March 28, 2022 Issue 250 CresFest
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
2 About Us
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Front cover: CresFest is almost here and Creswick resident Loris Button is helping out with her artistic side. Read all about what's coming up on page 8.
The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
March 28, 2022 Issue 250 CresFest
The next edition is out on Monday, April 11, 2022. Or online on Sunday, April 10 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, April 6 Copy deadline: Thursday, April 7 Editorial deadline: Thursday, April 7
Image: Kyle Barnes, Dianne Caithness & Loris Button
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Writers | Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Jeff Glorfeld, Narelle Groenhout & Donna Kelly
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Photographers | Kyle Barnes, David White & Louise Gay
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Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (gigs), Matthew Richardson (money) and Jen Clarke (recipes). Accounts | Julie Hanson
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Farewell to Anne, 'the ground's not the same'
F
OR Anne E Stewart, brilliant storyteller, one long narrative is about to end and another to start.
After some 31 years she is moving to be near her daughter and two grandchildren in Brisbane. When it comes to Anne, the shop-worn phrase about being on a journey has seldom been truer. Storytelling has taken her across the globe, while at home, she has given much to the district and beyond. After a happy childhood, the next stage was grim. Born in Melbourne in 1958, she was doing matriculation when her world and that of her family was shattered. Her brother, Tony, was killed in East Timor by Indonesian soldiers, along with two others in a Channel Seven news crew and two members of a Channel Nine crew. Anne’s anger is still potent. “We were told he 'went missing', but 'they' (the government) knew they were dead, but (for diplomatic reasons) had to lie.” After a couple of false starts her career began at, of all places, a party in Torquay. She learned of a job in Geelong and at 19 became an assistant children’s librarian in Geelong and found her groove working for the Bellarine Peninsula Bookmobile. After being pushed into storytelling with the team from the Jolly Jumbuck, a Storytelling Van sponsored by the State Library of Victoria to promote literacy, she was also put behind the steering wheel. Off she went, entertaining children across the state with Judith Kerr's The Tiger Who Came to Tea. This came naturally because she grew up in a family of storytellers, she says, with plenty of competition to tell a yarn at home. From the start, she set out to develop a love of language and literature in the youngsters. Now she tells her stories to those of any age, promoting cultural understanding, social justice and helping people with their unique stories. Her storytelling skills were honed by going to Darwin, dropping into remote and fascinating outback spots in her boyfriend’s plane. Darwin was also where she first encountered bias towards indigenous people, leading to a 25-year relationship with the Dja Dja Wurrung people here and work on the shire’s reconciliation advisory panel.
Like so many young Australians at the time she roamed Asia and Europe even finding paying work at a Scottish storytelling festival. Once back home, she won the 1998 Storytelling Competition in Port Fairy. She has been invited to tell stories in places as distant as Iran, Colombia, Mexico and even Timor. Daylesford came up on her radar after her brother Greg moved here. He has just retired as a doctor. Back then, she says, an affordable house could be found. Once here, Anne plunged into running the Words in Winter writers’ festival, organised the New Year’s Eve Parade for nine years, spent a similar time as Daylesford Primary School Council president and six terms as president of the Swiss Italian Festa while her two children were learning Italian. She had four terms as the president of the Victorian branch of the Australian Storytelling Guild. Reflecting on the changes she has noticed here, she remembers the many theatrical performances at the Powerhouse, opposite the former police station in Daylesford, and gigs at the Palais and Town Hall. Today, she finds, the focus is more on hospitality and business. “But, she adds, ”there are still people with passion, although it just doesn’t feel like my ground to dig into.” Five years ago she was struck another blow when her partner, Rod May, an ecological farming pioneer, was killed in a road accident aged 63. Awaiting her in Brisbane are her daughter, Cassandra, a tailor, and grandchildren aged four and almost two. Anne’s son Dominic is a physiotherapist in Melbourne. “I’m very proud of my kids and contributions I made to the town for their benefit,” she says. “I’m pleased with my storytelling efforts and the huge amount of experience I’ve had in Australia and worldwide, and that I’m known as a storyteller.” Her sunny side bursts through early in our interview when she tells of how much she is looking forward to the Olympics being held in Brisbane in 10 years’ time. She is eager to help with the Cultural Olympics. Her story continues.
Words: Kevin Childs Image: Poppy Dahmer/Daylesford Strong Women Exhibition 2015
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News 5
Hepburn Shire pulls pin on aged care services
H
epburn Shire Council will stop delivering aged care and disability services to more than 300 residents.
The decision has been labelled appalling, abhorrent and out of touch by members of the community, especially as it follows an earlier in-principle decision made behind closed doors, against which the initial public response caused council to seek community feedback. Despite the consultation process with residents, aged care groups and carers, the council pushed through with its initial intentions to scrap the services. Creswick Ward councillor Don Henderson was the only councillor who opposed the recommendations at last week’s council meeting. Now the decision has been made, Cr Henderson has to be seen to support the decision to avoid being in breach of the Local Government Code of Conduct. Prior to the meeting, Cr Henderson aired his concerns with pursuing a privatised model, citing local government as the closest form of government to the people and expressed his concerned for many vulnerable and elderly residents across the shire. He recently attended the Lions Club of Creswick’s community working bee to help flood-affected residents and said many were the same residents affected by the severe floods 10 years ago. This time many were aged care service recipients, a service which has allowed them to stay in their homes with dignity. Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said it was a long lead time reaching the decision. “It certainly wasn’t an easy decision and we all sought a lot of advice to make sure we were on the right track. Because of the Federal Government reforms coming in next year, we had no choice as it is (the delivery model) moving to an open market model. As a small council we were not in a position to fill the void in service delivery required.” Cr Drylie said staff had been fully engaged with and would be offered redundancy packages, would be able to apply for other positions available with the council and also had the choice to work with the chosen provider. He said many staff members were nearing retirement age. However, The Local was contacted by a number of service recipients and carers who said the consultation process was inadequate, with one resident saying she was not informed during that process. Wheatsheaf resident Loris Duclos, an aged care nurse with more than 30 years’ experience, has cared for her mother and mother in-law, navigating privatised aged care models. She called the decision appalling. “I think the councillors have sold out our most vulnerable residents. I had hoped the councillors would stand up and have a backbone,” she said. “I have seen first-hand how inadequate a privatised model is. My mother has to go through accreditation processes every six months and only gets a few hours a fortnight in care. She still pays $100 a week in administration costs and now with staff shortages in her area, she doesn’t even have a case manager. “Elected representatives are there to stand up, step outside their areas of interest and form their own views. Not simply do what they are told by council officers,” she said. While a number of councils across the state have already outsourced aged and disability services, there are councils who will continue to deliver the services under the reforms. The council has stated it will “act as an advocate for the needs of the community and will hold accountable Commonwealth and State Governments and the appointed home support providers for the delivery of quality services to the Hepburn community”. Cornelia Kimstra, pictured, is 86. She lives independently in her own home in Daylesford with her beloved dog Daisy. She lost her husband 13 years ago and relies heavily on council services.
Cornelia is one of many elderly residents in the shire concerned about the decision to privatise the current services. “My carer has been coming here for many years. She knows me, knows what I need and always asks me if I need anything else. She is more than a carer to me. When my late husband Klaas was alive, it was the services and the carers that we knew that helped us manage in our own home,” she said. Cornelia was one of the founding members of the Daylesford U3A. She and Klaas helped start the Daylesford Men’s Shed, and she was a national advocate for euthanasia reforms at a parliamentary level. Cornelia has donated thousands of hours to volunteer work and says she deserves better after paying rates for 30 years. Neighbour and community welfare advocate Michelle Clifford labelled the decision disgusting and abhorrent, and believes it will cost people’s quality of life. “I think it’s abhorrent that the decision was made before the federal election and this decision will only alienate aged and disabled residents. A lot of people don’t like outsiders, (they) feel uncomfortable with a new carer every week,” she said. “I really believe this decision will cost people’s quality of life. I get that fiscal management is part of council’s game but I don’t feel they even considered their options. There could have been ways to work within the budget and to fill the gap but I guess the money that could have been used was wasted on The Rex.” Michelle, who ran the Community Op Shop, said groups and services including the Op Shop, Central Highlands Rural Health, Creswick Lions Club and the Good Grub Club will no doubt have increased workloads when a new provider takes over the running of the services.
Words & image: Narelle Groenhout
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Our people 7
Daylesford…not just a place but a community Sarah Flemming 31, and Marlie Regis 30, met in England six years ago. They left their IT and marketing careers to see the world and have been in Australia for four years and are now influencers and bloggers, highlighting the sights and people they come across on their journey. Their recent return to Daylesford, a community that supported them during lockdown, homeless and alone, has seen them spread the joy of ChillOut with their Instagram, Facebook posts and videos - so far reaching more than 200,000 keen followers. This is their story.
W
HILST travelling through Victoria at the beginning of 2020, we had no idea that we would end up living in the state for the entire year.
