The Local March 25 2024

CresFest Magic

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Front cover: Australia’s leading female magician and mentalist, Cath Jamison, who hails from Hepburn Springs, will be just one of those performing at CresFest early next month. Read all about the festival on page 3.

Image: Eve Lamb

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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 8, 2024. or online on Sunday, April 7 at www.tlnews.com.au

Space bookings: Wednesday, April 3

Copy deadline: Thursday, April 4

Editorial deadline: Thursday, April 4

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

Editorial: Eve Lamb on 0493 632 843 or editorial@tlnews.com.au

Sub-editors: Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester the Cat

Writers: Eve Lamb, Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Narelle Groenhout, Simone Kaplan & Donna Kelly

Photographers: Kyle Barnes & Eve Lamb

Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness

Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (music), Sarah Lang (recipes), Clive Hartley (wine) & Bill Wootton (poetry)

Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey

The magic of CresFest

There are many ways to transform a town, and across our region community groups work all year to make their villages and towns the best they can be.

Think ChillOut, when Daylesford goes rainbow, think Booktown, when Clunes turns into a massive book store, and think SpudFest, when Trentham gives itself over to celebration of all things potato.

The town of Creswick is no exception, with award-winning event CresFest taking over the whole town from April 5 to 7. This year, says festival director Judy Turner, there is an extra twist.

“We decided to add the element of surprise,” she says, “and our streets will be full of fun – there’s a mini circus, Big Tops for Tiny Tots, a sword swallower, a sleight of hand expert from Texas, and Australia’s leading female magician and mentalist, Cath Jamison, hailing from Hepburn Springs.”

Jamison is noted as one of Australia’s most bizarre and unusual women entertainers - a wickedly hilarious entertainer who offers a feminine approach to the world of intrigue and is recognised worldwide for her astonishing skills in the fields of magic and mentalism.

“We’ve asked Cath to be a roving magician,” Judy says, “so our crowds are greeted with the unexpected. You might be sitting having a coffee with friends, and all of a sudden, Cath will pop up doing magic tricks for you and your gang.”

More than folk and roots music, CresFest has become renowned for its eclectic approach, presenting a series of Courthouse Conversations across the weekend, with host and former Daylesford identity Cate Kennedy talking up a storm with invited guests. “There’s so much to see and do all across our town, we want people from right across the region to join us the weekend after Easter, and explore all we have to offer.”

Words: Contributed | Image: Eve Lamb

World, ancient music

Ancient language, contemporary music and poignant stories will come together when Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse, pictured above, perform at CresFest next month.

The final program is out with organisers reporting strong ticket sales ahead of the third annual festival taking place over April 5-7.

Among headliner acts, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse use their music and performances to highlight one of the most beautiful and rare languages on the planet - the Noongar language of the southern corner of Western Australia.

As conduits of a fractured past, they have made it their mission to become agitators for a hopeful future, by rewriting the script through song.

They are a multi award-winning duo, but allow their performances and the power of the music they create to speak for itself.

Although there are less than 400 speakers of Noongar language left, their work has always been about what connects people, regardless of background.

CresFest associate artistic director Stella Savy says the festival is unique in its particularly strong offering of participatory events, with festival-goers offered plenty of opportunities to join in and be part of the fun themselves.

"CresFest is shaping up to be a wonderful weekend filled with interactive performances and experiences that I am eagerly anticipating,” Savy says.

There’s also a strong focus on world music and multiculturalism. Hailing from Québec, Canada, Melisande is another of the headliners.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of her électrotrad project, the multiple awardwinning singer will be performing songs from her repertoire with a traditional Québécois sound, accompanied by four seasoned musicians.

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Contributed

This CresFest World!

This CresFest World! is a podcast series of interviews with, and the music of, the people who have inspired and been part of CresFest, an annual music festival in Creswick.

Organising a music festival involves conversations with so many interesting and amazing people, it seems a shame for those conversations and experiences to become things of the past and lost to posterity. This podcast series is an ongoing attempt to record some of these marvellous interactions. Link: www.cresfest.com.au or scan this QR code...

To feel the need, the need for sidecar speed

When you’re doing well over 200km an hour, just centimetres from the ground with no seatbelt and no airbag you don’t think about much other than remaining upright.

The niche sport of sidecar racing would have to be one of the most photographic, daring, arguably lunatic and heroic motor sports going.

“It’s exciting,” says Daylesford’s Noel Beare, one of the fairly exclusive bunch of folk that belong to Australia’s competitive sidecar racing fraternity.

“You don’t think about your house loan or that bill you have to pay.”

When he’s racing sidecar Noel, also known around town in his more sedate guise as a postie, also thinks (or perhaps it’s something more instinctive than thought) about how he’s using his own body weight to counterbalance the ferocious forces happening at those speeds to keep the sidecar upright and hopefully in a winning position.

These days when they race, it’s Noel on back doing the “passengering” (read balancing) and son Declan in the driver’s seat.

Championships

They’re just back from Tailem Bend, South Australia where, totally self-funded, they put their F1 1000 CC sidecar through its paces at the Australian National Sidecar Championships.

They were doing very well up until a chain snapped setting them back somewhat.

But chat to father and son and it’s pretty clear neither are too worried about that little incident.

They both rate the experience as resoundingly positive, and as a good “shake down” for what lies ahead. “It was bit tricky learning a new track,” Declan says.

“We did the Friday practice day and by the end of that day we knew which corner was coming up next and so we were able to go a bit faster and have a bit of fun.

“On the last race before our chain snapped we started at 12th and got up to sixth and our times had kept dropping.

“We were starting to get a bit of a feel for the bike again because it’s been about four months since we’ve been out. It’s good to be back out on the bike, and all the changes that have been made have been really positive - a lot to do with the seating for myself, for more support and just so I can get a bit more of a feel for what the bike is doing.”

And, Noel adds, any safe outing is a good outing.

Losing Dwight

Many Daylesfordians will recall that the Beare family lost keen sidecar racer Dwight Beare, Declan’s brother, back in 2016. He’d been racing at the Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) at the time and following his untimely and tragic loss, the Daylesford Town Hall was filled with mourners.

So, today Noel says that heading back to the Isle of Man this May will be “bittersweet”.

