November 7, 2022 Issue 266 Church culture
The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
2 About Us
www.tlnews.com.au
Front cover: Yandoit's Uniting Church is now a community space thanks to a group of locals including, from left, Alison King, Jessica Bleechmore and Nikki Marshall. Read all about upcoming concerts on page 11.
November 7, 2022 Issue 266 Church culture
The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria. The next edition is out on Monday, November 21, 2022. or online on Sunday, November 20 at www.tlnews.com.au Space bookings: Wednesday, November 16 Copy deadline: Thursday, November 17 Editorial deadline: Thursday, November 17
Image: Kyle Barnes
Editorial: 0418 576 513 | Advertising: 0416 104 283 news@tlnews.com.au | kyle@tlnews.com.au Managing editor | Donna Kelly General manager | Kyle Barnes The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Sub-editors | Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester 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. Want to support local, quality journalism? Donate by scanning the QR code. The content expressed within this publication does not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of The Local Publishing Group Pty Ltd. The Local Publishing Group's editorial guidelines and complaints-handling process can be found at www.tlnews.com.au We welcome all feedback.
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). Accounts | Julie Hanson
Delivery | Tony Sawrey
Mt Players' Madagascar The Mount Players are presenting their final show for 2022.
The last production for 2022 is Madagascar by JT Rogers, a must-see drama for theatre lovers. A haunting story of a mysterious disappearance that changes three lives forever. At three different periods in time, three people find themselves alone, in the same hotel room overlooking the Spanish Steps in Rome. They each tell their individual story of how and why they are here. Their relationship to each other, what this room means to them, and why they have been called to it slowly reveal themselves. Their stories spill out, weave back and forth - each contradicting, clarifying, deepening what the others say becoming strands of one gripping and disquieting tale. Secrets are revealed, and the mystery solved. Or is it? The show opened on November 4 and runs until November 20.
Tickets: www.themountplayers.com Pictured, from left, Sonja Prater as Lilian, Ron Kofler as Nathan and Sheridan Chase as June Words: Karen Hunt
Golfing royalty raises money for wildlife
W
hoever said doing good deeds feels like hard graft probably hasn’t met The Royal Daylesford Social Golf Crew.
The crew is a social club, formed out of a collective wish to keep physically and mentally fit during Covid. Now, roughly a year on from when it formed, the crew has done more than merely achieving those original goals. It has also raised a tidy $1000 that it’s now preparing to present to the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter. “We’re a golf club and a social club that came out of Covid,” explains Royal Daylesford Social Golf Crew president Dale Flynn, pictured teeing off with, from left, Jan Geddes and Rob Loxton. “The first day we were allowed to get out on the golf course the Royal Daylesford Hotel said if you can get 10 people together we’ll sponsor shirts for you. Well, we’ve ended up with 25 shirts and we now have on average 25 members. We play at Trentham golf course every Sunday and we have members from all walks. “We’re open to anybody who wishes to come and enjoy a bit of golf and a bit of fun and it’s not really about being a good golfer. We’re hacks, most of us. But we’re just growing, just developing.” While the focus is very much on socialising and enjoying life while fostering health of body and mind, the crew has also been running a regular Saturday afternoon raffle at the Royal Daylesford. And it’s this habit that has now seen them raise the $1000 that Dale says will be presented outside the pub to Hepburn Wildlife Shelter’s Gayle Chappell and Jon Rowdon at 3pm on December 3. He says that concern for the welfare of wildlife prompted the crew to select the wildlife shelter to benefit from proceeds raised through the raffle.
“We got a committee together and started things rolling,” Dale said. “We’re all locals and we all care for wildlife. We’re devastated by the horror on the roads, the tragedies that we see on the roads with wildlife.” Dale said everyone was welcome to get along to next month’s afternoon presentation of the cheque, while the Saturday raffle was intended to keep going and to continue raising dollars for the same good cause. “That is our plan,” he said. “We actually have three raffle draws at the hotel at 2pm every Saturday. A meat tray, a barbeque pack that is vegetarian-friendly and then we also have a bottle of wine. “We’ve had great support from the Royal Daylesford which has been a fantastic supporter and from businesses and the community.” Dale said anyone and everyone was welcome to become a member of the social club and also to get along and grab themselves a raffle ticket or two. “It’s drawn every Saturday at 2pm but you have to be there in person to claim it,” he notes. The Hepburn Wildlife Shelter’s Gayle Chappell said the crew’s donation was likely to go towards covering vet costs for injured wildlife. “We’re thrilled to have their support. It goes a long way because we’re entirely reliant on donations and support from the public,” Gayle said.
Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes Love trivia? Want to raise money for the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter? Head to page 13 to see how you can help while having fun this Saturday.
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Masterplan for Vet clinic a step closer World Heritage bid Retiring Western Victoria MP Jaala Pulford has announced a $500,000 grant to the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Masterplan that will support the development of a bid for the region to achieve a World Heritage listing.
The masterplan will fund the planning, PR and marketing required to build a business case for this site to become World Heritage listed. The expected benefits of the Victorian Goldfields becoming a World Heritage site is an additional $435 million into the regional economy and 1750 jobs in tourism. Covering an area of about 40,000 square kilometres north-west of Melbourne, the 13 local government areas making up the Central Victorian Goldfields are seeking the listing to celebrate this iconic region’s history and heritage. Ms Pulford said she was delighted to announce the funding for the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Masterplan, "this funding will create more jobs supporting our community”. Ms Pulford's media team did not reply to a question from The Local about how AusNet's plans to erect 85-metre high towers throughout the region to bring renewable energy to Melbourne could impact on the bid.
Pictured, from left, Labor candidate for Ripon Martha Haylett, Ms Pulford and Central Goldfields Shire Council Mayor Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor
Regional Community Vet Clinic, a Mt Alexander Shire based non-profit organisation, has received $50,000 from the state government’s Living Local - Regional Fund.
The funding brings the organisation to a total of $250,000 in grant funding towards its target of $400,000 to build a dedicated facility for not-for-profit veterinary care in Campbells Creek. The clinic will service pet owners across the region who want to keep and care for a companion animal but are struggling due to financial or physical disadvantage. While the long-term goal of the clinic is to establish its own dedicated facility, the organisation is committed to helping those in need in the community now through pop-up clinics, social outreach, and donating food and medication sourced through partner organisations into the community. Founder and chair Dr Yvette Berkeley said the word was spreading through the community and the organisation was starting to see how and where their services were needed most. "With the help of Vets for Compassion we’ve been able to run multiple pop-up clinics de-sexing over 100 cats in the region."
Link: www.rcvc.org.au.
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Our sports 5
Mountain biking coup
T
HE state’s selection of the Creswick Trails to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games mountain biking competition has big implications for local business and the town’s future.
“You can’t buy that sort of exposure,” Business and Tourism Creswick acting president and secretary Margaret Giles said. “I would imagine it will represent a huge injection of funds into the community but it’s also the ongoing exposure that’s invaluable,” Ms Giles said. “It’s very exciting and a wonderful opportunity for Creswick. Creswick is growing and an event like this just adds to people’s awareness of where Creswick is, and what it has to offer.” Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie foresees the Creswick Trails network becoming one of Australia’s leading mountain biking destinations. “The Creswick Trails project will deliver 60 kilometres of world-class mountain bike trails built in and around the regional park, state forest and plantation lands of Creswick.” And work is now underway on the town’s Hammon Park Trailhead which Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas says will serve as a start and finish focal point for the trail-based competition during the Games. The impressive multi-level pump track complex being developed there is shaping as a complementary all-ages community asset and a venue for local, regional and national events long into the future. “This will hopefully be finished around Christmas and will be a permanent fixture that will be well utilised by families and youth,” Mr Thomas says of the trailhead pump track complex.