As backpackers, we were initially working towards the six months of farm work that we needed to do in order to gain an extra year of our working holiday visa, when the pandemic hit us all by surprise. In March, we found ourselves in Creswick working on a potato farm. After only our first day on the farm, the lockdown started. We headed back to the free campsite we were staying at, with the intentions of sorting out something more permanent later, only to find a locked gate with a sign reading ‘closed due to Covid’. We thought we’d better get ourselves booked into an official campsite but they weren’t taking new people. Luckily for us, the evenings were still pretty light and between Creswick and Daylesford we had mastered the art of finding electric plugs to use, hot water to fill our shower and the public barbeque facilities gave us shelter and light to cook our dinners. In case you are wondering where we slept, the locations of the Bushfire Neighbourhood Safer Place became our home, in the car parks at Daylesford and Creswick information centres. At the time, we were just grateful to be in a country that was taking Covid so seriously and keeping us safe from this virus that was ripping our home country, the UK, and the rest of the world apart. The potato farm we were working on was heavily reliant on the weather, so on our rainy days off we would treat ourselves to a pie or a baked good from the many bakeries and cafes in Daylesford. On one of these occasions, a lovely guy who was also living out of his van told us about what we now know as the Good Grub Club. At the time, he explained that they offered a free breakfast a few times a week and that we should pop in there. Along we went one morning and at this point, we discovered that the Good Grub Club was this incredible food kitchen supporting the community during this extremely difficult time. The ladies working there, particularly Sallie, insisted that they help us, knowing that we were living in our Holden Commodore station wagon. They gave us a box of beautiful fresh food and some home cooked meals too. This is such an incredible memory for us and we were so grateful and humbled by the community’s initial support in helping us. It was also our first home cooked meal that wasn’t cooked on a camping stove in a very long time. After this day, we decided that we’d offer our assistance on any days that we were free from work. As the nights were getting darker and the potato season was coming to an end, this became a regular place to find us. We divided out the delicious meals and helped to make the boxes for the community. Sallie and Jen (who was the reverend at the time, from the Uniting Church next door) had been discussing where we might be able to stay. They were so concerned about us staying in our car, as it was getting much colder with the winter creeping in. Jen kindly offered us the small community hall next door, which was going unused due to Covid. We set up our tent and mattress inside, surrounded by heaters and felt like we were living a life of luxury. It even had a little kitchen with an oven so we could finally make our own banana bread (remember that Covid trend?). We were fortunate enough to stay in the hall for around a month and throughout this time we really became part of the Daylesford community. We felt so welcomed and were humbled by the kindness of everyone living in this small regional town. Just a couple of days before we were due to head off to our next job near the Great Ocean Road, we went to see Jen hold a service in the church next door. It turned out that there was also a homeless man at the service that the community wanted to help house in the hall. With us still having a little extra time before heading off, a local mother and journalist offered to let us stay in their house whilst the homeless man moved into our temporary humble abode. This lovely local we had the pleasure of meeting was Narelle Groenhout. Little did we know that this meeting would change our lives forever. Narelle took us into her home with her husband, Pat and their two children. They gave us a real bed to sleep in for a few nights and even hosted a wonderful leaving party for us.
Pat is a wonderful cook and made a delicious paella for us all and we were showered with gifts from the locals. These included an oil painting of Lake Daylesford from Chris and Malcolm and some tough gum boots from Jo at the local shoe store to use at our next job. It was such a pleasure meeting this beautiful community and as backpackers who’ve travelled all across Australia, we haven’t come across anywhere that has given us so much love and kindness. It was amazing to find our little Aussie family here in Daylesford; a place that was also more than welcoming of us as an LGBTQ+ couple. After leaving Daylesford, we went off to our next job, which was intended to be for just two months. However, due to the tough lockdown laws, we ended up being there for six months instead. Once there were more freedoms, we made sure we swung by Daylesford again, before leaving Victoria. One of the positives of getting stuck in Victoria was that we had more time to focus on our travel blog, Cloud Walks. Skip to 2022 and we were offered the opportunity to co-author a coffee table book about the best LGBTQ+ events and locations around the world. We, of course, decided to add Daylesford and the ChillOut Festival to the book. After being away for a year and a half, it has been so lovely to be back in this lovely town, especially during such a special time of the year with ChillOut. We have spent our time here reconnecting with all of the kind people that helped us out so much back in 2020 and making new precious connections too. We truly love the community here in Daylesford; they rescued us from the harsh Victorian winter and gave us a true sense of belonging in so many ways. There is no doubt that Daylesford will always hold a special place in our hearts.
8 CresFest
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CresFest: The story of the festival unfolds
A
And before you cross the road to the Town Hall, which celebrates its 145th anniversary this year, stop for a moment and marvel at Leaver’s Hotel. It has been, among other things, a fish and chip shop and a milk bar. and is now an amazing creation of its current owner Chantelle Leaver who, along with her partner Cam, runs Odessa at Leaver’s. They have transformed an ordinary shopfront to what it is now, with all its original roofing and stone walls. The interior is truly amazing. The intimate space is the perfect environment to listen to great music and eat Thai-inspired food. Now take a slight detour to the Creswick Court House built in 1859, venue for theatre shows and movies over the weekend, and finally to the IGA green which has become a bit of a community hub and will be the venue for the busking events. Judy is delighted that these buildings will all come alive with music, dance, the written and spoken word. “The aim of CresFest has always been to open up our town to those who have usually driven through. Our community has so much to offer and CresFest will deliver world class performances throughout the weekend. I couldn’t be happier with the map and how Loris has interpreted everything that the committee has asked for even down to a QR code which, once activated, takes the reader to the detailed program online to learn about our amazing performers.” Loris’ unique images will also be available as postcards and a tote bag. CresFest is ready and a great team of volunteers are eager to welcome everyoe to Creswick. Tickets, performers and full program information at www.cresfest.com.au
N INITIATIVE that’s sure to surprise attendees at the inaugural CresFest from Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3 is an A2 folded map with the full program on one side and on the other a list of venues and other important information.
The CresFest information map is the work of renowned printmaker and teacher Loris Button, a resident of Creswick. Her lino cuts on the map detail the historical buildings where performances will take place as well as other notable buildings in the streetscape. The map itself is a remarkable piece of art that Loris has hand drawn with coloured pencil. Loris is a generous artist in so many ways, and says that the success of the combined project relies heavily on the skill of the digital graphic designer Jo Marchese, who has transformed the art piece into a workable map. “I’ve had great fun developing the map. As a printmaker I am addicted to paper. I marvel at the way natural dyes can affect the colours and I have used a different paper for each heritage building on the map. “Using a traditional printmaking technique called linocut, I carve into the lino exposing a relief image of each building. The block is then inked using a roller and the image is transferred from the lino to the paper either by hand or with a printing press. “In the development of the map I worked with our clever and talented CresFest convenor Judy Turner. We’ve looked at the priorities for CresFest as well as making the map an exciting journey for visitors to wend their way through Creswick exploring its hidden gems.” A walk through Creswick is a journey of European settlement. The historical buildings have much to teach the current generation and demonstrate the richness of the land and the legacy of the gold rush. Buildings that were built to last. Starting at the bluestone St Andrew’s Uniting Church built in 1862, to the Masonic Lodge which opened in 1890, and will be open for viewings twice over the weekend, past The American Hotel whose history began in 1850 and will be the venue of jam sessions throughout the weekend plus serving great food and beverages.
Words: Contributed/Advertorial
Open Evening Thursday 28 April, 4pm – 8pm Book Online: shckyneton.catholic.edu.au Hands on activities, information sessions and displays – lots to see and do.
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News 9
'Mortar-fied': no council cash for old gun
W
ORLD War I lasted four years. Paul Dwyer has spent that much time trying unsuccessfully to restore an historic weapon from that conflict that is rusting away in Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens.
Councils across Australia bought such weapons from the federal government at the end of that war to try to ease the national debt. The former shire of Daylesford and Glenlyon paid 5000 pounds for a German mortar captured by the 22nd Australian artillery in 1918. Today’s equivalent sum would be about $516,000. No money has been set aside by the council to restore the mortar. During his campaign, Paul, Daylesford born and bred and at 59 in his 43rd year with the railway workshops United Group Limited, in Ballarat, waited exactly a year for a response from the council to an email message about the mortar, which is near the garden's glasshouse. The Local asked the council about this, but it did not respond. It did say it has been in regular contact “for an extended period”. He has offered to restore the mortar at his firm’s workshops for nothing. He is worried that it may suffer a similar fate to a cannon which fell into disrepair in the 50s and 60s and is rumoured to have disappeared down a mine shaft in the East Street Sunday Market car park. A council spokesperson acknowledged Paul’s “fantastic” offer and says it is “equally disappointed we are not able to take advantage of this without incurring significant additional costs”. The spokesperson added that in early 2019, council officers met Paul at the mortar to discuss the possibilities and his kind restoration offer. “In considering this, it is important to understand that Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register which mandates a permit from Heritage Victoria for any works within the Botanic Gardens (including the WWI mortar). It should also be noted that the WWI mortar is specifically detailed in the Conservation Management Plan for the site.” In December 2019, the council told Paul that Heritage Victoria had said the mortar was individually listed and “considered to be of primary significance” in the 2007 conservation management plan for the gardens. But any work on it would need to be “by suitably qualified and experienced professionals (usually conservators), in line with the best conservation practice.” The council added that if Heritage Victoria were to consider approval of this restoration by the workshops, it would likely require, as a minimum, that the council engage a conservator to oversee it. This was because it needed to believe that the workshops had sufficient skill and experience, to “manage the restoration works in accordance with best conservation practice”. Says Paul: “They’re just going around in circles when what they mean is, 'We don’t have to do anything'.” Back in 2017 The Local covered a story about researcher Peter Webster, inset image, who travelled from Sydney, at his own expense, to work on a 1861 cannon, also at the botanic gardens. The wooden mounting of the cannon is the oldest in Australia. Peter was in touch with Hepburn Shire Council at the time but spent four days on his own sanding back some of the paint work so it would be possible to give the wood a coat of linseed oil to protect it. At the time, he said it would also be a starting point for locals, whether council or volunteers, to come and “carry on and finish this work bit by bit”.