Bitter because of the loss of Dwight, 27, there. Sweet because it’s here on this island that sits in the Irish Sea and is particularly famed for its F2 600 CC sidecar racing, that Noel feels especially close to the son he lost to this addictive sport.

The Isle of Man event will be happening over May 27-June 12 and Noel will once again be making the trek, not to compete but rather to watch and to mark the 10th anniversary since the first time he and Dwight ever attended the Isle to compete.

“It is a little bit bitter-sweet for us but I feel like we are close to Dwight there,” says Noel.

“I’ve been every year just to spectate. It’s fantastic. This year will be 10 years this year since I first raced there with Dwight. In 2014 there were 64 sidecars. We started in 61st position and we came 12th and won a bronze replica trophy.”

Hanging in the balance

Being described as a passenger simply couldn’t be any further from the passive role usually associated with being the seating position, as it entails using your body to shift and counter-balance the immense forces at play, frequently hanging over the side of the vehicle like a living rudder.

Noel is current holder of two lap records at the Sydney Motor Sports (Eastern Creek) Raceway where a lap is about 4.3km. One of those records was set with Dwight 10 years ago, an F2 class race (1.44.84). He also retains a current lap record at Phillip Island.

Before Noel heads off to the Isle of Man this year he and Declan are headed to Broadford in about a month’s time to compete in the Victorian titles.

“All the changes that Hamish (Millar)and the team have made (to the F1 1000 CC long chassis sidecar) are positive and you just hope for a safe and a fast time,” Noel says.

Many thanks

As they look ahead to take on the competition at Broadford there is a whole team of locals who they want to thank for helping them get their gleaming machine in order.

The list includes people like Hamish who has spent many months working on their F1 Road Race sidecar’s body, steering and even its remarkable paintwork.

“The paint is called aurora chameleon interference mica pearl,” says Hamish, who is noted as being the first person in Australia to have built an F2 sidecar, as raced at the Isle of Man.

Noel and Declan are also looking to compete at Phillip Island in September, a track where they regularly top 220km an hour.

“You know you’re alive I tell you,” Noel says, when asked what travelling at that sort of speed with part of your anatomy leveraging balance, just five or so centimetres from the ground, is like.

Noel says the number of people in the sport of sidecar racing is dwindling and he is keen to attract more to this niche motor racing fraternity that he loves.

“It’s an unusual sport. People often say ‘where are the safety belt and the airbag?’ And there is none! You just hang on.”

* The local team who Noel and Declan wish to thank for getting Beare Boys Racing up and running includes: Howe Auto - Albert and Will Lamb, Kerry Lamb, Deb and Peter; Daylesford Tyre Service - Jamie Adams, Jason Liversidge and Aaron; Dan O’Toole Signs; Hamish Millar (for nearly everything); and Mal Reid.

Words & main image and inset: Eve Lamb

Top image, Declan and Noel Beare racing at Broadford (State Motorcycle Centre) in 2017, contributed

Main image, from left, Declan and Noel Beare (at front) with Hamish Millar and Jason Liversidge (back) with Beare Boys Racing’s 1000CC Formula 1 Road Race Sidecar at Howe Auto

Inset, from left, Declan Beare, Noel Beare, Howe Auto owner Albert Lamb and Hamish Millar

THE SOAKED BUT SO WHAT BIT

Parish move for Fr Neil

Christ Church's Father Neil Fitzgerald will move to the parish of Woodend and Trentham, with his last Daylesford services over Easter.

Fr Neil said, in the Parish of Daylesford's monthly newsletter, he discovered quite early in life when watching the final episode of M*A*S*H, that he wasn’t very good at endings.

"Many people like me concentrate on the ‘what has been’ rather than the ‘what’s to come’ - and turning points like these become very dark indeed.

"There is also the lingering question of 'what would an extra year have produced?' – but this would always be the question no matter how many ‘extra years’ you are able to have.

"My time at the Parish of Daylesford has been an interwoven experience of extreme happiness, saddening loss, immense humility and the odd frustration. One thing I have certainly learnt when taking over a new parish is never let 'the keys are on the desk' be your one and only initiation.

"My anxiety moving to a new parish would be greater if it were any other centre than Woodend-Trentham, the first congregation we joined when moving from South Australia.

"I am certainly not the same person I was when I entered ministry in 2015 and I can honestly say that the training in the airlines dealing with crew and passengers was invaluable for parish work - many a time I have screamed in my head 'brace for impact' when I have foreseen problems arise only having to remember that no one is going to get hurt by choosing the wrong coloured paint.

"I have been incredibly fortunate to have had a congregation who have nurtured my growth, been willing to try new ideas, tolerate my idiosyncrasies but most importantly, welcome Stephen and me into their religious life as family.

"The only question you need to ask when moving on is 'have I left this place in a better way than when I arrived?' – I believe, like those who have come before me –the answer is ‘yes’ – and will be for the next priest, I’m sure.

"I am also incredibly blessed to have been accepted into the community of Daylesford, having met and worked with many organisations and people from a vast variety of skills and backgrounds. I have been very proud of this town, its citizens and its ethos.

"Above all, I will miss the personalities of the parish. I will miss the journey we have started that will now continue under the leadership of a new priest. I won’t miss the temperamental audio system.

"Thank you for taking me in, thank you for lifting me up, thank you for letting me go with such warm and irreplaceable memories and equally irreplaceable friendships." Words: Contributed | Image: Kyle Barnes

Easter Services

The Catholic parishes of Creswick and Daylesford

Holy Thursday, March 28 - Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper

5.30pm - Daylesford, 7pm - Creswick

Good Friday, March 29

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion

3pm - Creswick, 3pm - Daylesford

Holy Saturday, March 30 - 7.30pm - Easter Vigil Mass - Creswick

Easter Sunday, March 31 - 10.30am Mass - Daylesford

Christ Church, Daylesford

Maundy Thursday, March 28, 3pm

Good Friday, March 29, 6pm

Easter Day, March 31, 10am

St George's and St Mary Magdalen's, Trentham

Wednesday, March 27 - St George’s 7pm - a Service of Shadows (Tenebrae)

Maundy Thursday, March 28 - St George’s - Holy Communion - 7pm

Good Friday, March 29 - St George’s - Good Friday liturgy - 9am

Good Friday, March 29 - St Mary Magdalen’s - Stations of the Cross - 10am

Good Friday, March 29 - St George’s - Australian Stations of the Cross* - 7pm

Easter Day, March 31 - St Mary Magdalen's - 8.30am

Easter Day, March 31- St George’s - 9am

*The Australian Stations of the Cross is reflecting on 14 paintings by Dr Miriam Rose Ingunmerr-Baumann AM, Senior Australian of the Year 2021, each in Aboriginal style with brief words and a prayer from the artist.