Meanwhile, tenders to build the trails themselves have closed and the council is working through the formal tender evaluation process with a report regarding the appointment of a successful tenderer due to go before the November 15 council meeting. Mr Thomas says construction of the Creswick Trails themselves is anticipated to start early next year, with work to be completed mid-2024. “There’s a fair bit of construction work for the trails. They will range from easy through to elite - which will be used for the Games that millions of people around Australia are going to be watching,” he says. Those already keenly anticipating trying them out include members of the VOGA local cycle club whose membership spans road cyclists and mountain bikers through to BMX and juniors. “It will be a race to be the first person to ride them,” VOGA president and keen local mountain biker, David Tannard said. “In terms of hosting the Commonwealth Games in Creswick it’s just amazing. It just brings a spotlight to Creswick. The anticipated economic and visitation fillip is something businesses may need to start thinking about and planning for now, Ms Giles suggests. “I guess staffing is going to be a big issue. It already is. It gives businesses an opportunity to prepare, to look at their business and maybe do a new business plan.”
From left, CEO Bradley Thomas, VOGA cycling club president David Tannard, mayor Cr Tim Drylie (seated), VOGA cycling club treasurer Bradley Martin and Cr Don Henderson at Creswick's Hammon Park Trailhead pump track. Words & image: Eve Lamb
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$75 million to upgrade the Daylesford Hospital
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Fixing the Health and Triple-0 crisis
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ChillOut tickets Tickets are now on sale to all major events at ChillOut Festival 2023.
Festival director Emma Ireland said 2023 would include all the favourite events like Pool Party, All Ages Sound Shell, Bush Dance, Ballroom Blitz and Carnivale. "Last year we learnt that having outdoor parties works really well in Daylesford, and we’re having Ballroom Blitz, Bush Dance and Poof Doof at Victoria Park again. "This also means that we can grow our festival each year - so we really will have something for everyone. On the Friday Night, our favourite corporate queen Karen From Finance will be performing her one woman show Doing Time in the Ballroom at the Town Hall, while Ballroom Blitz will be at Victoria Park. "One of our new events that I’m really excited about is Hey Hunny!. It’s is an all-femme dance night that will get you laughing and flipping up your skirt on the dancefloor.” Events include: Ballroom Blitz | Friday 10 March | 8pm - midnight | Victoria Park; Karen From Finance is Doing Time | Friday 10 March | 7pm | Daylesford Town Hall; Pool Party | Saturday 11 March | 11am - 5pm | Daylesford Pool; Hey Hunny! Saturday 11 March | Daylesford Town Hall | 7pm to 1am; Bush Dance | Saturday 11 March | 8pm - midnight | Victoria Park; Carnivale: Sunday 12 March – Victoria Park; and Poof Door After Party: Sunday 12 March – Victoria Park – 7pm to midnight
Tickets: www.chilloutfestival.com.au
SUE’S PLACE
Dr. Susanne M. Heringslake Chiropractor Moments To Ponder a little gift from me to you
Get a home energy assessment Improve home energy-efficiency Reduce power bills Improve comfort - hot and cold Lower carbon emissions Advice on roof-top solar, heaters, insulation, curtains, blinds, hot water systems, draught-proofing, reducing power bills, Vic Gov rebates & discounts. Homeowners and renters. Certified Residential Scorecard Assessor & Hepburn Shire Local Contact Tim for a Quote
When friends and loved ones celebrate you for a special occasion or simply because they care, do you feel spoiled? Why is that? What would happen if you just felt loved? (p.s. there is a difference...)
energy@tincancollective.com.au tincancollective.com.au phone: 0490 436 264 55 Albert Street, Creswick Creswick Eco-Local. Vintage & More
For all enquiries and to book appointments, please contact: Dr Susanne M Heringslake Chiropractor Mobile: 0407 301 352
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Our history 7
Protectorate walk
T
HE Great Dividing Trail Association is offering a one-off opportunity for the public to walk and explore the 1840s Aboriginal Protectorate site at Franklinford this Sunday, November 13.
The 6km walk, mainly around the back streets of the Franklinford township features interpretation of several important historic sites, many associated with the former Aboriginal Protectorate (1841-1849) and Mount Franklin Aboriginal Station (1850s-1863). The confronting history behind some of the sites on this walk were first brought to light by the late Edgar Morrison in the 1960s and 1970s. In brief, the Aboriginal Protectorate set up in 1841 centred on present day Franklinford in southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country, following on from an aborted attempt at setting it up in 1840 on the Loddon River north of Baringhup. In an era of truth telling, this local walk on southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country is very timely. Hundreds of First Nations people from north of the divide were encouraged to leave Country and seek the relative safety at the protectorate at a time when squatters were forcefully and sometimes violently seizing their traditional lands. The intention was to concentrate, civilise and Christianise people from diverse nations into four small areas within present-day Victoria, each area just 10 miles across, in the process relinquishing language, culture and Country. The protectorate at Franklinford overseen by assistant protector Edward Parker understandably failed. The system was abandoned in the Port Phillip Colony in 1849 to be replaced by a local guardianship system administered by Parker at the foot of Mount Franklin.
The people still living on site in the 1860s including children attending the Aboriginal School, were mostly removed to Coranderrk near Healesville. Although by the 1870s less than 20 Dja Dja Wurrung people remained, there are now around 2000 descendants keen for this story to be told. The walk led by Barry Golding, commencing with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Elder Uncle Rick Nelson at 9.30am at the Franklinford Streamside Reserve on Larnibarramul Yaluk, includes the Protectorate-era Franklinford Cemetery, Thomas’ Spring, the monument to Edward Parker on the main town intersection, views over Larnibarramul Lagoon towards Mount Franklin, and the original main protectorate site, later the site of the Aboriginal School. There is a $15 cost payable on the day in cash. Registration is essential before November 10.
Link: www.gdt.org.au/2022/10/franklinford-aboriginal-protectorate-gdtamember-public-walks Words: Barry Golding Pictured, Barry Golding at the sign, erected by Edgar Morrison, overlooking the former Aboriginal protectorate site in Franklinford
Leadlight By Ettore Servicing the Macedon Ranges and surrounds since 1988 for new leadlight commissions and repairs
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Just briefly...
Wooling Hill Run
ChillOut is among three organisations to receive funding for 2023 from Victoria's Regional Events Fund.
ChillOut received $50,000 to support the festival and raise the profile of the shire, Winter Sounds received $50,000 to support a four-day series of performances and Woodend Winter Arts received $10,000 to support artists across Macedon with 40 events over the June 2023 long weekend.
Kyneton is set to enjoy an open art prize and exhibition this summer as part of Victoria’s Pride – a statewide celebration of LGBTIQA+ communities. That's Soo Gay! by Macedon Ranges Accessible Arts at the Old Auction House in Kyneton will provide people with the chance to enter an open art prize and view an exhibition celebrating the richness of the queer community’s contribution to society.
Nine projects in the state electorate of Macedon have received grants from the state government's Living Local Fund. Among those were Girl Guides Victoria - $47,000 for improvements to the Daylesford Girl Guide Hall, Health Futures Australia - $10,125 for the SHIFT Healthy Lunch Kitchen, a social enterprise providing subsidised nutritious and affordable lunches to schools in Hepburn Shire and the Lyonville Community Planning Group - $7057 for a community generator.
A working bee will be held at the Tylden Cemetery on Sunday, November 27 from 9am. Bring rakes, spades, whipper snippers, mowers etc. For details contact Kath Morrison on 5324 1583.
The Blampied Kooroocheang Landcare Group has received a Circular Economy Markets Fund grant to help accelerate Victoria's transformation toward a circular economy.
The group received $46,500 for the establishment of on-farm trials in Eganstown to demonstrate the benefits of compost application in broad-acre grazing and cropping systems.
Upgrades at Creswick Nursing Home are now complete thanks to the state's Significant Facility Refurbishment Initiative.
The upgrade includes the construction of 12 bedrooms, each with private ensuite, a central living/dining and kitchen area, two smaller living rooms, a library space and a landscaped courtyard.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has won an award for its innovative Four Bin System (Let’s get sorted) at the Waste, Innovation & Recycling Awards.
T
HE Mount Macedon Realty: Wooling Hill Run 2022 has been run but it’s not yet done raising funds for Kyneton Health’s palliative care in the home service.