Both the one-tonne mounting and almost five-tonne gun came from Britain with the gun cast at Low Moor Ironworks in Yorkshire before being taken to the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich in London to be proofed and accepted into army service. The mounting was made at the Royal Carriage Department, part of the Royal Arsenal. Mr Webster said the guns were brought out to Australia to protect defences around Port Phillip Bay in the mid-1860s. But by the late 1890s it became obvious they were becoming obsolete and after federation, between 1901 and 1910 the new federal government decided to distribute them around the country. Asked the worth of the cannon, Mr Webster just says “priceless”.
Words: Kevin Childs | Images: Kyle Barnes
10 Opinion
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Your Say - Letters When you're smiling, or not
One could argue that the sacrifices required on the part of those who would choose not to be vaccinated are proportionate to the risk of death posed to thousands. But the complication that arises is that many of those who do not wish to be vaccinated belong to the same group that do not believe in the hazard posed by the virus. Respecting both their doubts about vaccines and their doubts about the virus poses huge challenges for the rest of us. In another unforeseen coincidence, this same group also often don't believe in the efficacy of face masks. It's a peculiar set of circumstances that has led to some very unhappy people in our midst. I very much hope that when the mandates are lifted in a time of less virulent strains of Covid-19 we can return to a more friendly community that can acknowledge the trauma we have all been through.
- Pat Hockey, Clunes
Letters to the editor are always welcome. Keep them shortish and to the point. Email donna@tlnews.com.au Any addressed Dear Sir will be deleted. I’m writing in response to Gary Wilkinson’s letter that appeared in the Your Say section of Issue 249, March 14, 2022.
As a survivor of childhood sexual assault myself, I was disheartened to read Gary’s words. To imply that someone who has experienced that kind of trauma should put the stature and pageantry of an award ceremony above their own emotions is absurd, and needs to be pushed back against in the strongest possible terms. Telling people to smile when they don’t feel like it is something people would have said to me back in 1995 when I was a teenager. And you know what? I would have done it, too. I would have smiled, pushing down the shame and pain and hurt and confusion I felt at what was happening to me, just so I didn’t ‘upset’ anyone. Just so I didn’t ‘cause any trouble’. Proselytising how people should moderate their emotions in public does not lead to healing. It leads to avoidance, and the truth is, we’re really tired of ‘putting on a brave face’. A lot of us have tried that for many years and all it’s done is accelerate the deterioration of our own mental health and help predators continue to perpetuate crimes against the most vulnerable in our society. Grace Tame was one of the first survivors who refused to hide her emotions in public. When you have spent a lifetime hiding your feelings from people – I am nearly 40 and still learning to ‘unlearn’ those placating behaviours taught to me in my youth – the public presence of someone as emotionally open and vulnerable as Grace is life affirming for those of us who have lived our lives on mute for so long. A lot of people – mostly women – are now speaking up, pushing back and demanding better. Like me, they want to live in a world where displaying your full gamut of emotions is not just accepted, but encouraged. This naturally threatens a lot of men because it requires them to reflect on their own behaviours – aspects of which may not be as innocent or as wholesome as they previously thought. So smile when you want to, and do whatever you feel like when you don’t.
- Adam Fawcett, Hepburn Springs
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The Rex
Probus Club
A public meeting to Rethink The Rex will be held at the Daylesford Town Hall on Tuesday, April 5 from 6pm.
Group convenor Jules McDonald said the sudden decision by Hepburn Shire Council in November last year to sell the Rex against the recommendation of council officers, had prompted the formation of the Rethink The Rex community group aimed at halting the sale pending a proper community consultation. "The group has been researching the appalling processes that have occurred since council purchased the building in 2016 and will provide this to the meeting. "The heritage value of the building, identified youth and community needs, alternatives to sale, potential private and public use of the building and site, financial perspectives and innovative ideas will be presented together with some inspirational initiatives from other regional areas. The thorny issue of ‘to sell or not to sell’ will also be explored." Ms McDonald said community members will have opportunity to express their views and ask questions.
The Probus Club of Daylesford held its AGM on March 21 with an election of office bearers and committee members.
President is Garth Marks, senior vice president is Keith Pyers, junior vice president is Stephen Walker, secretary is Susan Priest and treasurer is Ted Goodwin. The committee members are Dot Bull, Margaret Coffey and Lois Voterakis. Probus spokesperson Ted Goodwin said the group was an association for active members of the community no longer working full-time to join together for a new lease of life. The Probus Club of Daylesford meets on the third Monday of each month at 10am at the Daylesford Bowling Club, 8 Camp Street. New members are welcome. All enquires to Susan Priest on 5348 7674.
Above, from left, Margaret Coffey, Ted Goodwin, Dot Bull, Lois Voterakis, Garth Marks, Susan Priest, Keith Pyers and Stephen Walker
Just briefly 11
Puppy pride
Is your dog a puppy prodigy? Do you swell with pride at the tricks your dog can do? Or perhaps your pooch has a unique feature to share.
At next month’s Puppy Pride event at the Kyneton Botanic Gardens, the LGBTIQA+ community, their friends, family and allies will come together to celebrate their four-legged friends. Held as part of the Macedon Ranges Autumn Festival, the event will start with a dog walk along the Campaspe River ending up at the Botanic Gardens. Along with food and drinks, there will be canine and pride-themed stalls, dog displays and the Fashions on the Fur competition. The event is for all ages and those without a dog can enter the Cutest Faux Pup. There will also be representatives from Dogs Victoria, specialist breeders’ clubs, health and wellbeing services and animal-themed gifts. Puppy Pride is on Sunday, April 10. The walk will start at St Agnes Place at 11.30am and the main event starts at 12pm. Details: healthpromotion@scchc.org.au or call 5421 1666.
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12 Just briefly
Love in Hepburn
OZACT is presenting Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, at Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve next month.
In Shakespeare’s greatest tale of love, two star-crossed lovers chart their own course for the future at a time where hatred and self-interest are tearing the world apart. In a city of secrets, Romeo and Juliet meet, and a brief love, cut short by death, is born. Shunning the hate of warring factions, in defiance of their families and in secrecy from their closest friends, the young couple risk all they have to be together. The production is directed by Bruce Widdop and Matt Young. The cast includes OZACT company members Bruce Widdop, Matt Young, Sorcha Breen, Ryan Ireland, Eleanor Ruth, Luke Ingram, Alexis Longley, Michael Davidson and Daniel Pitts. Romeo and Juliet will be at the Hepburn Sound Shell on April 2 and 3 from 4pm. Bookings essential: www.ozact.com
www.tlnews.com.au
Bowls win
Small halls
The Daylesford Bowling Club Division 1 Tuesday Pennant team has won the Ballarat Highlands Bowls Region Grand Final.
Award-winning indie folk darlings Charm of Finches and prolific singer-songwriter Jack Carty have hit the road for the Festival of Small Halls The grand final was played at Webbcona on Tuesday, Autumn Tour 2022.
March 22 with Daylesford defeating Beaufort 67 shots to 63. The rink members and results were: Gerald Coffey, Lois Voterakis, Anne Bremner and Dot Bull – 17/25; Ted Goodwin, Margaret Coffey, Rod Poxon and Rose Marshall – 26/21; and Wendy Goodwin, Liz Wigmore, Steve Stupavski and Maureen Tate – 24/17.
Above, from left, Maureen Tate, Steve Stupavski, Liz Wigmore, Rod Poxon, Ted Goodwin, Margaret Coffey, Rose Marshall (rear), Wendy Goodwin, Anne Bremner, Dot Bull, Gerald Coffey and Lois Voterakis
The Festival of Small Halls Autumn Tour 2022 started on March 11 at the Port Fairy Folk Festival and will visit 21 local halls. Festival of Small Halls producer Eleanor Rigden said the tour marked the first time many of these community spaces would host live music, or indeed any event, since the start of the pandemic. “It feels quite monumental to be touring across the state again - 2019 was the last time we visited a lot of these halls.” The festival will visit the Glenlyon Hall on Wednesday, April 6. The doors open at 6.30pm with the show from 7pm. Opening the show will be local act Glenlyon Ukulele Team.
Link: www.festivalofsmallhalls.com
Gardening y t i l i b a s i D n a i l a r t s u A Enterprise Windarring now operates a Gardening ADE. The range of services provided are mowing, lawn edging, weeding, whipper snipping, general pruning, slashing and landscaping, general garden maintenance jobs and rubbish removal. The ADE charges $50.00 per hour. If you would like to know more or book the team to work on your garden, please contact Shaelee Desmond at
sdesmond@windarring.org.au or 03 5422 7001
From left, Paul Anderson (CFA), Margaret Hodge (bank director), Jenny Jordan (Daylesford & District Brass Band), Petafaye Heyne (steering committee member & CWA), Melanie Tudball (branch manager), Ryan Thiesz (Daylesford Soccer Club), Jim Foster (bank director) and Carson White (Daylesford Football Club)
A bank with a heart
I
n the 10 years since the Community Bank Daylesford District opened its doors on Vincent Street, it has contributed more than $500,000 in community funding.
