The Local March 37, 2023

Back in the saddle

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Front cover: Dean Mighell is kept busy at The Path of the Horse helping people get back in the saddle, albeit sometimes just figuratively speaking. Read his story by Eve Lamb on page 9.

Image: Eve Lamb

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

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

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The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.tlnews.com.au We welcome all feedback.

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

The next edition is out on Monday, April 10, 2023. or online on Sunday, April 9 at www.tlnews.com.au

Space bookings: Wednesday, April 5

Copy deadline: Thursday, April 6

Editorial deadline: Thursday, April 6

Editor: Donna Kelly on 0418 576 513 or news@tlnews.com.au

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

General manager: Kyle Barnes on 0416 104 283 or kyle@tlnews.com.au

Account manager: Linda Mooney on 0493 673 149 or sales@tlnews.com.au

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

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

Photographers: Kyle Barnes & Nadine Jade

Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness

Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (music), Richard Cornish (recipes) & Bill Wootton (poetry)

Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey

STAGE 1: BLAMPIED-KOOROOCHEANg ROAD to EAST STREET

Central Highlands Water is securing Daylesford’s long-term water supply. Our $15 million project investment will support the region’s future growth and climate resilience.

When completed, the Daylesford Water Supply Pipeline will be able to deliver more than 300 million additional litres per annum of supplementary raw water for the community, complementing the Wombat and Bullarto Reservoirs.

Construction of the Daylesford Water Supply Pipeline is occurring within existing road reserves and power easements where possible, connecting the Goldfields Superpipe in Blampied to the Daylesford Water Treatment Plant.

While every effort will be made to reduce construction impacts, the works will require the use of heavy plant, equipment and excavation machinery. This will result in some noise and dust during the works.

Changes to road conditions may include temporary partial road closures. Traffic controllers will be onsite where needed to help road users.

We thank you for your support during the construction of this major project.

For more information and project updates:

chw.net.au/daylesfordwater

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

Report finds papers playing essential role

COUNTRY Press Australia president Andrew Manuel says the Media Innovation and the Civic Future of Australia’s Country Press report, released last week, highlights the essential role local papers play in serving their communities and delivering civic journalism.

The report has been a three-year Australian Research Council project, led by Deakin University, in partnership with Country Press Australia and RMIT University.

"This is arguably the most comprehensive study of our industry ever undertaken and the report stands as a beacon for government, for policy makers and for the community to take the appropriate and necessary actions to ensure newspapers can continue to play such a vital role," Mr Manuel said.

"The study was done across the most tumultuous time the media industry has experienced, and local papers remain such an integral cog in regional and rural Australia, despite the hardships we’ve all endured.

"The report defines regional and rural papers as essential services to the community, and better support from government, and a better understanding from government around this, is an important next step."

Mr Manuel said people living in country areas remained passionate and engaged with their local mastheads.

The report reiterates a parliamentary inquiry recommendation for 20 per cent of all federal government advertising expenditure to be allocated to regional and rural news organisations and highlights the need for a better understanding of the role regional and rural newspapers play as well as the need to provide more support.

The study included a survey into attitudes towards local papers and the respondents’ likes and dislikes, as well as interviews and interpretive focus groups with news editors, proprietors and key staff within the Country Press Australia network of more than 200 mastheads, including The Local's editor Donna Kelly, across Australia.

Lead investigator Professor Kristy Hess said as a research team "we have been reminded of just how important local news is – especially in rural and regional areas –for democratic, social, economic, historic, cultural, symbolic and emotional reasons".

"If people see themselves as being 'local' or connected to somewhere, chances are they have reached for (or searched online for) the local masthead to maintain that sense of place. That said, if people reach out for the local paper and it just doesn’t 'feel local', then the connection is lost. Game over."

Report: www.localnewsinnovation.org/

Words: Donna Kelly

Easter Services

Daylesford & Creswick - Catholic

Holy Thursday April 6 Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper - 5.30pm at St Peter's Catholic Church Daylesford & 7pm at St Augustine's Catholic Church Creswick.

Good Friday April 7 Celebration of the Lord’s Passion- 3pm at both St Peter's Catholic Church Daylesford & St Augustine's Catholic Church Creswick

Easter Sunday Masses April 9 - 9am St Augustine's Catholic Church Creswick & 10.30am St Peter's Catholic Church Daylesford.

Christ Church Daylesford - Anglican

Maundy Thursday April 6, 7pm

Good Friday, April 7, 7pm

Easter Sunday, April 9, 10am

Creswick-Clunes Parish - Uniting

Sunday, April 2 - Palm Sunday, 9.30am - St Andrews Creswick

Thursday, April 6 - Tennebrae Service, 6.30pm - St Andrews Creswick

Easter Day, April 9 - Dawn Service at St George's Lake 6.30am/sunriseBreakfast of fishes and loaves served at conclusion of service

Easter Sunday Service - 9.30am, St Andrew's Creswick

"We welcome everybody to join with us in worship this Holy Week."

Two years on, the message remains clear

IT MUST be one of the region’s most recognisable landmarks. “PISS OFF AUSNET” was mowed in huge letters into a hill two years ago this Easter. The reason behind the straightforward message at Mt Prospect was simple. The community did not want to have huge electricity towers planted across pristine views and valuable farming land. Nor did they want a giant terminal station.

And, as it turns out pretty much no-one else does either.

Support has come from many places including the young woman, Joee AganettiFraser, above, who mowed the message, being inducted this year onto the Hepburn Shire Council's Heather Mutimer Honour Roll.

In taking on the David and Goliath battle, the 19-year-old has been thrust into the spotlight many times but takes it all in her stride. “It’s a slow process and a long one but we will get there and we won’t stop fighting until it is where it should be.”

Joee, and many others, believe that the lines should be placed underground along the Western Highway. It is not a “not in my backyard” battle for the community, it is a “not in anyone’s backyard” message.

Joee said the induction onto the Honour Roll had been overwhelming but there had been amazing support from all corners. “I was the only young one that got through so that was quite an achievement.”

The farmer said she had the idea for the Piss Off AusNet sign after attending a meeting against the powerlines and realising most of the farmers were not ready to take a public stand.

“I thought the farmers needed to be heard so I took it upon myself and mowed that into the hill. It was Easter so it was really busy and it was great to get the word out and get people starting to talk.”

Joee said she mowed while being given directions from a two-way radio in a ute a few kilometres away. “It took about six hours and now we just maintain it and keep it up to scratch.”

As for the fight, Joee is quietly confident and, as she said, will not stop fighting.

“I am pretty confident with what is happening so far with the progress but it is a right and a constant stress. There was a meeting with AusNet on Tuesday (March 21) and that was pretty appalling but typical in that they don’t want to hear our concerns.

“It will be a long, slow process but we will get there. But with the constant stress it is getting to the point where people are getting fed up. Right from the very start we should have been consulted properly, each and every landholder in the district that was going to be affected.

“But no-one really did that. AusNet is only bullying people and we have elderly people here, both in nursing homes and still on farms, and at their age they just do not need that worry.

“If AusNet is listening I would tell them to piss off and that it should be on the Western Highway and underground so it doesn’t affect anyone. There is no point just moving the terminal station 20km away from us and still say we will give you $80,000 just to walk on your property. If they have the money to do that, they have the money to put it where it should be.”

An AusNet spokesperson told The Local that AusNet Services was working closely and constructively with communities along the route "to ensure the proposed Western Renewables Link is fully investigated for the strict Environment Effects Statement which will be submitted later this year - the project will then be assessed by an independent government panel".

"The WRL project team have acted appropriately and legally at all times. AusNet Services this week took a significant step towards negotiating compensation with landholders who will host transmission lines for the WRL. Landholders were sent guidelines to outline the process for AusNet acquiring an easement on their property for the construction and operation of the transmission line."

Meanwhile, Hepburn Shire Council is urging the community to make submissions on the latest consultation report into the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West project before the April 5 deadline.

The council has welcomed some aspects and expressed serious concern about other conclusions outlined in the Australian Energy Market Operator and Transgrid report.

“Council will make a strong submission to AEMO and Transgrid regarding the latest update,” Mayor Cr Brian Hood said.

“We know there is high community interest in this project and we encourage people to take a close look at the report and make a submission. While Mount Prospect is no longer the preferred option for a terminal station, it remains an option. We also note that the proposed route of the Western Renewables Link transmission line through Hepburn Shire remains largely unchanged and is highly problematic.”

A major concern for the council is the recommendation to increase the capacity of the proposed power lines from 220kV (kilovolt) to 500kV along the section of the Western Renewables Link west. From Mount Prospect to Bulgana, the height range of the proposed towers will be increased from 40-60 metres high to 60–80 metres high. The easement under them will increase from 40-60 metres wide to 70–100 metres wide. “We are very disappointed that the undergrounding of power lines has not been considered,” Cr Hood said.

Link: participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/VNI-West.

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

'Awesome' ChillOut 2023, now on to 2024

CHILLOUT 2023 may be over but festival director Emma Ireland is already looking at headline acts for next year. She is also busy catching up with people and asking how the weekend was for them, something she loves doing.

This year, she says, was exactly how ChillOut should be every year.

"The intention was that everybody in the community created the overall festival and by that I mean it wasn't just myself and the committee putting on certain events - everywhere you went felt like a mini ChillOut.

