The Local November 21, 2022

Our volunteers

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

www.tlnews.com.au

Front cover: December 5 is International Volunteers Day and we are celebrating our volunteers in this edition. Read all about them - and don't forget to check out the back page as well. Did you know dogs can volunteer?

Images: Contributed & Kyle Barnes

The Local - The Heart of the Highlands

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

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

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

The next edition is out on Monday, December 5, 2022. or online on Sunday, December 4 at www.tlnews.com.au

Space bookings: Wednesday, November 30 Copy deadline: Thursday, December 1 Editorial deadline: Thursday, December 1

Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au

Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes

Sub-editors | Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester

Editorial assistant | Eve Lamb

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

Photographers | Kyle Barnes & David White

Graphic designer & HLH coordinator | Dianne Caithness

Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (gigs), Matthew Richardson (money), Jennifer Hart (horoscopes) and Jen Clarke (recipes).

November 21, 2022 Issue 267 Our volunteers

International Volunteer Day

INTERNATIONAL Volunteer Day is held annually on December 5 to raise awareness of the important role volunteers play in responding to challenges facing the world. This year's theme is Solidarity through Volunteering.

Volunteering Australia says the day is one to celebrate and promote volunteering. "There are millions of volunteers in Australia and the contribution that they make to communities around the country is enormous. IVD is an opportunity to acknowledge, thank and shine a light on the important work of volunteers.

"This year’s International Volunteer Day asks people to volunteer now for our common future, it inspires people to take action now for people and the planet. Encouraging, recognising and promoting volunteerism is an important part of creating a more equal and inclusive future for communities worldwide.

"Volunteers and volunteering has been impacted greatly by Covid-19 and now is the time to invest and commit to reinvigorating volunteering in Australia."

This year The Local has highlighted 12 organisations (don't forget to check out the back page) but realises there are many, many more and volunteers who don't even belong to organisations. Perhaps they check on neighbours, care for family, or just pick up rubbish once a week around the streets - this is a real thing.

Those in our pages this edition range from neighbourhood houses and show societies, to the 5000 Club and Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. Then there's also those who volunteer for Hepburn Shire Council, Central Highlands Rural Health and Sunbury Cobaw Community Health.

You will most likely know someone in the photos on these pages, if not quite a few. And for anyone who is thinking about volunteering in 2023 now is a great time to think about where your skills are, or perhaps what you would enjoy the most. If you don't enjoy it, you're probably not going to stick with it. That's human nature.

One of the newest volunteers at Riding for the Disabled read about the group in our pages some time back and thought "I could do that!" and now does. And loves it.

Perhaps you need to find your tribe like those at the Daylesford Community Op Shop where it's more of a big family helping those in need not only by selling donated goods but in myriad ways.

And if you don't want to volunteer long term, you could always choose something like Trentham's Twilight Night and put your hand up to help out for just one day a year.

Or, if your kids are at school, maybe ask if you can do anything to help out to free up teachers' time to teach - like what happens at the little school in the bush at Bullarto.

Anyway, enjoy the read and have a think about whether you have the time or inclination to make the world a better place. And if you don't, that's OK too.

Words: Donna Kelly

Piss off AusNet

Tractors, horses and cars made their way through Daylesford on Saturday, November 19 to protest against 85-metre high towers planned to cross farmland and destroy pristine vistas in Hepburn Shire and beyond. Scan the QR code to see the action on TikTok. Video: Kyle Barnes

Vote this Saturday and help shape Victoria

When you go to vote you’ll be given two ballot papers, a small ballot paper for the Lower House (Legislative Assembly) and a large ballot paper for the Upper House (Legislative Council). Read the instructions carefully.

Small ballot paper for the Lower House

You must number ALL the boxes on this ballot paper. Put the number 1 in the box next to the candidate you most want to see elected. Then number all the other boxes in the order of your choice.

Large ballot paper for the Upper House

For the Upper House you can vote in one of two ways. Either vote for a party or group by putting the number 1 in just one of the boxes above the line. Or vote for individual candidates by putting the numbers 1 to at least 5 in the boxes below the line. You may continue numbering more than 5 if you wish.

Where to vote

It is easier to vote in your own district, but if you will not be in your district on Saturday, you can vote at any other voting centre in Victoria. For information on where to find your nearest voting centre, please scan the QR code below or visit vec.vic.gov.au.

Who can vote

All Australian citizens aged 18 or over who have lived in Victoria for at least a month will be able to cast a vote at a voting centre, even if you missed the close of roll. If you are not on the roll, you should bring proof of identity with you. Evidence of identity includes an Australian driver licence or learner permit, an Australian passport, a council rates notice or a current electricity bill showing your name and address.

Remember, voting is compulsory Voting centres open Saturday 8 am to 6 pm

Macedon District

Daylesford (AWA)

Daylesford Primary School, 104–128 Vincent Street

Drummond (LNWA)

Drummond Community Hall, 20 Lauriston–Drummond Road Glenlyon (AWA)

Glenlyon Shire Hall, 32 Barkly Street

Hepburn Springs (LNWA)

Hepburn Primary School, 156 Main Road (access via Fourteenth Street)

Trentham (AWA) Trentham Primary School, 8 Bridge Street Yandoit (AWA) Yandoit Primary School, 74 High Street

Ripon District

Clunes (LNWA) Clunes Primary School, 1 Canterbury Street

Creswick (LNWA)

Creswick Neighbourhood Centre, 19–21 Victoria Street Newlyn (LNWA)

Newlyn Primary School, 2701 Midland Highway Smeaton (AWA)

Smeaton Community Centre, 3514 CreswickNewstead Road

/electionsvic 131 832 vec.vic.gov.au @electionsvic

Authorised by W. Gately, AM, Electoral Commissioner, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000

Loving our volunteers!

Clunes Reimagining Volunteering

SINCE Covid changed the way we live our lives, getting involved in your community through volunteering is no longer as straight forward as it once was.

With so many people no longer volunteering, communities could be forgiven for surrendering to the downward trend. But in Clunes, this threat to the town’s capacity has provided a blue-sky opportunity to reimagine volunteering in their tiny, rural town.

Clunes in Victoria (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) has a long history of building capacity and social cohesion through volunteering. Prior to the pandemic Clunes boasted a volunteering rate of 30.2% (well above the state average of 19%). So perhaps it was no surprise in August 2022 Clunes was selected to receive just one of 19 grants awarded to support local partnership and innovation projects to reengage volunteers, broaden the volunteer base, and strengthen volunteering in local communities.

Called Volunteering Local, this six-month project is funded by the State Government of Victoria, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The project takes a uniquely place-based approach to volunteering, focusing on reducing barriers to volunteering in Clunes, working collaboratively to make it easier for people to volunteer and finding new ways of volunteering here, as well as showcasing the different contributions volunteers make to the town.

“In Clunes there are more than 40 community and social groups active at different times,” said Lana de Kort, manager of Clunes Neighbourhood House, pictured left, with coordinator Deb Bright at Christmas in Clunes, who is the lead for this town project, “Often these groups are completely volunteer-led and involving.”

The Volunteering Local project will start with five of these community organisations; Clunes Tourist & Development Association, Clunes Football and Netball Club, Clunes Museum, Creative Clunes and Clunes Neighbourhood House.

“This diverse group have volunteer opportunities that appeal to different target markets (so are representative of a broad cross-section of our population) and are some of the more formally structured organisations where people volunteer in town.

“Working together with this pilot group, our goal is to develop practical (and easy to use) volunteering tools to help recruit and retain volunteers in town, as well as learning and promotional opportunities that will also be inclusive of the more informal groups,” said Lana.

Volunteering Local (www. volunteeringlocal.org) will provide a single entry point for anyone in town wishing to find a way to connect through volunteering.

“The website is a handy ‘volunteer bank’ for all our community groups to use to advertise opportunities,” said Lana, “As well as a space where we can join forces to ensure people can give of their time and skills in a safe and welcoming way. Behind the scenes, the functionality of the site will help groups induct volunteers, share resources across the town when we have big events or crises to respond to, as well as ensure people know about the different (and more flexible) ways of being an active part of our town.”

In October 2022 this project was further boosted by support from the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal, Strengthening Rural Communities Program, allowing Clunes to add an innovative training and development component to the project.

“This was an incredibly exciting boost because it means Volunteering Local is not only about developing and sharing tools to assist volunteering, but that we can step outside our usual day to day pressures and reimagine what volunteering can look like for us all going forward,” said Lana.

The pilot groups involved with Volunteering Local will be working with Australian volunteering expert, Mark Creyton through a series of workshops and one on one sessions.

“We are excited to share our learnings as we go through this process,” said Lana, “Because we know that we are not the only place working hard to rebuild momentum – and reimagine a stronger future - since Covid.”

For more information about this project visit www.volunteeringlocal.org.

New Mindsets taking Shape in Clunes

Giving your time for the common good and without expectation of financial gain is something more than half of Australia’s adult population did before Covid-19. Now only 1 in 3 people regularly volunteer.

While that statistic sounds dire, the way people volunteer and how their communities connect with them has changed dramatically as well, and this is helping places like Clunes, Victoria reimagine volunteering to rebuild.

“A few years ago, it would have been inconceivable, except perhaps in the pages of a book, to anticipate the rapid changes that we have all gone through since the pandemic,” said Mark Creyton, leading volunteer practitioner and change maker who has worked with more than 15,000 community groups across Australia during his career.

“So, it’s ironic that I’m now working with community groups in Australia’s only Book Town to help them write their own way forward, as they look to re-engage volunteers and ultimately become a stronger, collective community.”

Five years ago, Mark Creyton worked with grassroots community groups in Clunes through the Clunes Neighbourhood House to explore how community leadership is fostered through active volunteering.

