close & personal The Local - The Heart of the Highlands
Front page: The Local journalist Tony Sawrey is one of the artists taking part in the SWELL Sculpture Festival being held at Currumbin Beach, Queensland, until September 15. Tony's piece is titled Personal Space Elevator. Read all about it on page 4.
Image: Contributed
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The Local is a fortnightly community publication covering the Central Highlands of Victoria.
The next edition is out on Monday, September 23, 2024. or online on Sunday, September 22 at www.tlnews.com.au
Space bookings: Wednesday, September 18
Copy deadline: Thursday, September 19
Editorial deadline: Thursday, September 19
General manager: Kyle Barnes on 0416 104 283 or kyle@tlnews.com.au
Editor: Donna Kelly on 0418 576 513 or news@tlnews.com.au
Editorial: Eve Lamb on 0493 632 843 or editorial@tlnews.com.au
Sub-editors: Nick Bunning, Lindsay Smith & Chester the Cat
Writers: Eve Lamb, Kevin Childs, Tony Sawrey, Kyle Barnes & Donna Kelly
Photographers: Kyle Barnes & Eve Lamb
Graphic designer: Dianne Caithness
Contributors: Glen Heyne (gardening), Darren Lowe (music), Sarah Lang (recipes), Clive Hartley (wine) & Bill Wootton (poetry)
Accounts | Julie Hanson Delivery | Tony Sawrey
Nothing to see here, no report from LGI
The Local Government Inspectorate will not take any further action into the investigation of Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex Theatre developmentand its report will never be released.
The Inspectorate issued a media release last week which said it found there was insufficient evidence to prove to the requisite standard of proof of the commission of any disciplinary breaches or criminal offences contrary to the 1989 Act.
"Further, the Chief Municipal Officer is satisfied that the council has taken remedial action to put in place measures to avoid future complaints of a similar nature, including the creation of a new governance and policy framework."
The release said in 2019, the LGI received a complaint that made allegations relating to the council's involvement with The Rex Theatre redevelopment.
"Since receipt of the complaint, the LGI has undertaken a rigorous investigation of the allegations. Throughout, Hepburn Shire Council and its councillors have cooperated. The LGI's investigation has now been finalised."
The release says the Local Government Inspectorate is the dedicated integrity agency for local government in Victoria.
"The Chief Municipal Inspector leads the LGI and has functions and powers, including those set out in the Local Government Act 2020, to enable the LGI to examine, investigate and prosecute any matter relating to a council's operations and any potential breaches of the 2020 Act and its predecessor the Local Government Act 1989 (1989 Act)."
Hepburn Shire Council response
Mayor Cr Brian Hood said that it was extremely disappointing that it had taken so long for the Inspectorate to arrive at its conclusion and no report would be issued.
“We are frustrated and very disappointed that a comprehensive, detailed report won’t be released. The failure to issue a report into The Rex project denies transparency and accountability and lets down the community, councillors and council officers,” he said.
Cr Hood said ensuring the appropriate checks and balances were in place meant failures of the past would not be repeated and emphasised the importance of "having a culture where officers of all levels feel able to raise concerns about governance".
"The same applies to councillors. The LGI media release acknowledges the current officer and councillor group had improved governance oversight."
Cr Hood said he had other concerns including that the LGI undertook a "rigorous investigation" yet has provided no reason why it will not issue any report.
"The failure to report denies an explanation the community is owed. It prevents accountability and transparency."
He added that the LGI concluded there was "insufficient evidence" to warrant any disciplinary or legal action.
"For any organisation to self-report to a regulatory authority is a significant step. Council management of the day were obviously of the view that some matters warranted investigation by an independent regulator.
"It would seem there is a significant disparity between the council management who self-reported to IBAC and the Inspectorate’s unexplained conclusion."
Cr Hood said The Rex saga highlighted what can go badly wrong in any organisation if the culture isn’t right or if there is a light-handed approach to governance.
"The purchase of The Rex, contrary to community consultation, led to a substantial financial loss – a waste of ratepayers’ money – and tarnished the council’s reputation.
"And let’s not forget while all the attention was on The Rex, the Daylesford Town Hall was shamefully neglected and is only now getting its much-need new roof and replacement electrical systems."
History
Hepburn Shire Council bought the Vincent Street, Daylesford former theatre in 2016 for $6 million - a move prompted after its toilets were closed to the public.
The council then spent $3 million on the building which was to house a cinema, staff offices, a library and public toilets, with another $6 million needed to complete the project.
Interim CEO Bruce Lucas paused the Hepburn Hub at The Rex project in June 2018, becoming concerned about governance failures, also reporting the issue to the Audit and Risk Committee. Incoming CEO Evan King reported concerns to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), and ultimately the Inspectorate commenced an investigation.
In December 2021, council officers recommended that the council continue with the project. However, four councillors voted against the project - Cr Lesley Hewitt, Cr Don Henderson, Cr Juliet Simpson and Cr Brian Hood. In favour of continuing with the hub were Cr Jen Bray, Cr Tessa Halliday and Mayor Cr Tim Drylie.
Present day
The Rex was bought from the council in December 2022 by entrepreneurs and businesspeople Eddy and Malinka Comelli, and David and Yuge Bromley, for $3.75 million.
Words & image: Donna Kelly
Up, close & personal
The Local journalist Tony Sawrey is one of the artists taking part in the SWELL Sculpture Festival being held at Currumbin Beach, Queensland, until September 15.
Tony's piece is titled Personal Space Elevator with its description: "10 tonnes of atmosphere press on you. Enter your personal space elevator. Tsiolkovsky's star ladder made manifest. Forget Newtonian physics; this column gives you flight via pure thought, pure imagination. Face into the sky, find the rips in the fabric, launch, accelerate, dodge the veil of space junk around this world, and cast your imagination into the cosmos. The earth evaporates beneath your feet. All that is solid melts into air. Faster than the speed of light, faster than time, faster than reality. What awaits you in the infinite beyond?"
Tony, who lives in Musk, completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Sydney College of the Arts and a Masters of Fine Art at Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne.
His major studies were in studio painting but in time he began to create large scale environment art utilising marking fluids and a motorised spray pump. He has produced commissions for numerous exhibitions and clients including Sculpture by the Sea Bondi and Cottesloe, Lorne Sculpture Bienniale and Sculpture in the Vineyards Wollombi.
Bob Conroy inducted into Hall of Fame
The late Bob Conroy has been inducted into the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
The honour celebrated not only Bob's on-track deeds but also his much-admired “gentleman” status off the track.