From sporting clubs, arts and culture clubs, medical and health suppliers to historical groups and local charities, the bank has allowed groups to continue operating over that time and especially in more recent years when Covid completely stopped the ability to fundraise. Branch manager Melanie Tudball said giving back to the community is the most rewarding part of her role. “I’ve been a volunteer most of my life and I know how hard it is for local groups to survive financially so it really is the best part of my job seeing how our day-to-day work serving customers allows funds to go straight back into the community.
“We actually get to see where the money goes: whether it’s new facilities at a club, new equipment for emergency services or supporting arts and culture groups like Sprout!, ChillOut, the Museum or Friends of Cornish Hill, we meet the people and see the difference the contributions make.” While still referred to by many as the Bendigo Bank, the Community Bank Daylesford District is one of a number of branches across the country that grew from the first Bendigo Bank Community branches in the late 1990s. There are now more than 300 community banks across the country and closer to home there are branches across the Hepburn, Macedon and Goldfields areas. Local branches are franchises of the Bendigo Bank and the branches are owned and operated by local people. “Because the branches are owned by local shareholders and all decisions made by volunteer board members in those communities, the branches are different from the major banks. It’s the local involvement that allows us to keep giving back to the community,” Melanie said.
Link: www.facebook.com/communitybankdaylesforddistrict
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Operation Cookies
M
ANY of us have watched in horror and disbelief as Russia has rolled over Ukraine, killing soldiers and civilians, and wondered what we can do to help.
Yuliya Wojcicki has the answer. Operation Cookies. Yuliya and her Aussie husband Steven run Wojcicki Constructions, a customhome building specialist company in Daylesford. But Yuliya was born and raised in a small town in Ukraine an hour from Kyiv. Her family, including a sister now living in the UK, moved to Australia in 1997. They became Australian citizens but when Yuliya’s grandmother needed care, her parents moved back 12 years later. Along with her parents, other relatives and former high school friends still live in the now war-ravaged country although have so far managed to stay safe or evacuate from towns being bombed. When the war started on February 24, Yuliya knew she needed to do something to help and decided to raise an initial amount of $7000 to help with humanitarian aid for those in need. She reached out to Caroline Goulding of Happynest Hampers in Campbells Creek who is now creating heart-shaped cookies in blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Wojcicki Constructions covers the cost of the cookies, buying them at cost price. They are then sold for $6 each or a box of 20 for $120, with every dollar raised going to Spirit of Victory, pictured, an aid organisation run by friends in Ukraine. The company is also covering all bank fees so that 100 per cent of the money raised goes to Ukraine and its people. The money is then used to buy food and hygiene products which are distributed to those in need – many of them people who have been evacuated with their children to safer areas. Yuliya said they had chosen Spirit of Victory because they knew them personally and knew the work they have been doing for many years. They also know none of the money raised will be spent on administration fees. She said she had asked her parents to return to Australia in January, but they had refused.
“People find it hard to understand but they want to be there, they want to be useful. They are safe enough at this stage and while I would like them to be here or in the UK with my sister, when the war started they became even more adamant that Ukraine is their home and they will stay in their home. I just have to accept their decision and honestly, if I was still there, I would probably do the same thing.” Yuliya said her parents, both 71, were helping the army as much as they could, with her mother making camouflage nets for trucks and tanks. “They will do whatever they can to assist their country.” Yuliya said the local community had been amazing, both buying cookies and just donating money to help reach their fundraising goal. “And Caroline from Happynest Hampers has been incredible. She jumped on board straight away, offered a very, very good price and has been pulling all-nighters to keep up with demand.” To order cookies or donate, SMS Yuliya on 0425 708 292. She has asked people not to call as she is juggling work and Operation Cookies “and life”. Cookies can be picked up or delivered. Links: Operation Cookies in on Instagram @cookies4ukraine Spirit of Victory @spirit.of.victory.ua Words: Donna Kelly
um 2 i m 2 Pre er 20 st Ea
HOUSE.LAND.HOME. Don’t miss out on the Easter edition - out April 11 Your local real estate guide to the Central Highlands
COVID-19 Vaccination for Children Vaccines for 5 to 11 year olds Families should book their children in for vaccination as soon as possible after their fifth birthday. Children aged 5 to 11 can receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. They will receive a smaller dose of vaccine created specifically for their age group. By vaccinating your children, you can: Reduce the spread of COVID-19 Protect them from getting sick from COVID-19 Keep schools open, so children can have more face-to-face learning and playtime with their friends. The recommended schedule for vaccination in this age group is two doses, eight weeks apart. Children in this group are considered up to date with their vaccination after they have had their two-dose primary course. Over 52% (in Hepburn Shire) and over 65% (in Macedon Ranges Shire) of 5-11 year olds have been vaccinated with their first dose. For those children still waiting for their first dose, or coming up to their second dose, the Kyneton Vaccination Clinic offers a childfriendly experience. Please keep checking our Facebook pages for current clinic hours @CHRHorgAU or @KynetonHealth
COVID-19 Testing Update COVID-19 testing at Daylesford Health - now in a new, portable Pod! The Pod is located in the driveway of the Community Health Centre, which is on the corner of Hospital and Jamieson Streets in Daylesford. Relocating our COVID-19 testing services, from within the Community Health Centre to the new portable Pod, will allow our practitioners at the Centre to use previous testing areas to service community needs. Booking a COVID-19 test at the new Pod is the same as the previous booking process – please call the testing centre to make an appointment on 5321 6654. The Pod is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It is closed on public holidays; and following a Monday public holiday, testing days change to Tuesday and Thursday. COVID-19 testing in Kyneton remains the same - open daily, call 5422 9900 to make an appointment.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccines, please visit: www.chrh.org.au/covid-19-vaccines/
Staying COVIDSafe It's important to remember these COVIDSafe principles: Wear a mask when required Get your next COVID-19 vaccine dose as soon as you're eligible Test and isolate when required. If you have COVID-19, or you are a contact of someone who does, read Your COVID Checklist https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist for information on what to do Maintain a 1.5 metre distance from others where possible, and practise good hand hygiene Ventilation and air filtration helps. Consider opening windows to let in fresh air, and catching up with friends outside. Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham 5321 6500 www.chrh.org.au www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU
Community News MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
WOMBAT HILL BOTANIC GARDENS
Works are progressing well on projects at Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, At this month’s Ordinary Meeting, Council made to make this beautiful destination even more of a drawcard for visitors the difficult decision to withdraw from aged and and locals. The project is on track for completion at the end of this year. disability services. This is an incredibly complex The new formal stairway connecting the main entry road to the existing situation and a decision that we did not make stone and gravel stairs is now complete, improving pedestrian access and lightly. However, we do not anticipate any service connections between the main entry, cascades, Alf Headland Conservatory disruption as a new incoming provider will deliver and Wombat Hill House café. continuity of care to residents. Minister for Regional Development Mary-Anne Thomas MP visited the gardens in March to view the progress, and also take a look at the begonias Many other local councils are making a similar decision to withdraw from providing these services on display in the conservatory. to their community. This is primarily because of the The project is supported by a $500,000 grant through the Regional Infrastructure Fund – Stimulus Round, $200,000 from Friends of Wombat significant and continuing reforms of aged care by the Commonwealth Hill Botanic Gardens and $188,000 from Council. Government. The reforms involve major changes to the way home Find out more https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/wombat-hill-botanicsupport programs are funded, planned and delivered. As a small rural council, we are unable to offer the same level of choice and flexibility for gardens
clients that are required under the changes. As part of our decision to withdraw from these services we have undertaken an Expression of Interest to identify a new provider who we feel has the client’s best interests at heart. We have made a recommendation to the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments on who we think can provide a suite of quality services to our community, with the ultimate decision falling to the Commonwealth Government. Please be assured that we will continue to fund and support programs and services for vulnerable members of our community. We are currently developing a Positive Ageing Strategy, to outline how we will support, advocate for, and invest in our community. This will be informed by the feedback we recently received from community members about their experience of ageing in our Shire. In some recent good news, the Hepburn Shire community has reached 42% renewables, outperforming Victoria’s state average of 29% and powering the Shire’s transition to zero-net energy with local solar and wind. Hepburn Z-NET says, “Our community has taken real leadership when it comes to energy and emissions and these latest figures demonstrate how local action and ambition can have a big impact. Hepburn Z-NET partnership programs have been helping the shire to tackle emissions in various sectors, ranging from transport, land-use change, stationary energy and waste.” Hepburn Z-NET is leading the way when it comes to tackling climate change head-on. Reaching 42% renewables across the Shire demonstrates the commitment of residents to build a more sustainable future. Recently, over three Saturdays, I attended the Sustainable Hepburn community reference group sessions where another passionate group of residents have dedicated their energies to help develop a plan for a more sustainable and resilient future in Hepburn Shire. Our new strategy covering climate mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity and waste and resource recovery will be released in the coming months. Cr Tim Drylie MAYOR
COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS
HAMMON PARK WORKS COMMENCE
Work has commenced on the Hammon Park Trailhead. This project will deliver a community space at Hammon Park which includes additional parking, nature play, cycling jumps course, learn to ride circuit, shaded seating area, water bubbler and cycle wash area. These works are possible due to a $2.1 million grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria through the Community Sports Infrastructure Stimulus Program. The expected completion date is November 2022. The masterplan for the site is available at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov. au/creswick-trails-project-hammon-park-trailhead
HAVE YOUR SAY
Participate Hepburn is being updated regularly with opportunities for you to have your say. Current open items include the Western Victoria Transmission Network Program – let us know your thoughts on this project to help inform our Environmental Effects Statement once it opens for public input. Artisan agriculture survey – open until midnight Sunday 10 April visit (www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/artisan-agriculture-survey/). These items will also open for public comment soon: Early and Middle Years Strategy, Youth Strategy, Arts and Culture Strategy and Long-Term Asset Plan. Keep an eye on our Participate Hepburn website to find out how you get involved at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/.