The community was invited to visit the grounds of the Wooling Hill Memorial Estate to run, walk or wheel the all-abilities course from October 1-30. Locals Hayden Walsh and Erin McMahon showed their support of the event by creating their own crowdraisers and getting out on the track. Central Highlands Rural Health’s board member Karen O’Sullivan celebrated the final day of the event and congratulated the award winners with Troy and Liddy Upfield, owners of the estate. Awards were presented for the most funds raised, fastest lap, most laps and fastest wheeler for wheelchair participants. Troy and Liddy said the current total raised by the event so far was over $16.5K and they are accepting donations to the Mount Macedon Realty: Wooling Hill Run 2022 until November 13. Head to www.givenow.com.au/woolinghillrun2022 Funds raised from this year’s charity run will assist the Macedon Ranges Community Nursing team in providing the best care to every person, every time.
Central Victorian Potters
Open Studios
12 & 13 November 2022, 10am-4pm
The household kerbside service consists of four colour-coded bins for residents to sort their waste into; yellow for recycling; green for FOGO - food and garden organics; red for general waste, and purple for glass only. Each bin also includes infographics to help identify what waste goes where.
Kyneton Museum will close on December 12 to prepare for restoration works set to begin mid-January 2023.
The 1856-built museum is in the former Bank of New South Wales building in Piper Street. It houses exhibitions in the original banking chamber downstairs, while upstairs the bank manager’s residence is preserved in time. The museum is also home to a wide variety of carriages and historical agricultural equipment.
Hepburn Shire Council is calling on the community to nominate a worthy citizen or group as part of the council’s annual Community Awards. Community Award categories are Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Event of the Year. The council announces the awards on January 25. Nominations close at 5pm on Thursday, November 24.
Link: www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/Community-award
Residents and property owners in Hepburn Shire can dispose of green waste for free at transfer stations in Daylesford, Creswick and Trentham throughout November.
Green waste includes tree branches, grass and leaf litter. Noxious weeds are not accepted. Proof of residency or home ownership in Hepburn Shire is essential. Commercial businesses disposing of green waste will still be liable for the standard gate fees. To dispose flood waste for free call 4373 7373.
download map & guide:
centralvictorianpotters.org
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Shed shots: style & history
Our sheds 9
With nice little sheds, you see individual style and history come together.
They can be the most loved building on the property. Nice little sheds are often handmade and doing them on the cheap is usually the goal, so recycled materials and help from friends to build them is part of the tradition and what gives them their character. They have a knack of staying standing long after the foundations have given way and they are often full of personal treasures and mementos.
Do you have a shed shot to share? Email us. Images: Brendan Murray
10 Out & About
Trentham Twilight Night
Trentham Twilight Night After a Covid hiatus, Trentham's Twilight Night is back!
Held on Friday, November 25 from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, with the theme of Eat, Drink, Shop, Celebrate, the event really does have something for everyone. There will be a selection of food and wine from all your favourite cafes and restaurants, music and entertainment from the Trentham Singers, Trentham Primary School and local teenagers, lighting of the Christmas Tree in the Sqaure, a Santa photo booth and elfs. Making sure your Christmas shopping is done and dusted nice and early, the shops will remain open, along with market stalls and there is even a wrapping station ready to help with that pesky paper and sticky tape. Keeping the kids happy is a "12 Days of Christmas" wombat treasure hunt with a gift bag for everyone at the end - with goodies from local traders. And don't forget to vote for your favourite Christmas window! The Twilight Market was started by The Green Store's Kasie Watson in 2017 and was gaining momentum when Covid hit, followed by last year's June storm and then the coldest winter in memory this year. To get it back on its feet and celebrate community again, the market and surrounding events have been taken on in a joint partnership by Hepburn Shire Council and Community Bank Trentham & Districts. See you there!
FRIDAY 25 NOVEMBER 4.30 - 8.30 pm
Eat Drink Shop Celebrate thanks for shopping locally
The Local will always be a free read but if you want to support local, quality journalism you can donate by scanning the QR code.
Community Bank Trentham & Districts
Business and Tourism Creswick is proud to present:
CRESWICK GARDEN LOVERS’ WEEKEND
Saturday & Sunday, 12 & 13 November Visit 68 diverse and beautiful private gardens and many iconic commercial gardens, nurseries, a rustic sculpture garden, and other local supporting businesses. Visit Creswick Garden Club flower show and plant sale.
Tour for free—John Curtin Aged Care, self-guided garden tours and café, Shannon’s Bridge, a tranquil and peaceful sensory garden. Visit garden at Maze House (entry fee applies)
Tickets available online through Eventbrite under the event name, or on the day at Creswick Neighbourhood Centre Hall, 19-21 Victoria Street, Creswick. For more information visit www.creswick.net Proudly supported and sponsored by Hepburn Shire Council
Yandoit Cultural breathes life into church
Y
ANDOIT'S historic Uniting church is getting set to host two vibrant concerts supporting good causes this month, under its new guise as the venue for Yandoit Cultural live events.
Nikki also said that one of the church’s stand-out features was its fantastic acoustics. “It has excellent acoustics, perfect for musical concerts and spoken word. The raked floor makes for easy viewing and listening, and the stained glass windows beautifully frame the surrounding eucalypts. “We’ve had it for about six months now and in that time all of the musicians who have played here have said the acoustics are just brilliant,” she says. “It’s an intimate venue that can take about 100 to 120 people and we are keen to have as much quality music, story and other cultural events between now and the end of next November as we can. “We are testing the waters and we are hoping we can make this beautiful place zing. We would love to keep it on and we definitely have it until the end of next November and after that we may well have a discussion with the Uniting Church synod.” Bookings for the Sunday, November 13 concert are available on 0432 232 073 or ycfcpg@gmail.com, with entry by donation going to support Ukrainian refugees, and musicians. Bookings for the Sunday, November 27 concert are via email ycfcpg@gmail.com or phone 0432 232 073 and entry is by donation in support of musicians who have been hard hit by Covid.
For the time being, the little 1875-built bushland church is in community hands and being run as a community arts and culture space with locals keen to see the arrangement become permanent. Coming up, Sunday, November 13 at 4pm, the venue will host ARIA awardwinning folk musician Kavisha Mazzella with a benefit concert for Ukrainian refugees. Singing in English and Italian, Mazzella promises to take her audience on an uplifting journey of well-crafted stories and songs ringing with echoes of Celtic, Fado and gypsy influences. Then on Sunday, November 27 the church will again set the scene for a 4pm concert, this time with Didgeridoo, Debussy and the Birds of Oz. It will feature Claude Debussy’s wonderland dreamscapes Syrinx (1913) and the Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp (1915), blended with contemporary Australian compositions themed around connections to nature and each other. Organisers say an added highlight will be the Yandoitian Birdbath - an audio visual celebration of the area’s local birdlife featuring photography by Jodie Heap accompanied by Debussy’s Prelude La fille aux cheveux de lin (The girl with the flaxen Pictured above, from left, Yandoit Cultural steering committee members hair) arranged for solo harp. Acclaimed artists featured in the ensemble are Amos Roach, a proud Ngarrindjerri Alison King, Jessica Bleechmore and Nikki Marshall and Djab Wurrung and Gunditj Mara man, on didgeridoo, Jacinta Dennett on harp, Johanna Selleck on flute and William Vyvyan Murray on viola. Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes The reinvention of the church as a place of live cultural events comes as the Uniting Church synod had been looking at selling it, along with other churches Scan the QR code to see the where congregations have dwindled dramatically over the decades, and upkeep has ringing of the historic bell, become an issue. a tour of the church with “Over the years we have been negotiating with the Castlemaine Uniting Church Nikki Marshall, and the parish and back in February we got the lease signed to keep this beautiful, historical fascinating story of the tiny building in community hands,” Yandoit Cultural steering committee member Nikki church window made from a Marshall, a local for 11 years, said. wheelbarrow wheel. “This is an alternative, for the time being, to private sale, which has been the fate of so many historical churches in our local area.” She said the lease had been secured under the auspices of the Yandoit, Clydesdale and Franklinford Community Planning Group, in a move driven by the community.