A video presentation on the awards night said: "A 16-year-old boy from Korweinguboora named Robert Conroy won all three horse events at the 1947 Daylesford Gymkhana, however the trotting bug didn’t hit him until 1962 when Bob won a three-year-old race with Butch at Ballarat.
"Later, he resurrected Mary Beverley from the breeding paddock and won his first metro race with her as a pacer on Anzac Day, 1972. Then eight months later remarkably he transformed her into a trotter that won the Group One V.L. Dullard Cup.
"His training methods utilising Hepburn Regional Park were responsible not only for Bendigo Cup winner Lincoln Star, but more so for the transformation for the unraced pacing breed, Amazon. He became the fastest trotter ever in Australia.
"Bob’s name became synonymous with trotters, winning no less than 15 Victorian trotter training titles.
"His marriage to Pat and his family of five children was always paramount and there were no prouder moments than when Bob, and sons Peter and Glenn, trifected a race at Moonee Valley and daughter AnneMaree represented Australia overseas.
"There was no was more determined man on earth when it came to winning the last ever TAB race at the Showgrounds with Lucy Lastic.
"Bob was renowned as Mr Integrity."
Image: File
Magic performance
Prepare to be swept away by the magic of the viola da gamba at Christ Church, Daylesford, on Saturday, September 21 from 2.30pm.
Consortium - Laura Vaughan, Laura Moore, Reidun Turner, Ruth Wilkinson and Victoria Watts - is a band of Australia’s finest viola da gamba players to explore the rich repertoire for viol consort.
The viola da gamba is often just called the ‘viol’. When different sizes of viols are grouped together it’s called a consort, and this is where the name Consortium comes from.
Having all met at different times through the Early Music Studio at the University of Melbourne, the musicians share a love of the viol and the beauty and crystalline purity of the traditional repertoire for viol consort.
The 2024 program Highs and Lows will highlight the rarely heard voice of the double bass viol, the violone. The extensive spectrum of the viola da gamba consort - from the ethereal whispers of the treble to the rich, resonant hum of the bass, and the profound depths of the violone - are enticing.
Ensembles of a family of instruments, such as the viola da gamba, playing contrapuntal lines of polyphonic music with no real hierarchy, extended from shortly before the middle of the 16th century until nearly the end of the 17th century. This would become known by the name still used today - consort music.
The performance will present Renaissance gems by William Byrd, Thomas Lupo, Tobias Hume, John Dowland, Martin Pearson, Mr Pickforth, Thomas Weelkes, Christopher Tye, Orlando Gibbons and Henry Purcell.
Viol Juice, composed by Sydney based composer and performer Alice Chance, will be a highlight of this performance.
To watch the video presentation from the awards night, scan the QR code.
"Bob’s name became synonymous with trotters, winning no less than 15 Victorian trotter
training titles."
Town plans get the green light from council
Hepburn Shire Council has unanimously adopted the final drafts of the Township Structure Plans (for Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, Glenlyon, and Trentham) and the Rural Hepburn Strategy.
Moves to develop farmland into residential land in East Street, Daylesford have been dropped.
CEO Bradley Thomas said that the Future Hepburn project had been the most significant strategic planning project the council had ever delivered, with the potential to touch every landowner, resident and visitor in the shire, now and into the future.
“We appreciate the interest and engagement we’ve had on the Future Hepburn project and the valuable feedback received from the community and stakeholders, over the last two years. We have taken onboard all of the feedback and made some adjustments to the plans and strategy.
“Officers have spent considerable hours reviewing submissions, technical advice and conducting many workshops with councillors and ultimately have reconsidered and made some changes to areas earmarked for rezonings and other planning changes. This was only made possible by overwhelming community and government assistance provided during the consultation period.”
The engagement period for Future Hepburn ran from May 1 to June 26 with almost 13,000 letters and 8016 text messages sent to the community to encourage submissions. There were 32,441 page views of the Future Hepburn project page on Participate Hepburn, there were seven Community Information Sessions with 623 participants, a Future Hepburn webinar with 80 participants attending and a total of 366 views, and 577 submissions from community members and other stakeholders.
Mayor Cr Brian Hood said any contentious issues which remained on the plans would be subject to further community consultation, as a “safety valve”, before it was taken to the next level which would be asking the state government to form an independent panel.
“And when that runs it will involve even more community consultation – there are a few safeguards built in there.”
Cr Hood said the decision to drop the development of the East Street farmland was also unanimous. “We never thought it was perfect but now we have introduced areas in Knox Street and the Midland Highway which could be possible greenfield sites for residential developments but that needs more work, more investigation and more consultation. It is not set in concrete.”
Cr Hood said another issue was around the landfill sites such as Ajax Road in Daylesford but the council had managed to “allay fears” early on with the resolution showing that environmental work is already under way and the council is committed to completing that work, funding it, and making it public as soon as it is completed. “We will be very transparent about that process.”
Balancing land use, biodiversity, bushfire risks, water resources and many other issues had been a complex task, especially planning for 30 years into the future, but Cr Hood said he believed the council was on the way to creating a robust planning framework that reflected the community’s wishes.
“They will also stand up in VCAT. We are sick and tired of losing in VCAT and also seeing inappropriate development happening because we have no legal basis to stop it, now we will, with a decent set of plans.”
Cr Hood said the planning framework had been neglected for many years and while it was difficult to complete all five town plans and the rural strategy at the same time, in a way it had been “a good thing”.
“Normally, a council would do one each term but it forced us to take a whole of shire view and make sure all the plans were consistent with each other and relate to each other.
"Obviously some people thought we were rushing it, but the job had to be done and with regulations the way they are at the moment we can’t stop undesirable outcomes happening."
Cr Hood said there were also questions over planning statewide including whether the state government takes over and runs that from Melbourne.
“We wanted a set of plans that reflect our shire’s plans so we are overall optimistic but also very mindful too that this is the state of the project, not the end.”
Cr Hood said the council was appreciative of the expertise put forward by community members.
“That really came to the fore, there is a lot of expertise in our various communities and we took all that feedback onboard. It was a very good exercise in consultation and when we do the next round we are confident even more will come out.”
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes
Big Rainbow in desperate need of a pot of...paint
Daylesford's Big Rainbow will be returned to its original glory after it is painted in December.
A Hepburn Shire Council spokesperson said the council had scheduled some minor repairs and full painting of the rainbow "so it is looking its best for the next ChillOut event". Quotations for the works close this week.
The move comes after a number of people, including ChillOut Festival committee members, said the Rainbow, at Victoria Park, was started to looking a little tired.
Committee member Tom Shaw, pictured above with fellow member Nell Simpson, said it was time for the Rainbow to be restored, with bits of paint peeling off along with some strips of timber coming away from the structure.