COMMUNITY GRANTS
The next round of Community Grants will be open on 31 March 2022 with up to $2,500 available per application. Any not for profit community group or organisation is eligible to apply for a grant. Categories include: • Active and Engaged Communities • Quality Community Infrastructure (including small equipment) • Sustainable Environments • Children’s Program (specifically for 8 - 12 years) • Charitable Purposes (Birch and Holcombe Wards) Take a look at our guidelines and speak to a Community Development Officer today about how to apply for a Hepburn Shire Community Grant. Visit https://hepburn.smartygrants.com.au/CG21-22Round4 for more details. 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.
5348 2306 shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au www.hepburn.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/hepburncouncil
The way forward DR ROB GORDON IS A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S EXPERTS IN TRAUMA RECOVERY, SOMETHING HE HELPED ESTABLISH ALMOST 40 YEARS AGO. Rob Gordon’s had two key moments that led him into Trauma Recovery. After seven years at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) he walked across the balcony to his office, thinking that he may soon become bored and restless. It was the first inkling for the clinical psychologist in his late 30’s that he may like a change. The catalyst was dramatic. In February 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires struck the Macedon area and Rob’s second key moment was driving through a landscape like he’d never seen before. ‘As part of the RCH team, I drove through this desolate burnt environment with long areas of blackened landscape with piles of galvanised iron and so on.’ says Rob. The health professionals regularly met in the GP consulting room on Mount Macedon. Some months after the event, a psychologist noted how strange it was that so many local people had agoraphobia. Rob thought, ‘That’s not right. He hasn’t taken into account that these are ordinary people who have just been through a horrific experience. He hasn’t taken into account the trauma.’ PTSD had only been in the psychiatric manual a few years and wasn’t widely understood. Rob didn’t have the words for it either, but he knew that what they saw in the Macedon community was different to the norm and he vowed to explore it further. As he spent time in the community, it was quickly apparent that people had a striking need to talk about their experience. They needed to describe the event over and over and Rob saw that the typical understanding of trauma was inadequate. Also, that the best thing you can do for somebody in this situation is to listen and after a period of retelling, the story slowly changes as people move through their shock and grief. Communication ‘There was a woman sheltering at the oval and a fire crew staggered in. The lady was told that her house had gone and she spent the night at the oval surrounded by fire, processing her grief and letting go of her house. When she and her husband got home in the following days, they found it
completely intact and the lady said to me, “You’ll never guess … my first reaction was one of disappointment.” I realised at that moment that she’d spent the night grieving for her house and now she had to reverse that process and that was very disturbing. I’d never read anything about it and it showed me how very important it is to carefully manage communications in a disaster. If not done carefully, it can cause much damage in its own right,’ says Rob. Resilience This Baptism of Fire pushed Rob to further explore a group experience of trauma and how we can build resilience both personally and as a community to promote recovery. In his private practice, he could see that recovery can be greatly delayed for some people and how important mental health support is as soon as possible; to know that there is a way forward, before trauma becomes hardwired into the brain. But many people are not ready early on so they come forward to deal with the trauma when they have reestablished their lives. Story telling Rob’s curiosity in human nature stemmed from his empathetic mother’s interest in psychology. Her conversations were juxtaposed by her withdrawn husband, a returned soldier. These influences laid the foundation for Rob’s interest in Psychology, Emergency Management and group trauma. ‘Uni in Adelaide taught me a lot about social psychology, and we had just one lecture on depression and one on the brain. I opted to work with disabled children to ground myself,’ he says. During many years in Inpatients at Melbourne’s RCH, he witnessed the complex contributors to many of the cases he dealt with. Based on his observations on the wards, Rob used anecdotes to bring clarity to parents’ understanding of their children. After the Ash Wednesday fires, this story-telling technique was useful and formed part of his pioneering work into specialist mental health after trauma. It was only a few years until more emergencies required his developing expertise, among them the 1986 Russell Street bombing, 1987 Queen Street shootings, 1996 Port Arthur massacre, 2002 Bali Bombings and 2011 Cyclone Yasi.
Rob was invited to be the Government Consultant on Trauma Recovery in the late 1980s. Trauma recovery is very important. Personal In 2009 the story was too close to home. From his front lawn in Yarra Glen he saw the Black Saturday fires rage on all sides. ‘I got home late in the afternoon and could see fires starting to the south. It went foof, smoke, fire and it all closed in. Fortunately for us the wind changed, but spot fires burnt through our neighbours’ places and my wife lost a couple of close friends. I saw close hand the impact on people I knew and now know what survivor guilt feels like. Once was enough. I knew the principles of what I was living through and they held true for me. I may have struggled a lot more if we’d been burnt out ourselves.’ Some tips 1. Take time out. 2. Be aware of triggers for your anxiety. Much anxiety is from what you think is going to happen rather than facts. 3. The instinctive mind will raise some triggers on the anniversary of the event, or on another stormy night. Winter may bring on a renewed sense of anxiety. 4. Be sure to manage two problems: the actual event and the destruction from that; and your emotional connections. If your health and relationships deteriorate during the recovery time, then you are at risk for the second disaster (Divorce, loss of friendships). Disasters impact our sense of safety and security, which is founded upon the stable unchanging features of our environment, such as the people in our lives, the landscape and daily routines. Any change in these can bring a vague sense of unease. Since 1983, Rob has seen it. And since 2009, he still feels it keenly in the first two weeks of February. Please come and hear Dr Gordon speak and make time for a chat. Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve CRESWICK | Wed 27 April | 6-8.30pm Lyonville Hall LYONVILLE | Thu 28 April | 6-8.30pm Bookings are free and can be made via www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/storm-andflood-recovery/
18 Out & About
Gig Guide
www.tlnews.com.au
with Darren Lowe
The Palais-Hepburn, Hepburn Springs SupperClub Friday presents Jeff Duff's Spinning Wheel - Friday, April 1, 6pm Beautiful Dark - The Music of Twin Peaks - Saturday, April 2, 6.30pm Renee Geyer - Friday, April 8, 6.30pm Mike Elrington - Saturday, April 9, 6.30pm Ousmane Sonko & Kairo Family Band - Friday, April 15, 6.30 pm
Got a gig? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Woodend happenings
Locals and visitors are invited to attend three community events hosted by the Woodend Neighbourhood House this weekend.
The Woodend Community Showcase, Repair Café and Whole Town Garage Sale will coincide with the Woodend Farmer's Market and the Woodend Lifestyle Carers Group Car Book Sale on Saturday, April 2. The Woodend Community Showcase will run between 9am and 1pm and feature more than a dozen local community groups eager to chat with locals. The Woodend Neighbourhood House's monthly Repair Café, which has seen a resurgence in popularity following months of closure, will also be happening. And if that's not enough, the day will feature Woodend's Whole Town Garage Sale. More than 35 locals have registered to be listed on the Whole Town Garage Sale map, which will go on sale from the front of the Woodend Neighbourhood House (47 Forest Street, Woodend) at 8am on Saturday morning. The map costs $5 each and shows the addresses, opening times and brief details of each of the garage sales. For information head to www.woodendnh.org.au or call the Woodend Neighbourhood House between 9am – 3pm Monday to Friday on 5427 1845.
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 Railway Market – every Sunday Golden Plains Farmers Market – first Saturday Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers’ Market – first Saturday Castlemaine Artists Market – first Sunday 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 and Makers markets – third Saturday Glenlyon Farmers Market – third Saturday Creswick Market – third Saturday Leonards Hill Market – third Saturday Talbot Farmers Market – third Sunday Woodend Lions Market - third Sunday Malmsbury Farmers Market - third Sunday Daylesford Farmers Market – fourth Saturday Trentham Station Sunday Market – fourth Sunday
Want to advertise your market? It's free. Just email news@tlnews.com.au
News 19
Studio accommodation for rent in Glenlyon
Disability campaign
T
HE Victorian Disability Worker Commission has launched a new campaign encouraging people to make contact if there are concerns about a disability worker’s behaviour or quality of work.