12 Horoscopes
Horoscopes
www.tlnews.com.au
with Jennifer Hart - November 7-21
Aries: Financial matters might be shaken up, you could be offered up some new ways to earn money. There’s a need for financial freedom, or that you need to move your spending habits in a new direction. Look closely at an unorthodox solution, it might be just what you need to move forwards. Taurus: Money matters might be slow right now, even feeling like you’re moving backwards, this trend is only temporary. Look to savings where insurance and debts are concerned, there might be a better deal and you are primed to nab it right now. Gemini: You might be feeling a drop in your energy levels and motivation now, I urge you to keep plodding along at work. You can make some major inroads, perhaps even achieve an accolade that you’ve been chasing. It’s your last chance to enjoy a very flattering light being cast on you for the next 10 years, so use it well. Cancer: If you’re lucky enough to have a valid passport and money to burn, take that overseas trip you have been lusting after. If this isn’t in your purview, find joy in new cultures, higher education, or spiritual growth. If your mental health has taken a turn, these things can help bring some joy back to you. Leo: Some money is headed your way, perhaps through inheritance, income tax return or your spouse gets a raise. Or you might take on a large debt, but for something that benefits you, like a new home or car. Be mindful of the strings. Virgo: Absence does make the heart grow fonder, if you need a little space, don’t be afraid to take it, if it’s a relationship with a solid foundation, it’ll keep. Your career might be feeling a little stalled now, rest assured that you’ll find the accelerator in the new year. Libra: You’re blessed with the gift of eloquent communication for the next few weeks, with a sharp mind and clever articulation you can achieve almost anything. If you’ve had a writing project simmering away on the stove, this might be the time to turn up the heat and make it boil. Scorpio: Romantic times abound until Christmas, you might be overwhelmed with options, who wouldn’t love that? If you’re more settled in your life, lovely experiences with children are available, arty creativity, hobbies, and sports can offer up opportunities to have fun.
Sagittarius: If life has felt like a bit of a slog lately, this might be the lifting of the fog that you have been desperately seeking. You’ll feel a shift from the hermit in the cave to the star at centre stage, which is much more conducive to your Sagittarius nature. Capricorn: New additions to your family could soon be on their way with the eclipse offering possibilities of pregnancy. Take precautions if this is not what you want on your agenda right now. You’re bursting with big ideas and thoughts right now, keep a notebook handy to jot them all down. Aquarius: The luckiest of planetary charms has re-entered the arena of all matters financial for you. If you experienced a boost to your income earlier in the year, that story is back, be sure to grab it with both hands. You won’t get this kind of blessing again until 2033, so make the most of it until Christmas this year. Pisces: This might be a time when you are looking to fill in some gaps in your education, renovate your resumé or chase a dream that you have been harbouring since you were a kid. You can make your own luck until Christmas.
Until next time, Jennifer Hart For your full horoscope reading head to www.jhartastro.com or www.tlnews.com.au
FOR THE PURIST SPIRIT IN TOWN, VISIT YOUR LOCAL DAYLESFORD DISTILLERY A world class experience in premium gin and vodka, award winning herbal liqueurs and tawny. www.herballoreliqueurs.com Join us for tastings and sales. Cellar door open every day 10am-5pm.
2 Railway Crescent, Daylesford (03) 5348 1920
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Out & about...
Out & About 13
Wildlife fundraiser
Band concert finale The final of the Christ Church concerts will feature the Daylesford Community Brass Band with their Beyond concert on Saturday, November 19 at 2.30pm at Christ Church Anglican, 54 Central Springs Road, Daylesford. Musical director is Mark Lyall, deputy is Sue Morris and artistic director is Jenny Jordan. Beyond is a celebration of music’s power of transportation. Concert goers are invited to come on a journey with the band through space, time, and the most intimate of destinations: themselves. Beyond draws inspiration from film and television, as well as literary works that have touched many people in their formative years. Brass banding in Daylesford has a long history, with the first band being formed in 1862. Now known as the Daylesford Community Brass Band, they proudly provide entertainment and musical education around the Daylesford area. Current members range in age from early twenties to eighties and with 160 years of history in the community the band is much loved and a feature at all key public events from street parades to annual war commemoration services, Christmas and Town Hall-themed events. This relationship with the public drives the band’s commitment to performing and honours its long commitment to their community.
A
QUIZ night at Daylesford’s Victoria Park Pavilion offers a chance to not only flaunt your general knowledge – or complete lack of it – while raising vital funds for the Hepburn Wildlife Shelter.
Organised by wildlife rescuer, Kristina Forbes, pictured, the trivia night will get started from 6pm this Saturday, November 12 and is open to all. “The shelter is hoping to raise money for a vet therapy laser machine which costs $8000,” said Kristina, a Castlemaine-based wildlife rescuer. Kristina said that being able to secure the therapy laser machine would give the shelter a greater capacity to manage pain and heal wounds in injured wildlife.
“They truly are amazing people. I call them wildlife heroes.”
Tickets from www.trybooking.com
Brandenburg Orchestra The Convent at Daylesford has been chosen to host the Brandenburg Orchestra, which will perform its Baroque Fusions in the chapel on November 17 at 5.30pm and 7.30pm. The event is free but ticketed.
Baroque Fusions is about French elegance, Italian passion and German rigour. Musicians include Mikaela Oberg (baroque flute), Timothy Willis (baroque violin), Shane Lestideau (baroque violin) Monique O’Dea (baroque viola), Jamie Hey (baroque cello), Tommie Andersson (gallichon, theorbo & baroque guitar) and Nicholas Pollock (theorbo & baroque guitar).
Bookings on 1300 782 856 or www.brandenburg.com.au
Gigs at Palais-Hepburn SupperClub Friday presents Matt Glass - Friday, November 11, 6pm O, Brother Where Art Thou - Saturday, November 12, 7pm (See below) Daylesford Music College Showcase - Thursday, November 17, 5.30pm The Waifs - Friday, November 18, 7pm Manifold Resolution - Saturday, November 19, 7pm
O, Brother, where art thou? (See gigs above) Has it really been over 20 years?
To coincide with the Coen Brothers recontextualisation of Homer's Odyssey to the Deep South, T Bone Burnett’s stunning soundtrack to the film O, Brother Where Art Thou? sold over 8 million copies and won a Grammy for Album of the Year helping to launch a revived interest in bluegrass music. The original soundtrack featured performances from artists such as Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss and the legendary Ralph Stanley. Melbourne band, The Collingwood Casanovas with special guests Tracey Ann Miller, Freya Josephine Hollick and Loretta Miller, will perform the album in full, at The Palais-Hepburn this Saturday, November 12, delivering loving renditions and hot new takes of the soundtrack.
Words: Darren Lowe
“I am a wildlife rescuer and have seen firsthand the amazing work Gayle, Jon and a small group of volunteers do at the shelter. “I'm absolutely amazed at the selfless dedication Gayle and Jon have - caring, rehabilitating and helping sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. “I and other wildlife rescuers are taking many animals down to the shelter from Castlemaine and surrounding areas. “We take kangaroos which have been caught in a fence, birds hit by cars, joeys where mum has been hit by a car and they are now orphaned, and animals that have been found on the ground by a member of the public. “What makes Hepburn Wildlife Shelter different from the others is that they take in all types of Australian wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, lizards, birds, possums, sugar gliders, echidnas, turtles and bats. “For anyone who has had children, they know about nightly feeds. Gayle has been doing this for over 20 years, feeding kangaroo joeys, wombats, echidnas and birds at all hours of the morning. They truly are amazing people. I call them wildlife heroes.” Kristina said the quiz night promised to be a lot of fun with questions ranging over general knowledge areas like music and sport, with some attractive prizes up for grabs. “All the items have been very kindly donated to help support this worthy cause.” The evening will also feature a silent auction enabling those who get along to bid for a B&B voucher and artworks including a valuable piece created especially for the event by local multimedia artist, Tahlia Stanton. Doors open at 5.30pm for a 6pm start. Entry is $25.
Link: www.trybooking.com/CCTRS Words: Eve Lamb
14 Our volunteers
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Daylesford Art Show: Couldn’t do it without you!
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HE 2022 Daylesford Rotary Art Show closed last Tuesday, with 182 artworks on show by 78 artists, after what was months of planning and hard work. The show, run by a sub-committee of the Daylesford Rotary Club, is one of the club's significant fundraising events for the year.