"It came with a budget for maintenance but originally it was built for Sydney so maybe it was never designed to withstand Daylesford weather and temperatures," Tom said.
"But it is pretty embarrassing for ChillOut especially, with a big sign saying 'Big Rainbow in here' and then it's really a bit of a white elephant."
Tom said the Big Rainbow had pretty much failed to sparkle from day one.
"It's a bit dull and while it might have sparkled on one side, it didn't on the other and that's the one people see and get their photo taken in front of.
"It is certainly in decline now and in need of maintenance and having some money spent on it."
Tom said quite a few people in the community had told him they had brought friends to see the Rainbow and many were underwhelmed.
"It is something we really need to be proud of in our little rainbow community here - but it just doesn't sparkle. And it's only in its first year - it won't make many more at this rate."
A Hepburn Shire Council spokesperson said the council was monitoring the condition of the Big Rainbow which includes a full structural engineering assessment every six months, as was recommended at the time of installation.
They said with some of the deterioration of the timber panelling, the repair works were being bought forward to minimise any further deterioration. The repairs will be followed by complete repainting of the rainbow.
A Tinder spokesperson said the council were responsible for the upkeep. "We have been in recent comms with them and they are actively looking into this right now."
Voting for the placement of Tinder's Big Rainbow closed in June 2022. The final town choices were Daylesford, Hay, Broome and Katherine. Daylesford was announced as the winner in October 2022.
Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Eve Lamb
Just briefly...
People considering their options for remaining at home as they age are invited to an information session on the Home Care Package program.
Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health will hold the information session on Wednesday, September 25 at 1.30pm in Kyneton. To book your place, or to find out more, call 5421 6061 or email hcp@scchc.org.au Services provided include personal care, gardening, meal preparation, escorted transport services, and allied health services such as physiotherapy, osteopathy, occupational therapy, podiatry and nursing.
Hepburn Shire Council officers are working with project architects, k20 Architecture, to investigate the feasibility of refurbishing and developing the Daylesford Town Hall to accommodate a library and multi-purpose community spaces.
Subject to the council's endorsement, the project team will continue to develop the design to a schematic level ahead of proposed community engagement on the design either late this year or early 2025. Staff who work from the Town Hall have recently relocated to leased premises at 24 Vincent Street.
Backman Builders have taken out the Business of the Year Award at the Macedon Ranges Business Excellence 2024 Awards.
The full list of award winners is: Business of the Year, Excellence in Manufacturing, Trades, Retail and Innovation and Champion of Social, Environmental or Sustainability Principles - Backman Builders (Kyneton); Excellence in Agribusiness and Food Manufacturing - Rafael’s Coffee (Lancefield); Excellence in Health, Wellness and Care - Gentle Sensory (Gisborne); Excellence in Professional Services - KGMG Creative (Woodend); Excellence in Tourism and Visitor Experience - Braeside Mt Macedon Country Retreat (Mount Macedon); Small and ThrivingKimCo (Woodend); Young Achiever Award - Rebecca Philpot – Bug-A-Lugs Indoor Play Centre and OSHC (Kyneton, Woodend); and People’s Choice Award - 3 Little Pigs (Gisborne).
The curtain will soon rise at the new and improved Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat.
Supporting 21 jobs during construction, the upgraded theatre is also paving the way for performers of all abilities to use the space. A new backstage lift means the theatre is accessible to more artists, while the community will enjoy additional accessibility from the new lifts. Well known as a Ballarat mainstay, Her Majesty’s Theatre is Australia’s oldest continually used theatre and its revitalisation will continue to support the community to deliver high quality performances.
Cool Country Men's Shed at Trentham has launched its website at www.coolcountrymensshed.org.au
The Shed's aim is to further communicate with the community and for new Trentham residents to easily access information about who they are, what they do and to reach out to men, encouraging them to take the next step and become a Shed member. The Shed is a friendly environment and allows men to visit the Shed and enjoy the company of other men and/or engage in a variety of personal and community activities that make a positive contribution to our community. Email info@coolcountrymensshed.org.au
The state government is supporting libraries to provide more inclusive spaces for Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ communities with a new toolkit.
The toolkit was established in response to a need for better information and training to support public library staff welcoming LGBTIQA+ families into public libraries, following a rise in the vilification of LGBTIQA+ communities and targeting of LGBTIQA+ inclusive events, including drag story time events for rainbow young people held at libraries.
Agriculture Victoria is encouraging farmers to take up ongoing support and assistance to help manage current difficult seasonal conditions.
Agriculture Victoria’s Aimee McCutcheon said Agriculture Victoria continues to monitor conditions across the state. "We know there’s been below average rainfall across most of Victoria during autumn and winter and that it’s a critical time for cropping, livestock and dairy production. It’s important that farmers know that support is available to them to help make early and informed decisions." Head to www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
Got some news to share? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Anti-vaping campaign
Hepburn Shire Council is part of a new $2m initiative to empower young people to say no to vaping.
Delivered by VicHealth, Vape-Free Victoria will see 29 councils, five universities, five sporting bodies and teams, the Alcohol and Drug Foundation, Quit Victoria and the state government work together to support young people aged 14 to 25 to understand the harms of vaping.
The project aims to elevate the voices and experiences of young people through the UNCLOUD platform, giving them the opportunity to help create solutions to address vaping.
Mayor Cr Brian Hood said the council hoped younger community members would take the chance to access the program, understand the realities of vaping and to share those learnings with their peers.
VicHealth Health Promotion Systems executive manager Michelle Murray said too many young Victorians started vaping because they weren’t aware of the harms.
As part of Vape-Free Victoria, sporting bodies and teams including Swimming Victoria, Athletics Victoria, Melbourne Vipers, Deakin Melbourne Boomers and Hockey Club Melbourne, will share and promote the UNCLOUD platform at sporting carnivals, youth holiday programs, events and across social media platforms.
The Alcohol and Drug Foundation will upskill coaches at sporting clubs across Victoria with vaping prevention and cessation education.
“Hopefully, as our youth and young people start to share their stories about the effects of vaping on their health, these true stories will go a long way to helping reduce the incidence of this harmful practice within our shire,” Cr Hood said.
Link: www.quit.org.au
Call for candidates
Candidates ready to stand in the upcoming Hepburn Shire Council election are urged to use the Victorian Electoral Commission’s newly refreshed Candidate Helper to get their applications ready for submission when nominations open on Monday, September 9.
Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said there were several important steps candidates must complete before nominating.
"If you want to represent your local community, make sure to confirm your eligibility and complete the mandatory online candidate training through Local Government Victoria before lodging your nomination.
"This rule applies to all candidates including those who are currently or have previously been a councillor."