“Historically Clunes has always had a higher-thanaverage volunteer rate,” said Lana de Kort, manager at Clunes Neighbourhood House (and previously the general manager, state volunteering peak body, Volunteering Queensland for more than 10 years). “There are good reasons for this.”

“Clunes is a beautiful, historic town, but like many country towns we have socio-economic challenges and limited access to public transport. This means that we’ve had to develop a culture of self-determination to gain skills, address needs or just make social connections.”

“Often the easiest and most effective way to do this has been volunteering.”

Yet statistics now show that since Covid hit Australia’s shores, volunteering has faltered and unless communities can reimagine how they involve people in their operations and activities in a world where change is constant and in your face, the pathways and capacity that volunteering once created is at risk. Supported by funding through the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal, Lana reached out to Mark to see if he could add another dimension to their already existing, Volunteering Local project.

“It’s going back to basics really giving groups space to focus not on what needs to be done, but on why people might get involved with them in the first place.

“That means talking about what they stand for and value - how that translates into the way they connect with people who might want to get involved with them as members or volunteers,” Mark said.

“What I love about this project is that Clunes Neighbourhood House have brought together a seemingly disparate bunch of groups; the Football and Netball Club, the museum, an arts organisation, industry group and themselves.

“They are not worried about their differences or competition for resources,” explained Mark, “Instead, they have enough trust in each other that they can openly unpack the challenges they are facing as individual organisations for their own good, and the good of the town.

“Together I think this project will result in stronger groups, a stronger community in Clunes and perhaps what excites me most new mindsets and volunteering practices that will help people belong," said Mark.

“Too often volunteering is seen to be about the work that needs doing,” said Lana, “But in reality, successful volunteering experiences are about having a profound connection with your community and shared aspirations.

“That’s where the real power of volunteering lies. Transforming lives in simple or extraordinary ways.”

Thanks to our volunteers!

Getting Started with Volunteering in Clunes

GIVING your time and talent to be a part of a community group or sporting club brings you together with your ‘tribe’ (face-to-face or online if it’s project volunteering), helps you hone skills and confidence you can use for employment or offers you a chance to have an active retirement and social life.

When we’ve spent the past few years feeling disconnected one of the biggest battles to get involved is knowing what opportunities are out there. That’s where www.volunteeringlocal.org helps. Here are just a few opportunities available in Clunes.

Sharing skills, meeting people, cooking meals, using your hands or working from afar. At Clunes Neighbourhood House there are a host of opportunities to help care for people and place, as well as yourself, through volunteering.

Love footy or netball, want to be part of a family club? Did you know there are more than 80 volunteer jobs (big or small) every game day that you can get involved in?

More of a book person than sport? Love a good festival and the rush of being a part of something, even just for a short time? Find out how you can be a part of Australia’s only Booktown Festival each year.

Keen to immerse yourself in the history of your town? Or maybe just a Gold Rush buff but with limited time to spare? Find out how you can be involved in special projects with the museum, or become a part of their day-today operations.

Proud of the place you call home and want to shout it from the roof tops? Become a part of the market team and help create that special buzz in the main street, or volunteer to be the editor of the town’s local newsletter.

Find out about the different opportunities available to boost tourism and development in Clunes.

This website features the groups participating in the Volunteering Local project, but is also open for any community group in town to register and promote their volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering link: www.volunteeringlocal.org

Clunes Volunteering Local

An online bank where individuals and community groups can access volunteering opportunities, share skills (or advertise for skills that might be needed) and connect directly.

www.volunteeringlocal.org

Loving our volunteers! RDA providing riding techniques for physical, intellectual and sensory disabilities

Daylesford’s Riding for the Disabled is always looking for volunteers – and loves those it already has.

Spokesperson Lesley said Daylesford RDA had started in 1996 and was now celebrating 26 years of providing riding techniques for both children and adults with disabilities - physical, intellectual and sensory.

“Our horse riding is based on English riding techniques and we have had people, mostly from Hepburn Shire, aged from three to a person aged 70,” she said.

Now operating out of Boomerang Ranch, Lesley said training with both the horses and the different disabilities catered for was provided so experience was not needed, although anyone who had worked with either horses or people with disabilities was always welcome.

“Mainly we are looking for people who are committed, reliable and empathetic –there are also some volunteer positions which just involve fund-raising or cleaning out stables. Or perhaps helping out at one of the four competitions we hold each year.”

Along with a good mindset, Lesley said volunteers also needed a certain level of fitness, being able to walk in the outdoors over uneven terrain and stay on their feet for three to four hours.

“People also need a Working with Children Check but we can help them with that. It is also just a lot of fun.”

Volunteer James Foster, pictured bottom left, said he saw a story in The Local, a year back about the RDA looking for volunteers.

"I really had no idea what to expect, but I had been wanting to get involved in something for a while so I thought it might be fun," he said.

"And the experience has turned out to be even better than I imagined. I came in with a new batch of volunteers and most of us are still there. It’s a great group and lots of fun, but more importantly you can see the difference it makes to the people who come and ride.

"You can see the satisfaction, joy, and a sense of achievement through the new skills they learn when riding. I think riding each week boosts their happiness and wellbeing and helps support people to try something different.

"Anyone thinking of volunteering should think about the RDA. You learn new skills in how to saddle and handle a horse, it’s a lot of fun, gets you out of the house every Friday afternoon, it’s a great bunch of people you work with, and you get the occasional horse ride as well."

Lesley said most of all, once people decided it was for them, they needed to commit to attending most Friday afternoons.

“Our riders get used to working with particular people so we really do need people who can come fairly regularly.

“It’s also great being in a smaller RDA like Daylesford. I was in a suburban RDA and I prefer here because you actually get to know the riders and their families a lot more and understand how what you do at riding can impact on their lives at school or outside of that. It really is rewarding to hear and see how people can change from riding.

"It is much more wholistic here and while it is not for everyone, like all sports and recreational activities, the people who do like it, tend to love it. They get a lot out of it."

For more information or to take part in the training contact Lesley on 0407 843 928.

"And the experience has turned out to be even better than I imagined. It’s a great group and lots of fun, but more importantly you can see the difference it makes to the people who come and ride."

- volunteer James Foster

Thanks to our volunteers!

The little school in the heart of the Wombat. And the little school that could!

Last Wednesday, Bullarto Primary School, the little bush school in the heart of the Wombat Forest, had a celebration.

It was, according to principal of six years Jo Pegg, bigger than Ben Hur. And for good reason.

Jo started at the school in 2017 with just four students and a memorandum from the Education Department that the school may, or may not, close that year. Either way they would support her.

But Jo, who this year was inducted onto the Hepburn Shire Council’s Heather Mutimer Honour Roll for her tireless work for social inclusion and inclusive learning, wasn’t ready to let the community lose their school.

“I always said, from the start, that when we hit student numbers of 20 I would be happy. And while we have not hit 20, just 18, we decided not to wait for the next two kids, we had to celebrate.

“We have also been able to, for the first time, hire a full-time teacher, and not with just a 12-month contract, but ongoing.”

That teacher is Liam Kennedy who has been working at the school as a student teacher for the year. It was hoped he would stay, but in small schools nothing is taken for granted.

And along with Liam, Jo also has funding for another teacher “we don’t know who yet, but they will be great” and Ian Hume, who retired from teaching but has been helping out three days a week, will return next year for one day a week.

“That is what we celebrated last Wednesday, being able to have the staff to create consistent learning for our kids and let me do the principal stuff I need to do away from the classroom,” Jo said.

“I could actually not be involved in teaching any more, just work as a principal which is pretty unheard of in small schools, but that is not me. I am still going to put aside an entire day for teaching and will keep helping out where I can. That is my payback to the community for entrusting me with their children’s education.

“The celebration is also about our community, to all the parents and their volunteer work, who have helped get Bullarto Primary School to where it is. To Bakers Delight for providing bread for our Breakfast Club, to the Central Highlands Goat Society for helping with our goat program and to the SES for all the work they did to help us during last year’s storm.

“It’s about celebrating everything that has helped us get to this point. I am just over the moon.”

Mind you, celebrations, when they are a surprise, are not easy. Jo said she had to find a way to keep Liam in the dark about the ceremony, while calling his parents to ask them to come along to the ceremony. And then there were the 24 cupcakes to order and parents to invite.

“I don’t usually announce my staffing until the end of the year and it’s usually in the newsletter, but I thought we have hit the goal, let’s celebrate now.

“I know the parents are rapt to know Liam is staying with us and so is Ian Hume. And of course Sally O'Leary is still here with me, since I started. She and I are now going to get excited about being in the office at the same time to get the administration done, not having to steal time from the classroom duties.”

Bullarto Primary School’s motto is: A great little bush school offering fantastic personalised education, all in the heart of the Wombat. It could also be: The little school that could. And did. For any enquiries contact Jo Pegg on 5348 5559.

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes

Pictured, from left, Ian Hume, Liam Kennedy and Jo Pegg. Inset: Students, parents and volunteers hear the great news

Loving our volunteers!

Daylesford Community Op Shop: Giving back

DAYLESFORD Community Op Shop team leader Sharon Michels is proud to say that every cent raised from sales at the Mink Street shop goes back into the community.

And there's a lot more going on than just sorting out donated goods and helping people with their bargain shopping.

Sharon, who has been volunteering herself for four years, says the group does everything from helping out with school fetes and finding places for those facing homelessness, to giving a helping hand to pensioners, swags for those living rough and even providing nighties for some of the nursing homes.

"We really do a lot of stuff behind the scenes," she said. "For example, the other night I dropped off some heaters for some clients who were cold and had nothing to keep them warm. I will be dropping off some kitchenware for another client today."

Sharon said sometimes the shop was just a place for people to pop into for a chat and a cuppa.

