 27.
Owners Jeremy Valentine and Grant Francis purchased the historic Clydesdale property over a decade ago and were faced with waist-high grass and a sea of weeds.
The property’s tough utilitarian past meant there was little in the way of a garden, except for a few walnut and fruit trees. There was much work to be done, and the owners had little experience of gardening in savage winter frosts and dry summer heat.
The pair embarked on a journey of discovery, looking at what thrived in local gardens, particularly the neglected ones, on ruin sites, and on roadsides where hardy plants survived. Slowly they expanded the garden’s repertoire of plants, concentrating on doing their own landscaping and building many of the stone walls and steps.
The garden now expands beyond the house grounds, with new beds and plantings in less traditional styles. The cactus garden makes a bold architectural statement while also adding a subtle whimsy to the landscape with swaying grasses.
In late April, visitors will discover a garden in transition, with summer growth fading and the hot, dry conditions mellowing. Jeremy describes it as a “romantically shabby scene of spent seed heads and new autumn growth" set against the backdrop of the wonderful colours of autumn leaves.
The Stones is at 1530 Hepburn-Newstead Road, Clydesdale and open on the weekend from 10am - 4.30pm. Enjoy CWA-inspired morning and afternoon tea including lamingtons, tea, cakes and biscuits, served in old china cups and saucers Tickets at the gate or Trybooking. Adults $10, students $6, under 18 free.
New generation loving the rhythms of Africa
The powerful rhythms of Africa are not only coming to Creswick, they’re becoming part of the lives of a whole new generation of locals.
In the lead up to CresFest (April 4-6) children at the town’s three primary schools are taking part in some pretty special workshops, learning how to play African drumming rhythms and to sing traditional African songs.
Ghanaian musician and master drummer Kofi Kunkpe, pictured right, and Creswick musician and music educator Stella Savy are leading the workshops.
The children will then get to perform what they’ve learned as part of the free Rhythms of African Extravaganza that’s set to transform a large part of the town’s main street on Saturday, April 5 at 4pm as part of the festival.
Stella, who is also co-director of the festival, says it’ll be a prime chance for everyone and anyone to enjoy the sounds of Africa and get involved in the fun themselves.
The African extravaganza and the in-school workshops have been enabled with a $17,600 grant through the federal government’s Festivals Australia grants initiative. It has also seen Stella go into the schools earlier this term to teach the African songs in original languages.
“They are singing in about five different Ghanaian languages,” says Stella.
The funding has been particularly valuable for the schools in delivering music education for the students, particularly as two of the three schools do not otherwise have music programs already in place.
“It’s a great joy seeing kids learn new things,” Kofi Kunkpe said.
The charismatic Ghanaian musician says the experience of stepping out of normal routine and into a different musical world is often transformative and surprising for the children, and also for parents hearing what their kids have learned.
“At the end of the day, when they get it, it makes me happy,” Kofi said.
The Rhythms of Africa Extravaganza will also feature other talented musos including Creswick Drum Circle and the Creswick Chorus, who have also been busy learning songs in original languages especially for the event.
“We’ve got a world-class music festival happening in this town so I think it’s fantastic for the children to have this opportunity to interact with it in a real way,” Stella says.
“To have an opportunity to perform at a big event like that is the kind of thing that they’ll remember for the rest of their life.
“The main thing that I see is joy. Kids who are allowed to be loud and move and sing and dance and I know that they’re all going to love playing the drums with Kofi.
“And that in itself is worth it. In these times, joy is not always easy to find. That’s where music plays a crucial role in everyone’s life.” Link: www.cresfest.com.au
Scan the QR code to hear the Creswick Chorus, right, in action
Words: Eve Lamb
Above image: Supplied
Below: Kyle Barnes
Not-for-profit gallery to open in Creswick
A group of creative, focused and determined Creswick women will soon open Art on Albert, a not-for-profit art gallery for local and regional artisans, including painters, woodwork, ceramics, pottery, textile artists, sculptors and photographers.
