The Local October 10, 2022

Lyonville Bake Off

Front cover: It's time to crack out your cake tins and whip out the wooden spoon as Lyonville gets set to host its big bake-off fundraiser on Sunday, October 23. The committee’s Dot Fuller, pictured, says there are six entry categories for budding or well seasoned cooks alike to sink their teeth into. Read all about it on page 15.

Image: Kyle Barnes

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Briefly...

Christ Church Daylesford is holding a Trash & Treasure at Stanbridge Hall as the first initiative for the hall's renovation fund campaign. The hall, built in 1857 and funded by William Stanbridge, started as a girls' school and place of worship. The fund will pay for repainting, upgrading kitchen facilities and exterior works. The stall will be held on Saturday, October 29, 10am-3pm. Trestle tables are $50. Contact Anne on 0408 038 717.

The Daylesford Cinema will hold its annual general meeting at the Paddock Room, Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre and via Zoom on Monday, October 24 at 6.30pm. RSVPs for catering purposes if attending in person. The papers for the meeting can be downloaded from https://digioh.com/ em/17697/188850/wfer2wku5n?demail=glbusinessservices@gmail.com

The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal has funded three local organisations with almost $30,000. Clunes Neighbourhood House has received $8326 to reinvigorate local volunteering through an online volunteer skills bank and community events. Creswick Neighbourhood Centre received $10,000 to enhance volunteer sustainability and skills development for Creswick and Clunes. Talbot Action received $9822 for the renewal of the Talbot Market Square.

Macedon Ranges Shire is inviting community feedback on its draft Public Toilet and Barbecue Strategy to guide future planning and management of public toilets and barbecues shire-wide. The council manages 52 public toilets and 45 public barbecues in locations including parks, open spaces and sports ovals, and its draft Public Toilet and Barbecue Strategy is available for public input until October 31.

Creswick North Primary School has secured $87,800 in state funding to create an all-abilities inclusive playground. The school is sharing in $7.89 million under round eight of the state government’s Inclusive Schools Fund. Dollars provided through the fund go to improvements to outdoor play and learning areas including all-abilities accessible equipment, with indoor spaces also upgraded for more inclusive classroom practices.

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

The next edition is out on Monday, October 24, 2022.

Or online on Sunday, October 23 at www.tlnews.com.au

Space bookings: Wednesday, October 19

Copy deadline: Thursday, October 20

Editorial deadline: Thursday, October 20

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

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

Right now, there are community services jobs available where you can make a difference, helping people who have a disability, families fleeing violence, and children and families who need care and support. Plus, there is a jobs guarantee for new graduates in priority areas.

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Mwerre products on sale at Opera House

ITWAS probably a bit of a “pinch me” moment. Liz Liddle had been running a soap making/bath products business for about five years when she saw a callout for Uncovered at the Sydney Opera House.

In its third year, Uncovered is a platform for Australian artists, makers, creatives and artisans to showcase their artistic excellence at the Opera House’s on-site and online retail shop.

The Creswick businessperson, who runs Mwerre, saw the opportunity, applied and was accepted – as were just two other creatives. Only three businesses are selected each year.

“I saw it on Facebook, as you do, and thought it was a really good opportunity to get into a major cultural institution. Having this accessible program really gives people a bit of a foothold and builds awareness of your brand, it’s a fast track.”

But Liz, who has a small factory at Eganstown, realises that success also comes down to customers – and they are loving what she does.

“It is still pretty early days, we only recently launched, but the feedback I am receiving is that of the giftboxes and the bar soaps I produce, it is the giftboxes which are selling really well and to international tourists.

“I think that is because they are well packaged so people can travel with them where the bar soaps are fairly naked in their packaging. After the pandemic, I really didn’t think international visitors would be the ones that would be buying most of my products.”

Liz is also busy thinking about production, with the lead-up to Christmas for her wholesalers, and increased demand from Sydney. Like all small business owners who start because of a passion, she is now working out how to continue to make her handmade products in a sustainable way.

She is also working on product design. “I am looking at how I can be fairly sustainable but also meet the needs of the product. For example I originally started with a cloth ribbon on my packages but now I have moved to paper because it is recyclable. It is little things like that where you discover new and better ways of doing things.”

Liz said she believes Mwerre was chosen over other businesses for Uncovered because it uses high quality, indigenous ingredients to produce soap and skin products, honouring the traditions of the Arrernte people - a First Nations language group from Central Australia - to protect, adorn and heal skin.

Mwerre is a 100 per cent certified Aboriginal-owned business. There were also no competing products for sale, another factor in Mwerre being chosen, Liz says.

As for how she got started in her business, that is “a long story”.

“About 20 years ago I was working in the spa industry in Daylesford and I had this idea for clay products. But at that time I was much younger, didn’t have any money and just didn’t have the skills or resources to think about how to make my own brand and get into manufacturing. All that stuff.

“So, fast forward 20 years and the landscape has changed quite a bit with social media and support for small business. It is much easier to get into developing a brand and the idea came up again. But, on the other side of things I wanted to be a baker. I love baking. I started thinking about that as well and was making all this stuff and testing potential things I could sell – and we just ended up eating it all. Which wasn’t good for the waistline.

“I then discovered that soap making was the same as baking. The same process, same technical things, mixing ingredients, cooking it and pouring it into a mould. I thought, that is a really good idea, I can fulfill my need for baking and I don’t eat it.”

Until the Sydney opportunity came long, Mwerre was mostly sold in Melbourne with a few outlets in Bendigo and Creswick. It’s also online at www.mwerre.com.au And as Liz says, it’s now “onwards and upwards” along with a trip next year to check out her new “store”.

Sydney Opera House Tours, Retail and Projects general manager Nicky Brandon said those chosen for Uncovered had to have similar values to the Opera House including creativity, excellence, collaboration, accountability and safety.

“Uncovered was basically created as a way for us to showcase up and coming Australian creatives from across the country. We took the opportunity to create a program that could support smaller businesses and artists just starting out or more established, and showcase what they have on offer within our doors.”

Nicky said Liz’s application was inspiring with its links to health using indigenous clay and minerals from the land. “That is something we are passionate about here, how we connect back to country. Her products really engaged with us, they are beautiful and smell absolutely divine and now our entire store smells amazing. We were so excited to connect with Liz.”

Nicky said she came up with the idea of Uncovered in 2017 and it had been fantastic to see the first cohort come through in 2020. “We really want to embed what we do with another round every year and build up an alumni. We choose three artists each year and all nine are still in the store. And it is fantastic to be promoting them not just locally but also internationally, seeing people take Australian products, like Liz’s, home with them.”

VICTORIAN HOMEBUYER FUND

To make owning your own home more affordable, the Victorian Government has introduced the Homebuyer Fund.

If you have a 5% deposit, the Victorian Government will contribute up to 25% of the purchase price, in exchange for an equivalent share in the property. This can help you reduce your mortgage.

Find out if you’re eligible at vic.gov.au/homebuyer

Authorised

It could be the key to owning your own home sooner.

Balancing life and sport in Korweinguboora

KORWEINGUBOORA

local Abigail (Abbey) Wehrung loves where she lives on the fringes of the Wombat Forest. Surrounded by her menagerie of animals including nine horses, dogs, chooks and a goat, she knows there is no place like home.