"A lot of people come in for a chat, perhaps they are a bit lonely, or just on their way past. We are not just a shop, we are like a big family.

"And then we have our regulars who come in every week for a chat and a cuppa or even a hug, or maybe a cry. Sometimes you just need to see someone in person."

The op shop has about 15 volunteers and not all are involved in the shopfront or there during open hours. They might be folding clothes or linen or cleaning goods ready for sale.

"The most important thing is to take time with our customers - having a laugh and a chat is equally important. Locals shop here because of the staff and the bargains while the tourists say it’s the best op shop they have ever been to.

"And it’s the ultimate in recycling. Nothing goes to waste. We even cut the buttons off clothing that we can't sell, and have people who collect old metal from us.

"Even when something that is rusty comes in and you think that won’t sell, an artist will come in and think it is perfect for a project. Rusty old pots, pans and cutlery make great windchimes.

"And we have a waiting list book, so if we don’t have what you want, you can put your name down and we will give you a call when we get it in. That's service."

Check the shop out on Facebook.

Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteers who have worked, and continue to work, with such commitment and passion to help the local wildlife. Over the twenty years that the Shelter has being operating we have had many dozens of people work at the shelter, sometimes for a few months and sometimes for many years. We have had the privilege of meeting and working with people that we otherwise would not have met in our daily lives.

Volunteering at the shelter can bring you closer to wildlife, but let's face it, there is little glamour in picking up poo and cleaning cages. External rewards and accolades are scarce, but personal satisfaction and impact are high. Many volunteers who work with the wildlife express feelings of revelation and new connections.

The wildlife shelter would not be here for the local wildlife but for the reliability and compassion of a few people within our community. We extend our heart felt thanks to all of you, past and present.

Loving our volunteers!

Service with a smile

The hand-written blackboard menu of Daylesford's 5000 Club reads like an upmarket cafe. There's soup, a meat and a vegetarian main with a choice of vegies or salad and an array of tempting desserts. The dining room buzzes with the sound of clinking cutlery and friendly conversation accompanied by pleasant background music. The only difference is, there's no bill to pay at the end.

The 5000 Club was founded in 2011 by local community dynamo Loretta Little and provides a free three-course meal every Friday from 12 noon to 1pm. It takes its name from the biblical story of the loaves and the fishes (feeding the 5000). Volunteer Sandy Breen says the club certainly knows how to make a little go a long way.

"I like to say that we are 'little and mighty', which is a play on our founder's name. Loretta has been the driving force. Before moving to Daylesford she had been involved with the Sacred Heart Mission in Melbourne and she saw a similar need when she moved here. Daylesford is seen as an affluent area but there are people here doing it tough and she was determined to make a difference by starting the lunch club."

Each week up to a dozen dedicated volunteers gather at the Victoria Park Pavilion to prepare meals for around 30 guests. While some of the 'vollies' peel, chop and stir, others spread colourful tablecloths and arrange vases of flowers to adorn the tables.

Sandy said the group was also fortunate to have the services of a professional chef and the guests were very grateful for her delicious offerings.

Sandy uses her own skills as a graphic designer to write up the weekly menu board and together with several other volunteers, they create wonderful desserts each week. The atmosphere is very bright and welcoming so it feels just like going to lunch at a lovely cafe.

"All our guests are provided with name tags to make it easier to get to know the volunteers and each other. It is as much about developing friendships as providing a hearty meal. Several of our guests have commented that after a 5000 Club lunch, they only need a snack for their evening meal," Sandy said.

The club does not have a permanent source of income but relies on occasional community grants provided by the likes of the Community Bank Daylesford District (Bendigo Bank), the Hepburn Shire Council and Daylesford Rotary. Other fundraising activities include the meat tray raffle at the Farmers Arms Hotel Daylesford and other such initiatives.

"We are also supported by several local businesses and we cannot thank them enough for their generosity. They include Wombat Hill Florists, Bakers Delight, The Daylesford Meat Company, The Local, Daylesford & Hepburn Mineral Springs Co, Coles Daylesford and Second Bite. In addition, our guests make donations when they can. It is not compulsory but they might donate $5 or $10 or whatever they can afford because they are very appreciative of our efforts," Sandy said.

Regular Friday lunch-goer Jean Marc is glowing in his appraisal of the club. He moved to Daylesford two years ago during the Covid lockdown period which limited the places he could go to meet new people.

The 5000 Club re-opened in February this year after a two year recess due to the lockdowns. Jean Marc became aware of it through a friend and came along expecting a 'soup kitchen' style operation. "I was pleasantly surprised," he said. "Not only by the quality of the food and the amazing service, but I was also able to meet new friends and re-connect with some old ones. Meeting for lunch at the 5000 Club each week has become an important part of my life from a community aspect. And I am sure I speak for many other attendees when I say we are always made to feel welcome and included and none of it would be possible without the fabulous volunteers. They are the heartbeat of the club and it simply could not operate without them...and their smiles are for free!"

"As we near the end of 2022 (in many ways, good riddance) the club is preparing for our traditional Christmas Lunch on December 16. We will then take a festive season break and will resume again late in January 2023," Sandy said.

"We welcome new volunteers. If you are interested we'd love to hear from you. Contact Loretta Little on 0439 364 857."

For more information follow the 5000 Club on Facebook.

It is what you get when you enjoy a delicious threecourse meal at this caring community cafe.

"Meeting for lunch at the 5000 Club each week has become an important part of my life from a community aspect."

Thanks to our volunteers!

Something for everyone at Twilight Night

It’s only a few sleeps until the Trentham Twilight Night, this Friday, November 25, where businesses and market stalls will be ready for shoppers to get their Christmas list sorted.

But wait, there’s more. And lots of people donating their time to make sure the night runs perfectly for everyone where they are into shopping, music or food.

From 4.30pm there will be a line-up of musical performances from people of all ages. Five Trentham Primary School performers will be taking to the stage including a harp duo; The Fairy Wrens, pictured, Trentham Primary School Band, Trentham Primary School Choir, Flynn & the Dusty’s, and Forever G’s. These little people pack some talented pipes and know how to get the crowd bopping.

Then there are the three high school performances with the Trentham Trio, pictured inset, playing at Chaplin’s at 5pm, before providing backing music for the school choir later in the evening.

After hearing a few words from newly elected Mayor Cr Brian Hood, Elysium and Seventh Circle will each take to the stage and turn on the outstanding rock routines they have become well known for, until the event comes to a close.

The stage will be located in the Trentham Square with all the latest sound equipment for a really impressive show. Trentham is Cool Country so bring a picnic blanket or a chair, maybe an extra blanket, food from the street and kick back and enjoy.

Also joining the performance line-up are The Singing Sisterhood, Two Gals & a Piano, and Di Moore. There will be something for everyone to get their groove on.

For the littlies, there is a 12 Days of Christmas-themed wombat scavenger hunt, with wombats hidden in 12 windows on High and Market streets and J.Reid Lane. Those who complete the hunt and drop off their sheets at Trentham Square walk away with a goodie bag.

And don’t forget the man of the moment himself, Santa, who will be in the photo booth with his helper elf. See you at Trentham Twilight Night.

Loving our volunteers!

After a two-year break and a ton of work by a very small but very dedicated committee the Daylesford Show is scheduled to return this coming Saturday, November 26 at the Daylesford Showgrounds in Victoria Park.

President Don Harvey, pictured centre with his volunteers, said there were some advantages in being late in the calendar and the showgrounds being in one of the higher spots in town but "we are still looking for good weather".

"So far this year over 40 shows have been forced to cancel by the rain and flooding but fingers crossed. We have two inspections with Hepburn Shire Council officers next week and the main concerns will be the sure footing of the horses in the showjumping and spots around the oval and the amusement area."

Don said the committee was holding a working bee last weekend to continue the refurbishing of the Tom Ford Pavilion and looked forward to having it as the main centre for the young people's activities with the junior art and craft displays with an opportunity for creative activities inside the pavilion early on the day. The Youth Rocks bands will take over in the pavilion, with the support of the Hepburn Shire crew from about midday. Outside the pavilion will be Parker's Mini Circus, Professor Wallace's Puppet Theatre, The Rescue Ferretts and free petting zoo, races with prizes and playdoh making for the littlies.

"The short formalities will be even shorter this year as our local politicians will be otherwise occupied but the new Mayor Cr Brian Hood will officially declare the show open and introduce the Daylesford & District Brass Band just after noon.

"Horse, sheep, goat and poultry judging will be going on all morning but the homecrafts, cooking and needlework and photography displays in the footy pavilion will have been judged on the Friday and be open from 9am.

"The Table Tennis Pavilion will once again be transformed to the Hall of Flowers with the Daylesford Horticultural Society and Friends of Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens mounting displays alongside the flowers and farm produce.

"We are hoping to see some decorated wheelbarrows and flowers in boots as well. If enough people would like to bring a decorated wheelbarrow in on the day I may donate a $50 voucher for the People's Choice.

"Our dog show at the soccer ground end and behind the poultry pavilion will again be a highlight. We had about 400 dogs shown in 2019 but, like in everything else we are not sure how many we will have this year, they will be well worth a look and who doesn't like seeing the finalists paraded before the judges, with dogs and owners in their finest."

Don said the show was in its 148th year, held at Victoria Park since WWII.

"Let's hope that we pass the Hepburn Shire test and the weather holds up and we have another great show."

Don said he wanted to thank his very hardworking committee members and not just the two major sponsors, Daylesford District Community Bank and Hygge Property Group, but every sponsor and everybody who had entered something to be judged - and everybody who comes to the show on the day.

Show volunteers, from left, Donna O'Mara, Jason Webster, president Don Harvey, Shanthi Shanthikumar and Rosemary MacLean

AMINING company granted an exploratory license for gold mining in May this year, has identified the Daylesford region as “highly prospective but well underexplored in terms of the modern exploration environment”.