Creswickians have long talked about what a bonus an art gallery would be to the town and the region. Fortunately, a group of like-minded people have formed a committee and made this a reality.
By good fortune, the perfect space recently became available at 86 Albert Street. Negotiations were finalised with work commencing in record time to fit out the space.
Julie Reed is president, with Heather Ingram treasurer and Traycie Walker secretary. Interest in the gallery has been fantastic and thanks to members of the committee - Glenis Edwards, Christine Dobson (pictured with her work Blue Moon), Jo Flood, Jennifer Powell and Christine Reed working together to have the gallery ready in time for CresFest - visitors will be able to purchase quality art work.
As a not-for-profit gallery the aim is to return a surplus from sales of art back to the community to organisations like Shannon’s Bridge or the Men’s Shed. Exhibitors will pay for a space and will be able to leave their work for up to three months.
Ms Dobson said they were keen to encourage young and emerging artists by providing a wall where young people can proudly display their art.
Art on Albert, 86 Albert Street, Creswick, will be staffed by volunteers and opens on Sunday, March 30. It will then be open Thursday to Monday from 10am to 4pm. Artist enquiries to artonalbert86@gmail.com
Words & image: Fiona Watson
Artists of the Central Highlands with Eve Lamb
Kevin Smith’s dynamic talent has made him no stranger to winning art prizes, including an impressive collection of the region’s most prestigious. This Little Hampton based artist currently has a new exhibition of his work on show at Trentham’s Cosmopolitan Hotel.
Eve: I hear you did nicely quite recently with a certain art prize?
Kevin: Yes I won the landscape prize in the Daylesford Rotary Art Show. It was a surprise on the night. It was a local scene, the Trentham Falls. Petrus Spronk was the judge. I mean it’s nice but I’m not in it for the prizes.
Eve: You’ve been a practicing artist for quite a while now haven’t you?
Kevin: Sixty years. Since I was at art school. I was 16 and it was called the National Gallery Art School at the time. It’s now VCA at the back of the (National Gallery of Victoria) art gallery.
Eve: But what drew you to art in the first place?
Kevin: I was influenced by my older brother, anything he was into, and he was into art. In my early teens I had a good art teacher at college. The art students were seen as being ‘out there’. I love the expressionists, especially the German expressionists.
Eve: Now you’ve got this new show that’s just opened here at The Cosmo in Trentham, how long will these works be exhibited here?
Kevin: They’ll be on show here for a couple of months.
Eve: There’s some fantastic large paintings here. How many individual works are there in this exhibition?
Kevin: Thirty-three, completed over the last year.
Eve: What media do you prefer to use?
Kevin: Usually oil but this lot is primarily acrylic.
Eve: Can you tell me a bit more about this recent body of work?
Kevin: There are some pure abstract, some expressionist landscapes and townscapes. Some are just fun, like those Ned Kelly ones. Young Ned Kelly was arrested near here, near Little Hampton. There are also some social commentary pieces, a bit political.
Eve: Have you ever worked in any other areas besides art?
Kevin: Yes. I’ve owned book stores and worked in the book trade. My brother and I had a book store in Bourke Street, and I also worked at the Adelaide Art Gallery. Ran their book store for a few years. I did all the buying. I’ve also worked at Deans Art Supplies and also as a stage hand working on sets including A Country Practice. It was fun for a while.
Eve: What do you enjoy most about the process of making art?
Kevin: Just not knowing what you’re going to end up with. Playing with colour and materials. I play music while I work, usually contemporary jazz.
Eve: Do you have any significant events ahead that you are working towards?
Kevin: I’m working on sculpture which will be going into the Trentham Art Prize at Easter.
Eve: What’s your subject?
Kevin: Dogs. My little foxy dog Bessie often gets worked into my work. I don’t think she has for this (Cosmopolitan Hotel) one though. Poor bugger.