"All of the venues across Daylesford, Hepburn and surrounds just felt like ChillOut and it was absolutely superb in that sense of connection with community."

Emma said while some people had been wary during the pandemic with what they could and could not do, this year many people who were on the sidelines last year decided to step forward "and say 'this is awesome, let's do this'.

"A lot of people are already involved in ChillOut but there are a lot of new people with new venues and properties who got fully involved this year and that made a really big difference - everybody carried the festival.

"Even venues which had sat previously in the background realised it was up to them. I worked really hard coming out of the pandemic to engage with community to get involved putting on events in their spaces but this year everybody put their own events on in their own spaces.

"And that is how ChillOut really works, when everybody gets involved. It was fantastic because there was so much variety for people of all ages and all those events really complemented the events we put on. People just had so many choices and noone was waiting to do something, there was enough for everyone."

Emma said about 32,000 people attended the weekend, based on accommodation bookings with even more people coming along as daytrippers on the Sunday for the parade and Carnivale at Victoria Park.

"We know that accommodation for Daylesford and the rest of the region was full so ChillOut was definitely bigger than last year but being spread across the village made it less like a pressure cooker.

"It was also great having both the Daylesford Town Hall and Vic Park activated for the main events, and then there were the Palais-Hepburn and the Daylesford Hotel - there was just so much going on."

Emma said the feedback on the Big Rainbow, which arrived at Victoria Park just in time for celebrations, had been fantastic.

"Haters are going to hate, but we have a really strong voice in the community and the feedback was really good. A lot of people loved that it was smaller than they thought and much more glittery.

"It was prettier than I thought it might be too, and it just looks lovely and complements what we do, and how cool to come to Daylesford and have your photo by the Big Rainbow. It's better than the Big Pineapple!"

Emma said with the weekend over the hard-working committee had pretty much "gone to ground to hibernate".

"We have only just finished taking down bunting but we are already working on reports for the committee, the council and government and looking at headliners for 2024 as we move forward.

"The exciting thing is now having time to talk to people about how the weekend was for them, those face-to-face mements with the community, I really love that bit."

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Nadine Jade

From furniture to philandering: a fascination with fungi

FOR countless years the mysterious world of fungi has been the domain of a fairly exclusive handful of boffins.

But now it seems our world is undergoing something of “a fungal awakening” and many more are beginning to realise the truly huge potential and importance of fungi.

From using fungi to achieve environmentally sound food production and incredible new medical applications, to furniture and building material uses that may avoid the felling of forests, or use as alternatives to plastics to help prevent marine life choking to death, the list of emergent applications for fungi is awe inspiring.

One woman who has for three decades marvelled at fungi and the way they fit into the wider ecological picture is ecologist Dr Alison Pouliot who has just launched Underground Lovers - her third published book focused on fungi.

Through her extensive research, Dr Pouliot illuminates the crucial role fungi play in our ecosystems, from transforming nutrients to make them bioavailable to regulating invertebrate populations and even helping to prevent landslides.

Based at Mt Franklin near Daylesford when in Australia, Dr Pouliot launched her new book in Daylesford this month. In it she explores why fungi are suddenly infiltrating fiction, film, design, biotechnology and some interesting counter-cultural movements.

She also charts the fascinating cultural histories surrounding women's knowledge of mushrooms, including which fungi cured the ailing - causing women shunned as witches, and which ones used to subdue a philandering husband.

Having spent the last 30 years researching mushrooms, mycelia and their interaction with all of life on earth, Dr Pouliot’s fascination with fungi has taken her from the Australian desert to Iceland’s glaciers and America’s Cascade Mountains.

She’s particularly interested in what fungi can teach us about our wider natural world. Could they, for example, hold answers to helping us tackle the climate crisis?

“I selected the themes in the book very carefully, identifying gaps in what’s been written previously to include aspects like the indigenous uses of fungi, women and fungi, fungi and fire, fungi and aesthetics, fungi and land restoration,” she says.

The role fungi may have in terms of cooling the earth, stabilising ecosystems and helping avert runaway global warming is one important fungal facet explored in Underground Lovers. Straight away it’s making a whole new audience sit up and take notice of this emergent mega-science.

“If we can keep the fungal networks intact they can play an important role in helping to stabilise landscapes,” Dr Pouliot says.

Following the launch of her new book, this very busy ecologist tells me how she spends half her time in Australia catching the southern fungal season (just starting now) and the other half in the northern hemisphere, generally based just out of Bern, Switzerland, catching the northern hemisphere’s fungal season.

“Fungi underpin pretty much every ecosystem on the planet,” she says.

“If we continue to ignore these organisms then we’re not really looking at the big picture of what nature is and how it works.”

Dr Pouliot has a long list of public appearances and talks scheduled ahead including at The Moorabool Mushroom Festival happening in Ballan on April 15-16.

Underground Lovers is published by NewSouth Books.

The Local has a copy of Underground Lovers to give away. For your chance to win email news@tlnews.com.au with your name, town and contact details by April 4.

Words: Eve Lamb | Images: Kyle Barnes

Superstar

Music students from Daylesford Primary School, Daylesford College, and Ballarat's Loreto College were thrilled to meet Canadian superstar violinist and conductor, Alexandre Da Costa, and his 1701 Stradivarius violin, at an afternoon tea in Stanbridge Hall, Daylesford.

One of the questions from the young students was "Have you ever dropped it?", to which the answer, luckily, was no!

The event was organised by U3A Hepburn Shire and funded by the Community Bank Daylesford District.

Students Lucy MartinLucoszek, Arlo SchwarzDeakin and Olive SchwarzDeakin with Alexandre Da Costa

Words & image: Sandy Scheltema

The Path well travelled

TURNS out simply hanging with horses is really good for your health and happiness.

It’s a basic tenet that underscores the good things happening at The Path of the Horse, just out of Trentham.

Here on his beautiful 11-hectare property embraced by the Wombat State Forest, qualified psychotherapist and experienced horseman Dean Mighell and his horses are helping make life better for all sorts.

Kids with ADHD, teens with autism, NDIS clients and traumatised emergency service professionals and returned military service veterans with PTSD are among those whose health and wellbeing is benefitting from what happens here.

Dean started The Path of the Horse as a registered charity back in 2016 and now has 10 horses – think characters with big equine personalities.

With a background in the army and the trade union movement, and personal experience of post traumatic stress disorder, Dean was inspired to start his unique equine-assisted service after watching a documentary about two American ex-military veterans who took a life-changing horse trek in Colorado.

At 50 and looking for a new direction in life, Dean was so inspired by what he saw that he realised he could use his own many years spent around horses – and his bushland property - to do something pretty special.

He also signed on to study with the Equine Psychotherapy Institute to become an equine-assisted learning practitioner, and then after four years with Gestalt Therapy Australia, he emerged as a fully qualified psychotherapist.

Joining forces with his equine friends, some of whom are rescue horses and have themselves survived traumatic pasts, Dean has not looked back.

When The Local headed out to the forest to pay The Path of the Horse a visit recently, Dean explained that the time clients spent hanging with the horses mostly (95 per cent of the time) did not involve riding them – “except where fear is an issue and it may help with this".

Instead time spent at The Path of the Horse is far more likely to involve just being with and near these dignified, cheeky, charismatic creatures.

This might involve leading a couple of horses through the forest, and just chatting together with a client, Dean says.

Or it may involve grooming a horse. Or kicking back and shooting the breeze in the excellent company of a horse. Photos capture clients and horses recliningliterally flat out - just soaking up the sunshine and each other’s presence.

“It’s very client-led in terms of how they interact, and it’s a lot of fun as well,” Dean says. “We call it invisible therapy.”

Confidence-growing, trust-building, and social skill enhancing are all typical benefits Dean mentions.

Learning how to “self regulate” is something to which he repeatedly refers during the course of our conversation.

“The horses are just beautiful at self regulation. They love affection and they give it back. When we’re out there with the horses, our minds are in the here and now.

“It’s very grounding for people who are anxious. Our horses are treated with respect and they are so calm that people will sometimes say ‘do you drug them?' And we say ‘no, we love them’. We get people of all ages, but our youngest regular is a three-year-old boy with autism.”

A gentle giant of a horse named George has formed a special bond with this little autistic boy, Dean says, noting that the formation of special connections between particular horses and clients are quite common.

“The change in this little boy is amazing. He’s gone from non-verbal to verbal. He’s learned how to self regulate,” Dean says.

Among those who love what’s happening at The Path of the Horse so much that they regularly volunteer here is Kyneton local Eva Parkin, inset.

With a background in local government economic development, Eva is now completing an equine assisted learning course and ultimately hopes to become a qualified psychotherapist as well.

“Being with horses is for me very therapeutic in and of itself,” she says. “It’s very rewarding work helping others with life challenges.”

Like Dean, she too has personal experience with some of the issues clients may be dealing with. “I have experienced severe anxiety in my past,” says Eva who was also drawn to The Path of the Horse because she grew up with horses and loves just being around them.

While this uniquely therapeutic enterprise does receive some payment for the NDIS work it gets, it survives on donations and support including some it gratefully receives from returned service organisations like the RSL, Melbourne Legacy and Young Veterans.

“We’ve seen hundreds of veterans and we’ve assisted people from all walks of life, but the Department of Veterans Affairs can’t fund us,” Dean says.