Fully furnished, pets by negotiation. $330 PW, plus bond, includes power, internet and water. (Five months from May 1) Contact: hello@2cool4school.com.au
People with disability, their families and carers might feel nervous about raising a concern however the commission has a skilled and friendly team to assist callers. The service is free, confidential and available to everyone. Victorian Disability Worker commissioner Dan Stubbs said that no matter how big or small a concern was, if something didn't feel right about a disability worker, the commission’s team could listen to the concerns and act if required. “As we hear the stories being told at the Royal Commission into abuse and neglect of people with disability, we are reminded how critical it is to protect vulnerable people from harm and neglect by stopping people who pose a serious risk of harm from providing disability services. “I know most disability workers are highly committed and provide excellent care to people with disability. However, we know there are times when people will have concerns and even when people with disability can be harmed. So if you have any concerns about a disability worker, our team is here to listen, help and guide you as we understand it can be difficult to take the step of contacting us. “It’s important that people with disability feel safe with their disability worker and sharing a concern or making a complaint can help improve the standard of disability workers and quality of care for everyone.” The Commission’s team can deal with complaints about any disability worker in Victoria, regardless of how they are funded or how the disability worker is employed. All Victorian disability workers are required to comply with the Commission’s Code of Conduct and registered workers must meet set standards for safety, skills and professionalism. The commission team can be contacted on 1800 497 132 between 9.30am and 4.30pm, week days, face-to-face or mail to Level 20, 570 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000, via the website vdwc.vic.gov.au/complaints, through in-language interpreters and via the National Relay Service 1300 555 727 or SMS 0423 677 767.
Link: www.vdwc.vic.gov.au
PUPPY PRIDE MACEDON RANGES
SUNDAY 10 APRIL 2022 KYNETON BOTANIC GARDENS 12PM
Dog walk 11.30am from St Agnes Place Free entry. Market stalls, food trucks, dog displays, competitions and more!
WWW.SUNBURYCOBAW.ORG.AU/PUPPY-PRIDE OR CALL 5421 1666
Marcella Hazan’s Bolognese Sauce
BY RICHARD CORNISH
This is a sure winner Bolognese sauce that comes from one of America’s best food writer’s Marcella Hazan. This is all about the beef and tomatoes coming together as one. We believe our beef, from our Green Hills Farm at Malmsbury, is perfect for this dish.
1 tablespoon olive oil 3 tablespoons butter 150g smoky bacon 1 medium brown onion, diced 3 stalks celery, diced 2 carrots, chopped 500g minced prime Green Hills beef
Salt Black pepper, ground fresh from the mill 250 ml whole milk whole nutmeg, grated (about ¼ teaspoon) 250 ml dry white wine 250 ml chicken stock 400g tin Italian plum tomatoes, diced
Place the oil, butter, onion, and bacon in a large, heavy-based pot over medium heat. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent. Add the carrot, cook for 5 minutes, add the celery, and cook for 2 minutes. Stir regularly.
Add the wine and reduce by 3/4. Add the tomatoes and stock. Stir. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer uncovered for three hours. Stir occasionally. If it becomes too dry add more stock or water.
Add the beef and season with salt and pepper. Crumble the beef well using a fork. Cook the beef until it loses its raw colour. Add the milk and deglaze the pan. Cook until the milk has bubbled away. Add fresh nutmeg. Stir.
At the end, however, no water at all must be left and the fat must separate from the sauce. Taste and season with salt. Serve with freshly cooked spaghetti and top with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or pecorino.
Richard Cornish, award winning journo, food writer and author, is writing a series of recipes for his favourite local butcher, The Daylesford Meat Co. For more recipes, visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au
WE
OUR LOCALS
We are proud to offer you Green Hills Natural Beef and Lamb from our very own farm. It’s as local as you are.
PRIME MINCE BEEF 3KG FOR $50 Our prime Green Hills mince beef is perfect for making a myriad of dishes. Save $$$
SEASONED PORCHETTA EASTER SPECIAL $39.95 2KG ROAST Free range pork loin, beautifully seasoned and rolled to make the perfect Porchetta for an Easter celebration roast.
FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER $100 TO DAYLESFORD, HEPBURN, TRENTHAM & SURROUNDS. USE CODE: LOCALFREE ON CHECKOUT OR PLACE ORDER VIA THE PHONE.
37 VINCENT ST DAYLESFORD
CALL 03 5348 2094
OPEN 7 DAYS
DAYLESFORDMEATCO.COM.AU
Linda Wheeler & Peter Butterworth Guest artists residency
Opening Saturday 2nd April 4-6pm
32B High St, Trentham The Little Gallery is an artist run space showcasing regional fine arts. Open Thursday to Monday & Public Holidays. 10am to 4pm. www.trenthamlittlegallery.com Gallery Artists Rose Wilson • Helen Cottle • Ri Van Veen • Kim Haughie • Llael McDonald • Larissa Gray Consignment Artists Liz Archer • Sam Bloomfield • Frances Harkin • Anneke Hoekstra • Steph Goss Dianne Longley • Ruby Wilson-Peirce
Out & About 21
Bigger Little Gallery
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RENTHAM'S Little Gallery is celebrating its first anniversary as the bigger Little Gallery in its spacious, light-filled new premises by showcasing two new guest artists.
Covid's restrictions have meant the bigger Little Gallery has been unable to stage official openings over the past 10 months but those shackles come off at 4pm on Saturday, April 2 with a public opening of new works by local sculptor Peter Butterworth, pictured above, and painter Linda Wheeler, below. Artist Rose Wilson said the artist-run gallery had always operated with an ethos of supporting local art and artists and has exhibited works by more than 500 local artists over the last nine years. The Butterworth and Wheeler works will be on show for three months alongside the constantly changing display of pieces by permanent artists Rose Wilson, Helen Cottle, Ri Van Veen, Kim Haughie, Larissa Gray and Llael McDonald. The work of local consignment artists Ruby Wilson-Peirce, Sam Bloomfield, Dianne Longley, Fran Harkin, Liz Archer and Anneke Hoekstra will also be on display. Outgoing guest artist Kathy Holowko's amazing hovering bats and Steph Goss' beautiful botanical pieces have been at the gallery for the past three months and have been well received by locals and visitors alike. "Please join us at the opening by welcoming our two new guest artists in residency Peter and Linda, plus new works by the collective on Saturday, April 2 from 4pm to 6pm," Rose said. For any inquires contact Rose on 0439 984 314.
Link: www.trenthamlittlegallery.com
d ay l e s f o r d b o w l i n g c l u b
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
KITCHEN – BISTRO LEASE Our current team is finishing in late May, and we are seeking expressions of interest from any individual, team or current business looking to expand, to take over this thriving business. Our club has been a part of Daylesford since 1899, and we pride ourselves on good old-fashioned service with a smile and welcome, great food, and a lovely location and atmosphere. Whilst we acknowledge our history, we embrace the future and are excited by the opportunities ahead. This is an exciting opportunity for someone to join us. Generous incentives will be negotiable, and you will be working in partnership with a most supportive and experienced Management and Board.
Enquiries in the first instance can be made by calling Neil at the club – (03) 5348 2130 or email: info@daylesfordbowlingclub.com.au All enquiries will be handled confidentially. 8 Camp St - Daylesford | 03 5348 2130 | www.daylesfordbowlingclub.com.au
Let’s support our community and shop local! “Locals supporting Locals”
Restaurants, Bakers, Butchers, Cafe’s, Local vineyards, Distillers, Brewers and of course each other.
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.
22 Happy & Healthy
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Ageing DisGracefully
I
F YOU mised out on last year's Hepburn House movie-inspired calendar, don't fret, the residents are already working on 2023 - and the theme is Ageing DisGracefully!
Jim Lycett and Peggy Warren
Mo Shephard and Val Clarke
Community Information Session Grampians disAbility Advocacy invites you to a community information session about the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The Disability Royal Commission is taking submissions up until December 31, 2022. Speakers from advocacy, legal services, counselling and the Royal Commission will be there. Sessions will be held at: Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday, May 24, 2pm-4pm and; Bacchus Marsh Public Hall on Thursday, May 26, 2pm-4pm.
Photographer David White is working pro bono and having as much fun as the residents and staff as they all dream up ideas and images of Ageing DisGracefully. The theme is named after the Ageing DisGracefully group started after successful lobbying of the state government by Hepburn House manager Dianne Jones and the Ageing With Pride committee. The group meets every Wednesday at 11am at the Yardbird Cafe in Daylesford with everyone welcome. All enquires to coordinator Carmel Dennehy-Yardy on 0409 860 655 or email ageingdis3461@gmail.com or check out the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page. Hepburn House acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government.
Ruth Irving
URGENT CARE WALK-IN CLINIC OPEN EVERY DAY
24 hours a day, 7 days a week
BEST CARE:
for every person, every time In a life-threatening emergency, please call 000
Your local Urgent Care Centre in Daylesford is a first stop for unplanned medical attention for adults or children.
This is a free session with afternoon tea provided and door prizes. Please register by phoning 1800 552 272 or via email admin@grampiansadvocacy.org.au
Here, you will access local care that is the most appropriate for your circumstances. We triage (assess), treat or transfer patients depending on the nature of the visit and assessment of the illness or injury.
Please advise of any dietary or access requirements.
After hours, our nursing staff can also access specialist services via Telehealth, including My Emergency Doctor, a service that connects us to specialist emergency doctors via phone or iPad.
Professional care is provided by our highly skilled nurses, many of whom are Rural and Isolated Practice Endorsed Registered Nurses (known as RIPERNs). Local GPs also collaborate with our nurses, and are available on-call for telephone consultation or visit.