"Some are just fun, like those Ned Kelly ones. Young Ned Kelly was arrested near here, near Little Hampton…" - Artist Kevin Smith
CRESWICK TOWN HALL
26 April at 2pm
70 Albert Street, Creswick
Glen's Garden
The weather gods can’t seem to settle on what to throw at us. One minute it's autumn with coloured leaves and all and then it moves to frosty mornings and soon enough bare branches.
Little wonder even the oldest trees are bewildered and took a bit of persuading to turn on the “autumn striptease spectacular”. Winter’s not too far behind so you’d better get on to all the winter-wise garden chores to ready your garden before the cold weather really hits us.
First and foremost come those little chores that ensure your trees and shrubs are going to withstand winds and rainstorms, by tying up loose branches, tightening wobbly stakes, and cutting off broken or weakened stems etc.
Your potted plants, mainly the warm-climate, frost-tender varieties, are going to need special attention to see the winter out.
As for indoor plants, they mostly need little different treatment than the rest of the year except, maybe, to be moved to a warmer, better lit spot and watered less frequently.
This first timely letter reminds me of another factor.
Q. Plants in the bathroom. I read somewhere that it was a good idea to put indoor plants in the bathroom when they aren’t looking good...is this true? JP, Castlemaine
A. Yes, but only if the bathroom is well lit. Most indoor plants have originated from the tropics or sub tropics where the humidity is much higher than ours.
When a plant is affected by the cold or the lack of light, a spell of a week or two in a bathroom where the steam from baths, and especially showers, closely duplicates the humid atmosphere of home, they soon usually buck up. The boost of a soft warm shower will also clean the dust and grime from their pores and brighten them up no end.
Q. Could you please tell me the botanical name of a small tree I saw last April? It has a small leaf, something like a silver birch. The leaves turn red in the autumn and it is covered with sprays of red berries throughout the summer. - MJ, Glenlyon.
A. From your description the tree is crataegus phaenopyrum, commonly known as Washington hawthorn.
Q. What causes my cut flowers to wilt rapidly even when they are not old? - DB, Tylden
A. It depends on the flower variety. Many of the soft, sappy stemmed one are hopeless, non keepers. You should have more luck with the usual firm-stemmed varieties if you change the water often and cut a couple of centimetres from the bottom of the stems under water as hot as your hand can stand. Leave the stems in that water until it cools.
Simply email your enquiry to: Garden queries c/o glenzgarden@gmail.com
You should see your answer in the next edition of The Local
Give Beck a Call
Ever bought a flatpack and then struggled to put it together? Or bought a smart TV only to just keep on watching free-to-air programs? Ever tried to connect your smart TV to your smart phone? If you answered yes to any of the above you need to Give Beck a Call.
Beck Lewis is ready, willing and able to take the hassles out of many of life’s little, and big, problems. She has always loved putting her brain and hands to work together, but it was only after she had put Vegepod together for her mum that she thought ‘I can do that for a living’.
"Mum was the one who suggested I do this. She’s watched me grow up and has seen what I can do, and who knows better than a mum! So that’s where the idea came from.
“I love puzzles and that is what it is like for me. I know I am good at it, and I know a lot of people don’t like doing those sorts of things, or they get frustrated. I just play to my strengths.
“Smart TVs are the same. People sometimes just don’t know how to connect to Chromecast, or to their phones, but I can help them do that, and download any apps they might need, and best of all, show them how to use the technology.
“I had a client who called me a few weeks ago. She bought a television four years ago and had never connected it to the internet. So I helped her and now she can do it all. By the end she was the pro!”
Beck said another client wanted to make sure all her gym equipment was correctly installed and to carry out a few other tasks about the house. “And when I was there I noticed her split system was not working that well so I cleaned the filter for her as well. I just like to help out where I can. It gives me a lot of satisfaction – and I clean up really well afterwards - and I just love my work. I don’t do everything but I do a lot, even hang curtains, people just need to give me a call and ask.”
