LOST Winter 2023

ABOUT LOST MAGAZINE

Lost Magazine is an independent monthly magazine circulating throughout Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Kyneton, Trentham, Glenlyon, Castlemaine, Woodend, Creswick, Clunes and surrounds. We also distribute to select Melbourne venues and to an ever-growing subscriber base.

LOST TEAM

LOST MAGAZINE 3 Howe Street, Daylesford VIC 3460 found@lostmagazine.com.au 03 5348 2008

COVER IMAGE

Harmony Byrne by photographer

Chris Turner. Read the full story on page 08.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

All content in this publication is copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without express permission of the publisher. All care is taken to ensure accuracy in editorial and advertising however the publishers and any contributors accept no responsibility for errors or omissions. All material herein constitutes information and not advice.

PUBLISHER

Tony De Marco

Larissa Dubecki FEATURE WRITER

Mahmood Fazal

PHOTOGRAPHER Chris Turner

FEATURE WRITER

Michael Harden

EDITOR Jess Walsh

PUBLISHER Theresa Albioli

100% taste

All Lost Watering Hole beers are 100% naturally brewed on site without any preservatives or nasty additives, in the world-renowned German beer making tradition. Our beers are also unfiltered, with each brew exhibiting a natural, hazy appearance that delivers a better taste experience.

Enjoy our flavoursome beers on their own, or with one of our deliciously wholesome dishes crafted by our exceptional chefs.

We’re open 7 days a week so drop in and taste the difference for yourself.

A great place to find yourself.

Lost News

WRAP UP OF NEWS AND HAPPENINGS IN OUR REGION

BY EDITOR, JESSICA WALSH

The fog is rolling in already, as we enter the humblest, most grounding time of the year, our infamous Winter. It's a season for hibernation... or adventure, with a feast for the senses on offer at every turn. Immerse yourself in the winter beauty of our Daylesford region, with festivals a plenty, and many a great food and wine experiences on offer.

Sound is key, as we slow down and listen to the rain. Mahmood chats with incredible singer/songwriter Harmony Byrne. Relatable and raw, with that hypnotic strumming drawing you into a soothing degree of sadness, the perfect soundtrack to Winter.

Visually - we are delighted to welcome back Borealis on the lake, a mesmerising experience for the eyes and ears.

Taste, La famiglia reimagined. Our renowned Passing Clouds offers a dining experience in their reimagined space, powered by charcoal and wood.

We visit Rocket and Belle, a not-so-secret haven for vintage wares & industrial antiques, full of nostalgia.

As we turn to winter we seek out comfort foods, and what more appropriate than the humble potato, abundant in our region. We have a yarn with long time farmer George Wicker.

Mahmood has a chat with Dave Frazer, a great guy who brings a wonderful weekend to Daylesford, Winter Sounds - A weekend of intimate performances in some of our most iconic and extraordinary spaces.

Last but not least, we present you with the scent of our freshly printed LOST Magazine.

Welcome to Winter in Daylesford, allow us to warm your soul and awaken your senses.

Jessica Walsh Editor

STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL

PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

HARMONY BYRNE

feels like Sure

home now

Singer and songwriter Harmony

Byrne moved to this region roughly four years ago, “not really intending to plant roots but the area kinda planted me,” says Harmony. “Sure feels like home now.”

In May, she performed “heart breakin’ & heart makin’” duets with David Elias, under the banner Hymn & Her, in the hills of Yandoit. “It all began when the 'Her' fell in love with the 'Hymn'. Both being songwriters we naturally began exploring music together.”

Harmony’s music has a slow-dance rhythm, a confessional tone and an ethereal voice.

“I remember listening to Jeff Buckley

expression and knew that's how I wanted to sing; with composure, rawness, and a true embodiment of the voice.”

Harmony was raised in a family of seven children, “[it] was pretty chaotic. But with music I was allowed to be loud...well, some of the time,” says Harmony.

Music became a path to some other imaginative space.

“Mum didn't want us watching TV, so when we weren't tearing each other's hair out, we were using our hairbrushes as microphones instead. Music became our source of entertainment, I still remember one of the first songs me and my sister Serene wrote called "Bad Girl"... what a banger!”

These days, Harmony writes from the vantage point of lived experience. It’s an internal, emotive sound that lingers in the

bones. She adds “I always carve out little windows throughout my songs where you will be able to see me.”

These windows are flooded by the juxtaposition of lush and sparse feelings from the region.