Uniting Church, Daylesford

Maundy Thursday, March 28 - 5pm

Good Friday - 9.30am

Easter Sunday - 9.30am

Good Grub @ Easter

Daylesford’s Good Grub Club is holding a special Easter Passover lunch at the Uniting Church Hall this Thursday, March 28 from noon to 1.30pm.

Treasurer Liz Bennett said the Good Grub Club committee welcomed everyone. She also wanted to give thanks to the Daylesford District Community Bank for its ongoing support as the major sponsor.

“Without their support this would not be possible. The bank is keeping us going as we are not sure if we will have to move when the church is sold.

“Also thanks to the Daylesford Meat Co which is contributing lamb for the lunch. In addition to ongoing meat discounts the Meat Co supports us when we run these special lunches. Last year they gave us turkey for Christmas.”

Ms Bennett said Reverend Jenny Hayes, after many years of dedicated service, had just stepped down as president of the club, and will be giving an Easter blessing just before the lunch.

She said the club expects up to 50 people to gather for the lunch, which is quickly becoming a friendship networking group along with feeding those keen for a three-course midweek meal.

“People are now coming along and exchanging numbers and catching up outside of the club which is fantastic. Just last week it was one of our regular’s birthday and the chefs, who come from Blackwood, made her a cake and we all sang Happy Birthday.”

Ms Bennett said donations from people and organisations were always welcome but even more so as the club faces the uncertainty of a new location. "Local support will be critical as we navigate this challenge to ensure we can continue our vital service to the community. which would be a real shame.”

Above, volunteers at the Christmas lunch

Hepburn House's Memory Lane Unit

Hepburn House's Memory Lane, a 15-bed unit built specifically to assist residents with dementia, is now open!

Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Road, Hepburn. Book a tour of the new unit or the existing accommodation and living areas.

Bookings: dianne@hepburnhouse.com.au

For everything Hepburn House has on offer head to www.hepburnhouse.com.au or call 5348 8100. (RAT tests may be required.)

Healthy ageing expands

Good Friday Appeal

A pioneering healthy ageing project in the Hepburn Shire has been expanded to Daylesford, Trentham and Creswick after a successful pilot program in Clunes.

The project is a result of a partnership between Clunes Neighbourhood House, Attitude - Ageing Well in Clunes, and Central Highlands Rural Health and is backed by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network. It encompasses two key strategies designed to empower older individuals and improve their quality of life.

The project seeks to inspire healthy habits, foster connections and provide ongoing support to ensure these positive changes persist well into the later years.

The first phase of the project was to develop a 'healthy ageing hub' prototype in Clunes that would provide a range of connections, activities and resources in partnership with community groups, and the second phase was to use the lessons learned from the pilot to expand the project's reach and impact across the region.

Central Highlands Rural Health deputy CEO Phil Catterson said the project was about enhancing people's lives by reducing the risk of isolation.

"We wanted to make sure that people have access to information and opportunities to connect with their community as those who are active in their community can feel more purpose in life which has many positive health benefits. This project is about building a healthy community through better connections.

"It’s been fantastic to work with the neighbourhood centres across the region to bring this program to life. We strongly believe that for projects like this to be successful and to get the community to get on board, it has to be done with the community and in partnership with existing community groups and services like the neighbourhood centres.

"Working closely with local neighbourhood centres, the healthy ageing project builds on existing community initiatives and local groups to centralise accurate information on programs and groups available to the community through the creation of a ‘What’s On’ guide.

"This printed booklet has a detailed list of groups available to those in the community with information on how to get involved. At each neighbourhood centre in Creswick, Daylesford and Trentham there has been a kiosk installed that the community can use to find programs and groups to join to stay connected with technical support being offered by the neighbourhood centres and the program volunteers."

Clunes Neighbourhood House manager Lana de Kort said a key outcome of the pilot program in Clunes had been improved connections through existing groups and community services.

"We’ve been able to reach out to people that we wouldn't necessarily have known who might be in vulnerable positions or at risk of isolation to form connections and look out for their wellbeing. Big things can come from little beginnings where people collaborate at all levels across the community. And that's what this is all about."

Words & image: Contributed

From left, Xavier, Paige & Joel get into fundraising, above Kayla Manning and Natalie Kirby rattle their tins

Daylesford teacher Natalie Kirby, and a host of volunteers, are again collecting donations for The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal – and they hope to best last year’s total of just over $21,000.

Natalie, who teaches physical education and health at Daylesford College, said this year monies raised would be shared with regional paediatric health services –including Grampians Health.

It’s the first time in the appeal’s history that funding will help take the RCH excellence into the regions to support training, scholarships and state-of-the-art equipment.

“I was really pleased to hear that because spreading the money is really great and gives children in rural and remote areas access to excellent health care. Sometimes it can be tricky to get to Melbourne and if you can get care closer to home that is fantastic.”

Natalie said last year’s Good Friday weather conditions had been “horrific, almost monsoonal rain all day” with people reacting by being very generous.

“I think they felt sorry for us and we raised over $21,000. Of course, the competitive part of me always wants to do better each year, and with Covid meaning people don’t carry cash anymore, we are also inventing lots of ways people can donate electronically.”

That includes the online fundraising page and there will also be EFTPOS machines at the raffle table in the Daylesford Coles breezeway most days from now until Good Friday, and outside the Daylesford Town Hall on the big day.

Natalie said every little donation and raffle ticket purchase helped the cause, which she is passionate about for many reasons.

“I spent a fair bit of time in and out of the Children’s as a kid, a lot as an outpatient, and I have lots of friends whose children or brothers and sisters have been there. Also, as a teacher I believe very strongly in the power of children, they are our future, and if we can nurture them, and support them and keep them healthy, we should.”