Some people might recall Beck from a story in The Local two years ago. After discovering a small lump she was diagnosed with breast cancer and used her story to promote breast screening.
“I am due for my two-year check up next month but it’s all good so far. I just wanted women to make sure they did the screening, whether it’s at the BreastScreen bus or in Ballarat. It’s free and easy. I think I did encourage quite a few women to take up the opportunity – which is great.” Give Beck A Call on 0476 656 752.
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Richard Cornish, award winning journo, food writer and author, is writing a series of recipes for his favourite local butcher, The Daylesford Meat Co. For more recipes, visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au
Pork and Ricotta Polpette in Tomato Sauce
BY RICHARD CORNISH
These delicious bite-sized morsels of lightly spiced pork and ricotta are soft, tender, and coated with a rich tomato sauce. The secret to perfect polpette is in the mixing. You need to think of the mixture like bread dough and mix it thoroughly until the protein starts to bond and the mix becomes sticky. It takes a few minutes, and you do need clean hands. It’s a good idea to remove jewellery - I know a woman who lost her wedding ring in the mix and didn’t find out until she had baked the polpette!
220g white bread (1/3 loaf), crusts removed, cut into cubes
Preheat the oven to 200°C. Place the bread into a food processor and make coarse crumbs using the pulse function. Place the crumbs in a large bowl and add the pork, pancetta, eggs, ricotta, half the pecorino, parsley, oregano, fennel seeds, crushed red chilli, half teaspoon salt and half teaspoon pepper.
Use clean hands and mix the ingredients until the mixture becomes sticky. Place three rounded teaspoons of the mixture in the palms of your hands shape them into meatballs. You should be able to make 24. Place the polpette onto an oiled roasting tray.
Roast the polpette for 30 minutes or until firm and browned.
Loosen the polpette using a spatula. Deglaze the pan wine the wine. Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
Lower the oven to 160ºC. Cook for a further 2 hours uncovered. Turn the meatballs occasionally.
When done, sprinkle with the remaining pecorino and basil.
Serve hot with crusty bread, a salad, and a glass of Passing Clouds Pinot Noir.
FARM FRESH SAVINGS: PREMIUM MEAT AT DOWN-TO-EARTH PRICES
GREENHILLS GRASS-FED BBQ STEAK ONLY $19.95/KG SAVE $15/KG!
GREENHILLS LAMB LEG CHOPS ONLY $29.99/KG SAVE $10/KG!
Skip the super market mystery meat. Our locally raised, grass-fed beef and lamb is ethically farmed, properly aged, and expertly butchered - now at prices that’ll make the big chains blush. No need to wonder about additives, hormones and vaccines. We don’t have a bar of that!
Many more specials in-store now!
supporting Locals”
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.
Happy 10th Birthday Blackwood Carnival
With its first market held in April 2015 the Clunes Farmers and Makers Market will be celebrating its 10th birthday at the April market on Sunday, April 13 from 9am to 1pm.
The market has, and has seen, some amazing stallholders over their time. Beginning with an average of about 18 stalls and filling Collins Place, it has since grown steadily and now sees an average of 25-30 every month, now held on historic Fraser Street.
Despite its modest size, the market certainly isn’t lacking. The committee pride themselves on their diversity and selection of stalls on offer, with very minimal repetition of products in the monthly line-up.
Over the years the market has undergone several changes from being strictly a farmers’ market to joining forces with the makers' market when they amalgamated in 2019, bringing about the Clunes Farmers and Makers Market.
The pandemic saw the market come to a stop as did many markets, but there was an effort to continue to offer some of the goods from the market through an online store to keep their presence active. Once they re-opened for trade, the stallholders began to return along with the crowds and the amazing ambience, atmosphere and community spirit people had come to expect of the monthly event.