Red Rock Australasia is exploring the old Ajax line, under the name Blue Angel Project, in the western area of the town.

A company report written in July this year said the Ajax line “has a long and productive history of gold production and is reported to have produced over 300,000 ounces from its start in the mid-1880s to final closure around the 1940s”.

“The line of workings at Ajax falls outside the township and largely within Crown land providing opportunity of better access to the area. To date insufficient drilling has been conducted to allow any formal assessment of any remaining potential ore however the detail provided in the reports on historical mining along with old mine plans and stope plans gives strong indication of ore continuing at depth, both down dip and along strike.”

The report says with the Ajax line close to places such as the Boomerang Holiday Ranch, “aside from the obvious controls on hours of operation for drilling and the usual suppression of noise, dust and control for all fluids on site, other community activities may impact upon the timing”.

“This may include environmental concerns over flora and fauna seasonality breeding or growing. Given the community has a large transient and rental population, many locally organised events will bring large visitor numbers to the township and this will impact upon operations.

“Regardless, the intention is to look to validate and if possible upgrade the exploration targets to a higher level of confidence late in 2022. The targets are considered to be at a low level of confidence and will remain so until drilling has been completed.”

Hepburn Shire Council CEO Bradley Thomas, in response to questions from The Local, said the proposed works were exploration works “and (the) council has no control over this or ability to intervene as it is managed and governed by the state government through the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions”.

“Council has had an introductory meeting with Red Rock Mining and raised a number of concerns, including emphasising the need to engage with the local community.”

Deputy Mayor and Birch Ward councillor Lesley Hewitt said she understood Red Rock Australasia had met with residents who may be impacted and there was some concern about the impact, particularly on groundwater.

“Council officers met last week with Red Rock and we will continue to monitor this in line with our legislated responsibilities and keep the community informed.”

Red Rock Australasia community and environmental liaison spokesperson Kiara Reddingius said the company’s philosophy was to engage as early as possible, “to make ourselves known and available in an area we could be interested in well before we begin any on the ground studies”.

“We have made contact with the Hepburn Shire since before our licence was granted. Once granted (May 2022), traditional owners and land managers across the shire were contacted and introductory meetings arranged, so the company could be known for any future enquiries and planning.

“Our community and environmental policy, along with many other resources are available on our website, which explains our process on how we identify and consult stakeholders."

A Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions spokesperson said exploration licence applications were advertised locally for community input and objections. The granting of a licence requires companies to engage with the community.

The application was advertised last year in The Herald Sun and Ballarat Courier Image: Ballarat Heritage Services Picture Collection | Words: Donna Kelly

Tonia says 'I do' to challenges and projects

TONIA Todman, well-known television personality, queen of craft and author feels very lucky with the opportunities she has been given over a long career.

Nonetheless she has never been one to sit back comfortably and reflect on those past achievements. Tonia continues to strive forward, pushing into new territories, projects and endeavours even including becoming a marriage celebrant.

New vocation

“I had never really considered it as a vocation before, but I’ve been told often enough that I would be good at it,” Tonia says. “I’ve never thought that I would be an expert on marriage, but when I investigated the course which is very concentrated with a lot of legal studies in it, I thought, 'this could be fun'. I’ll be learning things that I didn’t know.”

Tonia has always had a desire to learn, expand her knowledge and pass on that knowledge wherever possible, be it as a marriage celebrant or embarking on a horticultural degree.

She knows that maintaining this drive as one advances in years is an important aspect of ageing well. And Tonia has never been one to stall in the face of adversity - including the monumental task of rebuilding her historic Lauriston home after a devastating fire in 2018.

Challenges

For her, such setbacks are simply another challenge to be addressed and overcome. From her youth growing up in 1960s Melbourne to forging a career in magazine publishing and television, she has always been an exception to the norm.

“I’m of an era where women were not expected to have a career. We were always brought up to be good wives and mothers. To be able to run a home, take our place in society and bring up children. As I’ve always said there is nothing wrong with that at all. I was very fortunate that I could combine that and a career that blended very well with my natural instincts towards home making, fashion, DIY and craft. I have been very lucky in the work I’ve done.”

Publishing

Tonia’s reflections on her life is now to be the subject of her next book. There is no publishing date as yet, but as the author of 28 books, the question is not if this work will see the light of day, but when.

“It is a family history combined with the experiences of my working career. It has been very interesting recalling a lot of things, looking back over family photos and resurrecting a few things I had nearly forgotten.”

Of course many people, who fondly remember her regular appearances on lifestyle shows such as Creative Living, Healthy Wealthy and Wise and Good Morning Australia, would be very keen to see Tonia back on the screen. Despite disruptions caused by Covid, there is a new project in the works very close to Tonia's heart, one she would dearly like to come to fruition.

Television return

“I would love to get back on television,” she says. “Before Covid I was working on a program with a working title of Grandma Tonia. It’s me teaching children the basics of life. Because of the distraction of social media screen time, I think there are an awful lot of skills that are now not being passed on to children that should be. Things like growing, building, fixing something or simply being practical.”

Local will always be a free read but if you want to support local, quality journalism you can donate by scanning the QR code.

The

Above, television personality and writer Tonia Todman has added marriage celebrant to her extensive CV

Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: Contributed

“I’m of an era where women were not expected to have a career. We were always brought up to be good wives and mothers. To be able to run a home, take our place in society and bring up children.”

Last 'toot' in January for RARD's 20 years

RURAL Australians for Refugees Daylesford – the group perhaps best known for its “toots for refugees” vigil at the top roundabout in Daylesford every Friday from 5pm - is finishing up in January after 20 years of supporting refugees detained around Australia and beyond.

Long-time member Janet Gaden said the decision came after the active group numbers had dwindled to about 10 – despite an email list of 40.

“The stalwarts are getting older and less well and are, frankly, tired. We started RARD 20 years ago and have been very active all that time.

“Our struggle to get Australia to deal humanely, legally and generously toward people who approach us for help as asylum seekers and refugees has been a long haul.

“The change of (federal) government, with some better policies, is an advance, but even they cannot make a quick fix to this problem and will need support and reminding. The number of people on various restrictive visas needing aid is increasing. It is still a long haul.

“Twenty is a good round number of years. After our last vigil on Friday, January 6, 2023 (5-5.30, top of Vincent Street) Rural Australians for Refugees Daylesford will go into honourable retirement.”

History

Ms Gaden said RARD began in 2002, holding regular meetings with bring-aplate suppers at St Matthews, Hepburn that were well attended and run by Rosalind Berry.

“Members repeatedly visited detainees in Baxter, Port Hedland and Maribyrnong, taking crocheted blankets, snacks and small gifts. We kept in touch with some people after their release.”

Ms Gaden said the group had raised money in many ways and through various channels.

First up were two art exhibitions with a silent auction with small canvases bought in bulk.

“The first was works by local people and the second by invitation to people well known in other fields such as Phillip Adams, Fay White, Emma Ayres, and others. We raised money for the new Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Melbourne – where we also took donations of food.

“And every year we have held street stalls during Christmas and Refugee Week for 20 years with petitions and postcards sent to politicians, raffles and items for sale to raise money and books of messages sent to asylum seekers.

“We also sent shoe boxes of small gifts for children through the ASRC to detention centres at Christmas Island, Nauru, Manus, Papua New Guinea.”

More events

Ms Gaden said larger events included a Daylesford Town Hall meeting with Labor for Refugees with speakers including Julian Burnside, Labor politicians, activists and journalists.

Other events were a concert by refugee musicians in Daylesford’s Senior Citizens Rooms, a town hall event with Arnold Zable, film nights, Actors for Refugees performances in Words in Winter and a campaign to get Hepburn Shire Council to declare the shire a Refugee Welcome Zone which was passed by the council in 2005.

Other events included a commemorative tree with plaque in the Lost Children's Park, an ASRC Food Box in the foyer of town hall, letter writing bees in Stanbridge Hall and picnics at Jubilee Lake for refugees brought from Melbourne by ASRC.

The group took part in the New Year's Eve and Chillout parades in Daylesford with Peter Tyndall's “Trucking on”, a tiny RARD truck, in the virtual parade during lockdown.

The last major event was a street stall for the 2022 Refugee Week.

Contribute

Ms Gaden said anyone who wanted to contribute to the work ahead should contact active groups in Trentham at rartrentham@gmail.com and Ballarat at rarballarat@gmail.com

People can contribute financially, as RARD has done, to the ASRC, Rural Australians for Refugees national (RAR), and Refugee Legal, through their websites.

Words: Contributed | Images: Kyle Barnes

Aries: If your mental health has seen better days, hopefully those better days are here. Anything to do with higher education, overseas travel or publishing have been stuck in the mud. Hopefully the ground will start to dry out allowing you to get some traction in these areas of your life.

Taurus: Your time to take a leading role in your community or within your commune of mates is here, it’s your time to shine. Something as simple as playing a mentorship role with a friend or it could be speaking to something more along the lines of political leadership.

Gemini: Things within your work sphere might be starting to offer you up some juicy opportunities, perhaps in the form of new business partnerships or leadership options. Even if you aren’t feeling full of drive and determination right now, grab these sorts of opportunities with both hands.

Cancer: Look to your daily routine and how you might improve your health and wellbeing, if you’ve been struggling to implement a routine beneficial to your health, dive deeper into it from a mental health perspective. An opportunity to connect mind, body, and spiritual health together is presented to you currently.

Leo: Hobbies and leisure activities can bring you some much-needed cup filling. Make time to hide away in your mancave or she-shed, it might be the metaphorical hermit’s cave that you have been craving. Or grab a bowl of popcorn with your favourite movie, or have a day out doing something fun with your kids.