But her day job as a professional women’s basketball star is constantly demanding her time, energy and commitment. As well as local games she was part of the Australian women's national basketball team (The Opals) in the 2021 Asia Cup in Jordan, taking third place.

Abbey was born in Daylesford in 1995 and began her professional basketball career in 2014 when she joined the Canberra Capitals competing in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) but her interest goes back many years before that. One of three competitive siblings, she began by playing basketball with her dad Duane in the backyard.

Unfortunately he died before seeing Abbey begin playing organised matches at the age of nine. After rising through the junior leagues in Ballarat and making her international debut at the 2011 FIBA U16 Oceania Championship, she won a scholarship to study at the Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, graduating in 2013.

“When I first moved away it was really hard,” recalls Abbey.“It was just Mum and my two brothers at home and I was pretty used to the country lifestyle and a quiet household. It was a bit of a shock to the system initially. It is always hard moving away and leaving. I just love home so much.”

However travel has remained a large part of Abbey’s life and sports career. She did four years with the Canberra Capitals and during the off seasons would come back and play with the Ballarat Rush in what was the South East Australian Basketball League (SEABL) competition now known as NBL1 South.

“After I finished with the Caps (Canberra Capitals) I came home and played for Bendigo Spirit in the Women's National Basketball League before joining Adelaide Lightning. Now I’m back for another season with Bendigo Spirit again. So I’m back home, which is really nice.”

To maintain this form of high level commitment is trying for any talented player no matter what sport they play but Abbey must call on an inner strength beyond that of many of her colleagues. In 2020 Abbey along with her brothers Nathan and Dan also lost their mother Kerryn; a loss that put an incredible strain on Abbey’s sporting commitments, almost prompting her to retire.

“Mum did a tremendous job raising and supporting us when Dad passed. To then lose her was really hard. I had to go to Adelaide pretty soon after and I kinda tossed and turned about whether I went or stayed home. But I knew she would not have wanted me to stop so you just kind of have to keep going. I know she would be looking over us happy that we are still happy and finding joy in, kind of a shit storm, I guess.”

To embody this form of personal loss says so much about Abbey’s personal motivation and personal resilience; qualities she will have to call on again and again with more trips away from her beloved Korweinguboora.

And while she is developing business plans to put in place post-career, at this stage she considers herself blessed to be able to purely focus on basketball as a job with all the future experiences it can offer.

“Female athletes, specifically basketballers don’t really hit their peak until 28-29,” she says, “and I’m just enjoying it while I can. My next goal is to make the Opals squad again and hopefully take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics.”

Words: Tony Sawrey | Main image: Contributed | Inset: Craig Dilks

“I knew Mum would not have wanted me to stop so you just kind of have to keep going. I know she would be looking over us happy that we are still happy and finding joy in, kind of a shit storm, I guess.”

And now, just where does the Big Rainbow go?

HEPBURN

Shire Council has shortlisted four sites for the Big Rainbow. They are Lake Daylesford, Victoria Park, the Community Skate Park and the Lost Children's Reserve.

People can vote for their favourite site at the council's Participate Hepburn website or with hard copy forms from the libraries and customer service centres.

The council says it has considered a number of factors and settled on the shortlisted sites it thinks would be most suitable as the Big Rainbow’s new home.

"We are asking you, the community, for your local knowledge to help us decide which one of the four locations is best for this landmark. The purpose of the engagement is to determine the most appropriate site for the location of this Big Rainbow landmark.

"During this engagement we will: inform key stakeholders and the community about the project and the opportunity to engage; share information about the four shortlisted site options and how they have been chosen; identify any relevant stakeholder and community knowledge relevant to the final sites; and gather local knowledge that will inform council’s decision making."

In preparing the shortlist of the four sites, council considered: access (for installation, maintenance, visitors); compliance (heritage, Djaara, VicRoads, planning, OHS); impact (significance, findability, shareability, conflicting or complementary uses, neighbours); risk (vandalism, reputation, safety); amenity (parking, toilets); and cost (any unique cost to council for a particular site?).

The survey is open until Sunday, October 30.

Mayor Cr Tim Drylie, pictured, said he did not have a personal preference for the final site but many had been considered before it was brought down to the four.

He said the criteria on the website was clear about why the sites had been chosen with several important factors.

“I think there will be many other sites people might consider but when you drill down into the detail there will be a mix of factors of why it is not going to work for whatever reason.”

Cr Drylie said the sites did not have to necessarily be council owned but it “certainly helped” in terms of planning permits not being needed.

“I just think this is a really positive message of inclusion and diversity and a great opportunity for the visitor experience – those are the two major things here and I am hopeful that it is received within that intent and we can cover off any objections that might come along the way. Certainly the council’s intention is a very good and positive one.

“The message now is for people to jump on the website and fill out the form before the end of the month.”

Cr Drylie said if anyone did not want the Big Rainbow in Daylesford they could email through “the normal channels at the shire”.

They swiped right!

DAYLESFORD

has been named the home of the Big Rainbow, Australia’s first “big” landmark dedicated to the celebration of regional LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion.

Daylesford was chosen after 16,000 public votes were cast, ahead of fellow shortlisted towns Broome (WA), Hay (NSW) and Katherine (NT). The Big Rainbow project is an initiative by online dating website Tinder Australia.

Hepburn Shire Council will now work with Tinder, and ratepayers through its Participate Hepburn website, to chose from four potential sites - Lake Daylesford, the Community Skate Park, the Lost Children's Reserve or Victoria Park.

Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said it was brilliant to see the Big Rainbow, which is 12 metres long and 6 metres wide, coming to a town that was considered to be the rainbow capital of regional Australia.

“Daylesford is the home of the ChillOut Festival, the longest running regional LGBTIQA+ festival in Australia, and home to many rainbow families. Council will soon initiate a period of community engagement to tap into the community’s local knowledge and perspectives about the best suited location for the Big Rainbow which will celebrate our vibrant and inclusive community.

“We are so grateful for the support that people across the country have shown us in voting for Daylesford to be the home of the Big Rainbow. We have a long history of supporting our LGBTIQA+ community and visitors to our town, and we hope that The Big Rainbow will be an example of what it means to show love and support to everyone.”

Hepburn Shire CEO Bradley Thomas said that while the rainbow was a symbol of inclusion, he envisaged it also being a tourism drawcard for Daylesford.

“We see people seeking out the Big Pineapple in Queensland and the Big Merino in New South Wales, we believe the Big Rainbow will continue to add to our visitor experience in the beautiful Daylesford and Hepburn Shire.”

Council will now be working with Tinder on the logistics of installing the Big Rainbow, which made from ply marine wood and metal. As part of the Big Rainbow Project, Tinder has also pledged to donate $100,000 to support regional organisations which deliver services to LGBTIQA+ people across Australia.

Bank funds hospital

Events...

Bank Daylesford District has conditionally committed $750,000 over 10 years to the Daylesford Hospital upgrade. The commitment is conditional on the Victorian State Government funding the upgrade (currently estimated at $75 million) contained in the Daylesford Health Precinct Masterplan.

COMMUNITY

The Daylesford Health Precinct Masterplan was released in May by Central Highlands Rural Health's board of directors, following community consultation.

The masterplan was funded by community contributions of $100,000, the cornerstone of which was a $25,000 contribution from Community Bank Daylesford District.