For more information head to the group’s Facebook or Instagram pages and to donate go to www.fundraise.goodfridayappeal.com.au/fundraisers/Daylesford

How the appeal started

In 1931, the Children’s Hospital was at risk of closure due to soaring costs, overcrowding and under resourcing. On hearing this, a team of journalists from The Sporting Globe, part of the Herald and Weekly Times, decided to hold a sports carnival to raise money for sick children.

On September 3, 1931, a crowd of 20,000 spectators enjoyed a sports carnival which began with a football match involving competing jockeys from Flemington and Caulfield, followed by a game with WWI veterans representing the north and the south of the Yarra. A total of £427 was raised to support the appeal.

In 1942, journalist and carnival organiser Jim Blake suggested to the Herald and Weekly Times managing director, Sir Keith Murdoch, that the appeal join forces with HWT radio station, 3DB and run an appeal on Good Friday.

Sir Keith agreed, and the partnership enabled the first all-day broadcast held on Good Friday, raising £8310 for the Children’s Hospital.

Words: Donna Kelly

From left, Clunes Neighbourhood House manager Lana de Kort, Central Highlands Rural Health deputy CEO Phil Catterson, Creswick Neighbourhood Centre manager Chrissy Austin and Central Highlands Rural Health Living and Ageing Well in Hepburn project officer Diane Connors at the Creswick launch

Celebrating a quarter of a century

For 25 years Advanced Cabinetry has innovated, evolved and grown. Starting out in a two-car garage in Brown Hill, fast forward to today operating out of a purpose-built factory and showroom in Ballarat East.

Over this period of time Advanced Cabinetry’s offering has grown. Not only do they design, manufacture and install your cabinetry, they can also organise all associated trades, offering a full turnkey renovation service. No need for you to chase trades – leave that to them.

The first step towards your beautiful new kitchen, bathroom, laundry or living space begins with a little time spent meeting with one of their designers in the showroom. During this meeting you will be guided through the displays and you will quickly see how innovative and customised cabinetry can complement your home.

The comprehensive Interior Design and Renovations Service provides you with expert design and planning assistance, ensuring every aspect of your project is carefully considered. From conceptualising the layout and selecting the perfect colour palette, to sourcing high quality materials, fittings and coordinating your trade work, Advanced Cabinetry handle it all.

Servicing Ballarat and surrounding areas since 1999 this family owned and operated business offers clients peace of mind knowing they are dealing with a long standing business, who is registered and accredited. Advanced Cabinetry is a Registered Building Practitioner (CDB-L 51288), a requirement by law for all works over $10,000, and ensures you are in good hands.

To book in an appointment to meet with an Advanced Cabinetry Designer call 03 5332 7040 or log onto advancedcabinetry.com.au Be sure to also follow them on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest to get some great inspiration.

Showroom opening hours: Monday – Friday 9am till 5pm Saturday 9am till 12pm, 134 Fussell Street, Ballarat

Trentham on the map

The map is the work of local artist

Davis from Chalkysigns and can be found at the Vic Market Community Cafe in Trentham. The map features Trentham’s iconic spaces and fauna

Vic Market is a new space opposite the historic Trentham Railway Station offering locally made consumables and crafted

Trenthamites have gathered to raise a glass to a new mural map.

Natalie

goods.

Above, from left, artist Natalie Davis with Vic Market's Kate Mooney, right, the opening

Images: Anna from Wild Little Swallows Photography

Student exhibition Pop-up art show

The New School of Classical Painting will hold a student exhibition at Stanbridge Hall, Central Springs Road, Daylesford on Saturday, April 6 from 1pm to 5pm.

Deny Christian, the director and teacher of the school, said the exhibition of drawings and paintings was the progressive works of her students in their path of the atelier study of fine art.

"Some of these students have been with the school for the past two years, some are in their third or fourth terms. All are showing great progress, through application and critique, toward the goal of painting from life.

"There will be several works from each student exhibited. These are unframed drawings on paper, pastel on paper and oils on canvas which study tone, form and construction principles. Most are for sale, at student prices. And many excellent studies are included."

There will be an opening presentation at 1.30pm.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Work by teacher Deny Christian

Behind Closed Doors is being presented by the Daylesford Regional Arts Cooperative as an Easter pop-up art show at 94 Vincent Street, Daylesford.

The art show will have a vibrant display of creativity, showcasing a diverse range of artistic styles and mediums.

From intricate paintings to captivating sculptures, each piece tells a unique story and captures the essence of the artist's vision.

The art show provides a platform for both established and emerging artists to share their talents with visitors, fostering a sense of community and appreciation for the arts.

Visitors will be transported to different worlds and perspectives, experiencing the power of art to transcend boundaries and connect people through shared beauty.

The cooperative originally formed as a collective almost two years ago before incorporating in May 2023. The original three members have grown to 35 with 12 active members and others moving in and out as life commitments allow them. To date it has held seven successful pop-ups at 94 Vincent Street.

The art show will be held from Easter Friday, March 26 to Monday, April 1 from 10am to 2pm.

The cooperative and the Stanbridge Hall Heritage Committee will also hold a sausage sizzle on Saturday, March 30 to raise funds for further renovations and group exhibitions.

Council news

Council

BIN COLLECTION CHANGES FROM 8 APRIL

Don’t forget that a weekly food and garden organics collection commences on Monday 8 April for township households. General rubbish bin collection will move to fortnightly. Your bin collection day won’t change. Thank you for helping to reduce organic materials from landfill. Remember, our organics collection system is bagless to minimise contamination; even compostable and biodegradable bags don’t break down quickly enough in our in-vessel composting units in Creswick.

If your organics bin and kitchen caddy hasn’t been delivered by Wednesday 27 March, please call Council on (03) 5348 2306. Find out more at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/organics

PET REGISTRATIONS

Pet owners will have received registration renewal forms, with payments due on 10 April. Please don’t forget to register your pet. The first period of registration is free. If you own a cat, remember a curfew is in place. Cats need to be securely confined within private property between sunset and sunrise to reduce the risk of cats breeding, fighting, becoming injured or killing wildlife. Find details about registration and the curfew at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/pets

JOIN TOWN HALL PAG

Community members are invited to apply to join an advisory group to help guide a project to determine whether Daylesford Town Hall could be refurbished to include a community hub with a library and multi-purpose spaces.