The VEC’s online Candidate Helper at www.vec.vic.gov.au/council-candidate allows candidates to pre-fill their nomination forms before submitting them at their nomination appointment.
Candidates can also watch a series of videos on key topics such as the nomination process, including the rules and procedures that apply. More information is available online at www.vec.vic.gov.au. The Candidate Handbook is also available on the VEC website.
Prospective candidates are also encouraged to attend the candidate information sessions being held in each electorate before the opening of nominations.
Prospective candidates must make an appointment to submit their nomination forms and pay the $250 fee in person during business hours.
They must provide evidence that they have completed the online candidate training, as this is required by law and will be shown on each candidate’s nomination form.
Candidates must make an appointment to submit their nomination form in person at the election office by calling the Candidate Helpline on 8620 1316 by Monday, September 9.
From Monday, September 9 candidates can call 131 832 and they will be directed through to the relevant election office.
Nominations close at noon on Tuesday, September 17. Late nominations will not be accepted.
More information on nominating is available at www.vec.vic.gov.au
Daylesford's Arlo has a passion for puzzles
While most are content to pit their wits against the latest Wordle or tackle the crossword in their local newspaper, not so Daylesford’s Arlo Schwarz Deakin.
The year 11 student at Daylesford College has gone a step further, not only solving but also creating original crossword puzzles for others to solve.
Also a keen budding musician who plays bass and double bass with a particular appreciation for jazz, Arlo says his recent new obsession for setting crossword puzzles grew out of trying to keep boredom at bay.
“I’ve been heading to Castlemaine in the afternoons because my sister does the circus over there and my grandmother is there. My grandmother gets The Age in paper form and so it’s something to do to pass the time waiting for my sister to finish her class.
“My dad and my grandmother were always really good at getting the cryptic ones. The cryptics are a bit more mathematical in a sense. They’re kind of like equations and I’ve always been interested in things like that, which test your brain a bit.
“My auntie came from Spain and she’s very good at them too. She says it’s the most fun waste of time and I think that’s kind of the beauty of them, the fact that they’re pointless and a waste of time but somehow can still be fulfilling.”
In moving on to actually devising crosswords himself, Arlo was also much inspired by the work of word-umpire and anagram-meister ABC Radio’s David Astle.
Astle is well known for his work as The Dictionary Guy on SBS's Letters and Numbers and as creator of his DA crosswords in Friday’s Age
“I was inspired by David Astle and his clue construction, whilst around my grandmother’s kitchen table. I make quicks and cryptics so I can cover a range of puzzle-solving skill sets,” Arlo says.
“I can never do any David Astle clues because they’re just too outlandish but I’ve got a book by him.
“I’ve sent a few that I’ve done off to him…but I haven’t heard back what he thinks of them yet.”
Devising devious clues for cryptic crosswords is especially satisfying for the talented local wordsmith, as is sourcing lesser-used and unusual words in the lexiconlike “kibosh” for example.
“Recently I’ve made some crosswords for (English teacher) Amanda DeClifford to put into Words in Winter as well as other school-related publications,” Arlo says.
“I’m planning to make a little zine myself. We’ve got the printers here at school so I can print as much as I want and just put them around the place.
“Clueing is the hardest part. I immediately spent my budget on the software that they use and it’s pretty incredible. You can fill the grid pretty easily if you’ve got a few cool words you’ve thought of.
“That’s another good thing about them, you extend your vocabulary a lot.”
Arlo is now keen to find a remunerative outlet for his crosswords. He says any media outlets out there that may be in need of a good crossword offering for their readers or subscribers are more than welcome to get in contact with him and see if some mutually beneficial arrangement might be found.
“Anyone who wants to publish them regularly, that would be cool. I think my rates will be very reasonable,” he says.
“I really should try to get some people to try and publish them. I’m really just making them now for fun. I’ve made a few.
“I’m not sure how many other people are setting crosswords and David Astle’s going to have to retire at some point.”
Those who think they may be able to offer Arlo an outlet for his talents can get in contact at arloautumnus@gmail.com
Words & Image: Eve Lamb
First community vet clinic in Castlemaine
The Regional Community Vet Clinic has secured a permanent home for its clinic.
The Castlemaine clinic, which will be wholly owned by RCVC, is the first notfor-profit community veterinary clinic in regional Victoria.
Co-founder and director Robyn Slattery said the site had been found after a long search for a suitable and affordable property and lengthy negotiations with funders. The property previously housed a retail nursery.
It is hoped to have the clinic open one day per week in the first quarter of 2025, providing preventative veterinary services to financially disadvantaged residents who are recipients of a government support payment.
Since 2022 the clinic has held monthly pop-up clinics de-sexing cats, providing dental and general health checks and, in June for the first time, a de-sexing clinic for dogs. It has also offered an outreach program, assisting older members of the community to keep their companion animals at home and assisting with emergency care for pets whose older owners require unplanned emergency hospital stays.
The clinic, a volunteer-run organisation, is now reaching out to community members, businesses and individuals who can offer in-kind or financial support towards the renovation and fit-out costs for the clinic. Any donation over $2 is tax deductible.
The clinic believes companion animals play a vital role in the welfare and overall well-being of residents in regional communities and aims to reduce isolation and build social cohesion, while improving the lives of companion animals.
To help call 0493 447 394 or email info@rcvc.org.au
Yvette Berkeley, Robyn Slattery and Khiara Jenkinson
Pictured, from left, RCVC founding member James Mack with current RCVC directors Dr
Hedges & edges
Somewhere in every garden, no matter how large or small, there arises the need for a fence or screen.
It may be a two-metre wide trellis to hide the rubbish bins or a 20-metre boundary around your swimming pool - both equally important for the comfort and safety of your family’s outdoor life.
The forms they may take are many. Hollow brick walls, wooden trellis, wire fencing - they all have one need in common: to be clothed in attractive foliage and flowers, and in some cases, to hide the innate ugliness.
If you intend to cover a free-standing wire fence, lattice fence or wall, just for their beauty, climbing roses would be in their element as would wisteria or bougainvillea,
Or why not make the trellis really pay for itself and consider growing grapevines or berries. For a frost-free, sunny hot-spot, maybe a passionfruit or two could fit the bill.
Growing a climbing version of any shrub has a great number of advantages over its bushy cousins. For a start, its mindset is "up and out, the sky’s the limit" not "slow and steady".
By carefullly selecting and fanning out on the trellis a handful of the strongest limbs and removing any stray shoots coming from the bottom in the first year, you will soon have the beginnings of your hedge.
Remember, with any grafted, bought rose to make sure you only cut from above the place where the actual rose growth joins the root stock or you will only find yourself with a wild and woolly briar rose bearing lots of big thorns and a mass of tiny, insipid blooms.