Many of the stallholders such as The Card Lady, G’sBees Honey, Mary Widow Life Jewels, With Love, Shayna and Yolanda’s homemade cakes and biscuits to name a few are local, there are many from the surrounding areas of the Goldfields and Ballarat, and there have been some from as far as Yarra Valley and Narrung.
There are also stallholders such as Allendale Native & Habitat Plants and Fancy Chooks, who have been with the market since its launch.
The market has seen start-ups, retirements, change of business owners and stalls breaking into the retail market. Their youngest stallholder Darcy, is just 14-years-old.
The market has several exciting things planned for April 13, with live music always being a part of the market they welcome the Drongo and the Crow and a roving musician. The Ballarat Irish Dance academy will be performing several sets, there will be face painting, free kids activities and free entry into a $150 prize giveaway.
The market is a not-for-profit organisation and 100 per cent volunteer run. They are always on the lookout for extra hands or committee members so if you’re interested, contact marketsocials@clunesvic.org.au or chat to them at the market.
The Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival. Think woodchop, music, kids' events, market, a parade, gumboot throwing, sack races, stalls, great food and of course, a Devonshire tea.
It's all coming together ready for about 4000 people on Saturday, April 19 from 10am
Committee member Angelko Juresko said the music line-up was great with The Johnnys from Sydney and a few local bands keeping toes tapping.
"The music is good and that's a relatively new addition to the carnival, it's only been here for a few years. We also have the parade at 11am which is a crowd favourite. A lot of people like to watch the parade, which is led by a band, and then follow it down to the reserve. It's a lot of fun."
Angelko said the event had a big team, with about 19 people involved - plus another six from the Blackwood Progress Committee.
"So that's a fairly large group doing the organising and I think it's worked really well. Everybody's had a smaller job to do. In other years we have had people burn out because they are doing too much but not this year. And everyone is committed to a great day out."
Angelko said the woodchop had been going for more than 50 years and brought in quite a few people just to watch that event.
"It's just a great country festival and a fantastic day out. We hope to see everyone there. And I am looking forward to that Devonshire tea!"
Advertorial
Head to the Facebook page and give it a like or follow to stay updated on future markets and events: @ClunesFarmersMakersMarket. The market is VFMAaccredited, with free entry. It is family and dog friendly, so head to the 10th birthday of the Clunes Farmers and Makers Market on Sunday, April 13 from 9am-1pm and celebrate this milestone birthday with them.
- Laineey Thomas, Bacchus Marsh; Rosiest Cheeks/Miss Tiny Tot - Natalie Anderson, Campbells Creek; and Prince - Jacob Smits, Maddingley. Images: Kyle Barnes
Public Notice
CRESFEST - ROAD CLOSURES
CresFest Festival will be held on 4 to 6 April 2025 in Creswick.
To facilitate the safe conduct of this event, the following road closures will be in place:
Friday 5 April from 5 pm to Sunday 7 April until 6 pm
• Water Street will be closed between Albert Street and Exchange Lane.
Saturday 6 April from 7 am to Sunday 7 April until 7 pm
• Cambridge Street will be closed between Raglan Street and Albert Street for southbound traffic. Raglan Street will be closed between Cambridge Street and Albert Street, with local access only and detours in place. Normal traffic direction will be reversed in Cambridge Street south to allow access to the south carriageway off Raglan Street.
Saturday 6 April from 7 am to 7 pm
• Albert Street service road will be closed with local access only between Raglan Street and Hall Street. Check out the program https://cresfest.com.au/ We hope to see you there.
Radical Fields Arts and Community, a nonprofit artist organisation based on Djaara Country in Glenlyon, held its second annual Harvest, a one-day regional arts festival in a paddock celebrating creativity, community and local culture, on Saturday, March 22. Among those attending were Daylesford Crossfit who decided their event was a tractor pull, literally.