“I think my writing has become more spacious by living out here. I used to rush through my songwriting process, pushing myself into the wee hours. While I still do that occasionally, I more so enjoy musing over lyrics for months at a time. The openness of the region has given my songs the room they need to bloom.”

Her writing process moves like the seasons. She says, “Sometimes the song comes flooding, at other times it's a light shower. If I'm ever in drought, I read through old journals... or watch a bit of trash (Nashville) and I'm suddenly rebooted.”

Harmony recalls one of her earliest songwriting projects, Eagle Eyes, “I wrote it when I was 16, pining over a boy or three, and recently dug it up as it was one of my Mums favourites.”

She decided to record it herself, and added a homely touch, “My fav mug (by local artist Bridget Bodenham) made a percussive debut appearance and the shower transformed into a recording booth. I never intended to release the song but my label loved it.”

With the help of a producer in Los Angeles, she released Eagle Eyes as a single last year, “I'm so happy to have it out in the world (thanks Mum!)”

Harmony Byrne @harmonybyrne

Relaxed cafe style dining by day and fresh modern restaurant by night, The Virgin Cafe marries cultures and unites taste buds. A pristine, simple, unadulterated showcase of local produce.

Fit for a Queen

ROCKET & BELLE

STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL

PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

Leah Willian was raised in a home full of antiques. And when her parents passed on, she decided to let go of their collection. “Once everything was sold, I realised that I really enjoyed the game of buying and selling and recycling.”

She tells me every piece carries its own story. “There's some things that were very hard to let go of that might have told a story throughout my family through my parents, grandparents and their parents.” She says the pieces eventually forge new stories for different people.

She recalls a chair fit for a queen she once found at her parents place.

“It was a red velvet quilt chair, I did used to love sitting in it. And then one day, I just decided, I think this would look fabulous in my shop. Of course it did. And of course someone bought it immediately. I just love that story, carrying on to another family.”

Leah’s calling from her antique shop; Rocket and Belle in Ballarat. But her journey began in Daylesford, at the Mill Markets, with a friend.

“We had quite a lot to sell. And once it was all sold, I remember quite clearly, my friend said to me, “Well, we've sold everything now

we might as well close our store down.” And I said, “no, I really, really enjoyed this.”

So she rang another likeminded friend, “his nickname was Rocket, and he was a collector. He lived up up in the Mallee area.” They decided to go into business together. “And so we called ourselves rocket and Bell, we didn't really have a name, and I didn't want it to be Rod and Leah.”

It wasn’t long before Rocket and Belle outgrew the Mill Markets and moved to Leah’s father’s old industrial tin shed in the middle of Ballarat. Rocket moved on, so Leah went solo while keeping the same. She began to focus on specialising in antique Australian pieces that expressed a sense of time and place.

“Some of the furniture that we're selling or recycling at rocket and belt has been around since 1840s. We love to sell depression era pieces, like a cabinet made out of cheese boxes, made out of whatever they could find back then.”

The pieces of the depression era were often hand carved, artisanal items that pine for the ornate precision of the Victorian style, softened with the passion of a utilitarian sentiment.

“There’s something about making do with what you have around you. It was the depression. So there's creativity, and there's passion, and there's usefulness. They really tug at your heartstrings because there's also there's an emotional aspect to a piece of depression furniture too, because it's from someone who had nothing.”

These days in Ballarat, young couples who have recently moved to the country are visiting Leah to decorate their homes. “And they're finding out the history of their home. What I'm learning about their passion is that they want to put things into their home that's from the era when it was built.”

Rocket and Belle capture the sentiment of something American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson meant, when he said, “our admiration of the antique is not admiration of the old, but of the natural.”

You can find Rocket and Belle at 'The Shed on Mair'

37 Mair Street West, Ballarat. Thursday, Friday and Saturday: 11am till 4pm

rocketandbelle.com.au

spaces extraordinary Unique

STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL

PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

DAVE FRAZER

This winter, from the soaring St Peter's Church to the Bullarto bush hall, some of Australia’s finest musicians will be pouring out their souls in a series of events for Winter Sounds.

“It was a long development period,” laughs Dave. “We run a an event up in Echuca called the Riverboats Music Festival, which is a three day outdoor festival on the Murray and for years we’ve wanted to develop a sister event.”

The Riverboats Music Festival sells out every year and hosts artists like Paul Kelly, Neil Finn, Missy Higgins and the Cat Empire.