Virgo: If you’re counting down the days until the Christmas break, you’re not alone, but you’re likely feeling the desperation to escape your desk more than any other sign. Your work situation might be feeling stuck and stalled, but your private life offers you respite and joy.

Libra: Short trips might be on the cards, a weekend away or day trip might offer you up some lovely memories that you’ll cherish. If you’ve been feeling hemmed in, unable to have that great escape, a “staycation” is likely to be just as memorable as a large-scale trip or adventure.

Scorpio: You might be experiencing a boom in your personal economy; your spouse or partner might be experiencing a bust. You might be able to cut away some financial burdens through loan debt, insurances, or taxes. Delve into these areas (or pay an expert to), you might find some more cash is freed up.

Sagittarius: Focusing on your home and family can be a good thing right now, this can be a great time to finish up some renovations or improvements around the house or even to upgrade to a better home than the one you are currently in.

Capricorn: If your physical health has been giving you troubles, either from overexerting yourself or under, remember to be kind to yourself regardless. Be gentle and not try to push so hard for changes, find a way to float and flow for the duration of this year.

Aquarius: Your social life is booming and now’s the time to enjoy it, say yes to all the invites and attend all the parties. Your love life might be hitting the skids, try not to force the situation. Or this could be a time when your kids are testing your patience, hang in there.

Pisces: Advancing your career is on the cards, be an active participant and chase down what you’re after. Tensions at home could be tied into how much of your focus is on your work, it’s only temporary, things will settle down in the new year.

Until next time, Jennifer Hart

For your full horoscope reading head to www.jhartastro.com or www.tlnews.com.au

Tickets now on sale for ChillOut Festival 23

DAYLESFORD is home to Victoria’s longest running regional LGBTQIA+ pride festival, ChillOut Festival. Tickets are now on sale to more than 50 LGBTQIA+ shows, parties, social and sporting events that will celebrate queer country pride across Daylesford and Hepburn Springs over the Labour Day long weekend from March 9 - 13, 2023.

The star-studded rainbow line-up features Australian opera-pop Eurovision superstar Kate Miller-Heidke, Drag Race Down Under’s Art Simone, ABC’s sunniest weatherman Nate Byrne, Rainbow History TikToker Rudy Jean Rigg, as well as Dean Arcuri, Sally Goldner, Jude Munro, Karen From Finance, Dolly Diamond and Tash York, Tuck Shop Ladies, Cerulean, Marz, The Lost Girls, Hussy Hicks, Greg Gould, Brenda Bressed, This Way North, Jude Perl, Parker, Freddie Merkin, Mz Burn and Runaway Belles.

The festival’s free, family-friendly events will be back with the All Ages Saturday Sound Shell event, returning after a successful debut in 2022, featuring performances, market stalls, and an intergenerational panel.

Other free events include Opening Night performances inside the Town Hall, Friday night Speed Dating, and the famous Daylesford ChillOut Street Parade on Sunday morning.

This year’s festival will be more accessible for people with disabilities, with improved facilities and inclusion being front and centre of programming.

"We are actively seeking out how to use accessibility best practice across the festival so that people living with a disability can enjoy the weekend,” said Festival Director Emma Ireland. Tickets are now on sale at www.chilloutfestival.com.au

Ruth leading lady in Ageing DisGracefully

RUTH Irving has come a long way. Raised on a farm at Mollongghip, she is now gracing the front cover of Hepburn House's latest calendar - albeit disGracefully!

Ruth is pictured gleefully giving drivers the bird as she holds up traffic in her mobility scooter.

The image has gone Australia-wide with publicity for the fundraising calendar hitting newspapers and television shows - with Tommy Little even paying a visit recently for a segment on The Project.

Since it aired on November 9, the segment has had 37,000 views and almost 1000 likes. Comments range from "these ladies had me cackling, I want the calendar" and "brilliantly funny, love the old girls" to "this makes me so happy, this is how every elderly person in care should be treated, their happiness is beautiful" and "fabulous residents match the fabulous staff - they are all amazing". Finishing with "aged care as it should be, celebrating our elderly".

But back to Ruth. She is the leading lady here. And already very well known in her own right around these parts.

Ruth was born in Creswick on July 27, 1928 and has three older brothers, an older sister, a twin brother, and a younger sister Doris who also lives at Hepburn House.

Ruth left school at 14 to help out around the farm. She used to help her mother cook lunch and dinner for the 16 men who worked on the farm. As well as milking the dairy cows for her mother to make cream and butter, as a teenager, Ruth used to play tennis to keep active and went dancing with her friends all the time for entertainment.

Ruth first met Keith at a dance at the Hepburn Palais. They fell in love and were married in 1955, when Ruth was 26 and Keith was 29. They had three sons, Raymond, Ross and Allan and a daughter, Christine. They are now proud grandparents of 10 and great-grandparents of four.

On their farm they mainly grew potatoes, along with oats, wheat and cattle, and Ruth also had a big veggie garden for the family's meals.

Now Ruth loves that someone else is cooking up home-style meals for her at Hepburn House and especially likes not having to do the dishes. She also enjoys the variety of activities on offer along with bus trips for coffee and cake in the afternoons.

Calendars are available from Hepburn House (weekdays only) and Blooms the Chemist in Daylesford from Tuesday, November 22. They are $20.

To have a calendar/calendars posted within Australia send contact details, address and details of purchase to reception@hepburnhouse.com.au Postage is $10 within Australia for one or more calendars to the same address.

Payment via direct transfer to Bank of Melbourne with Account name: DACS CALENDARS, BSB: 193 879 and Account No: 163 673 293.

Hepburn House is a progressive aged care centre offering a highly advanced, fully personalised range of aged care services for residents. Link: www.hepburnhouse.com.au | Phone: 5348 8100

Words: Supplied | Image: Michelle Donnelly

Lamb SkewersRosemary

BY RICHARD CORNISH

These are simple and delicious ways of serving BBQ lamb. Make it a special dish by making your own rosemary skewers. Take long stems of rosemary about 15cm long and strip almost all the leaves except a tuft at the end. Take a sharp knife and whittle away the thick end to form a point to form a skewer that will also impart flavour into the lamb. Serves 4.

500g lamb back strap or fillet, cut into 2.5cm cubes

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary leaves

1 tsp finely chopped lemon rind

4 rosemary skewers or bamboo skewers

Salt and pepper

Juice half lemon

Marinate the lamb in a bowl with the garlic, olive oil, rosemary leaves and lemon rind, covered, for 12 hours in the fridge.

Soak the skewers for 30 minutes to prevent burning. (If using fresh rosemary, this is unnecessary).

Preheat the BBQ grill to medium. Thread the lamb evenly onto the four skewers.

Season the lamb with salt and pepper. Grill, turning every few minutes, for 6 to 8 minutes or until browned. Set aside on a warm plate, cover, and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Dress with lemon juice. Serve with a fresh green salad.

For more recipes visit daylesfordmeatco.com.au

SPRING LAMB LOIN CHOPS

2KG FOR ONLY $50.00

These chops are cut nice and thick. Same cut as a T-bone, they contain the loin and fillet either side of the central bone with a layer of fat running the side, these are always tender and perfect for the BBQ.

We are thrilled to have teamed up with award-winning, German born charcutier and smallgoods maker, Ralf Fink from OAKWOOD SMALLGOODS, to make our special Christmas Hams this year. Our free-range pork has been brined in a special mix of salt, sugar and rich spices then hot smoked over local river red gum for heat and German beechwood for that rich smokiness and extra tang. They are then slowly cooked in a water bath for12 hours to create the most delicious, sweet, juicy and tender ham.

We are also stocking all your favourite festive meats including whole turkeys, duck, porchetta, chicken, and smoked salmon.

STRICTLY LIMITED NUMBERS SO ORDERS YOURS TODAY.

Richard Cornish, award winning journo, food writer and author, is writing a series of recipes for his favourite local butcher, The Daylesford Meat Co.

LONG time LGBTIQA+ activist Rodney Croome will be special guest at next month’s Birds of a Feather lunch event in Kyneton.

Tasmanian-based Rodney is particularly well known for his work on the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in Tasmania, and was a founder of Australian Marriage Equality.

The stories and insights he is likely to bring to the table at next month’s BOAF gathering fit perfectly with the aim of the events, says Belinda Brain, social worker with Sunbury Cobaw Community Health, the organisation that runs Birds of a Feather, or BOAF, events.

“Our vision is enriching and empowering the lives of LGBTIQA+ people in Macedon and beyond,” says Belinda, who delivers the Country LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Program. The Birds of a Feather events are part of my broader CLIP role with Sunbury Cobaw Community Health,” she says. The next BOAF luncheon is set for noon-2pm on Friday, December 9 at the Kyneton Bowls Club.

Also on Hepburn Shire’s LGBTIQA+ Advisory Committee, Belinda says the BOAF luncheons are a means of enabling regional LGBTIQA+ people to connect, share stories and make new friends in a welcoming environment. The fact that they’re held at lunchtime is particularly aimed at ensuring they’re readily accessible for the more mature LGBTIQ+ folk, and the only costs are the price of the meal and drinks.

“It can be really difficult to connect with older LGBTIQA+ people and this is one of the ways that we can do that,” Belinda said. “People can bring along a friend or an ally if that makes them more comfortable and they will find everyone very friendly and welcoming. Sharing experience and story via our invited guests can help inspire ope and uncover personal strength that participants can recognise in their own lives.”

BOAF was borne out of many passionate conversations between Belinda and CLIP’s Nathan Allwood, pictured. Both recognised the need for a regular event for older regional LGBTIQA+ individuals. They also identified a gap in Queer connection options for folk residing in aged care.