He says that right about now some more support from individuals or sponsorship from businesses would make a huge difference.

Words & images: Eve Lamb

The Local is running a

Mother's Day

advertising feature in the April 24 edition. To advertise contact Linda on 0493 673 149 or sales@tlnews.com.au

Just briefly...

Hepburn Shire Council wants new members for its Gender Equity Advisory Committee.

The committee was established in 2021 and provides specialist advice to assist the development of the council’s first Gender Equality Action Plan and implementation and progressing of Gender Impact Assessments. Expressions of interest close on April 27.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is after feedback on its shire-wide Footpath Plan.

The plan involves new criteria for prioritising walking and shared path upgrades and detailing construction designs across the Macedon Ranges. The plan is one of several complementary plans created by the council to guide infrastructure delivery, with other plans under development including the Road Safety and Mobility Plan, and the Riddells Creek and Kyneton movement network studies. Feedback is open until April 30. Link: mrsc.vic.gov.au/Have-Your-Say

Central Highlands Rural Health in partnership with The Daylesford Foundation and Trentham Lions Club has launched the Woodcutter Trailer. The Woodcutter Trailer is for community group led clean-up of properties impacted by the June 2021 storm and flood event, specifically for those experiencing hardship, throughout the Central Highlands region. Woodcutting working bees will provide free firewood to those experiencing hardship. To register for a working bee email shane.richardson@chrh.org.au or call 0428 108 552.

VicHealth is partnering with community groups and organisations across Victoria to give 180 local ideas a JumpStart! in creating vibrant, active and connected communities of young people.

In Macedon Ranges Shire, Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health will work with Kyneton High School to connect students to their local food system. Students will meet local growers to understand the environmental, health and social impacts of the food we grow, purchase and eat. They'll also have the chance to plant and harvest their own veggies, learning practical skills they can share with their families.

Hepburn Shire Council will deliver grants through a more efficient, equitable and transparent process under changes recommended in a recent review and adopted by the council at its March meeting.

Mayor Cr Brian Hood said improvements included ensuring processes were streamlined and recipients received funds in a more timely way, including through quick response grants. “We want to encourage more community groups to get involved in the grant programs and ensure that funds are more widely distributed across the shire,” he said. The next round of Community Grants opens on March 31.

Central Highlands Water has donated $10,918, raised by team members, to Water Aid Australia in recognition of World Water Day on March 22.

The donation will support the important work Water Aid does in Papua New Guinea, like the recently completed program in the Wewak District, focused on increasing equitable and universal access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services. The donated funds were raised by CHW team members through a workplace giving program and a series of internal events, coordinated by a volunteer committee of staff.

Upgraded facilities at Calembeen Park in Creswick were opened last Friday, March 24 by Ripon MP Martha Haylett.

The park upgrades included refurbishment of the public amenities (with three accessible unisex changerooms with toilet, shower and baby change facilities), an accessible footpath leading from the changerooms to the lake concourse, an accessible car parking space, drinking fountain, park furniture renewal and landscaping. The $425,350 project was funded in partnership by the Victorian Government and Hepburn Shire Council.

Artists of the Central Highlands

DIANNE Longley’s considerable artist oeuvre depicts dreams and fantasies, weaving real and imagined figures and landscapes to create works that intrigue and beguile the viewer. Working at her Agave Print Studio in Trentham, Dianne uses both traditional and digital methods and here she chats about her prolific creative practice.

Eve: How do you prefer to describe your artistic style?

Dianne: I think I have an idiosyncratic approach. I explore diverse techniques for making art and representing my ideas visually.

Eve: How did you come to art?

Dianne: Well, I always made things. Like fairy floss from cotton wool, cochineal and sugar, cork platforms for my shoes, when they came into fashion and my sisters had them, out of wine bottle corks placed in my mother’s electric mincer to grind them up. The mincer smoked with the strain and then blew up.

Eve: Which artists - current or historic - have influenced your own work?

Dianne: David Hockney line etchings, his theatre/opera set designs, Hieronymus Bosch paintings, early printed books with letterpress text and woodblock prints, devotional books of hours, Paula Rego etchings, Jessie Trail prints, Dorrit Black linocuts.

Eve: What is your media or medium of choice?

Dianne: I work across a range of media including printmaking, pokerwork on wooden panels, artist books, mixed media encaustic works and small-scale bronzes.

Eve: What is, or are, your subject matter of choice?

Dianne: Theatre of life, chance and random interactions, absurd juxtapositions, visual narratives of imbalance and implied misfortune. How we as humans make our way in a troublesome world.

Eve: Have you ever worked in any other area besides your arts practice?

Dianne: I am currently studying ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, which has a long history relating to Buddhism, but samurai warriors would create ikebana flower arrangements as a meditation to reflect on man’s fleeting mortality. I go to Melbourne for classes.

Eve: What are you working on at the moment in your current arts practice?

Dianne: I am currently working on a second book on printmaking, Printmaking with Photopolymer Plates: a multifaceted approach. This new book is a combination of a technical manual on photopolymer printmaking combined with prints by a range of Australian artists using a diverse range of techniques. As well, I am participating in group exhibitions in Adelaide (mid 2023) and Melbourne (early 2024).

Eve: When you work in the studio do you like to play music and if so what’s your music of choice?

Dianne: Gregorian chants, Leonard Cohen, Freddie Mercury, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Antony and the Johnsons, contemporary classical, and audio books.

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

Dianne: Australia Council Tokyo studio for three months in 1990, Tracing the Echo - Artist books and folios 1978-2001 exhibition which toured SA, Victoria and NSW. Teaching at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine, USA in 2011, where the studios are open 24/7 and there are no locked doors anywhere. Travelling to Oaxaca in Mexico to see the ethno-botanic garden.

with Eve Lamb

Eve: Do you have any other projects in mind at the moment?

Dianne: Yes, some small artist books for my participation in Sydney Contemporary Works on Paper in September. A few ideas for concertina books and small pamphlet stitched books containing artworks and text.

Eve: Finally, what are the main rewards that you derive from your arts practice?

Dianne: Each and every day is unique and propositional.

Image: Eve Lamb

"Theatre of life, chance and random interactions, absurd juxtapositions, visual narratives of imbalance and implied misfortune. How we as humans make our way in a troublesome world."

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

Council grants – the 21 March Council meeting accepted and endorsed a range of improvements to Council’s grants program –which are so essential to enabling community groups to perform their function and hold important events. The revisions will ensure the already successful Council grants program is subject to good governance, is structured effectively, operates efficiently and equitably, and continues to meet the needs of the community and deliver strong outcomes. The changes reflect recommendations made by the Victorian Auditor General to all councils. Our grants programs extends to an investment of a quarter of a million dollars annually.

Council also unanimously resolved to provide $2,500 annual funding to each of the Trentham, Clunes, Creswick and Daylesford neighbourhood houses and $1,000 annual funding to each of the Creswick and Daylesford Community Bands. The funding recognises the valuable contributions to the community provided by these organisations.

VNI West project - Council is urging the community to make a submission on the latest consultation report into the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project before the 5 April deadline.

Council has called for AusNet Transmission Group to release more detail on compensation plans as a matter of urgency. We are currently reviewing the compensation options, but note that the significant impact of 80 metre high towers and 100 metre wide easements across the State’s best agricultural land warrants appropriate compensation determined fairly in accordance with the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986. We further note that no matter the quantum of compensation, it will never fully address the devastating but avoidable, damage to farming, tourism and landscape amenity caused by these imposing towers and inappropriate route alignment. We strongly recommend landholders seek independent advice on the proposal, in part to assess how any offer of compensation sits against the inevitable loss in property value and agricultural income. Find details with links to the reports and how to make a submission via Council’s page at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/VNI-West

What impact this scar across our landscape will have on the bid to have UNESCO list Victoria’s goldfields as a world heritage site remains to be seen…

Congratulations to the organisers on another successful ChillOut event and thanks to the thousands who attended and supported numerous events over the long weekend. Clunes Booktown (25-26 March) also attracted large crowds of book loving people and showcased the beautiful township of Clunes.

Finally, don’t miss the following upcoming events - CresFest (31 March - 2 April) and Trentham’s iconic Spudfest (6 May). I encourage everyone to get to these events and enjoy what our Shire has to offer.

Cr Brian Hood, MAYOR

COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS

HAVE YOUR SAY ON OUTDOOR TRADING

We are reviewing our Outdoor Dining and Trading Policy and invite you to have a say. Outdoor dining and trading typically includes elements such as tables, chairs, barrier screens, umbrellas, A-frame signage, display stands and planter boxes. Find out more and complete a short survey at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/outdoor-trading before Tuesday 11 April. The survey will open Monday, 27 March 2023.

We’re working on a broader project for dog parks around the Shire, and more information will be available later this year.

SERVICES OVER EASTER

Council hubs, libraries and offices are closed for Easter from Friday 7 April and will reopen on Tuesday 11 April, except Clunes, which will reopen on Wednesday 12 April.

If your kerbside collection is usually on a Friday, your bins won’t be collected on Good Friday (7 April) due to the public holiday. They will instead be collected the following day. Transfer Stations are closed on Good Friday but will open as usual over the rest of the Easter long weekend.

Visitor Information Centres will open as usual at Creswick and Daylesford.