The funds raised go directly back to the community in the form of donations and community events and projects. This is the first year Rotary have engaged someone outside the club to coordinate the event, as it has become nearly a ‘fulltime job’. I could not have managed without the help of the committee which itself is made up of a number of generous minded community members. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank just a few. Having spent many months preparing for the show and working tirelessly in the search for sponsorship from the business community. Jenny Hopkins has proven herself to be a force to be reckoned with. She did everything including planning the event, sourcing the goods for the auctions and raffle and organising the opening night speeches. Many sleepless nights were had, trying hard to cover all the bases, all done with a broken leg the whole time. If you came to see the show on any day over the long weekend you would have met Alan Harrison, who spent the entire duration of install, through to pack-down, working tirelessly. Carting screens, installing artworks and lights, selling paintings and generally being an awesome fellow. Alongside Alan were Koos Hulst, and Terri Oprean, who together ran the Bendigo Bank Bar on the opening night. They also contributed to the many other tasks of running the art show including hours of painting, moving, and planning. We’d also like to thank Brian Nash and Roberta Donnelly, who, over many years, have contributed to the art show, this year is no exception. They created a beautiful entry to the art show, decorating it with their plants and paintings. Brian also generously donated the first prize in the art show raffle, a local landscape. The winners were: first prize, donated by Blooms Pharmacy: Gwenda McDougall - Forget Me Not; second prize, donated by Rotary trio (Daylesford Rotary, Greenwood Strategy & Birches Daylesford): Yvonne de Valle - Gatehouse Humffray Street; and third prize, donated by Daylesford Meat Co: Paul Ainsworth - Tonka Barbie.
Art Show volunteers, from left, Koos Hulst, Jenny Hopkins, Alan Harrison, Roberta Donnelly and Brian Nash Image: Kyle Barnes
The youth prize, in its inaugural year, supported by Biggin Scott Real Estate, was won by Gem Williamson from Woodend for her piece, Douglas, a beautifully executed drawing of a pigeon. The People’s Choice award went to Denis Sonogan with his painstakingly executed Old Barwon Heads Bridge, now on display at Bendigo Bank. Head over to the Daylesford Art Show website to see the 2022 winners along with all other entries.
Words: Fiona Morgan, Daylesford Art Show administrator
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Restaurants, Bakers, Butchers, Cafe’s, Local vineyards, Distillers, Brewers and of course each other.
Remember we offer free delivery, T&Cs apply. Delivery times are Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm. We accept credit cards over the phone or we have an on-board eftpos machine. You will need to be at home for the delivery with proof of age if asked by the driver. Give the Foxxy team a call on 5348 3577. Keep safe, everyone.
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Love your gut
Winners are grinners Children's Week Our Population Health Team hosted a special event to celebrate Children's Week 2022 last month, thanks to a grant from the Creswick Neighbourhood Centre. Based on this year's theme, All Children have the right to a standard of living that supports their well-being and healthy development, the Team partnered with Kelly Sports Ballarat and spent a fun-filled morning at Creswick North Primary School playing games and enjoying a range of healthy snacks. Students also won sporting equipment for their participation in the day.
Gut health is all the rage these days, and you’re likely feeling a little lost when it comes to the various information out there. Here we have five tips for a Healthy Gut from our CHRH Dietitians. Five tips for a healthy gut 1. Eat various fibre-filled foods regularly: Our bodies function best when we eat every 2-3hours. Fibre-filled foods (whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds) help to feed our good gut bacteria and keep our bowels regular. Branch out and try a new fibre-filled food this week!
Smiles 4 Miles! Congrats to Clunes and District Preschool for being awarded their Smiles 4 Miles certificate! The Smiles 4 Miles program is an initiative of Dental Health Services Victoria that aims to improve the oral health of children and their families. Central Highlands Rural Health delivers this program to our local early learning services, providing support, education, and free dental checks. If you would like to know more, please get in touch with pophealth@chrh.org.au
Vaxx for max protection Getting vaccinated protects you against COVID-19, helps prevent you from getting seriously ill and reduces the spread of COVID-19 to others. If you had COVID-19, you should still get vaccinated to receive maximum protection. COVID-19 vaccines are free for everyone aged five and over at pharmacies and GPs. For more information, visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/get-vaccinated
2. Hydration: Staying well hydrated ensures your gut can digest food easily and helps to keep your bowels regular, preventing constipation. 3. Exercise frequently: regular exercise can help to stimulate digestive muscles leading to regular bowel habits. You should aim to be physically active for at least 30 minutes daily. This may include a gym class, walk, or even gardening or housework. Move your body in a way that is comfortable and enjoyable for you! 4. Stress management: chronic stress can lead to inflammation and gut issues like pain, bloating, cramping and changes in bowel habits. Make time each day to do something for YOU. Think: lunchtime walk, catching up with a friend, meditation, listening to music or reading a good book 5. Sleep: this is essential for your overall health. Poor sleep leads to fatigue and reduced energy levels. This then leads us to reach for foods higher in energy (often lower in fibre) as a way to get through the day If you have any questions about gut health or any gastrointestinal or eating concerns, contact your local Dietitian at Central Highlands Rural Health on 5321 6539
Clunes I Creswick I Daylesford I Kyneton I Trentham 5321 6500 www.chrh.org.au www.facebook.com/CHRHorgAU
Council news MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
As this will be the last piece I write in this Mayoral term, I thought I should reflect on some of the achievements and challenges of the past year. It has, as I have mentioned on several occasions, been a difficult year for many people as we emerge from the extended stresses of the COVID pandemic and the trauma of three major storm events in the Shire. Combined with rising interest rates and cost of living pressures, 2022 has presented its fair share of painful experiences, which for many continue to be a daily feature. However, without diminishing the place of grief in this year, I’d like to focus a sense of gratitude I feel at the same time. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to be Mayor and to serve the Hepburn Shire community during this difficult time. I have been very lucky to have met and been invited to join with so many incredible local community groups and individuals. It has been a privilege to have shared in their stories, got to better understand their histories, and challenges and to have grown with them as a result. It has also been an honour to stand up and advocate for these same people, to challenge myself to become a better leader and to cherish the gifts of being enmeshed and engaged in the lives of people in my local community. Together, I think we can be proud that coming out the other side of this year, there is a sense that we may be collectively a little stronger, a bit better prepared, and that a sense of renewal, and a new identity may be forming out of all the change and uncertainty. I have also gathered greater respect and appreciation for the beauty and power of the land and place I call home and to want to continue to heal this upside-down country in partnership with our Dja Dja Wurrung First Nations custodians. Just in this past week, I have been fortunate to celebrate in several community success stories including the Sustainable Hepburn Expo in Trentham, two community art shows in Daylesford and Creswick, Clunes Landcare and Waterways Group Commemorative Queen’s Jubilee event, been part of a Glenlyon Recreation Reserve Masterplan session and attended the opening of Kingston Remembers event in Kingston. I am thrilled and love that in these last weeks of my Mayoral term I have been able to be so directly involved in community life. I encourage you all to be kind to yourselves and others through these unprecedented times and to reach out for help and to lend a hand if you can. We all have a meaningful part to play in shaping more sustainable future pathways, both physically and spiritually, in this wonderful part of the world we call the Hepburn Shire. I’d also like to thank my fellow Councillor colleagues, CEO Bradley Thomas, and all the incredibly hardworking and dedicated staff of Hepburn Shire Council who have all been there on this journey, through thick and thin, over the past year. Cr Tim Drylie
COUNCIL PLAN FOCUS AREAS
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Council has published an issues and options paper exploring how to make housing more affordable in Hepburn Shire. We now want to hear your ideas, which will inform the development of an Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan. Join a webinar on Wednesday 16 November, from 5pm to 6pm, to hear about affordable housing, the themes of the issues and options paper and how to get involved. You can also find out more about the project, complete a survey, find out upcoming dates for pop-up sessions and apply to participate in an Affordable Housing Solutions Forum at https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/affordable-housing or at Council hubs and libraries.
COMMUNITY AWARDS Do you know someone who goes above and beyond for our community? Council is inviting nominations for the 2023 Community Awards, which recognise and celebrate significant contributions from local citizens and groups. Nominate a worthy recipient for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, or Event of the Year at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/community-awards.
GREEN WASTE DISPOSAL Residents and ratepayers can dispose of green waste for free at our transfer stations in Creswick, Trentham and Daylesford throughout November. This is to help you get your property ready for the fire danger period. Please ensure that green waste is separated from other items and free of noxious weeds. Conditions apply. See our website for details.