“We also run a monthly rainbow coffee club for LGBTIQA+ people, friends and allies at the Social Foundry in Kyneton on the last Friday of the month,” Belinda said.

Details: 5421 1666, belinda.brain@scchc.org.au or nathan.allwood@scchc.org.au

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes

Thanksgiving, this year on Thursday, 24 November, is indeed a special time:

• s hare a feast of good food, beautiful wine, lively conversation with loved ones;

• give thanks for our bounty in life whenever it shows up;

• reflect and celebrate our gift of life.

As this is my final one, I wish to offer a special thank you to all who have shared these words with me over the years.

W hatever your experience, if you pausedeven for a moment – I have been successful. Thank you. The adventure has been grand!

Keele's work in exhibition at Radius Gallery

Artist Keele Breen is holding an exhibition at Radius Gallery in Hepburn Springs from this Saturday, November 26. It somehow involves a marriage proposal from over 50 years ago. Keele, pictured opposite, who was The Local's first artist feature in 2013, pictured opposite, told her story to Donna Kelly.

"I GREW up in Glen Iris and went to the local primary school, followed by Korowa - an all-girls private school where I was a bit of a square peg.

I went to Box Hill Tafe in 1987 where I studied painting, drawing, printmaking and playing pool.

I've always loved to draw, and would write and illustrate 'novels' starting around age 4.

When asked as a child what I'd like to be when I grew up, I said either an artist or a builder. Dad was forever working on building projects, and Mum was/is an artist, so perhaps those influences are why I ended up painting houses as well as pictures.

My paintings are largely abstract, though sometimes there might be glimpses of figurative or other representational elements. People often point out the "things" they see in my paintings, some of which can be quite surprising.

I have done a lot of life drawing over the years. Even though my paintings are abstract, with leanings toward landscape, they often start out in the basis of figuration or even portraiture. It sometimes seems like one painting contains several others within its layers - a secret life.

The body of work on display at Radius has been developing over two to three years. Through the time of Covid, and some difficult family losses, it's been good to get into the studio, crank up the music and just go for it.

My process usually starts out with blocking in an under-painting using acrylics. Then I can continue using oil paints and pastels, which allows a more nuanced palette and composition.

Each painting is different, and 'speaks' to me as to what approaches might be needed as the process develops.

I rarely, if ever, consider my paintings to be 'finished'. Any one of my paintings is fair game for a rework as long as I can get my hands on it.

I find exhibiting my work quite nerve-racking - not so much because of other people's judgment, but because of my own. I'm so glad to be working with Morgan and Kim at Radius - they have been longstanding friends and supporters. In fact I went to kindergarten with Morgan nearly 50 years ago. We hatched a plan at the age of five to get married...and although an argument over furniture placement put an end to that, we've had a wonderful friendship all these years."

The exhibition opening is at Radius Gallery on Saturday, November 26 from 3pm-5pm and it runs until December 17.

Opening hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

Gig Guide

Odessa at Leavers, Creswick

Jason Heerah & Otentik Groove - Saturday, November 26

Dolly’s Disco Bingo - Friday, December 2

Nigel Wearne - Saturday, December 10

Georgia Fields - Saturday, December 17

CresFest, Creswick Neighbourhood Centre

Election Day Fiesta with the Creswick Kids Choir and Geelong’s Marimba Taters on Saturday, November 26 from 1pm

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

with Darren Lowe

"Each painting is different, and 'speaks' to me as to what approaches might be needed as the process develops. I rarely, if ever, consider my paintings to be 'finished'. Any one of my paintings is fair game for a rework as long as I can get my hands on it."

Council news

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

I am honoured to have been elected Mayor of Hepburn Shire Council by my colleagues. I appreciate their support, encouragement and confidence. I also acknowledge Cr Drylie’s term as Mayor in what undoubtedly has been a challenging year for all of us.

In taking on the leadership role as Mayor I am mindful of the responsibility the role carries. At the half-way point of our term as councillors the organisation is facing numerous challenges. These include external factors such as extreme weather events and their effect on Council infrastructure, especially roads and drains. Council is assessing the damage to roads and will implement repair works in a prioritised and systematic manner. Safety of road users is paramount.

There are also internal challenges within the organisation that must be addressed, most notably work to substantially improve council’s financial outlook so that we become a more financially sustainable organisation in the medium to long term. Important decisions must be made in order to achieve that goal. Most importantly, outward focussed performance in customer service is in need of improvement, as evidenced by customer satisfaction survey results. The timely processing of planning applications will always be a critical service and work to update planning regulations, sadly neglected in past years, must continue as a priority so that planning regulations reflect the community’s aspirations for our built and natural environments.

It should be recognised that the cumulative impact of rate capping, cost shifting, the lack of economies of scale and geographical realities make the delivery of services for which Council is responsible increasingly difficult.

These are substantial challenges for any organisation and I look forward to tackling them with my colleagues in a strategic and prioritised manner.

A strong focus on core business in the coming year and addressing fundamental challenges will enhance Council’s ability to better serve our community and ultimately embrace more aspirational projects. Addressing the underlying problems will also require action and support from the State Government.

Clear, timely, informative communication and consultation will be key, as it could be argued that in its absence the disparity between community expectations and Council’s financial and human capacity will only linger. There are opportunities to improve in those areas.

I look forward to working with Councillors and staff to strengthen the Hepburn Shire Council in the coming year, working with all residents and continuing my role as Coliban Ward Councillor.

Cr Brian Hood

COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS

NEW MAYOR AND DEPUTY

Congratulations to new Mayor, Cr Brian Hood and Deputy Mayor, Cr Lesley Hewitt, who Councillors elected at a Special Council meeting last week. Thank you to former Mayor Cr Tim Drylie, and former Deputy Mayor Cr Jen Bray for all their work over the last 12 months.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

We are seeking feedback on what Council can do to improve housing affordability in the Shire and invite you to read our issues and options paper. A survey is open until Sunday 4 December and you can register your interest to attend an Affordable Housing Solutions Forum in February 2023. Find out details at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/affordable-housing or at your local library or Council hub.

LISTENING POST

The last Listening Post for the year will be held at the Glenlyon Hall on Wednesday 23 November from 4pm to 6pm. Come along and meet Councillors and staff to discuss local issues or ask questions.

GREEN WASTE DISPOSAL

Don’t forget that you can dispose of green waste for free at our Creswick, Daylesford, and Trentham transfer stations throughout November. This is your opportunity to get your property ready for the bushfire season. Green waste must be separated from other waste. No noxious weeds accepted. Conditions apply. For more details visit www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/transfer-stations

PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY

In partnership with our Disability Advisory Committee, we are hosting events to celebrate International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD).

Community talk at Daylesford - Thursday 1 December from 2pm to 4pm at Victoria Park sports pavilion. Guest speakers include Karan Nagrani (blind advocate), Em Ireland (ChillOut) and Annabel Pitt (Vision Australia). You will also have the chance to inform the new Disability Action Plan.

Drop-in sessions – held on Friday 2 December to discuss ideas for the new Disability Action Plan. Clunes – 10.30am to 12 noon outside The Warehouse – Clunes. Creswick – 1pm to 2.30pm outside the IGA supermarket (wet weather location is inside Creswick Hub).

WALK AGAINST VIOLENCE

Come along for a short walk in Trentham, Daylesford, Creswick or Clunes as part of the international campaign of 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. The walks will start at each town library at 3:30pm on Friday 25 November.

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.

Your say... Just briefly...

Road rage

Our rural property suffered flood damage to two of our dams in the recent floods/storms. One of these dams has been an ongoing restoration project for us since the massive floods of 2011.

As part of the restoration we recently took another trip to Castlemaine to the Pyrenees Quarries, where we handpicked stone to suit and stacked it in my box trailer up to a safe weight for my 1996 Magna wagon to tow home, carefully, to Daylesford.

Towing a heavy trailer is not a fun exercise at the best of times, but I had not reckoned on the selfish, intimidating tactics of a silver Mazda driver as I was about to depart from the Castlemaine outskirts.

Waiting stationary at the Maldon Road to the Midland Highway T-intersection, I gave way to many cars approaching from my left, and when I spied a reasonable break in the southbound traffic and moved forward facing Daylesford.

Naturally, taking off from a standing start, I had to respect my clutch and was not able to go raring off down the road. This driver from probably 250 metres back suddenly sped up to the rear of my rock-laden trailer and freaked me out as he drew level with my window, as he leant on the horn to show his displeasure.

I was in shock as he continued this tirade as he was still on the wrong side of the road and facing oncoming traffic. I hope he reads this letter and has a personal think back to his actions that were completely unwarranted and apart from lacking a bit of patience had chosen to show me who was boss, in no uncertain terms. That was road rage (and) he could have easily caused an accident.

People who live in country towns are aware that they often share the roads with folk who are pulling trailers, caravans and such and that it is sensible to show consideration, because one day they may be towing a heavy load themselves.

- Stefan, Sailors Falls

B&B woes

We have recently had need to search out a letter in The Local (Issue 256, June 20, 2022) submitted by Dave McLachlan detailing his life now he is surrounded by bed and breakfast businesses.

Mr McLachlan details loss of amenity and privacy and privacy in his life and the total disregard of the letting agents and it seems the council is not interested either.

He has our complete and utter sympathy. Here in our quiet Trentham street only six months ago we had zero B&B businesses and now we have three and rumours of at least another one soon, possibly two. There are many more in the town already and the list continues to grow.

Hosted B&Bs are one thing but those that are agency-controlled are a blight on the community and it's little wonder rental accommodation in the town, let alone Hepburn Shire, is virtually non-existent.

Under current Victorian law a B&B facility capable of accommodating five or less people apparently does not require a planning permit but does need to be registered with the local council. That application must include a plan of the premises drawn to a scale of not less than 1:100 and show the proposed use of each room.