What is an urgent medical condition? Allergic reactions Asthma Breathing difficulties Burns (minor) Chest infections Concussion/loss of consciousness Constipation Dehydration
Dental or mouth pain/infection Diarrhoea Dressings Eye conditions (eg foreign body) Falls General injuries Laceration
Mental health/anxiety Nose bleed (epistaxis) Pain and pain management Sore throat or cough Sprains and strains Traumatic injuries (minor) Urinary problems
Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham
Daylesford Urgent Care Centre - 17 Hospital Street
5321 6500
Phone: (03) 5321 6500
www.chrh.org.au In person: go to the door to the left of the main hospital entrance and press the buzzer for attention. www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU
Welcome & Farewell
SUE’S PLACE
Dr. Susanne M. Heringslake Chiropractor Moments To Ponder a little gift from me to you
The event is over, the experiences completed. Was it what we wanted? Was it less? Was it more? When we pause and reflect, can we truly celebrate what we gained, what we learned? Did we create - and live
‘Our time to shine’
?
For all enquiries and to book appointments, please contact: Dr Susanne M Heringslake Chiropractor Mobile: 0407 301 352
Doctor Albert Ip APRIL 13
Management and Staff at Springs Medical would like to thank and farewell Dr Albert Ip. Albert has been part of the Springs Medical team for over six years and has contributed significantly to patient wellbeing during this time. Albert’s commitment to providing exceptional patient focused care for the people of Hepburn Shire and surrounds will be missed. We wish Albert the very best and hope to see him return to Springs Medical in the near future.
Welcome Back Doctor Adam Rouse Dr Adam completed his medical training at Deakin University completing his third year at Springs Medical and GP training at Springs Medical, Creswick Medical Centre and UFS Medical Ballarat. Dr Adam attained fellowship in January 2020 and will be consulting in Daylesford Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays. • Chronic Disease Management • Men’s/Women’s Health APRIL • Paediatrics 4 • Skin
www.springsmedical.com.au Daylesford Kyneton Trentham 10 Hospital St 89 Piper Street 22 Victoria St tel: (03) 5348 2227 tel: (03) 5422 1298 tel: (03) 5424 1602
CELEBRATE WITH US THIS APRIL! Join us in-store for one-on-one tastings, specials and an experience with a difference. Herbal Lore and Terra Australis Distillery Lot 2 Railway Crescent, Daylesford VIC. 3460 T: 03 5348 1920
24 Homes
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Bells Water Gardens @ Bald Hills
Bells Water Gardens has been in the water garden business for over 25 years, building and maintaining ponds and growing a diverse range of aquatic plants for the nursery trade and public. We are passionate about building natural eco-system ponds, adding beauty and encouraging wildlife, allowing interaction with nature. Water gardens built by us are quiet, contemplative places to rest and energise the senses. Contact us for all your water garden requirements or come and see our nursery at 846 Gillies Rd, Bald Hills.
03 5345 0418 5677050 195
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Homes 25 Do you keep gardens neat? Advertise here.
Freeze your berries If you are fortunate enough to share in this year’s crop of berries, or have managed to bulk buy at the right price, make the most of them by freezing the surplus fruits and enjoy the results for the rest of the year. This method is mainly for strawberries, mulberries, gooseberries, blackberries and their other relatives - boysenberries, loganberries and youngberries - but other fruits such as cherries, oranges, and pineapples can be frozen in the same way. Simply slice or cube the fruit and place the portions in a sealable plastic container, sprinkling each layer as you go with a thin coating of sugar. Then seal the container and place it in the freezer. The fruit will keep for months unopened in a freezer, or for up to six to eight weeks in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. To use the fruit, simply thaw it unopened - allowing about half an hour at room temperature. Don’t attempt to refreeze any leftovers. To avoid wastage, use smaller, individual containers. Another freezing technique with the soft and pulpy berries is to put them through a blender with honey to taste and then pour into a sealable container and freeze. For later use, the fruit can be taken out and put through a blender whilst still frozen, before use either as a topping for ice cream, or as a syrup for fruit salad. If you normally use a small number of berries at any given time, you could loose freeze them in a compartmented ice cube tray, then store them in a freezer bag or sealed container. Then the required number can be thawed and used as you need them.
Fabulous pet friendly accommodation Come to Glenlyon, the Toorak of the Central Highlands, two minutes walk to the famous Glenlyon General Store. Book direct and save. hello@2cool4school.com.au
Beat the price rise - grow your own vegies The world has gone mad! Thanks to bloody Putin and his mob suddenly the price of everything has gone right through the roof. There’s little we can do to stem the rising cost of just living but we can make a big difference in our food bills by growing our own vegetables and we don’t need to turn our back yards into a market garden to do it. Admittedly, such crops as cabbages, beans, tomatoes and other seasonal crops take time, effort and lots of space. But there are plenty of nutritional meals to be had from a wide range of the fast growing greens and root vegetables. Better still, they are quick growing and mostly repetitive in what they give. In most cases, especially radishes, so there’s no real need to turn over much of your garden space. Many of them can be grown in large pots or along borders of ornamental garden beds, especially in the case of chives, onions and leafy beets, and particularly the attractive multicoloured Swiss chards. There’s really nothing mystical or difficult about growing vegetables, especially the “salad group” of leafy annuals. Their main requirements are a warm, well-lit position in a well-drained, open, loamy soil with regular watering and nitrogen-rich fertiliser. The root group - radishes, carrots, onions, etc - grow best on deeply cultivated, well-mulched, even sandy soil, with regular feeds of slow-releasing organic manures. Also lettuce, cabbage and cauliflower because these are dug up whole when harvested, and are best grown directly in an actual garden bed. Most other leaf crops which can be regularly harvested such as silverbeet, chard rhubarb, etc, can usually thrive for several years if harvested regularly and not allowed to flower and go to seed and die off. They will grow successfully in a small bed, even alongside the herbs.
Got a gardening question: Email glenzgarden@gmail.com
TRENTHAM PETROL & ..................................... STUFF Petrol, oil, swap & go gas, Motorpass, farm produce, farm produce store, ice, milk, soft drinks, take away pies, coffee, confectionery, local honey, etc Rusty junk, secondhand books, old wares
.................................................. 1 Market Street ~ ph: 5424 1611
Monday–Sunday 8aM~6pM
26 Opinion
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Kyle’s Rant
T
HE Local started on September 2, 2013, due to a combination of happenstance, and has been driven forward into the present with tenacity from the crew, the reckless and rambunctious business acumen and photography skill of yours truly as well as the skill of the editor, keeping a steady hand on the tiller.
This is our 250th edition and I was pontificating about a few stats that would drive home the gravitas of this anniversary and came up with the following. We produce 5500 copies each edition with an average of 28 pages (some as high as 80 pages and one, in the height of the pandemic, as low as 20). That is around 150,000 kilograms of paper and 2,750,000 staples with a little less for our first “cheaper” print site that had the odd 100 staples per issue missing or poking out the sides from a few papers. And I must not leave out the 14 kilograms of ink we use to print which equals just north of 3.5 tonnes. We have obtained or taken an average of 30 images per edition (not counting adverts) and the same number of editorial pieces. That is 7500 images and the same editorial stories over the years. Our delivery run takes around 10 hours to get the paper across our patch which is around 300 kilometres per edition with additional top-ups, which means we have spent 2500 hours in the sun but mostly rain, hail and sleet and racked up 75,000km in our delivery vehicles. The delivery circuit has laid waste to a SsangYong Musso due to an overheating clutch incident at the ChillOut parade one year, followed by catastrophic brake failure at the Daylesford Sunday Market. It has also claimed the life a Peugeot 306 but fortunately not its pilot at The Cutting in Hepburn. The car was no match for a four-wheel-drive moving lickety split from the direction of the former Old Heppy and crossed the double lines. The stats go on to include the website, which is buzzing and receives over 13,000 unique visitations per month because of the four editorial packages including images and YouTube that are uploaded every day, 365 days per year. So, reflecting on this ambitious undertaking we embarked on almost eight years ago, I think we got it right. We shot for the stars when Fairfax and other print organisations were screaming from the tallest building “print is dead” to save their own print bill. We got a boring country newspaper idea, shot it in the arm with a mixture of great local creatives, hyper-local stories and left the bad news for Facebook. You’re welcome, rant over…
Hey there, Got something to share? Sports results, gigs, events... Upload to www.tlnews.com.au Let's celebrate community being back together!
Local Lines breakthrough
One year, before the harlequin bugs found and filleted our mini-orchard, we had a bumper crop of pears. I took bags of them to school. The staff lapped them up but still there were more, all yellow green and luscious, so I hefted them into my final class for the day, feral Year 9s, risked handing out a couple of sharp knives and some mis-matched bread and butter plates. You’re told as a teacher that you need a plan, that you should know what you want them to know and know how you know they know. But often it’s the kids in the know. They know when they are ready and when to put obstacles your way. Food fudges the contest. And it is a finely balanced contest. They have the numbers. You have the authority. Something needs to happen for the combat urge to peel away. What did happen was more than hunger abatement. Patterns broke. Participation trumped docility, sharing won out over hostility. And my guard dropped too. It became a Friday institution. Students brought apples, nectarines, figs, grapes, berries, from their yards or homes and we slurped away on nothing pedagogical for a good ten minutes. Then we negotiated. Last period Friday is legendarily unteachable – kids smell the weekend – but from this time on, the urge to bite back was gone. Bill Wootton Bill has retired from teaching but still loves his fruit.
Local Lines comes mainly from a group of local poets but other submissions are always welcome. To have a poem considered for publication contact Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
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Opinion 27
Win for Daylesford Cider
Just sayin’... By Donna Kelly
I
T'S not always easy being green or a journalist. (Nod to Kermit there.)