For Council-related animal emergencies (e.g. dog attacks and stock on Council roads) over Easter phone 0419 587 955. For all other Councilrelated emergencies phone 0419 583 573.

PET REGISTRATIONS

Don’t forget that pet registrations are due by Monday 10 April. If your pet is already registered you should have received a reminder notice in the post. By registering your pet you’re doing all you can to be quickly reunited with your furry friend if they go missing.

Did you know there are discounts for registration of older pets and working animals? The first year of registration is free for desexed and microchipped dogs and cats. Find out more at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/pet-registrations.

JOIN AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

We are calling for new members of our Gender Equity Advisory Committee. Expressions of Interest close on 28 April 2023. Find out more at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au

TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY - 31 MARCH

On this international day of celebration of trans pride and awareness, we recognise trans and gender diverse people’s experiences and achievements.

To our trans and gender diverse community members – we see you, we hear you, we respect you.

The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.

Free fashion for those in need of fine threads

IT'S been said that “clothes maketh the man” – and there’s little doubt that applies for women as well.

But sometimes obtaining snappy threads, so essential to making a vital good first impression, is easier said than done.

That’s where Thread Together comes in. Based in Sydney and also run in Victoria, under a partnership arrangement, by Ballarat’s Cafs (Child and Family Services) this not-for-profit provides new in-vogue clothing and accessories to those who otherwise could not afford such goods.

We’re talking new fashion house labels provided gratis to those doing it rough, thus diverting countless tonnes of perfectly good new clothing that would otherwise be dumped in landfill annually by big fashion houses.

In recent days Thread Together, or TT, held its second ever pop-up day in Daylesford, working in with the town’s Thursday Good Grub Club to reach folk in genuine need of the innovative free quality clothing and accessories.

Cafs TT program and volunteer lead Nicole Roberts says Threads Together is extremely rewarding to be involved with and, come July, will have been running in Ballarat for two years.

She says TT held its first visiting pop-up event in Daylesford in March last year and it was extremely well received, providing free quality new clothing and accessories for men, women and children.

“I absolutely love it,” Nicole says, recounting some of the heart-warming stories of those whose lives have been changed for the better as a result of TT.

“I remember one young guy, a teenager, who lived in a caravan at the back of a factory and had been offered a job interview in hospitality, but didn’t want to attend his interview because he didn’t have anything suitable to wear.

“We decked him out in quality labels including R.M. Williams boots. And he got the job. He was so kind and grateful.”

In the time it’s been helping out residents of Victoria’s Central Highlands region TT has helped so many people doing it tough including some who have led comfortable lives but, due to circumstances, have found themselves in a place they never thought they’d be.

Sometimes it’s domestic violence escapees, sometimes it’s prisoners coming out of prison with nothing, who need to find work and reintegrate.

“Sometimes it’s people with a serious illness who can’t work,” Nicole says.

“There was a lady, a single mum, who had a terminal illness and had nothing to wear to her son’s debut. We were able to deck her out in a beautiful Carla Zampatti dress.”

Besides Daylesford, TT is also delivering its pop-up visiting van services to Bacchus Marsh and Ararat, driving out to locations in the Cafs van full to capacity with new fashions of all sizes and styles.

“But now we’re about to get a new dedicated wardrobe van - and we will be returning every three months to Daylesford in the future,” Nicole says.

She says presenting well in new, impressive attire for a job interview, work placement or application for a rental property can be the first step towards a better life for many doing it tough.

“It can break that cycle. It’s that one step forward, which means someone can then keep taking more steps forward,” she says.

To use TT clients have to first receive a referral to it from another agency – or from Cafs itself.

“All of the clothing is new and is donated from fashion houses. The fashion industry regularly pays for landfill and TT was started about 15 years ago by Andie Halas, a partner in Seafolly, who thought that surely it would be possible to do better,” Nicole says.

Thread Together headquarters remains in Sydney and Nicole says the donated clothing is transported free of charge by Toll.

As a non-profit, TT runs on fundraising, and the Hepburn Springs Golf Club has become a staunch supporter through its annual Tee-Up for Kids Day, held in memory of Ian Stanley.

Now, as TT introduces its new quarterly seasonal pop-up visits to Daylesford with its new dedicated wardrobe van, Nicole says it is keen to provide the pop-up visits for those in need wherever it can throughout the Central Highlands region.

“We are open to everywhere that it’s possible to get to,” she says.

Words: Eve Lamb | Images: Contributed

Above, from left, the Cafs team, Nicole Roberts, Helena Holmes and Sue Freeman, inset, Thread Together service assistant Mary Brierly

“All of the clothing is new and is donated from fashion houses. The fashion industry regularly pays for landfill and TT was started about 15 years ago by Andie Halas, a partner in Seafolly, who thought that surely it would be possible to do better.”

All foot and stomach

If any zoological name was totally descriptive ‘gastropod’ (stomach foot) surely sums up the gardener’s oldest foe - snails and slugs - undoubtedly among the oldest of the common garden pests.

These terrestrial members of the mollusc family mainly consist of a long stomachsupporting foot and, of course, obviously, a voracious mouth.

They slide along on this foot, in cool weather and mostly at night, aided by exuding a slimy substance, leaving a silvery ‘snail trail’ as they go. A dead give-away when hunting them down.

Snails are hermaphrodites, obviating the need for ‘two to tango’ and bury large clusters of small tapioca-like eggs in the ground - often to be found when digging in moist ground. After hatching they grow rapidly, devouring everything green and leafy in their path, even climbing trees and citrus in particular, to feed on the young leaves.

They particularly love passion fruit, usually ringbarking them on their way up to the foliage, to say nothing of your freshly planted flower and vegetable seedlings.

The bad news is that, if undisturbed, they have been known to survive for up to 10 years.

The good news is that they can be easily disposed of without the need for toxic or expensive methods. Probably the oldest and most successful method is to find and eliminate their hiding places, and maybe, persuade neighbours to do the same thing.

Once you know their favourite haunts, usually in long grass or at the base of clumps of agapanthus, lilies etc, regularly inspect them and dispose of any slugs and/ or snails marauding there.

They will usually be on the move after a decent rain shower in autumn when collection is quite easy and successful. You can activate them in drier times with your sprinkler.

One of my boyhood weekend tasks around the nursery, was the Snail Patrol, after every decent period of rain inspecting all the likely areas of the property, armed with a bucket and a bag of garden lime. A goodly layer of the lime spread over the top of the snails did the trick.

Common household salt has the same effect in the garden but you should make sure to keep it from burning your plants. You can, however, use powdered alum, dissolved in water, for the same results without any harm to the plants.

Alum can also be used, mixed with sawdust, and placed as a barricade around your small seedlings or shrubs. The sawdust clogs up snails’ and slugs’ lubricating systems and the alum will kill them.

Another good remedy is to place baits in strategic places to attract and dispense with them.

My favourite is the glass jar, buried up to the rim in a strategic spot with a centimetre or two of beer - I know, a great sacrifice - in the bottom. The trick is that the snails fall in and are unable (perhaps unwilling) to escape. (The sounds of drunken revelry are only faint and well worth the effort.)

Send in the cavalry

If, like Peta and I, you have eschewed the use of all things chemical in your garden to do things naturally, you should look to our friendly helpers, the birds and predator insects and the role they can play in keeping the pests at bay.

I know that there can be problems that nature can’t fix without a little help from us but that still doesn’t call for the use of toxic materials.

Among our own many useful insects is the praying mantis, like the ferociouslooking, little aphis-eater, pictured middle, looking to ambush his next lunch.

Happy Easter

Got a gardening query? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com

The craft of photography in the 21st Century

PHOTOGRAPHY in the 21st Century is a remarkably easy medium to engage with. Every phone has a camera and digital technology, including editing and digital filters which can generate results that satisfy most people.

With such conveniences available, it is easy to ignore the fact there is actually much, much more than meets the eye if you truly want to understand the craft.

Margund Sallowsky is a master of the medium including the use of equipment and chemicals that defined the practice of photography before digital cameras took over around 25 years ago.

Her passion started when she took her first shots with her father's Agfa camera at the age of 11. That was in her homeland of Germany and today, the long-time Hepburn resident continues to develop her knowledge. "I strive to take my skills to the next level,” she says: A level of photographic acuity far beyond that of your average camera phone user for sure.

“My professional development as a photographer commenced as an apprentice,” she says. “After receiving my trade degrees, I enrolled in a diploma in visual communication course at the University of Applied Science in Dortmund.

“Later I moved to Australia in the early 80s and purchased a small cottage in Hepburn in 1989. Meanwhile I worked as a photographer at Phillip Institute of Technology (now RMIT University) and later enrolled there in a postgraduate diploma in fine art photography, graduating in 1992.”

Over a career spanning four decades Margund has worked with many different subjects, but coming from one of the most industrialised areas of Germany she cultivated a particularly strong interest in industrial installations, architecture and worker photography, documenting the lives of labourers in the steel foundries and factories of the Ruhr valley.

Today she continues to work in a diverse range of photography fields, from virtual reality technology that allows the creation of virtual tours of exhibition spaces, to documenting landscape and weather. This includes not only numerous works of the local region but further afield.

“I am very interested in photography of the natural environment and in 2017 I went to Iceland. We did a flight by helicopter for three and a half hours over southern Iceland and I took a whole lot of aerial shots.”