Said premises might require registration of food premises if the business provides food and the local environmental health officer should be contacted to ensure compliance if it is deemed necessary. One imagines in these events the council would have certain fees it can charge. According to council's own website there is also a higher rate charge applicable to these premises even where the owner lives on site. Does the council charge this rate in all cases?

I do very much doubt that this is happening as again many of these business are not reported to the council as per my comments above.

Council is hereby requested to provide details regarding the number of B&B premises in its jurisdiction (if it actually knows) and how many are actually being charged the higher rate. Council is also asked what its policy is on B&Bs in general and does it have plans to review this situation?

Frankly it's high time the general community decided to take back our environment and amenity from these people as they are not in the least interested in community. It's all about the sacred dollar.

- David Somerfield, Trentham

Letters or musings are always welcome. Keep them shortish and to the point. Or long and interesting. Any addressed Dear Sir will immediately be deleted. You know why...:)

The campaign to sell The Rex in Daylesford has "generated strong interest thus far", according to real estate company Fitzroys' senior manager Lewis Waddell.

David Bourke, another agent who shares the listing, told realcommercial. com.au that the theatre "has been awaiting its next storied chapter for some time". "This is an ultra-rare opportunity to revitalise, restore or reimagine a local icon in the centre of a thriving tourist destination." Expressions of interest close this Thursday, November 24 at 4pm. Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said: "At this point we expect council to consider the sale of The Rex at the December council meeting."

A working bee will be held at the Tylden Cemetery from 9am this Sunday, November 27.

BYO rakes, spades, whipper snipper, mower etc. Contact Kath Morrison on 5424 1583.

CresFest is holding a free Election Day Fiesta at the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre from 9am-4pm this Saturday, for polling day.

The fiesta will include live music from the Creswick Kids Choir and Geelong’s Marimba Taters from 1pm. There are also democracy sausages, juggling and hula hoops, cakes, plants, local produce and coffee.

A mental health forum will be held at Kyneton this Thursday, November 24 from 5.30pm to 7pm with community members able to meet with local mental health service providers.

Hosted by Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, A Lived Experience will feature guest speaker Jeremy Forbes from charity HALT (Hope Assistance Local Tradies) and Mike Hamer from P.S. My Family Matters. Contact Adam Stefano on 5421 1666 or admin@scchc.org.au, or register at www.trybooking.com/CDQHB

Some of Victoria's best restaurants have been celebrated at The Age Good Food Guide Awards.

Under the regional awards, two hats were awarded to Kadota and Lake House, both in Daylesford, while one hat was awarded to Beppe in Daylesford, Du Fermier in Trentham, Kuzu in Woodend, Midnight Starling in Kyneton and The Surly Goat in Hepburn Springs.

Hepburn Shire Council has elected Cr Brian Hood as mayor and Cr Lesley Hewitt as deputy mayor for the year ahead.

Cr Hood was elected to Coliban Ward in October 2020. Cr Lesley Hewitt was elected to Birch Ward in October 2020. She was mayor of Hepburn Shire from 2020 to 2021.

Heavy rainfall has forced the Clunes and District Agricultural Society to cancel the Clunes Show, to have been held on November 19.

“I am really sad to have to advise the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Clunes Show as our grounds are too wet to hold the event safely,” committee secretary Gayle Wrigley said. “On behalf of all the members of our Ag Society I would sincerely like to thank you for supporting our event - it is so important to its success. We have our fingers firmly crossed for good fortune in 2023.”

Daylesford and District Historical Society's annual general meeting will be held on Sunday, November 27 at 2pm at the Daylesford Museum.

The speaker is Richard Broome, an Australian historian, academic and emeritus professor of history at La Trobe University. His talk will explore Woiwurrung elder Billibellary and his response to the European invasion. He was connected by kinship to the Dja Dja Wurrung as a Kulin man.

Shifting the aim to nutrition-rich food

FORGET the days when school lunch meant a pallid pastry followed by a fizzy saccharine chaser and a stomach ache.

A home-grown social enterprise has been quietly cooking up some piping hot success in ensuring kids at multiple schools across Hepburn Shire go healthy when it comes to tucker time.

Lyonville-based, former senior state public health advisor, Shelley Bowen is CEO of Health Futures Australia, a non-profit health promotion organisation that started the SHIFT Healthy Lunch Kitchen back in March last year.

“My real interest is children’s health and wellbeing. Nine out of 10 children aren’t getting enough fruit and vegetables,” Shelley, who has a doctorate in public health, said.

SHIFT stands for Sustainable Healthy Integrated Food Towns, and the main aim is to provide nutrition-rich food with low food miles and minimal waste, at prices in reach of everyone.

“We use as much locally grown produce as possible and we’ve got six local suppliers which is fantastic,” Shelley said.

The school lunches have so far been taken up by Daylesford, St Michaels, Hepburn, Daylesford Dharma, Yandoit and Trentham primary schools, offering menu options ranging in price from $3.50 to $7.50.

Some of the lunch options currently on offer include rainbow veggie sushi ($7) or chicken & veggie sushi ($7.50), three organic strawberry mini-muffins ($3.50), organic strawberry puree and natural yoghurt cup ($3.50) or nourishing nachos supreme ($7.50).

“We’re 100 per cent tax deductible and we subsidise each meal which is something we’re able to do because we have donors or donations which can fill that gap.”

And using the former canteen space at Daylesford Primary as their kitchen base, they’ve been able to also introduce vegetable-packed take-home options once a week –in a response to local demand.

Take-home meals, currently available on Thursdays, range from greens and ricotta cannelloni with Napoli sauce, serves 4-6 ($35) or Italian meatballs with napoli and lemony herby risoni, serves 4-6 ($40) to roasted local organic vegetable with pearl couscous and tahini, serves 4 ($25) or crunchy crispy local colourful slaw, 500g ($9).

But they’re now in need of a bigger kitchen premises and Shelley is keen to hear from anyone in the Hepburn Shire who can help out with providing access to bigger premises from which the model can function and expand into the future.

“Our biggest challenge is lack of a sizeable space. Next year we really need a larger space that we can adapt or that we can affordably rent in the shire. We’re producing hundreds of meals a week on two plug-in hotplates.”

The SHIFT Healthy Lunch Kitchen is currently able to operate using a pool of about 12 enthusiastic volunteers, but also employs two part-time cooks and has just been able to put on a new part-time apprentice, who is completing studies through Shepparton’s GOTAFE, as well.

“We have an incredible network of volunteers. We don’t know what we’d do without our volunteers.”

The hope is to employ more workers down the track and expand further in what has become another local sustainability first that looks likely to turn heads much further afield.

“We’re trying to build the enterprise.”

Shelley says the bigger vision is of a larger Healthy Lunch Kitchen operating out of a purpose-built facility which includes vegetable production and aquaponics, and is powered by conversion of organic food matter into biogas.

And towards progressing that vision, the organisation recently secured a $30,000 Regional Development Victoria state government grant to produce a business case and proposition.

“We secured that grant about five months ago and the reports are now being finalised. We’ve got a powerful test case. We’re using commercial principles for social and health good. That’s the ethos.”

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes

Above, making healthy meals, from left, Robyn Rogers and Sallie Harvey

Berends Landscape Rakes

One of the only Australian made landscape rakes on the market, this machine is ideal for raking light material, harrowing pastures and for final soil surface preparation - whether it be on the driveway, the garden or even the horse arena.

From my living room window

My all-time favourite rose rosa mutabilis has finally reached maturity as a small tree and with its first full crop of ever-changing coloured, butterfly-like blooms.

Their masses of bright yellow buds turn through shades of pink as they ‘mutate’ to finally turn to crimson.

A tall, spreading evergreen, long-flowering shrub (if allowed) can reach the eaves of your house. (I chose to train mine as a small specimen tree.)

Rosa mutabilis’ beginnings, although definitely oriental, are unclear and apparently introduced to horticulture probably from China, sometime in the mid 1930s. It is usually listed as a China rose, but some list it botanically as rosa x odorata ‘mutabilis’.

Thank La Nina and prune now

Spring time is normally clean-up time for citrus trees. The time to remove weak or spindly growth and dead wood.

As citrus trees grow, they tend to accumulate dead, woody twigs and light growth, towards their centre. By using a sharp pair of pruners and a little patience you can open up the tree and allow plenty of sunlight in to prevent the fungal disease and insect pests that normally thrive on weak, shady growth.

Do not take too much growth from the top or centre of the tree because citrus prefer a healthy covering of leaves all over to protect the young growths from the summer sun.

Hard pruning of citrus is usually carried out in late August to early September but, as long as this unseasonable cloud-covered, wet weather persists, it may as well be put to good use.

A good dressing of mulch and organic citrus food would be helpful as well.

Christmas trees live

Whatever way you look at it somehow Christmas would feel incomplete without that all-important piece of traditional equipment - a real Christmas tree.

Although the many synthetic trees on offer certainly make things easy, they lack charm and character.

The other alternative, the cut tree, has even more problems. Sure it's real, it even smells like Christmas, but by the time New Year comes around...just think of all the messy needles you're going to have to clean up.

Don't settle for second best - grow a living Christmas tree

A great feature of a living Christmas tree is that it brings joy and pleasure to the children for many years and can become the children's project to protect and nurture from year to year.

Because the tradition of featuring a decorated tree sprang from the ancients’ yule log, and later, the Tannenbaum, the Germanic Christmas symbol has always been a conifer.

There are now many beautiful conifers available from nurseries and garden centres, all eminently suitable for growing as a Christmas tree.

Among the winners are: abies douglasii or Douglas fir - the traditional American tree that is a beautiful dark green needled tree with attractive lush green pendulous new shoots. (The ones that the plastic Christmas tree manufacturers try to emulate.)