Despite the negatives thrown up at the very word hedge, that they take up too much room, need continual clipping and pruning and rob the rest of the garden of its nourishment and water, they are still very popular with most gardeners.
If you still aren’t enthused about the concept of spending too many hours tending the greenery, why not plant a group or a close row of your favourite shrubs or some of these low-growing, low-maintenance ones.
You can leave them to grow and just give them an occasional trim if they start to look shabby.
Lavender, either English or French, make fragrant neat low hedges and are attractive year-round with their furry grey foliage. They are hardy and can withstand hot, dry weather.
A rose hedge is also a beautiful option for any garden, thanks to the compact close foliage, and almost year-round heads of double brightly coloured flowers.
We have several hedges in our sprawling hillside garden. Only one is close clipped, the Japanese box, pictured left, with the rest free form and lightly trimmed every couple of months by my in-house curator.
Peta has scored quite an arsenal of personal weaponry including a matching set of an electric lawnmower, leaf blower and hedge clippers, none of which I’m allowed to even touch.
From Behind Closed Doors a treat for art lovers
Coming up this month, Daylesford Regional Arts Co-operative’s From Behind Closed Doors fundraising art exhibition promises to be a treat for anyone who loves original art.
Launching Thursday evening, September 26 with a special auction event, and running through to Sunday, September 29, the exhibition is raising funds for Backpack Bed for Homeless Australia.
“Our goal is to raise at least $1000 for Backpack Homeless Australia,” says Daylesford Regional Arts Co-operative treasurer, Glenlyon-based artist Pam Gleeson, one of the member artists with work on show, pictured right.
“There are a lot of homeless people out there and it’s getting worse. Really, it could happen to anyone and there are people in this area who are homeless. It’s about giving back to the community.”
The exhibition is free to attend and is being staged in Daylesford’s Stanbridge Hall at 54 Central Springs Road, offering the chance to snap up some fine original artworks by members of the co-operative.
But the event offers quite a lot more, with a children’s art workshop led by artist Sandy Angliss being offered on Friday, September 27, and an adults’ art workshop with artist Jennifer England representing a great opportunity to learn and get creative on Sunday, September 29.
Pam says the opening night event, a ticketed event at $20 per person, is not to be missed as it will feature the fundraising auction with dollars raised going to the cause and many donated items going under the hammer.
“We’ve got Cr Lesley Hewitt doing the official opening and we have wonderful items that have been donated by our generous sponsors and are being auctioned, including a four-course lunch for two at Lake House,” says Pam.
“We also have some wonderful spa bathing experiences for two, wine gift packs and an accommodation package.
“The auction will be conducted by our auctioneer, Mick Winter and we will also have an art auction of one artwork from each participating artist.”
The Thursday evening opening event will also feature music by Silverjam, nibbles and drinks, while Sunday will feature artists' talks.
Pam says 13 artist members of the co-operative will be represented, with each showing up to 10 works as part of the exhibition which is now hoped to become an annual fixture on the calendar.
The co-operative was formed to enable local artists to join a group of like-minded people, offering support and the chance to exhibit works on a regular basis.
Pam says that over the past couple of years they’ve had several successful pop-up exhibitions but now aim to have a major exhibition at least once a year.
Tickets to the opening night event are available on Eventbrite but will also be available at the door with more information through www.daylesfordarts.com.au
Words & image: Eve Lamb
“There are a lot of homeless people out there and it’s getting worse. Really, it could happen to anyone and there are people in this area who are homeless. It’s about giving back to the community.”
- artist Pam Gleeson
Council news
Council
TOWNSHIP PLANS AND RURAL HEPBURN ADOPTED
Council has adopted the Township Structure Plans (for Clunes, Creswick, Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, Glenlyon, and Trentham) and Rural Hepburn Strategy at a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday 3 September. These were developed after extensive consultation with community panels, community and stakeholder groups throughout 2023, along with specialist technical advice from consultants and Council officers with expertise in planning, ecology, infrastructure, transport, recreation, and economic development.
It is a critical body of work for the Shire’s future and the culmination of more than two years of work by Council.
Engagement during the project included 32,441 page views of the Future Hepburn project page on Participate Hepburn, 12,971 letters and 8,016 text messages were sent to the community to encourage submissions, seven Community Information Sessions with 623 participants attending, a Future Hepburn webinar with 80 participants and 366 views, and a total of 577 submissions from community members and other stakeholders.
The major driver for these Plans is the Victorian State Government’s planning policy. It mandates that all municipalities have sufficient land available to cater for projected population growth. Strategic land use planning has been a major focus in this Council term, embodied in the Council Plan 2021-25.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the township plans and Rural Hepburn Strategy.
FUNDING FOR MASTERPLAN
Council has been awarded funding for the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve Masterplan. The grant funding amount of $80,000 will be used to develop a masterplan to establish a guide for the future development and management of the Reserve.
Council is very pleased to receive this significant funding as the reserve holds some important community assets: the Mineral Springs, which are a major drawcard for the area, walking tracks, picnic areas, and the historic Hepburn Bathhouse. The Bathhouse has been in operation for more than 125 years.
KNOW AN INSPIRING WOMAN?
Do you know an inspiring woman in our community? Nominations are open for the International Women’s Day Heather Mutimer Honour Roll for 2025. Nominations are open until 30 September 2024, so please nominate inspiring women from our Shire.
Online form at www.hepburn.vic.gov.au/IWD
FREE CAT DESEXING
FREE cat desexing is available for concession card holders in Hepburn Shire. Registrations required.
• Thursday 3 October - Victoria Park in Daylesfordhttps://www.trybooking.com/CVAXC
• Friday 4 October - Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve in Creswickhttps://www.trybooking.com/CVAXG
Bookings required at www.thevetproject.com.au
Dr Falak Naz* Dr Holly Lewis* Dr Jessica Hargreaves
Ellie O’Connor Dr Kate Turnbull*
Dr Gabrielle Ray
Dr Sally Rhead
Dr Danielle Robinson Dr Grace Scolyer
Dr Madison Stephen
Dr Mandy Yue
Dr Ruth Spencer*
EAT | DRINK | ENJOY
Out & About in the Central Highlands
Hepburn House's Memory Lane Unit
Hepburn House's Memory Lane, a 15-bed unit built specifically to assist residents with dementia, is now open!
Hepburn House is at 1 Hepburn Rd, Daylesford. Book a tour of the new unit or the existing accommodation and living areas.
Bookings: dianne@hepburnhouse.com.au
For everything Hepburn House has on offer head to www.hepburnhouse.com.au or call 5348 8100.