Image: Kyle Barnes
17C Barkly Street
17A Barkly Street
17B Barkly Street
Kyle’s Rant
I really need to drop the kids off at the pool, build a log cabin, drop anchor, grow a tail, lay some cable, let the dogs out... you know, do a number two.
But I am not allowed. Not for six months now. And, one day, in the near future, it just ain't going to be pretty. I have Hepburn Shire Council to blame.
Last year I diligently jumped through hoops, made my way through obstacles and asked “how high, sir?” so HSC would allow me to turn one bit of land into two.
One of the headscratchers was a water garden, pictured, which was insisted on by one of the many officers who float in and out of employment in the hallowed halls of HSC's planning office.
But it’s not entirely true that we had to install said water garden, we were, in fact, given a choice. The first was to install a water garden which is a soak pit for the tank overflow, if any. Historically the overflow had been making its way out to large gutters in the main street of Glenlyon for more than 150 years.
The second was to put $5000 into the council coffers. I kid you not. The garden was obviously the cheaper option but even if it wasn’t I would have rather paid $10,000 for the garden than donated to the council's Christmas party.
But back to my toilet tantrum.
Part of the deal was to close off my septic pit, one that never gave any trouble and was in perfect working order. But I am for tweaking things especially when it comes to environmental issues.
So, I dropped a further $14,000 on a new fandangled septic system in September last year which the good people from Ballan Plumbing installed in a day with little interruption. The paperwork was quickly expedited to the body that made me install the thing in the first place, yes, HSC, along with a command that we don't use the toilet until they sign off on it.
That was in September and it is now March. A long wait for a long drop. WTF. Meanwhile, the latest big council news is that HSC are asking for more rate money, in fact a 10 per cent hike from all ratepayers. But I have to pose a question - if we hand over more money to HSC will anything change? Ten per cent is a lot of extra money to find and I am sure they need it, but so do I.
I am not sure what the alternative is to handing over the money because I can’t see another council absorbing our debt and issues. Who would want that? Macedon Ranges? Mt Alexander? So, what happens if the HSC can no longer afford to keep the lights on and no neighbouring council wants to pick us up? Would the state government have to step in and find commissioners to get us back in the black?
And how did all this start? Well, it is no secret that the Inspectorate report has been leaked all over Facebook by “Council Watch” and most of the answers are there.
We have had it in our possession for a couple of years but given some of the litigious players in the report and a sense of self-preservation for our small newspaper we haven’t been able to release it into the public domain.
As we always said it is a very interesting read. And I am sure that a lot of the planning criteria was fast-tracked. I bet they didn’t have to install a water garden or wait six months to go for a poo.
If you see me around, be kind and don't give me the shits. Won't be pretty, rant over….
Local Lines
the little table
the little table sits next to the adult chairs in the waiting room at the clinic
the little table is varnished square topped with a dividing line more to one side than the other
two little chairs address the little table but nothing graces it
a name is called you rise from your adult seat
how are you the doctor asks not flash
- Bill Wootton
Bill is quite well, just giving readers of this column a break from haiku this fortnight.
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
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.
Pick me, pick me!
Hi! I’m Dahlia and I’m looking for
I have a very sweet and loving nature and a knack of melting the hearts of all I meet. With a tilt of my head I will let you know it’s time for a head scratch. Microchip no. 956000016238540.
Come and meet me at MAAWs in Castlemaine.
Phone: 5472 5277.
(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. Pick me, pick me is also proudly supported by Daylesford's petstock - where pets are family.)
Just sayin’...
By Donna Kelly
We went to our first gay wedding a week ago. In Sydney. It was fantastic. Very casual, in a cafe in Surry Hills. Great celebrant called Zoe.
I met one of the grooms, Steve Dow, back in Frankston Leader days, but he was always destined for bigger things. Including his husband as it turns out. More about that later.