ABORIGINAL PROTECTORATE WALK The Great Dividing Trail Association is hosting a 6.2km walk around the Franklinford township which will explore the Aboriginal Protectorate history of the area. The walk, led by Barry Golding, will commence with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Uncle Rick Nelson at 9.30am on Sunday 13 November at the Franklinford Streamside Reserve on Larnibarramul Yaluk. Cost is $15. Registration is essential before Wednesday 9 November. Register at https://www.gdt.org.au/.
FREE WORKSHOPS
We have a range of upcoming free workshops for business operators, including agricultural businesses. These include: •
Strengthening Business Practices workshop on 14 November
•
Integrated weed management on rural properties webinar on 15 November
•
Sustainable horse grazing on Sunday 4 December.
Visit our website at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/events for details on how to register. The Council Plan 2021-2025 describes how Council will strive towards our vision, where to focus efforts, and how to measure progress. Each Focus Area has a series of priority statements, with actions against each item.
5348 2306 shire@hepburn.vic.gov.au www.hepburn.vic.gov.au www.facebook.com/hepburncouncil
18 News
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Cakes, quilts, flowers, animals: all on show
T
HE Daylesford Show, on Saturday, November 26, will again feature an exhibition of the work of local people who are proud to show off what they have produced in the past 12 months, or perhaps three years.
Show president Don Harvey said many people were prepared to enter their work into one of the numerous classes available to compete against their neighbours and other artisans, and see their work displayed in public and judged both by the show-appointed judges and the public. "Some people frown a bit on competition these days," Don said. "But let us hope that anybody who bakes a cake, or makes a nice quilt, or knits a nice beanie or grows some beautiful flowers can walk around the showgrounds on the day thinking 'I am a winner and the rest of the town can see my name on a blue first prize certificate or a red one for second prize'." Don said the show committee expected more than 120 sheep to be judged with almost as many entries in the poultry pavilion and about 300 horses and more than 400 dogs. "In these classes we have animals that represent months and often years of very careful husbandry by loving but often intensely competitive owners. There will also be cookery and other homecrafts and photography to see in the football pavilion along with flowers, vegetables and floral art in the table tennis pavilion. Children's art and musical performers will be in the newly renovated Tom Ford Pavilion. "In all of these competitions there will be proud owners or proud makers or proud bakers or growers who are quite happy to talk about why it means so much to them to compete and show, and we encourage anybody who thinks they could easily enjoy even a small victory to talk to these local experts about what they like about showing their wares. "Daylesford people have been doing this for over 160 years now so there must be something in that which people enjoy." Entries close on Friday, November 18 and everything must be at the show ready for judging to start on Friday, November 25. Don said the show would have local and statewide showmen and foodstalls but the essence of small country shows was competition "and let's hope it stays that way for quite a while in the future". "Your first step into this local competition takes only a bit of research and your own enthusiasm." Show schedules are now available in a number of places around town or head to www.daylesfordshow.com to find a section in which you can show your work off
Words: Contributed | Show images: Samantha Moore
Recipes
The Local will always be a free read but if you want to support local, quality journalism you can donate by scanning the QR code. Crispy-skinned salmon
with Jen Clarke
I know the weather is still cold and wet in our little world-of-its-own microclimate (how often have you driven out of the foggy, drizzling highlands towards Melbourne to discover that it’s actually sunny down there?), but surely it is time for some lighter dishes on the menu after a steady diet of steaming casseroles and rib-sticking winter stews. I have finally discovered a failsafe method of cooking salmon with a delightfully crispy skin. You must try this. It is super easy and takes about ten minutes. Dry the salmon fillets with a paper towel. If you have time, leave the salmon in the fridge on a plate for an hour to help dry it out, but don’t worry too much if you don’t. Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over the skin of the salmon and sprinkle the skin with sea salt. Place the fish in a cold frying pan that will fit the fillets comfortably, skin side down. I use a cast iron pan that has good, even heat. Turn the heat to medium high and let the salmon cook, undisturbed, for about six minutes. Wait until the salmon is about three-quarters cooked; you will be able to see the flesh changing to an opaque colour. Turn the heat down a fraction if it is getting too hot. Nudge the salmon gently with some tongs, and if the skin sticks to the pan leave it for a minute or so more before flipping it over for another minute or so to cook the other side. Serve immediately with the skin side up with some lemon to squeeze. It really doesn’t need anything else, except some side veggies (or a salad if you want to buy a lettuce that is probably more expensive than the salmon).
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Out & About 19
Go Local Clunes Home or gardenware gifts, ethically-produced meats, the freshest fruits and veggies, your pick of great coffee, a pot & parma and so much more. It’s time to remind ourselves of the value of buying local.
While we all know how rich and varied the landscape of our local businesses are, the pandemic has shifted our focus online, while the rise of living costs and supply chain issues have made us consider travelling further afield to larger stores - and we seem to have forgotten just how valuable shopping locally can be. But in Clunes, the town has decided to get together and make sure that as the holiday season hits, going local isn’t left to chance. From now until the end of January, people in Clunes will be reminded of the value of buying local, through initiatives created by Clunes Neighbourhood House (and its social enterprise BOOM Clunes), Creative Clunes and the Clunes Tourist & Development Association and funded by the state government, business chambers and trader groups. The Go Local Clunes initiative sees local buyers being rewarded with their chance of a monthly cash prize of $200 PLUS $100 weekly vouchers. Better yet, the more you shop at local participating stores, the more chances to win. Winners will be announced online and on the community notice board in the main street. This initiative is not just confined to local retailers - professionals, tradies, farms or accommodation - anyone who operates a business in Clunes can register to be involved. For the local businesses, this initiative also includes funding for in-store events held between November and January. It could include bringing in an expert to demonstrate a product of your business, or radio advertising to promote a special in-store event - the options are only limited by your imagination and the funding. (Until funding runs out!) In addition, local businesses are eligible for promotion through social media and storytelling content funding. Go Local initiatives like this are not unusual. In fact, Clunes is deliberately building on the momentum of the Go Local First campaign that was started during the pandemic, implemented by Hepburn Shire Council. What is unusual is Clunes businesses and trader groups have worked together to develop and deliver this project. “It’s no mean feat to roll out a town-wide promotional and support campaign,” said Lana de Kort, chief entrepreneur at BOOM Clunes and manager of the Clunes Neighbourhood House. “That a small rural town like Clunes can do this is testament to the willingness of businesses and trader groups to work together in order to strengthen our town.” To find out more about the project visit www.boomclunes.org/golocal or contact the Go Local Officer, Victoria on 0420 432 931. (Advertorial)
Clunes Show hits 160 - with a modern twist
W
HEN it comes to classic country shows, Clunes is right up there.
Coming up Saturday, November 19, the Clunes Show is a calendar highlight for locals and those who love a genuine country show. This time celebrating its 160th anniversary, this little ripper of a show delivers on that vibe in spades. There’s something for everyone on a program that features wood chopping, tug of warring, ladies’ wood splitting, gumboot throwing, keg tossing, dog jumping, ferret racing, live music, local food and wine and even an inaugural strongman exhibition. That’s just a bit of a taster, as the line-up also features all of those other show day classics - equestrian ring events, livestock and primary produce, home crafts, baking, and the Clunes Bute Ute comp that’s celebrating its 25th anniversary. “I think we’ve just got a fantastic committee,” society president Jenny Redpath said. “Our members range from their early 20s to their 80s so you’ve got your knowledge there but also new ideas. We like to keep the traditions - from the horses to the crafts, knitting, and baking, and the stock all on show. This year we’ve also got the Midland Axemen coming to do a couple of demos for us. “And we’re having a strongman event which will involve pulling a tractor. It’s for different ages, male and female, and different weight categories. One of our local boys has put it together and it’s linking in with some of the gyms in Ballarat.” Jenny says that while a lot of the crowd-pleasing activities for which the Clunes show is loved have been there “for as long as I can remember” this year’s strongman demo and virtual reality header simulator are just two of several new attractions. Marking the 160th anniversary also makes this year’s show a special one, with an anniversary timeline produced by Clunes historian Robert Campbell, noting a highlight for each year of the event since its earliest beginnings with a ploughing match way back in 1858. There’s also a newly produced book acknowledging past and present members available to purchase on show day. Show day is also a chance to support both the Clunes Fire Brigade and the Clunes Cricket Club which will join forces to offer breakfast from 7am.