(RAT tests may be required.)
Pets@Work
Pixel the Belle Property office pooch
Personality-packed Pixel is the second Hungarian Vizsla to become resident office pooch at Belle Property - Daylesford and Trentham.
Before Pixel there was Ziggy who was the first Hungarian Vizsla that Belle Property director and real estate agent Will Walton had ever owned.
Will was so taken with the gentle and statuesque breed that young Pixel followed, acquired as a puppy, to keep Ziggy company until the older dog died.
“Ziggy even survived a house fire that happened here in Daylesford about 11 years ago. He was rescued by our CFA,” Will said. “We got Pixel as a friend for Ziggy and they had about 18 months together.”
Will says Pixel has quite a few endearing and specific personality traits. These include a personal sensitivity to walking on the floorboards in the Belle Property Daylesford office.
“He slipped on the boards as a pup and he has remained very sensitive about walking on them ever since,” Will says.
When Pixel is feeling a little bit wary about something, he communicates it by walking backwards in a pooch-perfect impression of Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk.
Pixel is also fairly notorious for his food focus. Staff member at Belle, real estate agent Natalie Fagan says the svelte russet-gold dog has a less than subtle means of dropping hints to anyone who is lunching in the office.
“You’ll be eating lunch and he’ll sit beside you and you’ll suddenly feel a paw just gently brushing you,” she says.
Will says the workplace has always been pet-friendly, with other staff members welcome to bring their fur babies in if they wish.
When Natalie brings along her year-old whippet, Benny The Jet, the two dogs have been known to transform the office environment into an occasional canine raceway.
“When I bring Benny in they do total zoomies,” Natalie says. “And when (real estate agent) Ange brought her German shorthaired pointer, Baxter, in for the day it was like doggy day care. Really good fun.”
Will says the presence of pets in the workplace is a known mood booster.
“The RSPCA released a report on the well-being benefits of having animals in the workplace and it’s something that we’ve always encouraged,” he says.
“The breed, Hungarian Vizslas are also just called Vs, and they’re known for their loyalty and intelligence, and to be wonderful pets for families.”
The breed is also generally well known for its enjoyment of water and was bred as a hunting dog.
But in keeping with Pixel’s quirky character, this individual has his own ideas about that.
“Yes they’re supposed to like water and they’ve even got slightly webbed feet, but Pixel doesn’t like water. In fact he’s afraid of ducks,” Will says.
“He is very food focused and very, very good at retrieving balls and the way that he catches them in the air is extraordinary,” Will says.
“If we didn’t have to work on weekends we’d be taking him to agility trials.
“The breed is extremely sensitive and highly intelligent. They get called velcro dogs because they literally stick to their owner.
“We’ve always had a dog in the work environment and Pixel splits his time between our Daylesford office and our Trentham office. There are people who come to our office seeking him out just to say hello.”
Pixel’s workload as resident pooch personality is likely to lighten a little into the future, with some exciting news on the near horizon.
“He’s about to get a brother,” Will says.
Do you have a Pet @ Work or do you know of one? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Words & Image: Eve Lamb
“He is very food focused and very, very good at retrieving balls and the way that he catches them in the air is extraordinary. If we didn’t have to work on weekends we’d be taking him to agility trials.” - Will Walton
Pictured: Belle Property real estate agent Natalie Fagan with Pixel, the resident office dog owned by Belle Property director Will Walton
Image below: Starline on Freepik
Pickle Ball gaining popularity in Daylesford
Hit & Giggle Pickle Ball has become a popular sport in Daylesford on a Sunday. Recently there were participants from the age of 11 right through to 70+, with lots of smiles and great attitudes.
Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre is supporting the sport at the Daylesford College ARC - meet at 11am.
Images: Linda Carroll DNC
We are super proud of what we do here at The Daylesford Meat Co. And our customers love it. Here are some of the reviews we received in just the past week - which means our team is growing! We are looking for super friendly foodies who would love to work in the retail section of our Daylesford store. If you this sounds like you, please drop in your resume outlining your experience into our shop or send us an email at info@daylesfordmeatco.com.au
5/5
Absolutely beautiful lamb and having it all packed was certainly a time saver. Have had the loin chops, chump chops which I breadcrumbed and cooked in the oven, and I made burgers with one of the packs of mince. All was so tender and just melted in your mouth. Have yet to try the racks and the legs. I used the front shanks for soup and will probably casserole the rest. I just know it will be just beautiful meat. Thank you Daylesford Meat Company, for our wonderful whole lamb box. - Carol
5/5 Fantastic, absolutely beautiful, think this is my favourite lamb. Hats off to the cook too! - Andrew
If you would like to be part of the real estate publication of the Central Highlands contact Kyle on 0416 104 283.
Space bookings by September 17. Copy by September 19.
Out Monday, September 23 - for the Grand Final long weekend.
Walks of the Central Highlands with Eve Lamb
We’ve walked to the famed lollipop tree on the summit of Mount Beckworth near Clunes many a time, but never before from the western flank of the little mount, via its old Feldspar Mine.
So today’s the day. Our starting point is the Cork Oaks camping ground which means we’ll be setting out through the remarkable old plantation that’s part of Mt Beckworth Scenic Reserve and which we visited in a previous edition of this series.
This historic and rare plantation is always a treat, especially when it’s sunny and today, after the howling gales of late, it’s (pun alert) a corker.
The Feldspar Track to the summit is signposted from the Cork Oaks camping ground, and it’s pretty easy to follow on and up toward the Beckworth zenith with its 1918-planted lollipop tree, a Monterey pine.
As most longer-term locals around here will tell you, back in the 1940s during WWII, the lollipop tree was used as a beacon for trainees from the RAAF No. 1 Wireless Air Gunners School based at Ballarat Airport. These days the lollipop tree serves as a welcome home landmark for residents of these parts, its unique silhouette discernible from many miles across the rolling plains.
Today I notice with striking clarity that the upper ridges of Beckworth’s rocky, granitic skyline are really quite tremendous. And it’s not long either, about 200 metres, before a striking little reminder of this area’s dramatic volcanic past appears to our right as we follow the track, climbing gently upward.
“Baby Seal Rock,” muses my walking companion, Paddy H, spontaneously christening the feature as we pause to admire this large boulder sitting rather dramatically in the midst of a sea of sturdy bracken fern.
“Ye--es. I guess it could be,” I marvel at my walking companion’s creative genius. And the rock in question does get the imagination ticking over the millennia that have given rise to these geological features.
We climb on and it’s such a pleasure to be out here with a fantastic view opening up behind us to the west. After the rugged weather of late, today is very, very still and when we stop and look back it’s a surprise to see that a fine little fog has settled across the landscape below us, despite the fair skies above.