The Daylesford Community Facilities Project Advisory Group (PAG) will comprise up to eight members to represent the community, working as a reference group. We are looking for community members to join the PAG and use their local knowledge and connections to support the future of this significant building. Interested in getting involved? Complete an expression of interest at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/daylesford-facilities or collect a copy from Daylesford Library or at Duke St Customer Service at Daylesford.

EASTER HOLIDAY CLOSURE

Council Hubs and libraries will be closed over the Easter long weekend. Visitor Information Centres will be open as usual. Transfer stations will be closed on Good Friday. For Council-related emergencies (eg. dog attacks and stock on Council roads) call 0419 587 955. For other Council-related emergencies call 0419 583 573.

US t 5348 2306 e shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au w www.hepburn.vic.gov.au f facebook.com/hepburncouncil

Above, Moonlight Sonata by Pam Gleeson, one of the three original members

EAT | DRINK | ENJOY

Jeff still Down Under

When I left the USA, in 1983, the only Australian music to be heard on mainstream radio was Men At Work, songs from that amazing album Business As Usual, which was released in 1981 in Australia, 1982 in the USA.

Coming back to the USA in 2018, imagine my surprise to discover that - nothing much had changed! Radio stations were still playing Down Under and Who Can It Be Now, and occasionally they’d add some INXS, but that’s pretty much all there was.

So when a cool little community radio station broadcasting out to my part of northern California ran an on-air promotion telling listeners that they too could be on the radio, I thought, why not, and pitched the idea of a show playing nothing but music made by Australians.

And, given Americans’ familiarity with Men At Work, I called my show The Down Under Hour. The music I play runs from the 1960s right up to 2024 and includes rock, country, a taste of hip-hop, some mainstream pop, a tiny bit of jazz, and even some classical. You will also hear music by Central Victorian artists such as Adrian Kosky and The Cartwheels.

The show has been running for more than a year now, once a week, and I have stayed with the format, with a few exceptions: we love New Zealand people and music; and we don’t mind if Aussie musicians go overseas to make records, as long as they come home afterwards.

We have a bit of fun with expat musos like Nick Cave and Acca Dacca in an occasional segment I’ve named “Still Call Australia By Phone”.

As one of my good mates says, “It’s songs I don’t know by bands I’ve never heard of”. It’s all just a bit of fun, and maybe, just maybe, some poor Yanks out there will be enthused enough to go looking for more Australian music.

The Down Under Hour is broadcast every Wednesday at 1pm, here in California, on radio KKRN 88.5FM. The show can be live-streamed at KKRN.org. In Victoria that’s 7am Thursday - sorry about that. Several programs have been archived on the website, so check that out too.

Jeff Glorfeld moved from Wheatsheaf to California a few years back. He loves great music and a decent red. Oh, and Carol, his wife.

Lute performance

Jakob Lindberg will perform at Stanbridge Hall at Christ Church, Daylesford on Saturday, April 13 at 2.30pm.

Celebrated for his profound musicality and virtuosity, Swedish lute master Jakob Lindberg will present an intimate performance on the noble lute and stunning theorbo.

Accompanying slumbers and rousing celebrations of the kings and queens of Europe venture through the royal courts of the 17th-century in this unmissable program.

This rare event explores the great works of the English, French and Italian baroque with music by John Dowland, Robert Johnson, Alessandro Piccinini, Giovanni Kapsperger, Robert Ballard and Robert de Visee.

Combined with the haunting folk melodies of Scotland, in the abundant acoustic of Stanbridge Hall, explore a fascinating time in European history in the hands of the world’s greatest lutenist.

Jakob Lindberg read music at Stockholm University and studied lute and guitar at the Royal College of Music, London. Towards the end of his studies he decided to focus on renaissance and baroque music and is now one of the most prolific performers in this field.

Jakob has made numerous recordings for BIS Records, many of which are pioneering in that they present a wide range of music on CD for the first time, he has also brought Scottish lute music to public attention, demonstrated the beauty of the Italian repertoire for chitarrone and recorded chamber music by Vivaldi, Haydn, Boccherini and more, on period instruments.

An active continuo player on the theorbo and arch lute, Jakob has worked with many well-known English ensembles, it is however, particularly through his live solo performances, that he has become known as one of the finest lutenists in the world today.

Visit the Christ Church Concerts Facebook page for more information.

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/eventlist/christchurchconcerts

CLUNES FARMERS & MAKERS MARKET

2nd SUNDAY OF THE MONTH

9AM- 1PM, FRASER STREET CLUNES

Next Market: April 14th, and it's our 9th Birthday!!

Come & celebrate with us.

Special raffle, cake, face painting

*VFMA Accredited *Monthly Wood Raffle

*Live Music *RSL BBQ & Devonshire Tea

*Dog Friendly *Food *Coffee *Artisanal Produce

Stallholder & General Inquiries

Email: marketsocials@clunesvic.org

a must!

Open every day in the Easter sch oo l holidays

Just 10 mins from Daylesford

3155 Midland Hwy Newlyn Nth

Ea ster in Au stralia falls on the Autumn equinox.

In the coming darkness of winter, it is symbolic to practice self reflection and spiritual renewal.

By all means, eat the chocolate, drink the liqueur and ta ste life with a deep sense of appreciation.

day 10am-5pm.

Wine notes with Clive Hartley

Cool local cabernet

Cool climate cabernet sauvignon can be a disaster. It is a late ripening grape variety, so to grow it successfully the vintage needs to be a long one with a warm sunny autumn. If it fails to ripen sufficiently you get an abundance of obnoxious green herbaceous characters driven by a compound called methoxypyrazine. This compound is more commonly found in sauvignon blanc and can be attractive, in moderation. The two grapes are related as cabernet sauvignon is the offspring of cabernet franc and sauvignon blanc, so it is not surprising they can share some traits.

In the Macedon Ranges we have a small band of producers who persist in growing cabernet sauvignon, even though the climate could be considered too cool. Why? The answer lies in the different sub-regional climates that exist, and there are pockets of vineyards that achieve enough warmth to ripen the grapes, sometimes. There is a history of cabernet in the region with Tom Lazar planting it in 1968, alongside other reds, at Virgin Hills at Lauriston West.