And after moving to Hepburn permanently in 2020, Margund was able to put the time into producing a body of work from this journey - showing six works and winning a prize for best commercial work at the 2020 Salon at the Centre for Contemporary Photography Melbourne.

“It is quite time consuming but I want to continue working on further exhibitions for the Iceland images including showing them locally.”

Like with most subjects, sometimes the easiest part is taking the pictures. And for an experienced photographer such as Margund, the technical considerations are an integral part of the production process and almost second nature.

What is harder to attain and what takes considerably more thought and experience is the ability to give images the means to transcend time and place. That is to say, shifting an image from one of mere record or documentation into something that is art.

“The construction of the photo is the first thing, the feel you get when you see a scene,” she says. “The other thing is then in post production. You want to express some sort of emotion, it has to be strong, it has to show something to trigger a response in the viewer and you want that to come out of the image.”

However, while Margund has an extensive knowledge of effects, filters and post production colour enhancement so easy to attain with digital tools like Photoshop, she is cautious not to overuse them.

“You want to say something with the image but I don’t want to lie. I don’t want to say that was a sky that brought down 50 tonnes of rain, I want to keep it more in natural light but in a way that still speaks to people. Some people are all obsessed with really screaming colour which is fine, I’m not criticising that approach but it is not my style of dealing with a scene.”

Today, after working full-time for RMIT and now as a casual contractor for the National Gallery of Victoria and a freelance photographer for Scienceworks and Government House among many others, Margund is content to spend most of her time in Hepburn.

“The quiet of Hepburn is really important for me, I don’t want to completely give up my professional life but I want to retain that time to create more of my own work.”

Above, Margund Sallowsky in Iceland, below, Diamond Beach, Iceland

Words: Tony Sawrey | Images: Contributed

DAYLESFORD

31 HOSPITAL STREET

"MOUNT OLIVE" RENOWNED SPA COUNTRY

ACCOMMODATION

Nestled on the edge of Doctor's Gully, Mount Olive is a highlyregarded holiday accommodation property in Spa Country. Privately positioned on a large 1261m² allotment, this home offers a focus on relaxation and comfort with beautifully styled interiors. The property is conveniently situated just a short 500m stroll to Daylesford town centre. he open-plan living area boasts a country-style kitchen, French doors, and sliding windows that open out to the beautifully appointed undercover entertaining area.

2 a 2 b 2 c 1261 e

FOR SALE

PRICE

$1,650,000

CONTACT

Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE

43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

DAYLESFORD

39 STANBRIDGE STREET

LIFESTYLE LIVING OR INVESTMENT DREAM HOME

This magnificent architectural property, Quartz Retreat, is now available for sale. Located on a 983m² level block, this property boasts expansive views of the Wombat State Forest and Daylesford Lake zone from a gorgeous deck. It is conveniently situated within walking distance from the Convent Gallery, the award-winning Lake House, and the town centre, including the popular Cliffy's Café, Hotel Koukla, Beppe Kitchen & Bar, the renowned Sunday Market, Farmers Arms Hotel, as well as schools and medical services.

5 a 3 b 4 c 983 e

FOR SALE PRICE

$1,800,000

CONTACT

Michael DeVincentis 0417 142 152

Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE

43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

ID and contact details are required at all open for inspections bigginscott.com.au

DAYLESFORD 20 SMITH

STREET

CENTRAL, PEACEFUL & PRIVATE

Welcome to this charming and cosy home with impressive 3.6 metres (12ft) high ceilings that retain many of its original period features. Situated on a generous 843m² [approx.] block Nestled in a private and inviting setting, the property is conveniently located close to a range of amenities, including the popular Cliffy's Café, Beppe Kitchen & Bar, the renowned Sunday Market, Farmers Arms Hotel, as well as schools and medical services. This property is located in a highly desirable central area of Daylesford, making it an easy walk to the town centre.

3 a 1 b 1 c

FOR SALE PRICE

$749,000

CONTACT

Michael DeVincentis 0417

Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE

142 152

43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

WHEATSHEAF

25 MARY ROAD

5-ACRE PARCEL OF NATURAL BEAUTY AND WILDLIFE IN WHEATSHEAF

This parcel of land spans approximately 5 acres [2.026 ha]. It is situated in a highly soughtafter location, a mere 8-minute drive from Daylesford, a town that offers a wide range of shopping, dining, and health & well-being amenities. The surrounding area is renowned for its superb vineyards, artists, and numerous attractions. Wheatsheaf offers a rural lifestyle with abundant natural beauty and wildlife, yet it is easily accessible from Melbourne, just 90 minutes away. The property boasts a natural landscape with mature trees in a bush cover.

5 i FOR SALE

$425,000

CONTACT

Tom Shaw 0438 118 903 OFFICE

43 Vincent Street, Daylesford 5348 2328

ID and contact details are required at all open for inspections

bigginscott.com.au

Living local, working local, caring local.

Thinking about selling your property?

Christine left the world of Private Banking in London for her treechange dream of running a guesthouse in the twin towns of Daylesford-Hepburn Springs. As a local resident and community contributor for over 23 years, she has energy, passion and a willingness to offer bespoke service for vendors and buyers alike. Striving to “go the extra mile” to achieve the best results for properties sold (at the best price and with ease, in any market), and her focus is humancentric, rather than transaction based. Christine believes property is not just about bricks and mortar, it’s about nurturing self/family/friends whilst securing financial and lifestyle dreams for loved ones.

“Contributing to others ‘makes my heart sing’ and years ago I established an entity called BE MAD, which is aimed to Be Making A Difference to community. It’s been exciting to be able to contribute to local organisations such as Central Highlands Regional Health, ChillOut, Central Highlands Community Health, Hepburn Regional Community Cheer, Hepburn Primary School, Hepburn Wildlife, Swiss Italian Fiesta and others, ” she says with a smile.

Christine is passionate about people, property, and exceptional results. Call her for market insights to assist with decision on whether to hold, rent, sell or discuss “Anything Property”. She is always happy to share a cuppa and a chat!

Premium results are what sets us apart - sold in under 30 days on market

EAT | DRINK | ENJOY

Old friends realise dream of a Good Friday at the Palais

Inner Melbourne original jazz stalwarts, the Reg Cole Quartet, are realising a decades-old dream in playing their original music at the historic PalaisHepburn on Good Friday.

Band founders and friends of 40 years, Sergio Ercole and Zac Teichmann, have wanted to play their music in the iconic Hepburn Springs live music venue since they formed the band back in the 90s in Melbourne.

Sergio, a renowned classical guitarist, said: "I’ve played at the Palais before but being on stage then I remembered how the band had always felt that our blend of jazz, latin and soul would be at home at the Palais.

"We played most of Melbourne’s best-known venues but the Palais had always eluded us. We are thrilled to finally realise that dream."

The connection with Hepburn Springs goes even deeper, however, as Zac remembers coming to Hepburn Springs every summer in his childhood, staying at his grandparents' holiday house, Negev, across the road from the spa.

"I have such fond memories of walking down to the springs with them, carrying bottles and collecting mineral water at the pumps," he said.

"Every summer I would stay with them for a few weeks, so playing at Hepburn Springs is really something special and personal for me."

The Reg Cole Quartet normally plays every few months at the acclaimed Melbourne jazz venue, Paris Cat, but will be playing for the first time at the Palais on Good Friday.

"We play songs that we have written over 25 years, that cross genres of jazz, blues, soul, latin and pop.

"We’ve been working on our sound and these songs since we met Justin (Justin Lee on bass) and George (George Andrews on drums) in the early 90s at the Con (Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne)," Sergio said.

Zac added: "We still get so much joy from playing together and we hope the audience feels that."

Palais-Hepburn - Friday, April 7 at 7.30pm | Dinner & show available

Tickets: https://www.palais-hepburn.com/schedule/reg-cole-quartet

Link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j_Xn2sIs4lw Advertorial

Laid-back dining at the Daylesford Hotel

MY dining companion (Paddy H) and I are ravenous as we enter the Daylesford Hotel for lunch, mid Monday, me having done a gruelling morning group weights class and Paddy having arisen well before 11am.

And so, it’s with relief that we notice immediately the robust nature of the menu on offer. There’s plenty here for the hungriest of carnivores - ranging from small plates to share like the popcorn chicken with chipotle mayo ($18) and the confit pork belly with apple and wild fennel slaw, celeriac puree and jus ($19) to the Scotch fillet with buttered kipfler potatoes, beetroot puree, roquette salad and red wine jus ($49) among the main meat options.

But, notably, we see vegetarians and vegans are also well catered for. The roast Moroccan seasoned cauliflower steak and the spring saffron ricotta gnocchi (handmade) are among the tempting options that leap off the menu in this department. I’m also delighted to discover there’s also an excellent range of options for those who (like me) do not tolerate gluten. At all. And it isn’t just a trendy lifestyle choice.

Atmosphere

We settle in. The atmosphere in the Daylesford Hotel dining room is welcoming - mellow and relaxed. Green panelled timber walls, a high pressed metal ceiling, beautiful stained glass windows and a gas log fire which is going (as though in homage to the season’s shift) all enhance the soothing country ambience.

Nearby, the attractive bar is well stocked with all manner of glinting temptation. Paddy does the honours, ordering us a lovely lunchtime local wine - Lachlan’s chardonnay 2021 from Amherst Winery at Talbot. It comes in French glassware.