Picea abies, the Norway spruce - the delightful symmetrical conifer with tightlypacked branches and light-green needles. It is the traditional European Christmas tree and an excellent choice for a small tree setting.

For a real, almost Aussie traditional look you couldn’t do better than to settle on the araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk pine). Its beautifully symmetrical shape makes it perfect for decorating even when it’s small enough for a table top.

Each of these three plants are relatively slow growers which means they will serve you well for a good many years. They will all still continue to serve outdoors in a large tub on a terrace or porch before necessity causes them to move out into the garden. Got

Kyle’s Rant

AS IF things aren’t bad enough, the bottom feeders have stepped it up a whole other gear in terms of brassy, ballsy rip offs.

I got a phone message the other day from my daughter which read that she had changed her phone number and to click on the link to put her new number in my phone.

I must admit the alarm bells started to ring, because surely someone that close to me would call with their new number.

And then the rather large penny dropped when my life flashed before my eyes and I realised I didn’t have a daughter, at least none that I knew of.

I must admit a few years after my promiscuous sea-going career ended, I would feel weak at the knees around Father’s Day while standing by the letterbox, but those days are long gone.

But back on topic. These online and phone scams are absolutely prolific so once they get on the phone to me I consider it my duty to hold them there as long as possible.

This practice hopefully clogs up their day, making less time for their skulduggerous pursuits, especially on the more vulnerable members of the community.

I once annoyed a guy claiming to be from Telstra so badly he called me back not once but three times after our call was violently disconnected. What he threatened is not for print but suffice it to say my mum was going to have a wild time with him and so was my daughter. And there they go assuming I have a daughter again.

There is no accountability for these creeps and I am not sure how you could sleep at night when your job is robbing people blind through misleading information using tactics designed to confuse the vulnerable. That sort of sounds like a politician’s job.

But back to my point. The other day, head in hands, elbows on the desk and as bored as batshit, (yes, it was my turn to think up what’s for dinner) the phone rang.

After a short delay in, what I imagine was the time it took for the perpetrator on the other end to don the headset and yell 'shush' in his rather crowded office booth, the phone crackled and came into tune as a nice foreign-sounding gentleman from the Commonwealth Bank enquired how my day was going?

I fear my retort came quickly and unfortunately, a little too excited. I proclaimed it was really boring but was now looking up with his call.

Fabulous, I thought, someone to play with. However my over-enthusiasm had obviously alerted him to my plan to hold him up for as long as possible, and he smartly aborted his project and disconnected the call.

Maybe now instead of a no-call register the bandits are starting to raise a no-call list of their own - avoiding people like me who will take advantage of their time and frustrate them to breaking point.

Timewasting rant over…

Local Lines

The jokes’ graveyard

There they are milling about Listen to them … Did you hear the one about the anaconda and the conflicted drainpipe There was – from behind a gravestone –an old rhyming scheme from somewhere or other twisting into a familiar pattern leading to its wordplay payoff Knock says a voice as if anybody still does Knock

A ritual enquiry and the pun is there Three disparate figures seek a bar to walk into so the third can be exposed as a brick short Riddles writhe Dads wait for listener groans A gravedigger leans on his shovel Did I ever tell of the time when … and before you know it Punch

- Bill Wootton

Bill likes a joke as much as anyone but wonders if fewer people tell them these days.

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

Pick me, pick me!

Well hello there. I’m Colin and I am a five-year-old (desexed) dude with a classic black and white rig.

I enjoy intelligent attention and I love being around people, but I can get a little grumpy if I’m crowded so I am looking for a family that will give me a little respectful space when I need it and not force attention on me at such moments. Which I think you’ll agree is only fair.

I am best suited to a household with no small children and no other cats.

If you would like to meet me then please contact the Mount Alexander Animal Welfare shelter in Castlemaine to make a time on 5472 5277. Link: www.maaw.org.au (Microchip no. 956000010096624)

(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. And please remember a pet is not for Covid or Christmas!)

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

DECEMBER 5 is/was International Volunteer Day. The is/was is because it depends what day you are reading this.

I don't volunteer at the moment. Although with the tiny wage I receive from The Local Publishing Group (are you reading this, Kyle?) sometimes I feel like a volunteer.

But I have done my fair share. Certainly not as much as many of those featured in our pages in this edition, and in many other editions, but I can hold my head high. Which is amazing when I remember what a poor start I got off to.

I played the piano when I was younger, I think my mother was channelling some inner hope of her own, and my teacher decided her students should play at an aged care home for Christmas.

This was fine, although thinking back I do feel sorry for those kind, older people who listened ever so politely and even clapped at the end of each terribly played piece. The smart ones would have removed any hearing devices. Perhaps they all had?

Anyway, we all had a small bag of lollies to hand out to any stranger who took our fancy. I saw a man up the back, who looked like he liked a lolly or two, and shyly pushed my bag into his wrinkled hands expecting to see tears of happiness and gratitude. But no, he pushed the bag back and said, quite rudely, "no thank-you". What the hell? As any 10-year-old would do, I fought back and pushed the bag towards him again, and was hit with another rejection.

I was getting pretty annoyed by now, as I glanced around I saw every other bag had been happily received, but then a staffer came and gently steered me away, telling me that man did not in fact eat lollies. Looking back now, I think of things like diabetes etc, but honestly, if a kid offers you lollies, just accept them politely and either re-gift them or throw them away later. Like crappy Christmas gifts.

So my first volunteer effort did not go down well. But a few years later, after I had calmed down, I tried again. This time it was as the editor of the school magazine at Mt Eliza High School - that was a pretty easy gig but it did take up quite a lot of lunches, and we, the editorial team, had to juggle between what we thought was a great read and what the teachers would allow. We all loved the "12 ways to have sex" cartoons by two year 9 boys, but the teachers were so prudish. And then there was the "Guide to shoplifting" which got dropped as well. Again, year 9 students, girls this time, who were so proficient in shoplifting that they stole 25 presents so every student in the class could give a birthday gift to our English teacher. She was so overcome with emotion, she cried. (Note to kids, don't try this at home. You will get arrested and end up with a record. Just like they did. Nah, joking, they were fine but don't steal anyway.)

There were a few other organisations in my 20s and 30s but mostly I was working or travelling. But when we hit regional Victoria, volunteering gigs really ramped up.

I think Kyle and I were on about seven committees at one stage. Glenlyon Fine Food & Wine Fayre, Glenlyon Art Show, Glenfest Music Festival, Glenlyon Progress, Glenlyon News...and Kyle was even in charge of the volunteers at the Hepburn Shire's information centres. (I actually think the volunteers were in charge of him.)

I remember taking the dogs for a walk one morning, about 6am, and being stopped by someone in a car asking if I could join their committee. Too tired to think, I just said "yes" and wandered home to break the news.

Now, our commitment to volunteering is to share the work of volunteers in the pages of The Local. So Belated/Happy International Volunteer Day. Just sayin'...

Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome. For information email ageingdis3461@gmail. com, call 0427 131 249 or head to the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.

Ageing DisGracefully is an initiative of Hepburn House.

W RD CROSS

Here is the solution to crossword for edition 266. Each edition, all the words appear in that edition somewhere. How did you go?

Casual prices

Got a story idea?

Email Donna at news@tlnews.com.au

MEETING DATES 2023

Hepburn Shire Council meetings are held at Daylesford Town Hall unless specified. All meetings are open to the public and are livestreamed on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hepburncouncil

2023 Council Meeting details:

• Tuesday 21 February at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 21 March at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 18 April at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 16 May at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 20 June at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 18 July at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 15 August at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 19 September at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 17 October at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 21 November at 5:30pm

• Tuesday 19 December at 5:30pm at Trentham Community Hub, Trentham.

Special Meeting details:

• Election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor on Tuesday 14 November at 5:30pm.

Got some exciting news? Share it here.

REQUEST FOR TENDER

Tender responses are invited for Reconstruction of Dean-Newlyn Road, Newlyn Stage 1 (Contract HEPBU.RFT2022.09).

Tender documents can be obtained from www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/ tenders, or by contacting Tim Powell on (03) 5321 6412. Tender responses must be received by 5pm on Wednesday 30 November 2022.

Volunteers wanted!

ChillOut has celebrated LGBTQIA+ pride for 26 years, thanks to fabulous volunteers. Volunteer roles include ticket scanning, set up, info desk, bar staff, crowd support and clean up. Perks include common room access, free coffee, festival bus pass and merch.

www.chilloutfestival.com.au/ volunteer”

International Volunteer Day on December 5 allows us to celebrate and acknowledge the outstanding contribution and commitment of Central Highlands Rural Health volunteers.

Volunteers are an integral part of our workforce, and they give their time so generously across all areas of the healthcare service.

Volunteering is a reciprocal arrangement. While giving of their time, skills and experience, volunteers also receive great satisfaction through working in areas of particular interest and gaining new knowledge and skills, as well as in improving social contact and making new friends.

Volunteering provides people with a sense of belonging and is a way to actively contribute to the health and strength of the community. Even your dog can volunteer if it's suitably well-behaved, visiting residents in our Aged Care facilities through our Therapy Dog Program. Central Highlands Rural Health is proud of its diversity and inclusion of all people.

We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia and their unique role in our history and society.

We recognise the important attributes that those who followed from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds have brought to our communities. We welcome people of different sexual orientations and gender identities, who are a significant portion of our population and who have helped shape our local culture.

If you are interested in finding out about volunteer opportunities available at CHRH, please get in touch with J Cawton, Volunteer Engagement Manager at j.cawton@chrh.org.au

All volunteers are required to be up to date with COVID vaccinations and the annual fluvax and undergo a police record check prior to commencement (at no expense to the volunteer).