Now and again we get asked to investigate something or someone. Generally we don't because we don't have the money or time for lengthy investigations, or it's just a grudge match and we don't want to get involved in the argy-bargy. But generally speaking we more often get asked to "look into things" which is fine but not as simple as you would imagine. Not as simple as the old days anyway. Back when I was a younger, more enthusiastic journo, you could go straight to the top cop at your local station and get the latest on what the crims were up to. They always had time for a bit of a natter and a cuppa. I even remember being asked along to a marijuana bonfire at one seaside station. I would say it was a memorable event but I don't remember much except for arriving. I may have even got a lift home in the back of a divvy van. Anyone remember that chant or is my age showing? Nowadays, like most government departments, it's all done through media liasion and everyone is pretty much told never to talk to a journalist. Same with councils. I know, because I have been told by councillors that they are not allowed to talk to journos. Some of them break ranks on that but most stay the course. And then there is the Councillor Code of Conduct which means even if they don't agree with a council decision, let's say the selling of The Rex or jettisoning aged care services, they can't say anything. They have to support that decision - even if they think it's a load of rubbish. I don't know about you but many of this latest cohort at Hepburn Shire Council were voted in on transparency and communication. I think if people knew they would stick to what basically amounts to a gag order, they would have struggled to find the numbers. Then there is the next step up, state government. I called one department recently with a bit of a query only to hear the voice message of the PR staffer. It went like this: "If I don't know your number I won't pick up the phone, text me." And that was it. Nothing polite, just straight to the point. A millenial if ever I heard one, refusing to pick up the phone unless a name showed up as well. No wonder they don't like landlines - I can't imagine the inner turmoil of listening to a phone ring and having no idea who is on the other end. What happened to spontenaity? It could be the love of your life or the bloke from Tattslotto calling to say you've won the jackpot. That bloke did call me once when I was working on a paper in the suburbs of Melbourne. I nearly fell off my chair as he said his name and specifically asked for me. Sadly my joy was short-lived. He also freelanced in public relations, so was just calling to let me know a press release was on its way. Oh well. Talking of press releases, I received one yesterday from the newly formed Grampians Health. It was titled "rules of engagement for media" and firmly stated that the media team worked only on weekdays from 8.30am to 5pm and "all enquiries must be directed to media@gh.org.au - Media are not to contact Grampians Health staff directly; this will not speed up the process." Whoa, that's being told. Bad luck if something happens on the weekend. So, as a journo, your feathers are already a little ruffled but then they ask that at the end of any story about them you add a 38-word footnote about their "united health service". I did email back asking if it was a joke but apparently not. Anyway, here's my footnote. This is our 250th edition and unless that Lotto bloke calls back we'll be here for edition 251. No, it's not always easy but I do love being a journo in this community. Just saying'...
Mary-Anne Thomas MP
ADVERTISEMENT
LABOR MEMBER FOR MACEDON DELIVERING FOR OUR COMMUNITY
D
AYLESFORD Cider Company has won Australia Award's 2021 Regional Development Victoria Business Achievement Award.
Daylesford Cider Company was bought by Jon and Clare Mackie in 2015 as a small-scale cider producer. Jon aka Mackie is self-taught and has refined their cider styles while also developing new innovative styles to distinguish their brand. He's obviously doing something right because they keep winning awards at the Australian Cider Awards. Clare, who has proudly just become an Australian citizen, runs the on-site cellar door and restaurant with help from cellar door and events manager Andrew Rumble. Both Clare and Andrew made us feel very welcome when we popped in for lunch on Friday with a couple of friends. There is plenty of seating either alfresco or indoors and lots of room to wander around an immaculately kept lawn area. Did I mention dogs are very welcome too. Our friends chose wine while Kyle had a beer, brewed for the cidery, and I opted to try the cider tasting paddle. The paddle is a really great idea for people who either like cider and want to try more styles, or are not sure if they like cider, and just want to give them a go. They are all great but I found the dry vintage was my favourite, followed by the watermelon, perfect for a summer's day. Food. Woodfired pizzas are the go-to here, after starting with a really great share plate. We ordered three between the four of us, ham, a veggie dreamin' and pepperoni. Plenty of toppings, great flavours and a nice thin crust. I thought we might have over ordered but by the time we finished up they were all gone. The meal done, our friends headed off and Andrew took Kyle and me over to the cidery to say g'day to Mackie. He is hard at work at the moment, juicing up apples before they are put into barrels to ferment. The barrel time depends on how complex he wants the cider to be. Australians, he says, are moving from sweeter ciders to a more dry finish (I am obviously ahead of the pack here) but they are also not into too much complexity. I guess the majority of us are like Goldilocks and want it "just right". Making cider here is a non-waste production with all of the leftover crushed apple going off to local pig farms. If, like us, you have been spending too much time at home, head to the Daylesford Cider, and enjoy an award winning drop and a great pizza. Say hi to Clare, Mackie and Andrew. Words: Donna Kelly
Catherine
KING MP
Federal Member for Ballarat
A: Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street,
03 5338 8123
Gisborne, VIC 3437
Catherine.King.MP@aph.gov.au
E: mary-anne.thomas@parliament.vic.gov.au
CatherineKingMP
W: www.mary-annethomas.com.au
@CatherineKingMP
P: 5428 2138
Standing up for our Community!
: MaryAnneMacedon : @MaryAnneThomas
www.catherineking.com.au Authorised by MA Thomas, Shop 14, Nexus Centre, 9 Goode Street, Gisborne
Authorised by Catherine King, Australian Labor Party, 5/9 Sydney Avenue Barton ACT.
28 Crossword
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W RD
CROSS
services LAND CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT SEPTIC servicesSYSTEM INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE PERIODIC INSPECTION AND REPORTING OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS TROUBLESHOOTING AND MAINTENANCE SUPERVISION OF SLUDGE PUMP-OUT LATEST SLUDGE-JUDGE TECHNOLOGY AUTHORISED TAYLEX SERVICE AGENT
www.sanae-svcs.com.au
PO Box 1040, Daylesford, VIC 3460 koos.hulst@sanae-svcs.com.au (03) 5348 6620 or 0437 747 619
Here is the solution to crossword for edition 249. Each edition, all the words appear in that edition somewhere. How did you go?
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News 29 From left, Stephen Adams, Peter Gibbs,Tony Johnston, Joseph Bonnici and Charles Sherlock were thrilled to finally officially open the Trentham Mens Shed after two years of delays because of Covid-19 Words & Image: Sandy Scheltema
Open for (men's) business
T
RENTHAM'S Cool Country Men’s Shed was officially opened after a two year delay thanks to Covid restrictions. The shed, at 55 Mulcahys Road, opened on March 19.
President Tony Johnston said he wanted to see the shed "alive with men being together sharing skills, knowledge, life stories and companionship". "It’s not just about wood or metal working skills, it’s about men’s health, which can be physical or mental. Some men have a sense of loneliness; it’s the isolation that can occur after retirement or the loss of a life partner. Or they might have moved to Trentham and districts and lost their close social networks, there’s also the fear of Covid-19. If we can improve men’s health, the whole community benefits." Mr Johnston said the shed's members were given permission from the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation and the Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning to use the 1.2 hectares of land. "Initially we were given $6000 from the Hairy Arch Art Show (part of our local art community), then we received $60,000 from the state government, our local Bendigo Bank invested $42,500, $20,000 came from the federal government, $15,000 from the Trentham Lions Club, as well as $15,000 from the Australian Lions Foundation. We’ve also received many donations from our generous community." Mr Johnston said the idea for a Men’s Shed in Trentham had been a long time in the making, with initial discussions in the community in 2006. But it wasn’t until 2016 that a committee was formed and in 2018 project funding began to come through and works could begin. The shed has many donated tools, including a sliding table saw, a router table, wood and metal lathes, some welding equipment, and a wood heater. It has a wellequipped lounge, a functional kitchen, and was built with fully accessible facilities. Tony tells me that if community groups have a project they want, they can submit a Project Request Form for consideration by the Men’s Shed Committee. Tony’s original idea to make his dream of a men’s shed a reality came from his hope to reduce the suicide risk in the community. “There’s been several suicides in the last few years that have affected our community. I hope that bringing men together in this way can help in some way to prevent further tragedies.” With Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns over the last two years causing social isolation, especially among the elderly, the opening of Trentham’s Cool Country Men’s Shed will help local men come together and enjoy the facilities and companionship at the Shed.
Blackwood Woodchop
T
HE Blackwood Woodchop & Easter Carnival will be held on Saturday, April 16.
The historic gold and spa town of Blackwood is celebrating 120 years of its renowned Woodchop & Easter Carnival. It all kicks off with the woodchoppers at 10am followed at 11am by the usual raucous street parade of costumes, floats and brass bands, leading the charge down to the Lerderderg River and “the prettiest sportsground in Victoria”. Regarded as one of the premier woodchop events on the calendar, the day also offers traditional (and free) games and activities such as tug-o-war, gumboot throwing, novelty races, pet competition and children’s circus. There will be a wide range of food stalls, artisan workshops and local produce. The best of the region’s musicians will kick up a storm all day with rockabilly, bluegrass, old time, Irish and country blues sessions far into the evening. The main event lasts till 5pm, with music carrying on to about 10pm.
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