The masterplan includes upgraded and expanded aged care, new wards, increased space for dialysis, shared rooms replaced with single rooms, improved disability access and new community health facilities, all within the existing Daylesford Hospital site.

Bank chair Mark Rak said the local community needed access to better local health services.

"The Daylesford Hospital, which opened 160 years ago, was built with community support, which it continues to enjoy to this day. It’s the right time now to begin the upgrade of the hospital to reflect community needs and expectations into the future, with local facilities better suited to modern health care.

"We are delighted to announce our support for the upgrade of the Daylesford Hospital. Our 10-year commitment of $75,000 to $100,000 per year is consistent with the staged modular upgrades in the masterplan, which are likely to take 6 to 10 years to build."

The Community Bank Daylesford District celebrated its 10th anniversary in April this year. Since it started operating in 2012 the bank has returned more than $1 million to the community through community investment and shareholder dividends.

Mr Rak said its strong balance sheet and positive financial outlook boded well for continuing significant community investments into the future.

Frontier Services’ Lindsay Oates will be guest speaker when Creswick’s St Andrews Uniting Church holds a special 10am worship service on Sunday October 30.

The special gathering is for Frontier Services, an Australian not-for-profit organisation and arm of the Uniting Church which provides chaplains, volunteers and resources to support people in rural and remote Australia.

Two members of the church congregation have spent considerable time working with Frontier Services, inspiring the local congregation to support the cause each year.

At this month’s special service, Victorian representative of Frontier Services, Lindsay Oates, will detail work being done now and future needs.

The service will finish with a barbeque and donations will be welcomed, as will new visitors. Those planning to attend should RSVP to Joan on 0417 976 352 or 5345 2806 by October 23.

Talented musical collaborators, the Saltbush Ensemble, are next up in the Daylesford Christ Church’s popular concert series, with a mid-afternoon performance on Saturday, October 15.

The 2.30pm Italian Affections concert will feature Saltbush’s Ryan Williams (recorders) and Reidun Turner (viola da gamba) together with guest collaborator Joy Lee (harpsichord).

Together they’ll present a “whirlwind of Italian virtuosity” exploring the very beginnings of the sonata to the greats of Corelli and Vivaldi, with bookings online through Trybooking.

The Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend is back for Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13.

This annual community event is on again for the 7th year, following a two year hiatus due to Covid. This year tehre are eight gorgeous private gardens for people to visit, and meet and chat with their creators.

For more information head to www.creswick.net or Facebook and Instagram at Creswick Garden Lovers Weekend.

THE EGANSTOWN CEMETERY TRUST

The Eganstown Cemetery Trust is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified members of the community who would be interested in becoming honorary trust members. Women and those from a diverse background are actively encouraged to seek appointment.

Cemetery trust members are appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of up to five years on the recommendation of the Minister for Health. Cemetery trusts are responsible for the proper and efficient management of the public cemeteries under their control, including planning for future cemeteries services and the preservation of local history.

Being appointed to a cemetery trust provides successful applicants with a unique opportunity to develop their competencies as a board member. The Department of Health provides free governance training to all trust members.

Current trust members whose terms of appointment are due to expire may apply for reappointment as part of a competitive selection process.

More information about the role of cemetery trust members is available at: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/cemeteries-and-crematoria/class-b-cemeterytrust-appointments

To register your interest please contact The Eganstown Cemetery Trust as follows within two weeks of the date of this advertisement:

The Eganstown Cemetery Trust contact details: 0417 103 191

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and from lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender diverse, intersex and queer people. The trust will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

S U E ’ S P L A C E Dr. Susanne M. Heringslake Chiropractor

W hen we deny ourselves these experiences for whatever reasonWe’re too busy, not enough time, or money - our bodies start to lock up, our minds become frozen, our hearts become numb. We age; we grow old.

I s that what we want?

P erhaps it’s time to make a change - NOW!

I want to dance. I want to play. I want to laugh. I want to live!

Moments To Ponder a little gift from me to you

Susanne M Heringslake

Vicki recognised for 42 years in education

CRESWICK

Primary School teacher Vicki Hughes has just clocked up 42 years of service to education - and has the certificate to prove it. Earlier this year the state government awarded Vicki a personalised Certificate of Recognition and commemorative booklet but she's taking the attention all in her stride.

“We were called down to Melbourne and had our presentation at the Grand Hyatt Hotel ballroom,” Vicki said.

“They gave us afternoon tea (and) the (then) Education Minister James Merlino did the presentation and made a big speech. But it doesn’t change anything,” she added. “I normally keep anything like this very low key because I just enjoy what I’m doing. And even coming off Covid and remote learning, I'm just as enthusiastic about coming in every day as I was back in 1980.”

Vicki completed her Diploma of Education at the Ballarat College of Advanced Education (BCAE) graduating in 1979. Her first placement was the following year as the sole teacher at Ross Bridge: a little school between Ararat and Lake Bolac.

“It was quite exciting to think ‘I’m going to be here, first year out with 21 children from prep to grade six’,” she says. “And it was an absolutely brilliant first year. I think it was the best way to learn because everything was on you. As well as teaching, you had to be the cleaner, bookkeeper and liaise with the parents. You were the hub of the community.”

The following year, Vicki went to another single teacher school at Lake Burrumbeet before going on to Linton, Haddon, Smythesdale, Scarsdale, Cape Clear, Linton, Brewster, Ross Creek, Windermere, Trawalla as a shared specialist and finally Creswick Primary school where she has taught for the past 30 years. In that time Vicki has seen the practice of education evolve and change.

For example new programs have often been very cyclic with a lot of fundamental things being reinvented; particularly with literacy and mathematics. But they seem to go back to the same old or similar ways of doing things to get the best practice out of both teachers and students.

“Fundamentals are important and pupils need to continue learning them; reading aloud to someone, talking about what they are doing, learning their mathematics tables. Life’s a lot easier when you go back to those basic skills and learn to do the hard yards.”

She has also seen greater stresses being put onto parents. While many now need to work longer hours they also have greater demands placed on them as far as aligning activities for their children. “It’s almost like every day they are expected to organise something for them,” she says.

The other significant change Vicki has noticed is the emergence of the internet along with social media and gaming as being of stronger interest to children today.

“It has certainly had an impact on the children and what they do in their own time,” says Vicki.

“In my initial schools, kids would be outside the whole time, running, playing football. That's not to say it isn’t happening now but there is a lot of screen time intruding into their time along with the isolation that goes with it.

“Often they are not actually getting out and communicating in a face-to-face situation. They are certainly communicating across their devices but it’s different.”

Reflecting on her long career Vicki has the memory of countless enjoyable moments. She can still name all 21 students from her first teaching position at Ross Bridge, with one of those inspired to become a teacher because of her.

Vicki was also lucky enough to teach tennis player Zoe Hives, race walker Jared Tallent and lawyer Julia McGrath, Liberal Democrats candidate for Ballarat in the 2022 federal election.

“I try to remain in contact with a lot of my ex-students and at Creswick in particular I am now teaching some of the children of children I originally taught when I first arrived here. And it is really lovely to see how their lives have developed. Also you can have a lightbulb moment with any child at any time and that pleases me still.”