“My family have a place out at the back of Daylesford, in a beautiful old school we’re restoring at the moment and hoping to do some shows in eventually.”

Over the years, as Dave was coming back and forth from the region he says he was struck by an idea, “to create a event over the winter months that could bring some of these artists that we've worked with into some of the extraordinary spaces around Daylesford.”

“One of the really unique things about the region is that every bush track, you go down, there's another abandoned church or school hall, or little village and I suppose as a music promoter, I'm sort of peering into these beautiful LED light windows and thinking, imagine if we did an intimate show with some of these acts that we've worked with.”

He began reaching out to people who managed these bucolic spaces in Glenlyon, Bullarto, Daylesford and Clunes. “At the Clunes town hall, I opened this door. And it's

got this incredible painted backdrop like a Frederick McCubbin pace. And it's from the 20s or something!”

He says, “The great thing about it is how encouraging and supportive that community has been. A lot of these buildings are never used to their full capacity now, particularly the churches. We were in the United Church last year, and that was built back in the gold rush for a congregation of 350 people, a local minister said they're lucky to get 10 a week to services now.”

We're not just ring fencing a footy oval and bringing toilets to the staging and rolling out a traditional festival. We’re not using the word festival. It’s a series of one off performances in unique, extraordinary spaces, so a lot of these bands that do play in front of 1000s of people If you're on a festival stage, are like, ‘This is

amazing. You're telling us we can go and perform in a bush Hall you can only get to via Art Deco train that we've charted?”

This year, Winter Sounds will be hosting intimate performances by Adalita in the Bullarto Village Hall, Jen Cloher at St Peter’s Church in Daylesford, Gareth Liddiard in the Bullarto Village Hall and Watty Thompson in the Clunes Town Hall, among others.

Dave runs me through his top picks, “I think Mo’Ju at the townhall will be pretty extraordinary. They just performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. And they will be supported by Coda Chroma, a Ballarat artist who was PBS’s artist of the week a couple of weeks ago.

Dave Frazer - Festival Director Winter Sounds wintersounds.com.au

FEATURE PROPERTY

Drummond Estate

Set on over 100 acres overlooking the Macedon Ranges, Drummond Estate is a luxury home suitable for families and small groups. The 5 bedroom, 3 bathroom, modern-designed home is located just outside of Kyneton, and 15 minutes’ drive from Daylesford, making it the perfect location to explore the region.

With a hot/cold plunge pool, vast entertaining spaces and breathtaking views, Drummond Estate isthe perfect regional escape

10 5 3

(03) 5348 2008

thehousesdaylesford.com

stay@thehousesdaylesford.com

That's Spirit the

It’s not uncommon to return from an overseas trip brimming with enthusiasm for making life-changing decisions. Most of those decisions fade into memory, but Michael Samootin, owner of Daylesford’s newest craft distillery, Daylesford Spirit, is an exception to the rule.

In 2010 Michael and his wife Kathryn took a trip to Scotland that included visiting whisky distilleries in the north. It was a lightbulb moment.

“I was astounded by the whole set-up,” he says. “The history and the whole process of making and aging whisky appealed to me and I immediately wanted to get into it.”

Like the process of making whisky, Michael’s revelation took some time to come to fruition, requiring another life-changing decision to make it happen. Michael and Kathryn had been regular visitors to Daylesford for nearly 20 years and, during lockdown, decided to buy a property, sight unseen, just outside of Daylesford in Mount Franklin. Shortly after, they relocated from Melbourne permanently.

“There was no thought of opening a distillery initially,” says Michael. “We moved here because we loved Daylesford. But when we set about rejuvenating the property –including designing and building a new shed – I suddenly thought: why don’t I design it so that it could house a distillery.”

The can-do attitude was probably helped by Michael’s background where his prior very successful 30- year career iin the IT industry. Michael built his distillery-ready shed, joined the Australian Distillers’ Association, bought a 10-litre copper pot still and hired Jace Yendall, former whisky distiller at Starwood Whisky in Melbourne, to help him turn the dream of making great whisky, a range of classic gin and highquality grain vodka into reality.

“Jace and I came from the same place in where we wanted to place Daylesford Spirit,” he says. “We wanted to take the distilling back to the core basics and make products that were made with the same focus as I saw in those distilleries in Scotland.”