The elevation ahead becomes increasingly steep, demanding a bit more walking effort that’s quickly rewarded after a few hundred metres with the discovery of the old feldspar mine site. There’s a small but distinct mullock heap, with rock strewn like scree, while other aspects of this mine site are obscured by herbaceous growth.
"So what the hell is feldspar?" I hear you ask…
A Resources Victoria government website states: "Feldspars are aluminosilicate minerals containing varying amounts of potassium, sodium and calcium. They are the most abundant mineral group, constituting about 60 per cent of the Earth’s crust. The most common economic deposits of feldspars are in pegmatites (coarsely crystalline granites or other igneous rocks with crystals several centimetres in length). Feldspar is an important source of alumina in the glassmaking and the ceramics industries. It is used in glazes and enamels and is an important mineral filler in paints, plastics, sealants, and adhesives."
Beyond the site of the old feldspar mine, which I later find referred to also as “the Mount Beckworth Mineral Occurrence”, we enter a sweet little patch of native forest with some superb old yellow box trees and interesting large rock formations, that loom up particularly to our left.
After about an hour of leisurely walking, and occasional stopping, we emerge at the summit that sits at 634 metres elevation and are greeted not only by the grand old heritage-listed lollipop tree itself, but also by wedge-tailed eagles - three of them - surfing gentle thermals in a benign sky to the east.
We plonk down to make short work of the picnic lunch in our backpacks and there’s a repeated trilling bird-call that I recognise to be that of a bird of preythough I’m not sure which type.
Kookaburras also contribute energetically to the soundscape as does Paddy H with a few personal ponderings on the nature of this walk.
Anyway, after we’ve lazed about soaking up the sunshine on the summit, we retrace our steps, noting that the walk, done well, takes about three hours, allowing time to stop at points of interest and to ease back on the summit and appreciate the vista.
Back around the base of Beckworth, wattles are in bloom and small grey fantails flit and gossip and as we bid a fond farewell, those enviable eagles are still up there having a ball.
Mount Beckworth summit via the old Feldspar Mine, Clunes, 5km loop
Gigs with Darren Lowe
Two of American country music's most exciting young artists are coming to Australia for the first time.
Fresh on the circuit after the release of his latest LP All Bad, Nick Shoulders' inimitable form of country music is in the spotlight: a balance of traditional country and punk, Cajun rhythms and surf rock blues played with deft skill by a yodelling fiddler.
Joining Nick on this cruise is the magnificent Margo Cilker, who leaves the Columbia River near Washington for Australian shores for the very first time.
Hailing from the Ozarks, Nick is a whip-smart young country singer with a voice from another era (fans of C.W. Stoneking and Sierra Ferrell take note), a DIY punk approach that sees him in complete control of everything he does (he runs his own label, Gar Hole Records) and a great musical and poetic sensibility.
He writes incredible songs that are funny, sad and challenging, has a distinct warbling yodel and masterful whistle crafted from a lifetime chasing lizards through the Ozark Hills, and he looks like he could be up on stage with Amyl and the Sniffers.
Margo's magical songs about moonlight, forests and cowboys captivate the dreamer and follow on from her new album Valley of Heart’s Delight. They are performing at Out on the Weekend in Ballarat on October 11.
Leavers Hotel, Creswick
Rennie Pearson - Friday, September 13
Ukulele Queen of the Bellarine Sarah Carroll and Stefanie Duzel - Saturday, September 14
Skyscraper Stan - Saturday, September 28
Trudy Fatnowna Edgeley Album Launch - Saturday, October 5
David Bridie - Saturday, October 12
Got a gig to share? Email news@tlnews.com.au
Youth acoustic music
The inaugural Youth Acoustic Music Revolution event will be held at Trentham Mechanics from October 25 to 27.
YAMR is a community-based group who are passionate about encouraging young people to learn a musical instrument. The aim for the event is to expose local youth to a variety of acoustic instruments, to come and try, engage in a workshop and maybe even perform an item on stage.
Program director Allison Walsh said many young people were engaging with music on digital platforms, socials, etc but not so many were taking the next step to write their own music, play an instrument, or sing a song out loud.
"The neurological benefits of singing and learning to play an instrument are well known, we hope to encourage our youth to engage in a tangible way. All levels are welcome, and instruments can be provided for those without."
There will be a free soft launch event on September 15 which will feature performances from local youth, including successful band The Mods and Victoria’s Ceoltioiri Naarm, who will hold a come-and-try instrument session with many acoustic instruments available to try, afternoon tea will also be served, and a door prize will include the chance to win a free family pass to the October event.
The event weekend will comprise of performances, workshops, ceili dancing, trad disco, traditional music sessions, blackboard concerts and artists in conversation. Those who attend will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with many likeminded others, including meeting world-class performers.
The tutors are mostly teenagers and young adults who have been playing for some time and are keen to share their knowledge and skills with those brave enough to step out of their comfort zone and take on something new. Seeing young people performing can be a great opportunity for others, it opens their minds to the possibility of doing it themselves.
YAMR soft launch (free event) will take place at Trentham Mechanics, High Street, Trentham on Sunday, September 15 from 1pm to 4pm.
Details: yamrmusic@gmail.com or Allison Walsh on 0407 280 272.
Do you feed & water people? Advertise here.
Kyle’s Rant
I am definitely a dog guy. I have had cats in my life but just can’t warm to the claws sticking into me, and they think they are being funny by swiping at your ankles as you walk past.
Compounding my dislike for the puss, recently Donna and I pet sat for some friends in Hepburn and my anti-cat stance was once more reinforced. The dog was cute and presented no problems - it ate, walked, played and slept - but the cat was used to sleeping in its owners' bed and sitting on top of them when watching TV.
So, I ate my dinner standing up as it seemed impossible to keep the cat at bay and away from my plate. I then closed the door to the bedroom for the night and in the early hours of the morning, at Donna’s insistence, I let the thing into the yard, watched while it relieved itself in the cat litter and then I opened the door to the bedroom.
The fearless feline promptly sat on Donna’s head with the same part of its body that had just been, well, you know. And so I could get some respite from the continuous meowing, I sat in the car and listened to the radio from five in the morning.
Making news recently is a push to combat the serious impact of both feral and pet cats on Australian wildlife. New government proposals could introduce limits on the number of cats owned per household. It’s called a “cat threat abatement plan” because cats are known to wreak havoc on Australia’s native species. And I do think that all pet owners should take responsibility, you wouldn’t let your pup roam the streets at night and the same should be said for cats.