Junior School Showcase

Local will always be a free read

Words: Tony Sawrey | Image: Kyle Barnes

Vaccination Update

Getting vaccinated protects you against COVID 19, helps prevent you from getting seriously ill and reduces the spread of COVID 19 to others COVID 19 vaccines

available free for everyone aged 5 and over Contact your local GP or pharmacist for more information

For more information about COVID 19 and getting vaccinated please visit:

Good Hygiene

Good personal hygiene is one of the best ways to protect yourself from gastro or infectious diseases such as COVID 19, colds and flu

Washing your hands

To avoid getting sick, wash your hands properly for at least 20 seconds.

Wet your hands with water. Apply enough soap to cover all surfaces of your hands Rub your palms together. Clean between the fingers and the back of your hands Clean dirty nails with a scrubbing brush, if one is available Rinse both sides of your hands, preferably under clean running water

Dry off your hands with a clean towel Use the towel to turn off the tap

You can also use hand sanitiser Make sure you use enough of the product to cover all surfaces of your hands Make sure you rub the palms, backs of the hands, and between your fingers

When to wash your hands

It is essential to wash your hands after going to the toilet because faeces, which you might come into contact with, contain billions of germs Also, wash your hands:

before and after eating or preparing food after changing babies’ nappies before and after touching a sick person or cleaning up vomit or body fluids after blowing your nose before and after treating cuts or wounds after touching rubbish, dirty surfaces or objects after handling pets or farm animals

Malnutrition Week

Malnutrition (also called undernutrition) occurs when people are not getting the proper nutrition to sustain their health This may happen if a person does not eat enough energy to meet their body’s needs

Some people may have higher energy and nutrition needs, such as people who are acutely unwell due to a recent infection or illness or those who have been diagnosed with cancer, lung conditions or dementia

Malnutrition can affect anyone and leads to poor health outcomes, including increased risk of infections, more prolonged hospital admissions and reduced quality of life

Typically, as people age, appetite and joy in eating declines

This makes it harder to eat enough food to meet nutrition requirements, increasing the risk of malnutrition

The good news is that malnutrition is treatable. With a bit of guidance, you or your loved one can return to the foods and activities that you/they enjoy.

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, our Community Health Dietitians can help (servicing Creswick, Daylesford, Clunes and Trentham) Call Access on 5321 6539

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

In the last couple of weeks, I have been reflecting on our communal identity, and how we can continue to create a sense of place in sustainable, inclusive, and equitable ways that celebrates our natural environment and rural setting and our diverse and dispersed communities. Of course, our sense of identity must include a continued partnership with our First Nations Traditional Owners as we walk together towards reconciliation, treaty, truth telling and healing country. Equally we need to elevate and include our LGBTIQA+ community and I am pleased that Council’s support of the Big Rainbow coming to Daylesford symbolically recognises this important relationship. Likewise, we can’t overestimate how important it is to address the housing crisis in the shire, so our renters and homeowners alike have access to fitfor-purpose, affordable homes that are appropriately located somewhere with services and good amenity. Creswick was host to a Regional Social and Affordable Housing Summit recently where the issue was discussed at length, and I look forward to the implementation of our Affordable Housing Strategy which is currently in development. There is a lot of attention being given to the issue at all levels of government and from passionate local groups within our community that is helping to drive positive change.

On the flip side councillors are aware of the need for appropriate development that considers the need to value things like neighbourhood character, zoning, heritage, environment, local amenity, and serviceability alongside the need for tourism and growth. A considerable amount of work is being done and money spent from our budget on the realignment of our structure plans to make sure they are a better fit with current community expectations and state legislation. I am pleased to see that we now have several very experienced senior managers employed in our planning department who are diligently working to improve performance, streamline our services and help produce better planning outcomes for the community more broadly.

In an environment where all Councils are feeling the pressure of rising construction and service delivery costs, alongside the shocks to our bottom line associated with Covid and the recent storm and flood events, we have again been forced to consider deferment and cancellation of several projects and to rethink and review our priorities. While it is extremely important that Council remains financially sustainable and is compliant and up to date with all relevant legislative requirements, we also need to continue to perform and innovate within our means.

With the release of the new Economic Assessment report showing that the World Heritage Listing for the Central Goldfields Region could be worth $1b to our economy it is important that Council continues to find partnerships and support projects that provide significant community benefits. Similarly, with the announcement that Mountain Biking will be included as a Commonwealth Games sport in 2026, it has been important for us to articulate why we think the competition should be held in Creswick at the Creswick Trails. Together we are stronger and creating a vision that we are all proud to be a part of takes a huge open-minded commitment on many fronts. It will always, to some extent, be a work in progress.

Cr Tim Drylie Mayor

COUNCIL PLAN

AREAS

DAYLESFORD TO BE HOME OF BIG RAINBOW

Daylesford has been named the home of the Big Rainbow, Australia’s first “big” landmark dedicated to the celebration of regional LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion, which was designed with members of the LGBTIQA+ and First Nations communities. Daylesford was chosen after 16,000 public votes were cast ahead of fellow shortlisted towns Broome (WA), Hay (NSW) and Katherine (NT). We’re really excited to have won the Australia-wide vote to have the Big Rainbow, a symbol of Pride in our Shire.

We are tapping into local knowledge to finalise the location for the Big Rainbow. For more information and if you’d like to provide input into the potential site, go to - https://participate.hepburn.vic.gov.au/big-rainbow

To read the full media release visit- https://www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/BigRainbow

VNI WEST PROJECT SESSIONS

The Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) project is a proposed new high capacity 500 kV double-circuit overhead transmission line between Victoria and New South Wales. While Council is highly supportive of renewable energy, it strongly opposes above-ground transmission lines and the Mount Prospect terminal station.

Two one-hour information sessions (4pm and 6pm) have been scheduled for Wednesday 12 October at Yandoit Mechanics Institute & Public Hall, High Street, Yandoit. If needed, additional information sessions will be provided on other suitable future dates.

HONOUR ROLL NOMINATIONS

Do you know any inspiring women from Hepburn Shire? Get nominating! International Women’s Day is celebrated across the world on 8 March each year. The purpose of the day is to recognise women and their achievements.

The Heather Mutimer Honour Roll provides a forum to acknowledge women who have made a difference in our Shire. By acknowledging these women, past and present, they become role models for generations to come.

Nominations close on Thursday 27 October at 2pm. Visit www.hepburn. vic.gov.au/Womens-Honour-Roll.

COMMUNITY GRANTS

Round 2 of Community Grants are open. If you’re a community group or not-for-profit organisation within the Hepburn Shire looking to fund a new project, put this date in your calendar.

Categories include Active and Engaged Communities, Quality Community Infrastructure (including small equipment), Sustainable Environments and Children’s Program (specifically for 8 - 12 years).

Take a look at the guidelines on our website and speak to an Officer today about how to apply for a Community Grant - www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/ Residents/Grants

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.

Horoscopes

Aries: Your interest in things of a taboo or occult nature might be piqued at the end of the month, giving you opportunities to explore deep, dark, and fascinating subject matter. More practically, this can be a good time to reconsider your investments, estate planning and insurance policies.

Taurus: Relationships come into the spotlight at the end of the month. If you’re unattached, this might be a good time to put yourself out there, you have more appeal than usual. If you’ve got a life partner in crime, try to schedule a little romance, and reconnect with your person.