DAYLESFORD SPIRIT

STORY BY MICHAEL HARDEN

PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

N E W R E L E A S E

3 NEW BARREL AGED GINS ADDED TO THE AWARD WINNING LINE UP JUNE 6TH

Available for sale through online or Cellarbration Cellars

Use the code #DSNEWRELEASE for 5% off your first order.

"Delicious and new, yet timeless with beautifully-balanced flavour profiles "

"This is the best Sloe Gin i have tasted in my life, my new favourite!"

Less than two years on, Daylesford Spirit’s – feature historic photographs of Daylesford, sourced from the local historical society. Daylesford Spirit also donated a percentage of its sales during the 2023 ChillOut festival to an organisation supporting LGBTQI youth.

There have been challenges – setting up a distillery requires a staunch disposition when it comes to navigating licensing and planning laws. But Michael’s decision, made more than a decade ago, appears to have been the right one.

“I love and enjoy what I’m doing and where I’m doing it so much that nothing’s a problem,” he says. “And I’ve always loved a challenge.”

For more information about Daylesford Spirit’s range and stockists:

Daylesford Spirit daylesfordspirit.com.au

ENKI

APOTHECARY & BOTANICALBAR

Crofters Fold

Crofters Fold is a serene and stylish farmhouse and barn in an idyllic setting in Pipers Creek, close to Kyneton. The Barn and The Cottage, bookable individually or accommodating up to 10 guests combined The blissful interiors are an absolute balm to the senses. The house is located on a picturesque working farm that includes a rose garden, vineyard, cattle and sheep.

10 5 2

(03) 5348 2008

thehousesdaylesford.com

In the bucolic town of Little Hampton, George Wicker has been growing potatoes for over 50 years.

“I grew up in little Hampton. And I grew up opposite the little Hampton School,” explains George. “With my mum and Dad, I grew up on a farm; milking cows and growing spuds. I’ve been in farming all my life.”

George knew from the outset, his destiny was written.

“Since I've been a bit seven year old I think that's all I ever wanted to do. I just wanted to be a farmer. It was my dream,” says George.

“I like the freedom. You weren’t stuck to certain hours and you could work as long

Ilike Freedom the

or as little as you like. There’s always something to do but I think there’s a free spirit about all things farming.”

George loved being outdoors in the lush pastures of central Victoria.

“In my early life, my fondest memories were the potato diggers in the paddock digging,” explains George. “I used to go out in the

evening after school and I got to drive the tractor along while dad would stack them on the trailer.”

Spuds were the main source of income in the Wicker household.

“Dad used to milk about fourteen cows and grow a bit of oaten hay. Spuds were the main source of income. As years have gone on,

GEORGE WICKER

STORY BYMAHMOOD FAZAL PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

spuds have sort of risen to the top. I went from growing a few for the box on the road to supplying a shop in Kyneton.”

He quickly began to learn that the region was well suited for growing spuds, “There’s good red soil where they’re grown. A little bit of acidity which helps the flavour. The trouble is that now there’s only two growers left in the Little Hampton area.

But the journey wasn’t as straightforward as George anticipated. Like all farmers he faced some hard times.

“You realise there's some really good times prices are good, everything's good, And then you come to times like now when inflation, fuel’s expensive, everything got expensive and you've just got to be careful how you spend your money.”

He remembers a particularly difficult moment early on in his career,

“Back in like late 80s. We bought a tractor when interest rates were very very high and then we had to sell the tractor because we couldn't afford to keep it and started over again,” says George. “I took away from that, you sit down and work out within reason

what your income is going to be over the next two years. Working out your income and not spending more than you should.”

These days, George has turned his farming practice into a calculated business that celebrates some of the best spuds in the region.

He adds, “we grow dutch creams, nicholas, pontiacs, sabegos, king edwards and snow gems.”

George’s offering caters to the local community. “Dutch creams are very, very popular with people. They're a good seller.

And Sabegos are a very good quality of spud. And your king edwards are a very good all round potato.”

His favourite spud? “Probably would be to Sebago because he's a very good all round spud. You can mash him you can fry him and you can do almost anything with him. My favourite way, I love them mashed with a little bit of butter and a little bit of milk.”

You can purchase George’s spuds under a giant old gum tree on Daylesford Trentham road or Watts Fresh in Kyneton.

Clouds Dine among the

The name Passing Clouds is an in-joke; a dig at the people who thought Graham Leith and Sue Mackinnon were out of their minds to attempt growing pinot noir grapes at such a high altitude.