At Drummond North, Zig Zag Road has some 50-year-old cabernet vines that were nearly pulled out in 2019. They have been retained and the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon ($55) is leafy, herbaceous, minty and earthy with touches of red cherry fruit. Medium bodied at the most, this is a classic example of cool climate cabernet.

Another local example can be found down the road at Wombat Forest Vineyard. Its 2019 ($35) is a light and leafy medium bodied wine with smoky, tobacco and menthol notes. It’s a bit too oak-driven in style, but there is an elegance to the palate that I liked about this wine. The sad news is that the vines have been grafted over.

Blends do seem a more successful option in the region with Glenhope Vineyard’s Gervergizian Cabernet Merlot Shiraz 2022 ($65) showing plenty of pepper, spice and black fruits. At Granite Hills, vigneron Llew Knight does a couple of red blends involving cabernet. I particularly like his 2017 MCC ($30) which is a classic ‘right bank’ Bordeaux blend of merlot (57%), cabernet sauvignon (28%) and cabernet franc (15%). It has lovely, sweet plum aromas with floral and peppery undercurrents. The palate displays ripe red fruits on an elegant, medium bodied structure with soft tannins and a long finish. A wonderful cool climate red drinking extremely well. Clive Hartley is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant. His 305 page full colour book Australian Wine Guide (7th ed) is available for purchase from Paradise Books in Daylesford or via his website – www. australianwineguide.com.au

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.

Beef Tartare by Sault, Daylesford

Jack Powlay is the head chef at Sault, one of Daylesford’s most beautiful restaurants. We absolutely love how he transforms classic dishes into meals that are both spectacular to look at and even more wonderful to eat.

We are honored that Jack and the team at Sault have shared this wonderful recipe with us for you to try at home including some trade secrets!

We are proud to supply Sault with our very own Greenhills Natural beef and lamb that we raise at our nearby farm in Malmsbury.

Feel free to post photos of your dish on instagram and tag us (@daylesfordmeatco) and Sault (@sault_daylesford). We would love to see your dishes!

To experience Jack’s version of this dish with a host of many other incredible dishes, book a table Sault today.

Sault

2349 Ballan Daylesford Road, Daylesford Open Wed-Sat for dinner. Fri-Sunday for lunch. sault.com.au

For this recipe and many others, click on the QR code or visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au

Image

Hi Glen,

I wonder if you could identify the plant in the photograph for me? I was told it was probably a Solomon’s Seal. I think it might be but it looks a little different to others I’ve seen. This one was flourishing in a large pot on a shaded porch.

Thanks, an avid reader, Sheryl.

Hi Sheryl, it certainly is one of the many forms of polygonatum or Solomon’s Seal. This one appears to be polygonatum odoratum or angular Solomon’s Seal.

Polygonatum, also known as King Solomon's Seal, is a genus of flowering plants placed in the asparagaceae subfamily. It was originally classified in the lily family, liliaceae.

Solomon's Seal is a genus of elegant perennial plants native to woodland areas of several continents including North America, a genus distributed throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Most of the approximately 63 species occur in Asia with 20 or so belonging to China.

Unfortunately, although a distant relative of our flavoursome asparagus, this bunch are certainly not safe for the table but very desirable for your garden.

The small, tubular flowers which can come in white, green or pink are charming. But it's the slender arching stems and long, lance-shaped leaves that make Solomon's Seal such a favourite in shady settings. Small blackish berries remain after the flowers fade, to be enjoyed by birds. Once established, Solomon’s Seal slowly spreads and creates a blanket of foliage that turns a golden yellow in autumn.

Most of Solomon's Seal varieties will grow from 30-60cm in height and rapidly spread in breadth. If planted at 60cm to 1-metre apart in beds you will soon have a beautiful carpet of colourful foliage and, in time, flowers.

Next autumn you will be able to divide the plants and take the new little plantlets from around their bases to replant in the gaps or other beds.

Dividing and tidying up your perennials

Between now and late April you can increase your stock of perennial plants by division.

Clumps of aster, erigeron, penstemon, scabious, campanula, shasta daisies and similar plants can be lifted and split apart by the two-fork method using a pair of garden forks, or spades if necessary, to lever the clump apart. The sturdiest younger portions can be replanted in good soil to which a fairly liberal dressing of blood and bone or similar fertiliser has been added.

One or two of the more popular perennial plants are best left until early spring. These include cannas and those that normally die back to a dormant crown during the winter months.

In spring, at the first sign of new growth, the plants can be lifted and divided without damage. At that time of year the warming soil will encourage rapid root growth.

As for the other perennials it is usual to cut them back and remove the dead leaves as soon as they have finished flowering. Not only does it make for a cleaner looking garden it also reduces the number of hiding places for slugs, snails and other leaf eating pests. Obviously, in areas of severe frosts, these should be left until warmer weather.

Many plants will begin to make new shoots when there are a few days of mild weather in late winter and a subsequent hard frost can damage that young growth.

If the old leaves and dry growth are left on, they protect these shoots and are just as well removed after frosts have finished and the new growths are well established.

Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

Just briefly...

Creswick Market has been named as the highest-rated in Australia, according to tourist reviews.

Time Out said the rankings of the top markets for tourists in the country were determined by retail blog Merchant Machine who analysed Tripadvisor reviews for listings tagged 'farmers market' or 'street/flea market' and ranked them by their fivestar reviews. Creswick Market had 72.8 per cent of five-star reviews. Other Victorian markets which made the top 20 list included Gisborne Olde Time Market and Talbot Farmers Market.

The state government is spending $25 million to build hydrotherapy pools at seven specialist schools.

The pools will be built at Ballarat Specialist School, Yarraville Special Developmental School, East Gippsland Specialist School, Lake Colac School, Echuca Twin Rivers Specialist School, Bass Coast Specialist School, and Springvale Park Special Developmental School.

A new resource will serve as a one-stop-shop for farmers and gardeners keen to understand and improve their soil health.

North Central Catchment Management Authority and Agriculture Victoria have teamed up to create the region’s new Soil Health Guide. The guide includes a physical and digital book, a step-by step website, and instructional videos on how to understand, test, and improve soil. Go to www.nccma.vic.gov.au/projects/agriculture/ soil-health-guide.