Anyway Steve is a freelance writer and author and so I have asked his permission to run a piece from his speech on the night. It is an essay he wrote 20 years ago, in 2005, that was published in The Age, and titled All my friends are getting married
"There are certain delicious, subtle things about being a gay couple, out of the range of society's radar. Hands furtively held on the armrest in the cinema, or a covert brush against one another in the street. My partner - also named Steve - and I moved house from Melbourne's Prahran to Sydney's Darlinghurst and, in doing so, gained such liberties. Public affection between persons of matched sex is not the done thing in Chapel Street on a Saturday night. That is Oxford Street behaviour, on dedicated Mardi Gras evenings.
"Most intimate relationships around us already come with a tradition of public affirmation: gifts and ribbons and cake and speeches follow solemn vows between a man and a woman, to the exclusion of all others, for life. Other relationships, such as ours, tend to inch along in a linear fashion, unmarked by pomp, although the signifiers are clear to those who care to notice the detail.
"Steve and I have never been much for bouquets. But contemporary same-sex marriage debates do make me ponder if I would like that public approval, and moreover the legal protection of a piece of paper that confirms I hug the same guy on the couch every night.
"Steve and I met one surprisingly sober autumn night in April 1999 at the Sir Robert Peel Hotel in Collingwood during a men-only monthly dance party marketed as, ahem, Throb. Climate is something of a conduit for fidelity: Melbourne's winters can be long, so gay boys begin their annual hunt to partner up against the cold.
"It was dark in the disco, but I chose well. He was dancing tall and alone with his shirt off in a corner, showing off his squarely constructed shoulders. Classic square jaw. 'Hi,' I might have said, ingeniously. 'Hi.' He smiled.
"'Want some water?'I asked, proffering my half-full bottle, which I suddenly no longer saw as half-empty. 'Sure.'
"We danced off centre stage together. A cheap date, even considering the $5 door charge. He'd seen me some weeks earlier, marching up and down Peel Street, preparing for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, torso exposed with fairy wings strapped to my back, a little white wrap around my butt. A Melbourne Marching Boy in miniature.
"We barely fitted in his small one-bedroom South Yarra flat that first year, but we were happy. He quickly dubbed me Mini Me, after the small person in the Austin Powers films. Naturally, I named him Bigger Me. It's the closest we edge to tactility as a public couple. I can't tell you where my wings flew."
Fast forward 20 years and in his 2025 wedding speech Steve said:
"After 25 years together, and more than seven years since marriage equality was achieved, the question has become, 'Why get married now?', with the implication 'what took you so long?', to which my answer is, this is to celebrate Steve and I making it this far. We want to mark the occasion with friends and family as well as to thank you for accepting us for who we are. We want to respect and celebrate our respective differences with one another.
"We also have an eye to looking after one another as we get older, especially after being reminded of our mortality with the loss of mine and Steve’s parents. So, there’s the legal certainty that we are one another’s significant other. And the other question is 'who proposed to whom?', to which I have no answer – it’s been a long road to get to this point, and the detail gets lost in the martini mists of time."
Congratulations Steve and Steve - and many thanks for the honour of inviting us to your wedding. We had a blast - best wedding ever. And while it's early days, may I say I think marriage becomes you. Just sayin'...
Steve Dow, Steve Roe and Billy
W RD CROSS
Here is the crossword solution for Edition 327.
How did you go?
All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.
Markets
Every Sunday - Daylesford Sunday Market
First Saturday - Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers Market, Woodend Farmers Market
Second Saturday - Trentham Community Group Market, Kyneton Farmers Market, Kyneton Rotary Community Market
Second Sunday - Maldon Market, Clunes Farmers Market
Third Saturday - Trentham Farmers Market and Makers Market, Glenlyon Farmers Market, Leonards Hill Market, Creswick Market
Third Sunday - Talbot Farmers Market, Woodend Lions Market
Fourth Sunday - Daylesford Farmers Market, Trentham Station Sunday Market
Handy Person
Business Directory - Buy Local
0459 619
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