Gemini: Love and romance have been keeping you busy, a person or a new-found activity that you can’t get enough of, now trying to integrate them into your daily grind. Health and wellness will be in the spotlight as well at the end of the month, offering up opportunities to get healthier habits happening.

Cancer: If you’ve found yourself at the negotiating table with family members, things can finally be put to bed. You’ve been busy with plans to your home, with a back and forth to get the project moving, things will be much easier to come to an agreement and get going.

Leo: You might be more inclined to feather the nest and buy something beautiful for your home. It’s also a good time to deepen the bonds with your family members, reconnect if you’ve all been busy doing your separate things, living separately under one roof.

Virgo: If you’ve been working to obtain a deal with financial repercussions, you should be better able to hammer out the details at this time. Short trips might also be on the agenda. If you can plan a little getaway or even a staycation you might really enjoy it.

Libra: Helpful Venus is in your money sector, hopefully bringing some benefits to your bank account. There might be more opportunities to earn more cash or to grow what you already have. Be sure to investigate and collect all the facts first, nobody likes a Trojan horse.

Scorpio: If you suffer from the modern-day condition of a busy monkey mind, the volume might be turned up right now. With all your thoughts in overdrive, it might lead you to consider big picture questions about who you are and how you are perceived by others.

Sagittarius: The astrological weather is asking you to have a little retreat and recharge your batteries. Being hidden away from view is never the advice that a Sag wants to hear, but once a year before the Sun moves into your sign, your solar panels need time to soak up some rays.

Capricorn: Any deals that need to be made at work are more achievable now with a favourable outcome, there might be some back and forth, diplomatic skills are in your arsenal now. Your social life might be taking off at the end of this month, seeing you here, there, and everywhere.

Aquarius: This can be a fabulous time to start planning your holidays, especially if they take you to a foreign land. Your attention to detail in this genre is stronger than ever and you might find that you are better able to procure a good deal for yourself.

Pisces: This is a great time to run a keen eye over any investments or insurance policies that you might have, you’re likely to have the power to negotiate something better. At the least, this is a good time to get your paperwork in order, filed away or a general decluttering.

Until next time, Jennifer Hart

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

Great pub fare at The Guilly - and yabbies!

LIKE

all hospitality businesses, it has been a bit of a rocky road for the crew at the Guildford Family Hotel, aka The Guilly.

But owners Megan and Tom have got all their ducks in a row now with a great team working on the floor and in the kitchen.

We popped in recently for a Saturday lunch with mates John and Jane - and before they arrived Megan gave us a quick tour of the newly renovated dining room. It's stunning. High ceilings with great muted colours on the walls which are decorated with some fabulous pieces of musical art by local artist Nick Carpenter.

There's also a lovely beer garden out the back with plenty of umbrellas for those sunny days - well, those sunny days we are longing for.

But our choice is always the bar and The Guilly has a really good bar. Perfect for whiling away an hour or so with a meal or just a drink. And Megan and Tom are the perfect hosts, chatting in between serving up drinks and welcoming patrons.

Entrees

Once we settled in with wines for Jane and me, and beers for the boys, we started by sharing the yum cha ($16) with a selection of dumplings, spring rolls and gyozas with a dipping sauce. I thought about adding the pea, mint and halloumi fritters ($16) but the mains here are always generous so decided to hold off. Next time.

Kyle and I met Megan way back when, when she was working at another pub in Daylesford. She was always friendly and professional, with a ready smile for everyone. And she has brought all that and more to The Guilly along with her partner Tom, who is looking at getting the live music back up and running, along with a courtesy bus for Daylesford visitors. But back to the food.

Mains

I chose the spinach and ricotta lasagne ($28) with a cheesy bechamel, napoli sauce, chips and salad - I told you they were generous. This is a really nice vegie dish with plenty of flavour and texture. And filling!

Kyle went for the chicken cordon bleu ($30) from the specials' listrecommended by Tom. A ham and cheese stuffed, crumbed chicken breast with scallop potatoes, carrots, beans and broccoli with a creamy dijon sauce.

Another winner with its crunchy, outer coating, perfectly cooked chicken and oozing with ham and cheese goodness. But why are the French all thin?

Jane chose the pub classic of fish and chips ($28) - two pieces of beer battered fish with chips and salad, which you can swap with buttered vegies. It got two thumbs up and a double "yummy".

John opted for the lemon pepper calamari, an entree size serve, but as a "calamari lover" declared it some of the best he has enjoyed. The main ($28) comes with chips and a salad.

Desserts & kids

Now we didn't do dessert, already full, but there is a really tempting chocolate pudding with choc sauce and cream or if you want to go old school, the bread and butter pudding. (Both $14.)

There are also choices for kids ($13 and under) including napoli pasta, fish and chips, nuggets and chips, and chicken parma and chips.

Something else...

Here's one for the diary. The Guilly is hosting the annual Yabby Race Day on Tuesday, November 1. Yes, Melbourne Cup Day.

The tradition has been going for many years and Megan and Tom are happy to keep the fun happening. So look forward to yabby races, fashions on the field, chicken and bubbles, and all the fun of the fair.

Deets

All below. And bookings are always a good idea. A great country pub which is bound to become one of your favourite destinations.

GUILDFORD FAMILY HOTEL

Words: Donna Kelly | Images: Kyle Barnes

Recipes with Jen Clarke

Asian Beef Ribs (Serves 4)

Well, it looks like the weather has taken a turn for the worse. A little glimmer of spring sunshine and then we seem to have done a deep dive back into winter.

Here’s a lighter winter warmer that might help us survive the latest deluge. This dish could also be made with lamb.

The number of ribs you buy will depend on their size. Some are huge. This sauce should make enough for about 1.5kg ribs.

About 1.5kg ribs

1 tblsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 tblsp grated fresh ginger

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 red chilli, chopped (remove the seeds if you don’t like it too hot)

1 tblsp tomato paste

400ml coconut cream

1 cup beef or chicken stock

6 dates, chopped (stay with me)

1–2 tblsp soy sauce (or to taste)

1–2 tblsp fish sauce (same as above)

Squeeze of lime juice

Chopped coriander or parsley to serve

Preheat the oven to 150c.

Make sure the ribs are separated into individual bones. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan with a lid. Add the ribs and brown on both sides. You might have to do this in two batches. Set aside.

Add another slosh of olive oil to the pan, reduce the heat and add the onions. Cook gently for 5–7 minutes until soft and golden. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli, cook for a further 3–4 minutes.

Add the tomato paste, stir for a minute, then add the coconut cream and the stock. Stir until the coconut cream has dissolved, then add the dates, the soy sauce and fish sauce (make sure you taste the sauce before adding all the soy and fish sauce).

Add back the ribs and bring to a simmer. You can cook on the stove for 2–2.5 hours or in the oven for 2–3 hours. Check that the meat is tender, if not, give it another half an hour.

Serve on some rice with a squeeze of lime juice and some chopped coriander on top.

Lots of support for Daylesford Art Show

EACHyear literally hundreds of community events take place across our regions. From small community events to large-scale productions (think Kyneton Daffodil and Arts Festival and our own ChillOut).

While they are all unique and take up an enormous amount of community volunteer effort, they are also all dependent on one big factor – the support of local businesses.