Link: www.clunesshow.com.au | Words: Eve Lamb
20 Out & About
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Homes & Gardens 21
The red star marks the spot!
First steps for success My wise old grandfather once told this doting young six-year-old that he would rather put a sixpenny plant into a ten-shilling hole than a ten-shilling plant into a sixpenny hole. Obviously the ideal would be to put the ten-shilling plant into a tenshilling hole, but his message was clear. No matter how vigorous and healthy your plants may be when you buy them, their ultimate success depends on the quality and condition of the soil into which they are to be planted.
Good soil It’s an all too common belief to assume that as long as the plant is strong and growing healthily, it will thrive in any soil with the aid of plenty of water and an application of a heavy dose of fertiliser. There is much more to it than that. We would be lucky to be blessed with naturally perfect soil, in whatever climate or area we live. Good garden soil should be of a texture that will hold plants securely in place, release plant foods slowly over a long period and retain moisture like a sponge, while at the same time allowing any surplus water to drain away. In most beds and borders, soil can be improved by adding fertiliser and humus, but if it’s very poor - such as almost pure sand or very heavy clay - it could be best to dig it out to about a spade’s depth and replace it, either with good imported loam, or your own mixture of one third sand, one third of the clay loam, and a third of well-rotted compost, plus some complete fertiliser applied in accordance with the recommendations on the package.
Any ‘complete’ fertiliser should contain all three, plus very small quantities of such elements as boron and iron - mere traces of which are required for healthy plant growth. If the soil in your garden beds, or to be used in containers, has been physically improved by the addition of humus (compost), little additions of any further plant food should be needed for the rest of the season. Dear Glen, Our two-year-old box hedge has started to take off with the spring rains and we are not too sure about pruning requirements. Hoping for some guidance as to when we should prune it for the first time and how low we should take the growth down. Thanks, Lindsay & Nick Hi Lindsay & Nick, You’ve struck paydirt with your new hedge, partly because it’s so healthy, but mainly because you’ve caught it early enough to avoid the bane of all hedge owners - woody, straggly, skeletal structures. The answer is simple and it starts with you. Trim little, trim often - never let it get away on you or you will need several years of heavy-duty trimming to get it back into shape. So start out right now, take back all of those already bare and woody branches to level them with everything else. I’ve highlighted with the star the most obvious one in your photo, above. Then merely trim the tips of each shoot back to the first branching out on each stem each time and do your best to keep them even. And you’re on your way. Happy hedging, Glen.
Drainage and enriching the soil With the physical character of the soil now improved, it should retain moisture well, yet provide good drainage of any surplus water. Few plants thrive in soggy soil. The roots of all plants require air as well as moisture, for without it they can soon perish, no matter how rich the soil. In addition to good drainage, plants need an adequate food supply, mainly nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash.
Got a gardening question? Email glenzgarden@gmail.com
22 Opinion
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Kyle’s Rant
W
ITH Halloween done and dusted for the year, the wigs, hats, and assortment of “scary” things have been popped into landfill to be marvelled at by the apes that take over the world in 200 years.
And now the supermarkets are turning our attention to Christmas, and the beat goes on. I did have a crack at Halloween when I was a kid in New Zealand, however it sort of disappeared and came back around 10 years ago. I think it had something to do with the show Modern Family who were completely bonkers for the Pagan religious celebration which, BTW, was designed to welcome the harvest at the end of summer. Once again, the folks from the antipodes steel another northern hemisphere celebration, put our own spin on it, take out the boring religious bits and overindulge the kids. I never received any visitors on the scariest of scary nights here at TL HQ, obviously my sparkling personality wasn’t enough to attract the little buggers, cap in hand, hunting for sugar hits. I had the gates firmly locked, and the full set of security cameras on as I waited inside, determined not to be blackmailed into giving out sweets. Besides if they had managed to get through my fortifications the best I could muster was a sneaky little chardonnay, a spot of port or a Schmacko. But back to the task at hand or at least six weeks away, when even the most aloof of us (and I must admit that aloof is certainly the label I fall under if I could be bothered labelling things) eventually bow to the human pressure of the one day of the year that is responsible for the biggest amount of landfill of the year. The majority of adults surround themselves with stuff they need to make them comfortable and the rest is obsolete, so instead of wracking your brain to see what your 100-year-old great Aunt Matilda could do with, if the occasion is that important to you maybe ask the woman living in her car with a couple of kids what she would want? I am sure the answer would be a roof over their heads and some basic food and necessities, maybe that’s what we should be teaching our overindulged youth. I thought that the pandemic would teach us lessons in life, but from my observations by and large we have gone back to doing what we did, without change. Caught up in the consuming treadmill cycle of festivities, lurching from one commercial occasion to the next. Speaking of commercial, I had the opportunity to see a large advert for The Rex in The Age a couple of weekends back. I called with a query but despite being on hold for some time and then being put through to someone, they just took my number and never called back. Perhaps they Googled my name and thought I was just a tyre kicker. From memory I think I was actually calling on behalf of The Local with a couple of media questions. Like the price and the level of interest from buyers so far. The editor mistakes me for a journo and makes me do stuff like that now and again. Anyway, there is a great video about the place if you are keen. Head to the web and realestate.com - just search Fitzroys, commercial and Daylesford. I guess someone will buy it eventually. I mean, we, the ratepayers, did. Urghh rant over...
Local Lines
Grey Cat
Self-anointed King of The Suburban Jungle struts uninvited across my newly mown lawn Expressionless yellow eyes stare purposefully ahead Stunted, scarred ears pricked, ever on the alert Arrogant moggy in your flea-bitten coat How I envy your poise and self-assurance Oblivious to mortality, you spend your mornings in sunny repose beside the garden shed your afternoons in disdainful exploration of the yard The birds try your patience – let’s have some fun Blackbird beware, sparrows flee, house mouse run! Smug, plump moggy so deceptively swift, so often thwarted Despised despot, I don’t envy your itinerant lifestyle Time you were going, drop your foul offerings elsewhere Ha, how swiftly you move to evade a flying boot! - Julie Moran Julie left early childhood education to pursue her passion for writing: she’s kicking herself for not escaping earlier. Life’s intricacies and the ever-changing landscape around her home at Newlyn North provide constant wonder and inspiration.
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
Ed's note: We did get some lollies in one Halloween while living in Frankston, but not a single child turned up. Kyle eventually caved and said: "I'm heading to the local shops to hand them out to the kids." I replied I would see him in gaol. Really?
Catherine
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Pick me, pick me!
It's back!
Hi. I’m Bella and I’m a desexed female tri-colour kelpie-border collie cross.
Just sayin’... By Donna Kelly
S
TART worrying white males, your time is running out.
That means I’m pretty cute with my attractive black, white and tan coat – and I’m also young at three years of age. I just need to find the right caring human or humans to take good care of me and ensure I have a good secure home and get the regular supervised exercise that I need. I have heaps of energy and I am smart as well, so I need plenty of mental stimulation. I already have basic training under my collar and I am very good at walking on lead, but I would really benefit from having more training to keep my mind busy. Microchip number: 956000012247565. Mount Alexander Animal Welfare MAAW Shelter is at 9 Langslow Street, Castlemaine. Phone: 5472 5277.
(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them.)