My prejudice against the pussycat came from when I was a child. A memory indelibly lodged in my brain. Mum thought it would be a great idea to give me a cat for my third birthday, and when you are poor and there are plenty of homeless kittens around, it makes sense. Unfortunately, I couldn’t bond with the gaunt, lanky, clawed animal that I now remember as 10 times its actual size. And Mum didn't help by locking me in the kitchen, with aforementioned cat, for what felt like a day. As I tried to dodge the tabby climbing up on the table (this is a true memory) mum finally gave into my screams of terror and let me out.
In terms of an animal superheroes segue, to add strength to my argument in the cur camp, we have Clifford the Big Red Dog, Power Pooch, Dynomutt, Dog Wonder, and the top dog is of course, Hong Kong Phooey. Whereas in the cat camp you struggle along with Cat Aoman, Black Pantha (a distant cat relation and I do give him respect) and finally the lessor known Hellcat, all of whom Clifford would squash while Hong Kong Phooey wipes the floor with them. And because this is my rant not yours I will omit the AFL conversation in terms of the Cats V Dogs.
Back in 2019 we ended up in St Petersburg, Russia, on a cruise ship, when the world was a simpler place before the pandemic and the Ukraine invasion. And it is there where I saw some very impressive true working cats at the Hermitage Museum.
The cats are a group of cats residing in the museum. They even have a press secretary and three dedicated caretakers. The cats live in the basement and they also can be seen on the embankment and in the nearby square during the summer.
These pusses roam the entire museum at night which, because of its position on the banks of the river, suffer from rat and mouse infestations. Now that’s a good cat but their names are a little beyond the pale.
Now I know that us pooch lovers have crazy long names for our dogs. Our dearly departed Rosie as Burr-Dog, or Rosie Queen of all the Dogs and then there was Curly. Who got the whole Curly Whirly One Shot Dog, He's No Hog treatment. But come on, Fluffy McFlufferson (aka Fluffybutt), Sir Pounce-a-Lot and Whiskerlicious is surely over the top, and a little embarrassing for a professional mouse catcher.
Cat V Dog rant over…
Local Lines
Poetry
Poetry sits in books with a smug face and pretends to be better than words in novels, dialogues between farmers, the thrust and parry of insurance sales talk.
Poetry burns holes in library shelves. Poetry goes for slam dunks and often misses.
Poetry says, ‘You’re dumb and anyway my heading is bigger than yours.’
Poetry is a kid in a playground hanging upside down, making rude faces. Poetry hauls a good load, then stampedes, kicks over the traces.
- Jennie Fraine
Jennie lives in Bacchus Marsh and has recently published How the Butterfly Dreams, poems which peek into a world of poetic sources, from daily practise to personal contribution and public fundraising. Available from the poet at jennief@westnet.com.au and from bookstores in Ballarat and Daylesford.
Local Lines features poetry by locals about local and any other matters. Please submit poems to Bill Wootton at cottlesbreedge@gmail.com
Want to contribute to quality journalism or more cute dogs? Just scan the QR code here.
I
I'd
Phone: 5472
(Pick me, pick me is run in memory of Rosie & Curly - we picked them. And proudly supported by Daylesford's petstock - where pets are family.)
Just sayin’...
By Donna Kelly
So the Local Government Inspectorate will not release any report into its five-year investigation of Hepburn Shire Council and The Rex Theatre development.
That's pretty amazing. Imagine working on something for five years, using taxpayer money, and then deciding "nothing to see here".
Or imagine working on something for five years, in a private company, and then telling shareholders "nothing to see here". Wouldn't pass the pub test. Or the shareholder test.
The Inspectorate issued a media release last Monday, September 2, which said there was insufficient evidence for any disciplinary breaches or criminal offences.
It also said the Chief Municipal Officer was satisfied that the council had taken remedial action to avoid future complaints of a similar nature. So, nothing to see here, but let's not let it happen again. What the actual?
The release went on to say the Local Government Inspectorate is "the dedicated integrity agency for local government in Victoria". Good to know.
Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Brian Hood says it's disappointing and the failure to issue a report into The Rex project denies transparency and accountability, and lets down the community, councillors and council officers.
The community is not that rapt either. To put it lightly. Social media went into overdrive with ratepayers left wondering where their rates had gone and who was accountable.
"So where is the explanation for the missing money?"
"Outrageous!"
"It's astounding that after all this, millions wasted, project unfinished, massive debt accrued putting council at danger of existence, residents saddled with debt through increased rates...a whole host of negative and destructive outcomes to the shire and to the public...yet no finding of wrong doing, none worth publishing a report, none worth taking action, no criminal or unlawful activity found, not even incompetence, 'misguided' action with detrimental effects, incorrectly followed processes...nothing. Just a mysterious massive blunder that cannot be explained or has no accountability, no responsible decision makers who may have cause or contributed to the problem."
"Unacceptable."
"One wonders how much it’s cost for the LGI and the CMI to come to this conclusion! What a total f”!k up!"
"It's like we need a Hepburn Shire ratepayers' private investigation into where the $$$ went, we personally worked out we are all owed $500 each at the time of the blunder."
"Unbelievable."
"Speechless. All these years and we’re left with this. It’s as if we live in a totalitarian state. No one accountable. Shocking."
"What a strange and flawed process where no one is ever held accountable! What a debacle and utter disgrace."
And yet on we go. Millions lost, no-one accountable, no explanation and anyone who rocks the boat and releases the report - well, you wouldn't want to be them. The integrity agency has made that clear.
Ask your local councillor about the report and you will probably hear: "What report?" No longer exists. Nothing to see here. Just sayin'...
Ageing DisGracefully members, including Max Primmer, get together at the Daylesford Mill Markets cafe on Thursdays at 11am. All welcome. For information email ageingdis3461@gmail. com, call 0427 131 249 or head to the Ageing DisGracefully Facebook page.
Ageing DisGracefully is an initiative of Hepburn House.
W RD CROSS
Here is the crossword solution for Edition 313. How did you go?
All words in the crossword appear somewhere in the same edition of The Local.
Markets...
Every Sunday - Daylesford Sunday Market
First Saturday - Daylesford Farmers Market, Trentham Neighbourhood Centre Makers Market, Woodend Farmers Market
First Sunday - Castlemaine Artists’ Market
Second Saturday - Trentham Community Group Market, Kyneton Farmers Market, Ballan Farmers Market, Kyneton Rotary Community Market
Second Sunday - Maldon Market, Clunes Farmers Market
Third Saturday - Trentham Farmers and Makers Market, Glenlyon Farmers Market, Leonards Hill Market, Creswick Market
Third Sunday - Talbot Farmers Market, Malmsbury Farmers Market
Fourth Sunday - Trentham Station Sunday Market, Buninyong Village Market