The annual Daylesford Art Show is no exception. Local business and individual sponsorships are what allows the Rotary Club of Daylesford to host the event annually.

This year the support of Community Bank Daylesford District will not only see a dynamic and entertaining opening night (more info down the track but let’s just say a certain realtor with a gift of the gab will join forces with an inspiring local artist) but the banks’ support and financial contributions will allow the local artists to once again highlight their incredible talents.

The opening night also doubles as the Community Bank Daylesford District Awards Night where winners are announced and our artists get to shine. Live music, entertainment and an auction featuring original paintings by Brian Nash and David Bromley will feature at the opening, where everyone is welcome, but get in early to secure tickets.

Blooms The Chemist continues to showcase last year’s artwork in the pharmacy thanks to a supportive team led by pharmacist Andrew Wryley, who is a generous supporter of local art. Blooms is sponsoring Best in Show with a generous $2000 first prize.

The Biggin & Scott Daylesford crew is sponsoring the youth prize of $750 and Matt Layfield and his crew at Daylesford Meat Company are sponsoring the third prize worth $1000. The committee would love to hear from anyone keen to sponsor the second prize, valued at $1500.

The Daylesford Art Show, being held from October 27 to November 1 at the Daylesford Town Hall, is thanks to the support of a small but committed local Rotary Club and made possible due to continued support from an engaged and supportive business community.

Youth Category update: we hear our budding youth artists needed a little more time so the closing date has been extended to Wednesday, October 12. Pictured, Community Bank Daylesford District Relationship consultant James Watson and customer service officer Rachel Emslie

Bakers at the ready: Lyonville's bake off is back

IT'S

time to crack out your cake tins and whip out the wooden spoon as Lyonville gets set to host its big bake off fundraiser on Sunday, October 23.

After a pandemic-induced break, the Lyonville Hall Community Asset Committee is hungry to again hold the Lyonville Bake Off, raising funds for the historic hall’s upkeep.

The committee’s Dot Fuller says there are six entry categories for budding or wellseasoned cooks alike to sink their teeth into.

“We’ve got categories for kids under 12, decorated cakes, general cakes, cupcakes and slices, tarts and pies, and a special dietary category which is a new category,” Dot says.

“So there’s lots of opportunity for enthusiasts to enter their baking creations and be in the running to win a rosette and a prize voucher. We’d also encourage anyone who has a speciality to enter on the day. We’ve already had one man enquire about entering croissants.”

Dot says that the first bake off was held back in 2015 and since then the Lyonville event has proven its popularity with those who like to bake - and those who like to eat.

“There definitely are some talented cooks out there and we often have a bit of friendly competition between past winners. I’d encourage anyone to enter. Your entry doesn’t need to be professional or polished. It’s an opportunity for the community to come together. This is a community event run solely by volunteers with all proceeds going to the upkeep and improvement of the Lyonville Hall.”

Once the panel of judges have made their decisions on the day and the winners are announced, the winning entries are then auctioned off to the highest bidders.

Hungry attendees also have the chance to buy slices of any of the other baked entries at the bake off cake stall.

“Our cake stall on the day is an opportunity to sit down and have a tea or a coffee from our baristas as well,” Dot says.

Those keen to enter can email Dot at dottifuller@gmail.com

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Kyle Barnes

Italian music concert

Lauded as “one of Australia’s most angelic-voiced sopranos” Sara Macliver is headed to Daylesford this month to dispense a feast of Italian music together with the Genesis Baroque ensemble.

Featuring works by Vivaldi, Scarlatti and Monteverdi, The Italian Tour performance will take place at Daylesford’s Christchurch Anglican Church on Saturday, October 22 at 5pm.

It will mark a regional debut for the Melbourne-based Genesis Baroque ensemble which comprises some of Australia’s finest historically-informed musicians.

The ensemble was founded by baroque violinist, Jennifer Kirsner, and is led by renowned baroque violinist and concertmaster, Lucinda Moon who is former concertmaster of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra.

The ensemble released its critically-acclaimed first studio album of Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerti Grossi Opus 6 via ABC Classic in August 2020, debuting as the highest selling Australian album on the ARIA classical album charts.

Regarded as one of the leading exponents of Baroque repertoire, Sara Macliver records for ABC Classic and has more than 35 CDs and many awards to her credit.

She is a regular performer with all the Australian symphony orchestras as well as the Perth, Melbourne and Sydney Festivals, Pinchgut Opera, the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Australian Brandenburg Orchestra, Musica Viva, and a number of international companies.

More info and bookings for this month’s upcoming Daylesford performance are available via Genesis Baroque’s website.

Words: Eve Lamb | Image: Rhydian Lewis

Musk gardens open

Two of Musk’s most beautiful gardens will open to visitors as part of Daylesford Spa Country Railway’s special fundraising run day next month.

On Saturday, November 12 the Daylesford Spa Country Railway will run trains from Daylesford to Musk, departing every half hour from 9.30am to 3.30pm with the $30 per person ticket including visits to both Musk Farm and Musk Manor gardens.

The event will also feature music, plant sales, refreshments and ticket prizes with all proceeds supporting the railway, and accompanying children under 18 years free of charge.

Musk is known for its gardens with the soil ideal for planting and the surrounding forest and hills provide the perfect landscape.

Musk Farm is an iconic garden that was developed by the late Stuart Rattle and has been loved by succeeding gardeners. Its many garden rooms are a delight for visitors as each offers another style and perspective on gardening from the picking areas surrounding the lovely renovated schoolhouse to the forest garden at the eastern end of the property.

Musk Manor is a young garden set in 2½ acres amid older trees. The garden has recently been developed to be a haven for birds, bees and butterflies. There are many flowering shrubs in the large garden areas, each of which have their own predominant palette. Attention has been paid to colour and scent. Many bird species can be seen in the garden over the spring and summer.

NB: There is no parking on site at Musk. Entry to the gardens can only be obtained via park and ride from Daylesford station.

WE OUR LOCALS

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

THIS WEEKS SPECIALS

SAUSAGE SAMPLER

$29.95

Ultimate Barbie Tray with 22 of our finest bangers. Great tasting. Great value.

BURGER VALUE PACK

$29.95

Our fantastic Burger Value Pack contains 4 beef burgers, 4 lamb burgers and 4 chicken burgers. Guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of every family member!

Our burgers and sausages are made with our own premium beef, lamb and free-range pork and chicken with seasoning. No fillers, no preservatives, no nasties. And gluten-free!

Raising money for palliative care at home

DUO,

Hayden Walsh and Karen O’Sullivan, who recently launched their book If I can, you can, are teaming up once again for a special project and asking the community to participate in the Mount Macedon Realty: Wooling Hill Run 2022 this month to raise funds for Kyneton Health’s Palliative Care in the Home program.

Hayden and Karen, who are both much-loved members of the Kyneton community, are putting the call out to their family, friends and neighbours to get behind this cause by participating or donating to help their local health service provide end-of-life care in people’s home.

They’ve signed up and have committed to walk the beautiful 1.2km, all-abilities course that can be walked, run or wheeled as many times as participants chose until October 30.

Hayden said he wanted to inspire people of all abilities to sign up for the Mount Macedon Realty: Wooling Hill Run 2022. "Karen and I would like you to join us on Sunday 30 October to walk a lap of the course on the final day. Let’s get together and raise some money."