Starters

For starters (or “small plates to share”) Paddy selects the spiced lamb ribs served with mint yoghurt, dukka and pickled cucumber ($22). I opt for the gluten-free mushroom and mozzarella arancini with tomato relish (3 pieces for $15).

Arriving in no time, my choice of starter proves to be golden and crunchy on the outside with an easily assimilated comfort food factor within. We make swift work, Paddy happily musing on his selection: “old school flavours, tangy accompaniment”.

Mains

Next up I don’t resist the market fish (salmon) served with buttered kipflers, avocado mousse, orange and fennel salad GF ($34). Paddy goes for the Daylesford Hotel pie (beef bourguignon) served on a bed of mashed potatoes, peas and gravy ($29). Our mains also arrive swiftly and prove both ample and satisfying. By the time they’re but a mere memory on our emptied crockery we agree we can hardly fit in dessert.

one

of a kind

The Daylesford Hotel is one of a kind. It’s majesty, it’s music and it offers many spaces, with over 100 year’s of history in the heart of town. A traditional style pub with all the modern delights, offering pub meals as well as a broader range for all dietary wants and needs. Wine & dine on the Sunset Balcony overlooking greater Daylesford or find a Cosy Corner and curl up next to the fire inside. Finally, after many years we are back. Open from midday everyday with lunch specials and entertainment in the evenings; including Open Mic on Mondays, Trivia on the Wednesdays & live music through to Sundays.

Be sure to book ahead for dinner, music, events & accommodation. Check for more details here: daylesfordhotel.com.au

2 Burke Square, Daylesford, Victora, Australia | (03) 5348 2335

Dessert

But we’re on a mission. So we push on, Paddy plumping for the house-made decadent chocolate brownie with orange blossom syrup and ice cream ($16) while I can never go past a good creme brulee. This one comes with vanilla ice cream and strawberry and is also GF ($16). Both of our selections arrive with fresh violas for garnish and multi-coloured sprinkles on the ice-cream.

There’s just the right degree of crunch on the brulee’s toffeed top while beneath the surface my choice of dessert is pleasingly creamy. Paddy reports the brownie to be “warm, rich, and very dark for chocolate lovers”.

Venue manager Trae Galea stops by to ask how things are, and we’re very happy to report satisfaction. In response to my question, Trae confirms that the chicken dishes on the menu here are free range. These include a parmigiana for die-hard devotees with both half ($21) and full ($30) options available.

We note too that burger and pasta fans are well catered for, and that, beside my large salmon plate of choice, there’s a good range of other seafood options including classic fish and chips, chilli mussels, salt and pepper calamari, and barramundi which comes with vegetables and lemon butter sauce.

Country pub

On the other side of the bar, supervisor and bar attendant Sion says the thing she enjoys most about working here is the conviviality. “It’s just a very nice country pub atmosphere, very friendly and a nice little community hub.”

Leaving with dessert lingering agreeably on the palate, we can see what she means. Along with the satisfying portion sizes, good range of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options, the Daylesford Hotel gets a big thumbs up for laid-back ambience. It’s somewhere you can really chill while getting a fill. Words & images: Eve Lamb

Magical birds, joyful singing & art exhibits

DAYLESFORD artist and musician Vanessa Craven has just published a children’s colour picture song book, Birds in My Tree: The Magic of Birds and the Joy of Singing

"The Covid-19 lockdowns created a 'stay-at home' world in which I began to interact with the birds in my garden and in the bush around me.

"Several photographs of these wonderful feathered friends and a new song that I was moved to write, combined together to provide material for my children's book, Birds in my Tree: The Magic of Birds and the Joy of Singing.

"It is a colourful picture songbook on birds. Their antics and their individual characteristics play an important part in the lyrics of the song. Each birdcall is a live recording at the end of each verse pertaining to the bird.

"This book is an interactive tool for teaching kids about the different bird varieties and their birdcalls, and inviting kids to recognise and have fun with mimicking. A QR code and a YouTube link give free access to the live performance of the song, Birds in My Tree."

Vanessa said the "picture, music book and teaching tool" was filled with colourful bird photographs, lyrics, guitar chords and music notation at the back of the book.

"It provides children, parents and teachers with an audio-visual experience and an opportunity to learn about different birds, their birdcalls and learn a new song as well. It allows for creativity and experimentation with creating bird sounds, flapping wings, strutting about and having fun singing together.

“The book invites the reader to let their hair down and be part of a bird's life and enjoy interacting with them and embrace their quirkiness. It invites the reader to sing or recite the lyrics in the book.

"I hope the book brings much joy and appreciation of our flighty feathered friends. May their quirky personalities, bird sounds, photographs and the song enlighten and enliven the imaginations of ‘little folk’, aged 4 to 7 years of age.

"I hope it gives them a love for nature, leading them to a sense and desire to treasure, nurture and protect wildlife; to grow up and be advocates for protecting our ever-diminishing wildlife and their habitats; to spend more time in the fresh air and not lose the art of connectedness to earth, and nature.”

Originally from the foothills of the Himalayas in India, Vanessa made the move to Daylesford from Melbourne and has built an eco-friendly house with her partner and enjoys living in this beautiful area.

She is a singer/songwriter by profession, and has three CDs, two of which have original tracks which won awards from the Australian Songwriters Association.

Her music is folk, blues, alt-country, pop and Latin. She has three bands, Lunar Dust, Lake Mist and Sugar ’n’ Spice and plays music in a variety of settings including folk & blues festivals such as Newport, Denny Blues and Roots, Newstead, Maldon and the Girgarre Moosic Muster along with performing at pubs, clubs, art galleries and special occasions.

"Music, art, photography and writing are my loves. My music reflects the Himalayas, Ganges to right here with the Murray River. My photography captures poignant moments and moods in flora, fauna and landscapes, some published in Birdlife Australia. My artistic flair stems from my observations of nature, life and living. I love letting the paint and ideas run freely together to create ‘something’. I am mostly self-taught."

Easter pop-up art exhibition

Vanessa is also a member of DRAC, the Daylesford Regional Arts Cooperative, and will join its Easter Pop-Up Art Exhibition at 94 Vincent Street (next to the post office) and be signing her book on Saturday, April 8 from 11am to 2pm.

Artworks from 10 local artists will be available for viewing and purchase with media including paintings, tapestries, collage, printmaking and timber homewares.

The exhibition is open Friday, April 7, 10am-4pm, Saturday, April 8, 10am-4pm, Sunday April 9, 10am-4pm and Monday, April 10, 10am-2pm.

Exhibition details: Sandy Angliss - sandyangliss@bigpond.com

Book links: www.vircravenbirdsongbook.com

Song link: https://youtu.be/IVMNggnhpiA

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes

Music news with Darren Lowe

Palais-Hepburn, Hepburn

Friday, March 31 - SupperClub Friday presents Matt Joe Gow

Matt Joe Gow grew up in the deep south of New Zealand in a town with bad weather and good music: Dunedin. Surrounded by music, he was encouraged to pick up a guitar at an early age. After travelling the world, Matt moved to Melbourne, drawn by its culture and vibrant music scene. As alternative country and Americana continued to grow in popularity, Matt steadily toured and supported acts such as Chris Isaak, The Jayhawks, Justin Townes Earle, James Reyne, Kasey Chambers, Marlon Williams, Jimmy Barnes and John Butler.

Saturday, April 1 - Ukulele Death Squad

The Ukulele Death Squad has grown bigger and better since its 2017 inception, bringing a frenetic energy to the uke with their own flamenco, R&B and folk style.

Saturday, April 2 - Fanny Lumsden

ARIA Award, eight times Golden Guitar, AIR award winning Australian artist Fanny Lumsden released her third studio album, Fallow, on Cooking Vinyl Australia/Red Dirt Road Records, which took out Best Country Album at the 2020 ARIA Awards, and swept the field taking home five CMAA Golden Guitar Awards including Album of the year, Female artist of the year, Single of the year Fierce, Video clip of the year and Alt Country Album of the year.

Friday, April 7 - Reg Cole Quartet

The Reg Cole Quartet is an original jazz/soul/Latin outfit which formed in the mid 90s while its members Zac, Sergio, George and Justin were all studying at Melbourne University. They were regulars at venues like The Uptop, the Nightcat and released a number of recordings. After a long hiatus the guys have recently re-formed and are recording an album of new tunes which they’ll be performing alongside some of their more popular pieces from the 90s.

Saturday, April 8 – The Rechords

A dynamic trio on stage, The Rechords demonstrate a passion for all things Americana when it comes to the music they deliver, whether it be celebrating the songs of artists who have influenced their journey or putting their all into the songs they’ve created with the flavours of early country, rhythm & blues, rockabilly and alt country.

Sunday, April 9, 2pm - CloudWine Music

CloudWine Music is an Australian acoustic duo consisting of Pri and Troy, two musicians who have combined their talents to create a unique and soulful sound. Their music is a blend of classics and modern hits, stripped back to their acoustic roots and infused with their own unique style.

Odessa at Leavers Hotel, Creswick

Sunday, April 2 - Sunday Sesh - The Cartwheels (Dave & Wendy pictured)

Thursday, April 6 – Ernest Aines and Simon Phillips

Saturday, April 22 - Piano Wizard and owner birthday bash

Farmers Arms Hotel, Creswick

Sunday, April 2, 3pm - Lake Mist

Got a gig? Email news@tlnews.com.au

WELCOME TO

VICTORIA'S BEST COUNTRY PUB.