Hepburn Shire Council has launched its Circular Hepburn Toolkit for Business and Beyond, a guide to help local businesses to reduce costs, reduce their impact on the environment and boost the circular economy.

The toolkit comprises a booklet, a Card Deck of Circular Economy Strategies, and an accompanying webpage. Download at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/toolkit

PUBLIC NOTICE - CRESFEST ROAD CLOSURES

Cresfest is on 5 to 7 April 2024 in Creswick. To facilitate the safe conduct of this event, the following road closures will be in place:

• Water Street will be closed between Albert Street and Exchange Lane:

• Friday 5 April from 5pm to 11pm

• Saturday 6 April from 7am to 11pm

• Sunday 7 April from 7am to 6pm

• Cambridge Street will be closed between Victoria Street and Raglan Street with local access only and detours in place. Normal traffic direction will be reversed in Cambridge Street south to allow access to south carriageway off Raglan Street:

• Saturday 6 April from 7am to 7pm

• Sunday 7 April from 7am to 7pm

• Albert Street will be closed with local access only between Raglan Street and Hall Street:

• Saturday 6 April from 7am to 7pm

Check out the program at https://cresfest.com.au/ We hope to see you there.

“Did you know ... government supported funding still covers around half the cost of solar panels?”

Information Sessions

Solar and battery Q+a

You bring the questions, we’ll bring the cake!

Last Tuesday of the month.

date

•

•

•

tIMe

March 26, April 30 10.30am till noon

V enUe

Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre

13 Camp Street, Daylesford

r SVP

sales@central-spark.com

(03) 5462 5516

sales@central-spark.com

Kyle’s Rant

Warning: The first three paragraphs of this editorial will probably put you to sleep!

Hepburn Shire Council has seven councillors elected every four years by the community to represent them on local public issues. They represent five wards. Birch and Creswick wards each have two councillors while Cameron, Coliban and Holcombe wards each have one councillor.

That was until the Minister for Local Government announced a new electoral structure for Hepburn Shire. The extensive report, found down the back of the Google where the elephants go to die, reveals a panel held an online public hearing for those wishing to speak about their response submission at 10am on Wednesday, April 26, last year.

Now, maybe I didn’t want to get involved or maybe I like to keep things the way they are, with an 'if it ain’t broke' kind of attitude, but for whatever reason it slipped my radar, unlike the Hepburn Shire locals who had their say, including the 19 preliminary submitters. And then there were the 34 response submitters and don't forget the three people who spoke at the public hearing. Follow the QR code below and checkout the riveting argy-bargy on page 24 of the document.

(But this is what I love about our region, we punch above our weight in folks trying for continuous improvement. To this matter I must admit I was asleep at the wheel while true public sentiment helped to shape our future.)

Now my nap at the helm is because it is boring, and after many punches in the gut I feel powerless, which makes me no longer give a good God damn. I do appreciate the folks who have taken an interest in the situation, as it has relieved me of my civic duty in doing the same.

But honestly, will it ensure my bloody bin gets picked up on schedule so I don’t have to take my rubbish and recyclables to the tip every other bin day? Or will it help fund the constant wheel balances from the potholes, or my skyrocketing rates bill? I think not and at the end of the day I believe the council is there to provide the municipal services of roads, rates and rubbish. The councillors roles are to air out their respective community’s interests, and draw the attention of the council to those interests as a body through a democratic vote. In plain speak it’s just meant to be a few well-meaning folks spotlighting community issues for the council to attend to and those folks get a little bit of coin for their troubles. A very little bit.

A big reason for my fogginess and not giving a toss attitude when it comes to HSC matters is that I can’t get past the last few years of financial blunders. We must have some hideous sized holes in the books from things like the Daylesford Rex débâcle and now the rehoming of HSC staff to God knows where for 18 months or more so the town hall can be tidied up and maybe turned into a hub. And this was what The Rex project was meant to be in the first place.

There doesn’t seem to be any accountability because the faces have changed, people have moved on and the memory of the community gets dulled by time. My noodle scratching and propensity to run into the streets in my underwear and yell “I give up” goes even deeper.

After almost two and a half years I have managed to secure a planning permit to lop off a bit of land. The property in question is a flat piece of land with zero substantial overlays in a township zone and the tiny subdivision was given the green light ages ago by Goulburn Murry Water. No wonder I have given up.

Just do the job rant over…

03 5338 8123

Local Lines

Late Summer Haiku 1 & 2

Tumbling breeze riders

Weightless skeletal drifters Airy fairy weeds

Sun bleached desiccate

Fragile seed-filled carriers

Weathered toughened limbs

- Julie Moran

Julie finds inspiration in the natural environment and in the minutiae of daily life – she enjoys experimenting with various poetry forms.

Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com

Image: Anny Hartog

Pick me, pick me!

Hey! I’m Freddie. I am a handsome one-year-old, black and tan German shepherd x kelpie.

I’m a very sweet and affectionate boy and love spending time with people and my dog friends. I have some basic training but I would need ongoing training, as well as physical and mental stimulation.

I have some separation anxiety, so I need a home where people are home often or where I have a dog friend. I require high, secure fencing.

Come and meet me at the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine. Ph: 5472 5277. Microchip No. 953010005024288.

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. And proudly supported by Daylesford's

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

I love a cautionary tale. But not as much as I love a deserved refund. And I have two down and one to go. So feeling pretty happy.

The first one is from a furniture retailer. A big one. OK, Early Settler. I love this franchise. Really nice, interesting stuff. Great staff. But not so good at refunds.

A while back I bought some big, gold, clunky lights. I thought they would look great in the school. They cost a bit but I don't spend much so, you know, why not? Anyway, I got them home and then a few weeks went by and a sparky came to install them. But he just looked and told me I would need to reinforce the roof. Now that was a step too far, so I called the store and said I would return them. That was fine but because it was a big item I would lose 20 per cent and also could only have a voucher not a refund.

I must have been off my game because I agreed but recently I started thinking about them and if they were actually fit for purpose. So I called, and called and called. No answer. Then I emailed, and emailed and emailed. And finally someone called back. I told them the lights were not fit for purpose because under the pub test no one would buy lights thinking they needed to reinforce their roof.