Karen said Hayden continued to inspire her and many others with his passion for life and the wellbeing of others. "As a member of the Central Highlands Rural Health board of directors, I know first-hand how important it is for the community to support their local health care service."

Event hosts Troy and Liddy Upfield from Wooling Hill Memorial Estate, and major sponsor Lisa Fowler from Mount Macedon Realty, are aiming to raise $60,000 to purchase a new van to transport essential equipment, including electrical hospital beds and air mattresses, wheelchairs, and other mobility aids to and from clients’ homes to enable specialist community nursing staff to provide the best end-of-life care and support in the home for clients and their carers.

The Mount Macedon Realty: Wooling Hill Run 2022 is open for participants to sign up any time until October 30 at the Wooling Hill Memorial Estate, New Gisborne. Individual and team entries are welcome.

To take part or sponsor head to www.woolinghillestate.com.au/charity-run/ Link: www.GiveNow.com.au/cr/HaydenandKaren

Battery power to the rescue: Daylesford CFA

THEvalue of forking out a cool $100,000 or so to upgrade the Daylesford CFA rescue truck was well demonstrated in recent days.

When the truck was called in to help free a man trapped in a crushed utility following a head-on collision near Glenlyon, the new addition of battery power to run its critical lifesaving equipment proved a massive help, members of the volunteer brigade say.

“Our rescue truck has had a complete workover and the ‘jaws of life’ have all been changed from hydraulic powered to battery power, which helps tremendously at a rescue, not having trailing hoses,” brigade secretary and treasurer Paul Anderson says.

“We do still have hydraulics on board but it’s been significantly boosted by also having battery power for our spreaders, cutters, rams and lights, which are now all battery powered,” adds the brigade’s Glenn Webster.

“It makes it a lot easier at a rescue scene so it’s a big step forward,” says Glenn, training coordinator for both the Daylesford Brigade and Glenlyon Group of brigades of which it’s a part.

“A few weeks ago we had a very serious crash just out of Glenlyon, truck versus ute, and we were able to use both the battery operated tools and the hydraulics.

“It was a technically involved rescue, and it was very comforting to have both.”

Glenn says the Daylesford CFA rescue truck is called on to cover a large area, and now 19 of the brigade’s 50 volunteer members are trained up as qualified rescue members.

“Glenn has been instrumental in the training of the crew, who now would be one of the best equipped and most professional in Victoria,” Paul says.

While the battery power enhancement of the rescue truck was funded via the state’s fire services levy scheme, Paul says the eight CFA brigades of the Glenlyon Group are also very grateful for the fundraising support of Daylesford cafe, Cliffy’s.

“Cliffy’s year ran their 2021 Christmas coffee morning again which raised over $17,000 which was split this year among the eight local brigades, who were then able to purchase essential equipment,” he says.

The money, which Glenn notes has been spent on vital items like UHF radio, is a great help ahead of the new fire season.

“We’re expecting at this stage that the declaration of the fire danger period may be a little later than most years,” he says.

The wet La Niña conditions are more conducive to creating grassfires as distinct from forest fires and they’re also hoped to make for a potentially “quieter” fire season overall.

Scan the QR code, right, to see the crew at work

Words: Eve Lamb | Images: Kyle Barnes

Above, Lieutenant Rikki Yanner, left, and firefighter Andrew Sheerin, make their way into a car at the Daylesford CFA

Lucky strike!

One of the most exciting successes in gardening is creating a new plant from a small growth taken from a favourite tree or shrub.

In most cases, successful propagation from cuttings is relatively simple and straight forward, all you really need is a sharp knife, a good sharp sand mix and a well-lit, warm spot in which to place the cuttings.

There are two basic cutting types to consider; soft or semi-ripe wood (usually evergreen plants) and hardwood (mostly deciduous).

Although there are no hard and fast rules, particularly if you have a heated propagating unit or glasshouse, softwood cuttings are usually taken in spring, summer and early autumn, while hardwood ones do best in late autumn and winter.

One of your first considerations for propagating plants from cuttings is to ensure you start them in the best possible growing medium. There are several brands of prebagged propagating mixes readily available at almost all gardening outlets.

But if you would rather prepare your own, one of the better cutting mixes can be made from equal parts of coarse sand and finely crumbled peat moss.

The next, and probably, most important consideration is the environment. Warm, slightly moist, but not damp atmosphere with adequate air movement and permanently moist, but not wet, growing medium. Somewhat similar to that of a heated glass house.

The next option is one of those little plastic covered greenhouses. In a warm, sheltered and well-lit spot, they really do the trick in raising seedlings, restoring tired indoor plants, but best of all, propagating new ones.

A 2m x 1.5m walk-in with shelves can be had from most hardware shops for around $100.

For best results, if you intend to produce a quantity of most shrub cuttings, you really need a propagating unit. But this needn’t mean a commercially produced one. A large foam box covered with a sheet of opaque glass placed in a well-lit, warm spot or a greenhouse will usually do the trick.

If you really only want to grow one or two plants from the cuttings from a friend or neighbours’ garden you can even have success with a potful of cuttings on a well-lit kitchen window ledge.

Even more so if you cover it with a ‘bell jar’ cut from the bottom of a 2-litre plastic drink bottle.

With softwood cuttings, take healthy young side shoots approximately 10-15cm long and check for progress. If there are no roots but the bottom of the stem has callused (grown a scab), you’ll know it won’t be long before there are roots. Replace the cutting and check again in about 8-10 days. Once they have roots 2-3 cm long they can be potted out.

Do

keep

Kyle’s Rant

ISPENT

a couple of years in the Hepburn Shire Council, starting as a volunteer at the Visitor Information Centre, and with that my stellar career in the Tourism Department had begun.

It was just one of those times in life that you find everything simply works out. Within a few weeks I had completed my training as a not-so fresh-faced 40-year-old novice to an expert in all things about the shire of potholes (Thanks, Denise).

Next, I was picked from the bunch for a paid position as an administration assistant to the tourism officer. I am not sure how I got the gig. I had come from a corporate life in the CBD complete with support staff, where the only thing I knew about a fax machine was that you put the documents into the secretary’s in-tray and it would end up back on your in-tray stamped 'faxed'.

I was taken under the wing of the Tourism, Recreation and Economic Development manager at the time (yes, a mouthful of a title) and rose through the ranks to Visitor Services coordinator which meant running the four visitor centres throughout the shire. Unfortunately for me I am not a bureaucrat, which is a skill that requires patience and lacks the energy that an independent entrepreneurial brain brings with it. Suffice to say, it wasn’t a long career.

However during this time I was taught the skill of the community consult, meeting a few nay-sayers down in Hepburn over a signage debacle. The boss and I turned up, listened to their concerns and drove away. I asked him how we were going to resolve the issue and he said: “Through community consultation and they have now been consulted.” Situation closed, I suppose.

Then another important lesson was bestowed upon me from a certain ex-mayor, let’s call him Warren, because that is actually his name. I was trying to get a grant to improve the entry to Daylesford, coming from the Ballan direction.

Over one lunch and a bottle or two of red wine Warren and I had developed the six steps of tourism, an in-depth look on improvements into Daylesford tourism infrastructure. This was to form the basis of the grant proposal, which never got up and was shelved.