Easter @ Blackwood

Easter Saturday is a special day in Blackwood.

Each year, the town hosts the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival, now in its 121st year, and the second-oldest festival in Australia.

The event was recently awarded the title of Moorabool Shire’s Community Event of the Year 2023.

Spokesperson Fiona Ross, on behalf of the Blackwood Progress Association, said the street parade, featuring striking costumes and floats, was a highlight of the morning's events.

"Accompanied by a brass band, the parade makes its way from the town centre down to the Lerderderg River and the Recreation Reserve - known as 'the prettiest sportsground in Victoria' – where the carnival and woodchop take place."

The Blackwood Woodchop is one of the oldest woodchopping competitions in Victoria, with axemen and women travelling from across the state to compete for the coveted titles and prize money.

"The carnival is action-packed, with tug-o-war, gumboot throwing and a pet show among the many activities happening throughout the day. And to honour Blackwood’s gold-mining history, there is the chance for everyone to try their hand at gold-panning.

"A family-friendly event, there is loads of other fun stuff for kids too – the treasure hunt, novelty games and races, face-painting and more. With live music, market stalls, delicious eats and licenced bars, the Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival offers something for everyone," Fiona said.

The event is organised by the Blackwood Progress Association with proceeds from ticket sales going to support numerous community groups.

Discounted earlybird tickets can be bought online in advance or buy your tickets at the gate on the day, Easter Saturday, April 8.

Tickets: www.trybooking.com/CFPDV

@pigandwhistlehotel

705 James Lane, Trentham East, Victoria

Since 1887, the Pig & Whistle Hotel has nestled on a quiet corner in Trentham East, a living remain of the town’s early history. Truly a hidden gem, you’ll be transported back in time, with our newly-opened beer garden boasting uninterrupted views of Mount Macedon.

The Pig serves up a modern-Australian menu with honest hearty pub classics (we do a bloody good parma), along with seasonal global dishes. We take great care in delivering food of the highest quality, sourced from sustainable local produce, coupled with our praised friendly service.

The hotel is truly a local pub but a destination for all.

To market, to market

YOU can find everything you need at weekend markets, from fresh fruit and veg to handmade jewellery and wares, throughout the Central Highlands and surrounds. Here are just a few.

Daylesford Sunday Market – every Sunday

Wesley Hill Market - every Saturday

Daylesford Farmers Market – first Saturday

Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers Market - first Saturday

Golden Plains Farmers Market - first Saturday

Woodend Farmers Market - first Saturday

Castlemaine Artists’ Market – first Sunday

Trentham Community Group Market - second Saturday

Kyneton Farmers Market - second Saturday

Ballan Farmers Market - second Saturday

Kyneton Rotary Community Market – second Saturday

Maldon Market – second Sunday

Clunes Farmers Market - second Sunday

Trentham Farmers Market and Makers Market - third Saturday

Glenlyon Farmers Market – third Saturday

Leonards Hill Market - third Saturday

Creswick Market - third Saturday

Talbot Farmers Market – third Sunday

Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday

Trentham Station Sunday Market - fourth Sunday

Buninyong Village Market - fourth Sunday

steak~seafood~ liquor

Open fireplace, Private dining, Balcony seating

over 100 cocktails

Gift certificates available online daylesfordsteakhouse.com.au

WE OUR LOCALS

We are proud to offer you Green Hills Natural Beef and Lamb from our very own farm in Malmsbury. It’s as local as you are. In store today.

WHOLE GREEN HILLS RUMP $99

One of the most versatile cuts, the rump is full of flavour. As the name suggests, it is from the backside of the cow so it is a hard-working muscle. Whilst not as tender as Scotch or Sirloin, it makes up for it with bangs of flavour. Min 3kg.

BONELESS LEGS OF LAMB

1kg $20 1.5kg $30 2kg $40

CORNED BEEF $17.99 kg

SPANISH CHICKEN $9.95 EACH

These small roasting free-range chickens have been butterflied and marinated making them the perfect choice for quick, tasty and easy mid-week meals.

GUILDFORD FAMILY HOTEL

THE REGION’S BEST KEPT SECRET

Friday Night Raffle

Raffles drawn at 7.30pm

OPENING HOURS

Wed/Thurs/Fri - 3pm till late - Dinner from 5.30pm

Sat - 12pm till late - Lunch from 12pm - Dinner from 5.30pm

Sun - Lunch only from 12pm

35 Fryers Street, Guildford Victoria

Bookings Essential - 03 5473 4021

Happy Easter from The Local Crew

BOOK ONLINE

$15 entry 16 years and over • Free entry 15 and under

The 3rd annual TUBEROUS BEGONIA &

BEROUS BEGONIA GARDEN

THE

Open EVERY WEEKEND 10am - 4pm

From the first weekend in February 2023 till the first weekend in April 2023

We have hundreds of Begonias and Fuchsias for sale in pots, hanging baskets and on display. The ideal UNIQUE GIFT. (Special Occasions, Birthdays, Mother’s Day)

A simple maintenance sheet with growing instructions supplied with each purchase and a YOU TUBE video named “Tuberous Begonia Maintenance Tips” available online. For more information, go to:

https://www.whitehousenursery.com.au/tuberous-begonias/ Ring Jesse Exiner 0419 002 651 or Peter Harris on 0400 313 703

Please note - there are no public toilets available on site due to increase of Covid cases in Victoria There are some clean public toilets in Anslow St near the corner High St, Woodend.

691 Ashbourne Rd, Ashbourne via Woodend VIC 3442 (Car & Bus Parking at rear of property)

Celebrating Spuds

Volunteering to help out with staging The Great Trentham Spudfest has been a great way to make new friends and connect with the community for tree changer Belinda Tynan.

Belinda and her household shifted to Trentham from Melbourne about two years ago and Belinda, who works in education as a consultant with Deloitte, was keen to make connections with her new hometown.

So she signed on as a volunteer with the Spudfest committee and volunteered to help stage the annual feature for the first time last year. She enjoyed that experience so much that this time around she’s now serving as the committee’s coordinator of volunteers as the town gets set to host an expanded version of the festival on May 6.

“Last year it was only in Market Street but this time we’re expanding into High Street as well,” Belinda says. “We’ve got more entertainers, more vendors, more makers from around the region, a classic car display.”

The festival celebrates the humble, and not-so-humble spud, in all its glory and multitude of culinary guises, and also celebrates the local farmers who grow them. It’s an important fundraiser for the community.

“It’s a great chance to buy spuds from the local growers including some lesserknown and unique varieties,” Belinda says.

Spudfest entry is free but a gold coin donation is invited and appreciated, with all proceeds raised going back into the community.

“The volunteers really make the event happen and we’ve already got a healthy number of old and new volunteers but we could do with some more,” Belinda says.

“Volunteers do a whole mixture of things from collecting the gold coins, to supervising the kids’ area, to helping people on and off our horse and cart, to traffic management. We’ve also got our Burly Brigade which is our volunteers, both men and women, who help with set up and pack down.”

The volunteers enjoy a great sense of community themselves with a special little wrap-up session and barbecue after the event.

Anyone who thinks they may be able offer a bit of time as a volunteer can get in contact now by emailing Belinda at belindatynan2@gmail.com

Kyle’s Rant

ARECENT trip to Lorne bought back some memories of 2020, you remember, the beginning of the pandemic.

You see, unbeknown to me it was exactly the same time we had taken a break in 2020. Always just after we have produced a big ChillOut edition and the autumn edition of The Little Local, and then fall in a heap after the fun of the parade.

I remember it well, we had shut off the phones for the business and would only take calls from Donna’s mum Betty, who is no longer with us. (Miss you Bet.)

So back to 2020 and after the first 12-hour sleep of recovery at our Lorne apartment the phone goes and it's Betty on the line, “Have you heard the news?” she asks. "Spain is awash with Covid and they have just let a shipload of Covid-infested passengers off at the docks in Sydney."

My first reaction, as with most disasters, was to throw up, followed by packing up and driving to the nearest place we could buy a freezer to store extra supplies - I’d seen my share of contagion movies.

Fast forward to 2023 and the world has changed. I am not sure people have learned much out of the whole disaster, but the memories are still fairly sharp and vivid when you revisit a milestone place. Now I am back from my break with a fifth shot in my arm I wanted to republish an abridged version of this column from March 23, 2020, it’s a bit spine tingling…

"In the great words of The Beatles, I heard the news today, oh boy. What is going on in the world? For starters my personal hygiene has taken a hit, with the only constant in my day being wine o'clock followed by a jagged little pill that is the 6.30 news on the TV. But I have decided that next week is my week. I mean I have to get it together. The Local is changing to a weekly format as of next week so I'll be busy as a beaver here at TL ‘socially isolated’ HQ.

Now, for all our existing advertisers the price does not change. Yes, you heard it here first. We are offering a buy-one get one-free advert until the world has sorted itself out. And that is also a big thank you to our amazing advertisers who fund our stories about our beautiful locals.

Now, I suppose you want to know why we are going weekly? Well, it was something we have been throwing around the office as an idea, but then all this pandemic hysteria came along and we thought we should go up a gear and produce a weekly magazine. Apart from the good regular stuff that has come out of our communities we will be bringing you everything you need to know about staying safe during this time.