They agreed, sort of, but said because they were big items they couldn't do anything about the 20 per cent loss. (This is a furniture retailer, it's all pretty much big stuff.) Then they said because I had taken too long I couldn't get a refund, just the voucher. I finally cut and pasted something from the ACCC about the customer being able to choose a repair, replacement or a refund.

Suddenly the emails started coming thick and fast with the title "ACCC action pending", which is not what I wrote, and I got the full refund within days. Noice.

The second was with the Bendigo Bank. Not the local branch, more operations. We asked for a credit card to be cancelled, I think it was misplaced, and instead they cancelled a totally different card which we never use. Something to do with the trading account.

Anyway, it meant we stopped earning Frequent Flyer points, which was annoying, but it also meant we got hit with a biggish subscription from a company for a service which we no longer wanted, and were not using, but had not got around to cancelling because we thought the card was cancelled.

So we called the Daylesford branch and the manager assured us all would be rectified but after a lot of argy bargy we only got the points back and were told by operations the bill was our problem, not theirs. I even got an email saying, very oddly, "unfortunately we do not have a valid chargeback right to be able to dispute this transaction on your behalf as you have not provided any supporting documentation to validate your claim that you will be receiving a refund from the merchant". The whole point was that we were NOT receiving a refund. I wrote back with that and finally the money came through.

Last one is with Myer. Again, great store. Working there got me through high school and university. Anyway, I bought some very funky black cutlery, and because it was so nice, I also bought it in gold. Only thing is that the colour wears off. So instead of lasting a few yearss, my colourful purchase is already a pretty boring grey.

Myer was a bit better but wrote "once the return reaches our store, our returns team will inspect it for any faults, and if needed, the product will undergo a repair process. If it cannot be repaired, we will proceed with your preference of a refund or replacement". I wrote back "my choice is a refund - check with the ACCC".

The refund is on its way. Just sayin'...

Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am.

All welcome. For information email ageingdis3461@gmail. com, call 0427 131 249 or head to the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.

Ageing DisGracefully is an initiative of Hepburn House.

RD CROSS

PUBLIC NOTICE

All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.

Notice is hereby given that the Special Meeting of Council scheduled for Tuesday 26 March 2024 has been cancelled. The business to be transacted at this meeting (consideration of the Township Structure Plans and Rural Strategy for Community Consultation) will be heard at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Tuesday 16 April 2024. This meeting will be held in the Daylesford Town Hall, 76 Vincent Street Daylesford, and the public are able to attend in person and or watch the live stream on Council’s Facebook page.

Enquiries: Manager Governance and Risk –03 5321 6434.

Here is the crossword solution for Edition 301. How did you go?

Artists of the Central Highlands with Eve Lamb

Lyonville artist Suzi Cheek is not sure how to describe her artistic style. She is still experimenting with landscapes, clouds and still life but also trying seascapes, rocks and forests. Also extending into abstract work, this local creative is busy right now preparing for her first public exhibition, together with fellow artist Gayle Cykner, at Trentham’s Cosmopolitan Hotel.

Eve: How did you come to art?

Suzi: From an early age I always wanted to be a fine artist. My parents steered me into graphic design.

Eve: How did you nurture your innate arts talent? Studies?

Suzi: As a teenager I went to the Maryland Institute College of Arts (in the US) where I did a three-month course in drawing the human form from skeleton to skin. I learned to “see” as an artist. It was amazing. As a graphic designer before computers I was trained in all disciplines - illustration, photography, drawing, typography and design. In my 30s I took up watercolours and botanical art for many years.

Eve: Where do you do most of your art work Suzi?

Suzi: I now work in what was the potting shed at my home in Lyonville. There is lots of natural light and I’m nestled right in the garden which is lovely. There are sparrows nesting in the roof who chatter away constantly.

Eve: Which artists have influenced your work?

Suzi: I love the work of John Olsen, Fred Williams, Margaret Olley, Manet, Monet, Chagall, Matisse and Brett Whiteley.

Eve: Are there any other factors that have influenced your creative practice?

Suzi: I have always been an observer. I am very influenced by the beautiful landscapes and skyscapes surrounding us here in the Macedon Ranges. I love colour - colour is important to me.

Eve: And your media of choice?

Suzi: I now paint in oils. On holiday I take my drawing journal, pencils and watercolours.

Eve: What is your subject matter of choice?

Suzi: I paint landscapes because everywhere I look around me is a beautiful painting. I paint the clouds because the sky is so big here. The clouds are so big. I paint a still life of something important to me - my nana's vase, my grandmother’s teapot or homegrown veggies on a kitchen bench.

Eve: The beautiful things in life! Have you ever worked in any other areas besides working as an artist?

Suzi: I am a yoga teacher. I have taught yoga asana, pranayama, meditation and yoga nidra to children, teenagers and adults for about 20 years. The practice of yoga has taught me to observe on a deeper level. After graphic design I worked as a colour consultant for a few years. This work enhanced my awareness of subtleties in colour.

Eve: What are you working on at the moment?

Suzi: I am currently working on a large abstract landscape.

Eve: Any particular projects in mind for the future?

Suzi: In the future I hope to work on larger canvases. I would like to try mixing media - maybe try creating more texture, going more abstract. Having more fun.

Eve: When you work in the studio do you like to play music?

Suzi: Yes, I do play music - depends on my mood - usually I like music that is peaceful. I often play yoga music.

Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights as an artist?

Suzi: I am very new to oil painting. I had my first private exhibition last year when we opened our garden for the Real Gardens of Lyonville event. It was so exciting to sell my work for the first time and people loved it. One couple drove all the way from Melbourne to buy one.

Eve: Do you have any exhibitions or special arts events coming up?

Suzi: My first public exhibition is coming up in April. The opening is on Sunday, April 14, at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Trentham from 3pm to 5pm. I am exhibiting with my friend Gayle Cykner. The paintings will be on display until mid-May.

Eve: Finally, what would you rate as the greatest rewards derived from your personal artistic practice?

Suzi: The greatest reward for me is to create a painting that celebrates the beauty around us – a painting that I love and that brings joy to others.

Image: Eve Lamb