Until one day I was called into a former CEO’s office and was questioned about the six steps of tourism project, which had impressed they/them. They wanted to know the board of players, who had developed it and how long it took to author. I obviously had to embellish the process, after all I couldn’t say it was developed during a long lunch at a café over the road by two booze-fuelled mates.

This brings me to this big rainbow structure that is going to be placed in one of four spots in Daylesford. How is it possible that this gets the green light so quickly?

Don’t get me wrong, on one hand I think it’s a great thing. However should we pause for a conversation, as on the other hand does it truly represent our collective community? Can we the residents decide what should represent us?

Are we a health and wellness town, or better represented by old, gold and bold and is the Tinder trophy being shoved down our throats? Does Tinder snap its fingers and our council assumes the position? Or does Tinder have to grind its way through the normal planning processes like the rest of us, swiping left and right until due process is meet?

Puns intended,

Local Lines

The past

Past memories are dozy beasts. They awaken groggily, rub the grit from their housing, throw up unframed, grainy images.

How much, if at all, can they be trusted?

When you ride them sometimes they’ll take you right back then. Other times they get waylaid or diverted.

Who can say for sure if anything ever happened that way?

Yet we mount and remount time and again.

The past moves at a different pace. By definition you were younger, even yesterday.

We are said to carry the past with us but often we leave it to languish, only whistling it back into service when we care to, unless of course it takes it into its head to run roughshod all over us.

- Bill Wootton

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

Bill has lived in the past in Ivanhoe, East Ivanhoe, North Fitzroy, Fitzroy, Montmorency, North Ivanhoe, Cottles Bridge and for the past seven years, Hepburn Springs. Intermittently he has travelled, also living, perhaps the best living.

Mary-Anne Thomas MP LABOR MEMBER FOR MACEDON

DELIVERING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Advertising in The Local

Casual prices

Just sayin’...

By Donna Kelly

SO,

the Big Rainbow is coming to Daylesford.

I kinda thought we would win. I mean the other towns were a little bit, well, not really on my gaydar. But then, maybe they are LGBTIQA+.

I have been to Katherine in the Northern Territory and I can't say it glittered. Not at the time anyway. Broome in Western Australia has an awesome outdoor cinema and amazing sunsets, but not really any rainbows as such. Hay in New South Wales? Never been there, so not sure.

Anyway, we have won, although if you check out the Big Rainbow Project at www.bigrainbowproject.com.au, there's nothing about Daylesford winning. Still just lists the four finalists and tells people to stay tuned. Strange.

The Big Rainbow is a Tinder initiative, that's a dating website. It was launched at a hackathon in Hatch Labs in 2012 and is the world’s most popular app for meeting new people. It's also pretty widely thought of as a website where you can hook up for casual sex. I don't know, I have been married a very long time and don't know about sex any more.

Anyway, I never thought I would be writing about Hepburn Shire Council and Tinder in the same sentence. But there you go. (I do know some people have talked about the council and another word for sex in relation to The Rex. Bit rude.)

Anyway, about 16,000 people around Australia voted, with most for the Big Rainbow to be placed in Daylesford. The council are saying that was akin to public consultation. Oddly, there was no way to say you didn't want the Big Rainbow. In reply to a query from myself, a council spokesperson said if someone didn't want the Big Rainbow in Daylesford, they just had to vote for another town. I asked what if they didn't want to foist it onto any town. No answer. Hmmm.

So, now that we have all decided we want the Big Rainbow here, we have to decide where it goes. There are lots of ideas on Facebook. Someone said on top of The Rex because it needs all the good luck possible. Someone said to link the BP servo with the units opposite. They need luck too. Someone else said upside down at the Skate Park. That's quite smart. Someone else said Creswick. That's just dumb.

Despite it just being announced on Wednesday, the council has already chosen four possible spots. (I must have missed that bit of public consultation.) So we can now choose, through the council's Participate Hepburn website, to have it at Lake Daylesford, the Skate Park, Victoria Park or the Lost Children's Reserve. Not the one at Musk, the one on the road to Ballarat opposite the Mill Markets.

They are apparently the best spots because, being council-owned, they don't need planning permits. And those permits can be pesky things sometimes. Damn you, The Rex, costing more than $1 million to renovate.

But I am not sure. Lake Daylesford is a pristine, natural area and if you got rid of the geese because they are not indigenous to the region, surely a big rainbow sculpture is not quite right. The Skate Park doesn't have a lot of parking and is pretty regularly vandalised from what I hear. Victoria Park? Perfect for ChillOut but a little isolated the rest of the year. Lost Children's Reserve? Surely that is a monument for the three young children who died who we apparently can never forget. (No hate mail please.)

But never fear. Mayor Drylie said the council would never choose not to listen to its ratepayers and those four sites are not the only ones on the table, although they are the only ones listed at Participate Hepburn. So keep those ideas coming. Maybe it needs to be on wheels and move around the region? Who says big things have to be stationary? It could be Australia's first mobile big thing. Just sayin'...

Here is the solution to crossword for edition 263.

Each edition, all the words appear in that edition somewhere. How did you go?

RD CROSS

Daylesford Lawn Tennis serving up free fun

Bruno Castelli, left, and Jack Elliot, right get some tips from Tennis Victoria’s Kate-Lyn Perkins; inset, Jack serves up while Kate-Lyn watches on Words: Eve Lamb | Images: Kyle Barnes

HAVING

a ball while netting plenty of essential tennis skills is high on the agenda for Daylesford Lawn Tennis Club’s newly appointed Hot Shots coordinator Jack Elliot.

“The main thing is just to have fun and socialise,” says Jack, ahead of the new tennis season which starts Thursday, November 3 with a special program of free Welcome Week activities.

As Hot Shots coordinator, Jack is looking forward to sharing his love of tennis while providing beginner and pre-match juniors with plenty of valuable tennis skills over the season.

Away from the courts, Jack is currently completing VCE at Daylesford College and says getting a regular hit of tennis provides life-balancing relief from the pressures of study and preparing for final exams that begin this month.

Hot Shots is aimed at youngsters aged from about four to 12 years of age, imparting invaluable formative skills that can set juniors up for a lifetime ahead of healthy tennis enjoyment.

“And it’s just a great way to make new friends,” says Jack, who also happens to be current men’s club champion and a great role model for young players.

Jack says he did the Hot Shots program himself, at Creswick, after being introduced to tennis by his elder brother at about age five.

“It’s just a great development tool and equips you with skills that are transportable to other sports as well.”

As the new season starts, there’s also plenty on the club’s agenda for adult members and new players as well, including adult beginners.

“Our Welcome Week begins on Thursday November 3 with our Twilight Competition,” the club’s Dianne van Baalen says. “We are planning a week of free tennis to encourage community members out onto our beautiful grass courts.”

Over November 3-November 9 the club’s ‘Week of Free Smashing Fun for Everyone’ offers some great no-cost activities including:

• Twilight Thursday Tennis for people wanting to enter competition tennis;

• Saturday Hot Shots and Junior tennis; Social Carousel Tennis for anyone wanting to have a social hit;

• Open Court Tennis for beginner and ‘out of practise’ adults keen to give tennis a bash;

• Free coaching session with Daylesford’s tennis pro Brain Carr; and

• Wear Your Whites old time tennis hit up - and more.

For more information head to the club’s website and Facebook pages.