Anyway, back to my cleanliness. Among my list of changes to my hygiene and mental health regime pledge is to pull back on drinking and wake up fresh every morning instead of coming to. Following this, I will have a shower and possibly a shave although no guarantees on the latter.

I have resurrected the boxing gloves and have an inflatable bottle of Corona (the drink not the disease) to bash the shit out of in an effort to ease my angst. I believe regimentation and a small splash of booze is the only way through this débâcle.

I will be a little relieved when the Central Highlands borders become shut down. There is beautiful autumn harvest available to eat, so plenty of food and provisions to go around for residents. I would also like to plead shopkeepers to embarrass folks into not panic buying - there is enough to go around. Yes, things have changed and the society deck of cards has been shuffled, but we are not animals.

Calm the f@#k down rant over..."

Local Lines

haiku and senryu

even the dog turns up its nose leftover tofu burger

a cockatoo swings on the empty bird feeder cackling kookaburra

50th birthday after dancing all night morning Nurofen

square droppings piled high on a stone step wombat hole

old boys’ reunion if we had hair we’d let it down 80s singalong having the time of my life

a joey follows mum across the highway road train

Paris end of Collins Street you suggest we eat Thai

- Louise Hopewell

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

Louise Hopewell writes short stories, plays, poetry and songs and is a regular reader at Chamber Poets in Woodend. When not writing, Louise can be found riding her bicycle or playing ukulele (but not at the same time).

Federal Member for Ballarat

Pick me, pick me!

Hi there, I am Tasia, a Jack Russell/whippet. I am a girl, just 13 years young and came to the shelter because my owner sadly passed away.

I am very sweet and would love to find a forever home in a quieter household with lots of love.

Apparently because I have a senior's card you only need $50 to take me home with you.

My microchip number, whatever that is, is 956000006314861.

So, if you are keen for a new best friend, just contact the shelter in Castlemaine on 5472 5277 and we can meet up.

Link: www.maaw.org.au

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them.)

And now supported by Daylesford's

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

SOME things just make you smile. Like driving past the PISS OFF AUSNET sign mowed into the hill on the way to Creswick. I love it. So simple, so annoying for a huge company like AusNet. Private land, so not much they can do about it. And you can't defame a company.

Mind you, there have been some interesting signs about our local pollies as well. State MP Mary-Anne Thomas and federal MP Catherine King. Just wondering where they stand as the community fights a David and Goliath battle to keep huge powerlines out of pristine and valuable farm land.

It is a fight which has united communities and those with very different ideologies. Greenies and farmers, working together, to save the environment. Who would have thought? Town folk and country people together as one to stop the desecration of the reason we all moved here, or choose to stay here.

The powerlines would look absolutely bloody ugly and destroy that drive through the currently very serene countryside. And it would be gone forever. Yeah, a few farmers might get a few bucks and there would be renewable energy for the city folk of Melbourne, but it's pretty short term thinking.

We have covered this story a few times, of course, but this week I talked to two people really involved - Joee Aganetti-Fraser and Will Elsworth. Wow, talk about passionate. These guys, if I can call them both that, are not going down without a fight, in fact, I don't think they are going down at all.

Sometimes big players think they will win because, well, they are big. But I reckon AusNet has met its match. These guys, and their support base and that is huge, might be farmers but they are also strategic thinkers with huge...well, I can't say that about a woman, but they have the courage of their convictions.

If you have not read the story on page five, Joee spent six hours, two years ago almost to the day, mowing that sign into the hill to make a public stand. And keeps it mowed - and we all know no-one really likes mowing except perhaps Forrest Gump.

And Will apparently has to keep apologising for his language but why should he? If you were in a fight for your property, your livelihood, your family and your community I reckon you would drop a few F-bombs.

I had another smile just as I was writing this. I rang the AusNet media hotline and was asked why I was calling. I said I had been in touch with the Piss Off AusNet group. The funny thing is that it is not very often you get to say you are calling an organisation about a group that wants them to piss off. Mind you, the woman was very professional and said someone would be in touch soon. And they were.

They asked who I was and what area I covered and said, yes, they were very aware of the Piss Off AusNet group. And I said I thought they would be. And they said could I email questions through and did not seem at all fazed that the deadline was that afternoon. (I write this column as my last piece for the week - generally on a Friday. Sometimes it's harder than others because I will have already read Kyle's Rant and he has been known to steal ideas from me...)

Anyway, it is 3.16pm on Friday, March 24 and nothing back yet but I am sure it will come. We just popped out to Mt Prospect and got a photo of Joee and her message. So all about AusNet and pissing off this arvo. As the editor I am not meant to have an opinion but as a columnist that is OK apparently. I wish Joee and Will all the best.

Hmmm. And keeping to the theme, I think I might piss off after this to the pub and have a wine. 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.

Here is the crossword solution for Edition 275. How did you go?

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

Notice of intention to apply for a Licence to Take and Use Groundwater and Operate Works

GMW Reference No: BGW0053-23

We Ak Harris Investments Pty Ltd

Of Glenlyon-Little Hampton Road LITTLE HAMPTON VIC 3458

Refer to Vic Roads Map 59 F7

Intend to make an application to Goulburn-Murray Water: For an amendment to part of our existing Licence to Take and Use Groundwater and Operate Works, To convert 30.0ML of water to Commercial use. The application is to extract groundwater from an existing bore.

To be used on land described as:

Volume Folio Crown allotment Parish 1806 047 9H Bullarto

Any person able to demonstrate that their interests will be affected by the issuing of this Licence including any intended groundwater use, is invited to make a formal submission setting out the nature of the impact within 14 days of receipt of this written notification. To make a submission please read the information available to download from https://www.g-mwater.com.au/customer-services/forms refer to No. 4 (or contact GMW to arrange for a copy to be posted to you). Submissions must be lodged in writing using the template available by either mail or email to Customer Support Coordinator, Licensing Administration, PO Box 165, TATURA VIC 3616 or email licensingadmin@g-mwater.com.au

Advertising in The Local

Classies

Chook Run

Chooks /pullets for sale

Delivery first of April

Casual prices

(Save around 25 per cent for ongoing advertising)

Quarter page/banner - $180+gst

Half page - $365+gst

Full page - $730+gst

Trade pages - $40+gst

Talk to Linda about advertising and advertorials, and advertising in our seasonal Visitor Guide and House.Land.Home.Premium.

We also offer some great social media shout-outs! Call Linda on 0493 673 149 or email sales@tlnews.com.au

Hyline brown Pre-order

Ballarat Chooks

0400 559 559

PUBLIC NOTICE - CRESFEST

CresFest is on between 31 March - 2 April 2023 in Creswick (more information at www.cresfest. com.au).

The following road closures are taking place across the weekend and detours apply:

• Water Street is closed between Albert Street and Exchange Lane from Friday 31 March at 5pm to Monday 3 April at 7am

• Albert Street Service Road between Hall Street and Raglan Street from Saturday 1 April at 7am to Sunday 2 April at 5pm

• Cambridge Street in both directions (directly behind shops) between Raglan Street and Victoria Street; AND Victoria Street between Napier Street and Cambridge Street Saturday 1 April 3pm - 5pm.

Connecting the Community since 2013

In the ring at the Wombat Fight Club

AS A a paramedic, Baydon Beddoe says he picks up the injured by ambulance.

As a boxer, he says, he knocks ‘em down.

Now he’s up for a state title that could lead to a national championship. And all this after surviving bowel cancer.

A father of girls aged five and eight, 46-year-old Baydon, of Miners Rest, is training at his father Denis’s boxing club in Wombat Dam Road, Daylesford, for the State Masters Championship next Saturday, April 1. And if 76-year-old Denis passes a fitness test he will also box in an exhibition.

Baydon will be fighting for a trophy he’s never won, a championship belt, and coincidentally it’s against a boxer who beat Baydon 23 years ago in Baydon’s first professional bout.

That was seven years after Baydon started training, representing Victoria in the Nipper class in 2000, later competing in Olympic trials on the Gold Coast and twice in the Australian Masters event before Covid hit.

In that time, he’s moved through weights such as welter in 2000, light-heavy 19 years later and is now an 86-kilo cruiserweight. “You get heavier as you get older,” he says.

Cancer hit him in 2014-15 but looking at the fighter in the ring sparring with his father that’s hard to believe. “This year’s a bit of redemption,” says Baydon.

He’s been training daily since January, running half an hour in the morning and then spending up to 90 minutes on a punching bag, working on his footwork, getting ready for the four two-minute rounds.

Baydon thumps a speedball, rhythmically hitting it with one hand, then both. Then he picks up a big stuffed strike shield used for injuryfree sparring.

Nearby is the Wombat Fight Club’s motto for sparring: “Only hit as hard as you want to be hit.” “Men fight in the ring, dogs fight in the street,” says another big sign.

Baydon has more one-liners: “Some think defence is the thing that goes around the yard.” “One boxer thought he’d won a title, but the only one he has is for his house.”

And a parting zinger: “There are three sorts of fighters, orthodox, southpaw and piss-poor.” Being only one of these, I make a retreat.

Words: Kevin Childs | Images: Kyle Barnes

Scan the QR code for a movie with Baydon and Denis