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Opinion 23
How do I know this? I read a call-out for people to join a local board. Anyone can go for it but they especially encourage, in the same breath, "women, people of all ages, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from LGBTIQ+ people". So, no white males need apply. I thought I might though. After all, I am a woman, of a certain age, got a dodgy knee, speak Japanese and, while I am not LGBTIQ+, I am interested in sex. I can't tick the indigenous box but the family has been here for quite a while - Ned Kelly and all that. I'll let you know how I go. Oh, after a lot of website clicks I found out you only need to be available one day a month for the year and you get over $7000 for your contribution to society. Who needs Powerball when you can become a board member? You do have to be vaccinated under the current legislation but that will probably wane, much like the vaccine currently in me, seven months since my last booster. But, as we all know, Covid is over. Gone baby. Vamoosed. Look at the crowds at the AFL grand final, the Melbourne Cup. Unless you are, of course, one of the 50 people who died last week from the disease, or perhaps their family members. Anyway, back to the call-out for the board members. It is nice they are being so inclusive but what happened to A? As in LGBTIQA+. It seems to fall off every now and again. Maybe it is acronym typing fatigue. And what is the A, I hear you ask. Asexual. So Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Intersex, Queer and Asexual and then + - for anyone feeling a bit left out. I sometimes wonder if all those groups want to be included with all those other groups. I know we have the rainbow flag and all but at this rate it's going to end up alphabet soup. I wish the acronym was one I could remember a little easier. Or type a bit faster - it does take some concentration. But I guess it is all about being inclusive. Like the afore-mentioned rainbow flag. Which is now more inclusive than I ever realised. We may need some new flags for ChillOut. Here's why. I asked Hepburn Shire about the colours of the Big Rainbow coming to Daylesford soon. I wrote: "Just wondering why the rainbow starts with black and then brown at the top. Rainbow flags start with red." Or so I thought. Here goes with their reply, which put me back in my place. "There has been an evolution of Pride flags since 1977 when Gilbert Baker’s design was originally nine colours: lavender, pink, turquoise and indigo stripes along with the red, orange, yellow, green and violet. Over the years, most rainbow flags had six colours, red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. "Black and brown were added to the rainbow to create in 2017 the Philadelphia Pride Flag that is now used widely. "The Big Rainbow’s colours start out with the colours of the Philadelphia Pride Flag, and added the colours of pink, pale blue and white, so that ALL the colours of the various Pride flags are included. The designers of the Philadelphia Pride Flag said that black represented black people and brown represented people of colour (both marginalised groups within the LGBTIQA+ community) but another interpretation is that black band of the rainbow is in memory of those who have died of AIDS." So there you go. I bet even some LGBTIQA+ people didn't know that. Oops. Sorry. Just read the new Covid variant from Singapore is here and the latest wave is just hitting the shores of Victoria. Where's that N95 gone? 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.
24 Crossword
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W RD
CROSS
Here is the solution to crossword for edition 265. Each edition, all the words appear in that edition somewhere. How did you go?
Classified advertising Daylesford Basketball Association AGM Appointments to the Board of Directors Central Highlands Rural Health The Department of Health is pleased to invite applications for part-time board director positions of Central Highlands Rural Health with terms of office commencing from 1 July 2023. These positions provide an exciting opportunity for members of the Victorian public with relevant experience and qualifications to contribute to the strategic leadership of public health care delivery to the community. All applications will be considered; however, the Board would particularly welcome applications from people with capabilities in Asset Management and Corporate Governance. Please refer to the Position Description and Board Director Capability Framework for more details. Safe and high-quality healthcare for all Victorians is a priority of the Department of Health. Applicants for board director positions must be able to demonstrate and provide evidence in support of the capabilities they identify in their application. We encourage applications from women, people of all ages, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) people.
Applications close at midnight on Monday, 21 November 2022 For further information, including position descriptions, capability framework and how to apply, please visit https://www.health.vic.gov.au/applying-for-board-director-positions
Daylesford Spa Country Railway advise that as of Saturday 29 October 2022 regular operations will recommence between Daylesford and Bullarto. Trains may travel at any time or day of the week and motorists should be vigilant approaching any level crossing between Daylesford and Bullarto ensuring they can stop if required. Particular care should be taken at the following level crossings in the Musk/Bullarto area where persons may not have seen rail traffic for some time. Railway reopened signs will also be erected at these locations.
• Dolphins Road • South Bullarto Road
By order of the Board.
26 October 2022.
The Annual General Meeting for Daylesford Basketball Association (Springers) will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at Savoia Hotel, 69 Main Road, Hepburn Springs. Look forward to seeing you there. Any inquiries to Sam Camilleri on 0417 000 736.
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Travels with, and without, our vase
by Jeff Glorfeld
M
OST everyone has antiques of some kind in and around their home, and by antique I don’t mean beat-up old slobs like me.
They might be in a prized collection, or just quirky stuff inherited from a dear old aunt, or treasured family heirlooms. Webster’s dictionary defines an antique as “a work of art, piece of furniture, or decorative object made at an earlier period and according to various customs laws at least 100 years ago”. According to Wikipedia, an antique “is usually an item that is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features”.
Firstly, collector or hoarder? I think of myself as being between a collector and a hoarder. I have a stupid amount of recorded music, stacks of books, and a huge stash of memorabilia. Some of this stuff might be collectable, but is any of it antique? As it turns out, I might actually have at least one genuine antique in among my flotsam and jetsam, and having been made aware of it by my super sleuth wife Carol, it got me to thinking about how a thing might wind up being old enough to be an antique. This antique of ours is a vase, average size, lovely, but not instantly impressive. In my early 20s, in the mid-1970s, I moved into a nice little studio cottage on the west side of Redding, California.
Redding, California One of its best features was a shady little front courtyard. I didn’t know who had lived there before me but everything about the place was clean and tidy. Out in the courtyard, previous residents had left behind a few things, including a lustrous, pretty vase, dusty and neglected but intact. I was living in this cottage when I met Carol, the woman who was to become my wife. We stayed there for several months and then began a nomadic existence that was to last for many years. When we moved out of our cottage, packing up our modest belongings, Carol added the lustrous, pretty vase to our collection. After a few stops around Redding, we moved to San Francisco, where we lived in three different apartments in four years.
Beijing, China In 1983 our hunger for adventure took us to Beijing, China. We travelled light, leaving our growing collection of stuff, including the lustrous, pretty vase, in boxes in the care of my parents. What was supposed to be a year in China became almost three, followed by four months in Australia and the promise of permanent residency in a country we quickly came to love. We returned to the US in December 1985 to formalise our Australian residency and reunite ourselves with our belongings. It turned out that while we were in China my parents had also moved into a new house and had shifted our boxes into a warehouse owned by one of their friends. At some point the warehouse had been flooded and some of our books and furnishings had been ruined. We packed up what we could salvage and sent it to Melbourne. Was this the lustrous, pretty vase’s first sea voyage?
St Kilda, Australia We stopped in St Kilda in 1986 - not exactly settled - we moved a few times, but in 1991 we again packed up our stuff, including the pretty little vase, and returned to California. That turned out to be a bad idea so in 1993 we once again tossed all our accumulated goods into boxes and returned to St Kilda, eventually moving from an apartment into our own place, where we unpacked the lustrous, pretty vase once again.
Wheatsheaf In 2001 everything was again stuffed into boxes to be shipped from St Kilda to Wheatsheaf. Finally, it felt like we were home. The lustrous, pretty vase was unpacked and placed on a shelf, admired and wondered at, one of Carol’s prized possessions.
And back to California In 2018 we once again filled boxes and shipped all our stuff back to California, where we now reside. The lustrous, pretty vase made another ocean crossing - number four, by my reckoning - and took its place on a shelf alongside our other treasures. Recently, however, Carol the high-tech sleuth found that technology had finally caught up with her curiosity. We’d packed and unpacked the vase 20 times at least, its history went from the very beginnings of our relationship right up to the present day, and who even knew what its existence had been before joining up with our wandering caravan. Now, the internet gave her the ability to track down the vase’s origins.
Cincinnati, Ohio Carol had long-ago noticed distinctive markings etched into the bottom of the lustrous, pretty vase. Now, patient web searching led her to the Rookwood Pottery Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, which, according to the company’s website, was founded by Maria Longworth Storer in 1880, and is “the first large manufacturing enterprise founded and owned by a woman in the United States and launching the art pottery movement in America”. Further markings on the bottom of the vase led Carol to discover that it had been made by a potter named Harriet Elizabeth Wilcox, who worked at Rookwood “for many years”. Very little is known about “Hattie”, according to a collector website, except that “she decorated from 1886 until the 1930s”, and that “collector interest in her pieces is considered to be average”.
Priceless When people haul their stuff out to one of those Antiques Roadshow TV shows, what do they think if it turns out their item is worth thousands? I don’t know what our lustrous, pretty vase is worth in dollars, but in terms of my life and history it is priceless.
After many happy years living in Victoria, former Wheatsheaf resident Jeff Glorfeld, and his wife Carol, went back to California, where in the past four years he has survived bushfires, snowstorms and drought. And Trump. And Covid. The cicadas and locusts didn’t arrive. Well, not yet.