Fast-forward half a century and the winery’s stellar reputation speaks for itself, with a consistent five-star rating from critical doyen James Halliday. However, in a nod to the Central Victorian climate, the next generation of Leiths – son Cameron, who is now chief winemaker, and his wife Marion –have just reopened their spectacular dining room after a major WatsonYoung Architectsdriven renovation that brought the terrace inside.

“We were only using it for about a month every year because it does get rather chilly out there,” says Marion of the project that essentially doubled their capacity to 70 seats. “We can now seat groups, which was always a problem in the long, narrow space. But the views of the dam and the vines are as gorgeous as ever.”

PASSING CLOUDS

STORY BY LARISSA DUBEKI

PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER

Nestled in the pretty village of Musk, Passing Clouds’ new dining room has ushered in a new era for head chef Cameron McKenzie. For the past seven years he has cooked solely over a charcoal fire pit, but the arrival of a Combi oven promises to expand his repertoire. Housemade bread is on the horizon, as is an expanded retinue of vegetarian dishes and desserts, with the new oven enabling pastry chef Christian Reuthen to experiment with baking.

But otherwise, you can expect the threecourse shared La Famiglia menu to remain faithful to the produce-driven style that has won it countless fans. The fire pit continues to lend its signature to dishes like wood smoked salmon with remoulade and fresh horseradish, and classic vitello tonnato, two of the just-dig-in appetisers that can also include charcuterie from local heroes Istra and Ballarat’s Salt Kitchen, and mains such as five-day brined rotisserie chicken or rump cap. Plenty of sides are a given, sourced from the Passing Clouds kitchen garden or local artisan producers.

To drink? The Estate’s wines are available by the glass, including exclusive museum vintages worthy of a splash-out. But Marion recommends stopping by the cellar door first for a tasting to decide which way you’re going to jump with the pinot, chardonnay, Riesling, viognier, shiraz and more.

Fun Fact: at just seven minutes’ drive from Daylesford, Passing Clouds has the closest cellar door to the tourist town. For extra novelty you might choose to ditch the car and take the train. Running each Sunday, the vintage Daylesford Spa Country Railway trundles along the scenic route from near the Daylesford market to Bullarto, stopping en route at the Passing Clouds platform.

“We got funding five years ago to build the platform,” says Marion. “The train takes around 15 minutes to get here from Daylesford, and it goes through the Wombat State Forest. Autumn’s spectacular and if you’re lucky in winter there will be snow on the ground. It’s a gorgeous way to travel, and no stress!”.

Passing Clouds

'La Famiglia' lunch

Thursday to Monday

passingclouds.com.au/dining-room

Reasons to Get Lost in Winter...

COMPILED BY JESSICA WALSH

WORDS IN WINTER

Words in Winter is a literary and arts festival held in August in the Hepburn Shire and surrounding districts. Words in Winter is a celebration of words, stories and ideas in all their forms shared by locals and visiting presenters through readings, poetry, theatre, music, talks, workshops, visiting authors, and exhibitions.

A sensory feast of community and beyond.

Come dip into the warmth of words in winter

25, 26 & 27 August 2023

wordsinwinter.com

2023 A feast of music

MCO's chamber music festival in the heart of Victoria's spa country features the orchestra and stars of chamber music over five events, including a musical dinner at Hotel Bellinzona.

DAYLESFORD | HEPBURN SPRINGS

Sat 09/09/23 - Sun 10/09/23, Daylesford Town Hall | Hotel Bellinzona

mco.org.au/whats-on/

WINTER SOUNDS

From the soaring St Peter's Church to the grand town halls of Daylesford and Clunes, the villages of Glenlyon and Bullarto and aboard the Spa Country Railway,

Winter Sounds is bringing some of Australia's finest artists to extraordinary spaces across Dja Dja Wurrung country this August.

17, 18, 19 & 20 August 2023

www.wintersounds.com.au

BOREALIS on the lake

A breathtaking blend of technology and art, witness unique auroras projected across Lake Daylesford through colour, movement, density of light beams and changing weather.

Be transported to a place faraway, where time slows down as eyes look up, immersed in the wonder and magic of Borealis. Created by Switzerland-based artivist Dan Acher and set to a tranquil soundtrack by French musician Guillaume Desbois, Borealis on the Lake is a place where strangers come together and connect beyond their differences – where the landscape becomes a playground to explore belonging and community.

20 July - 1st October

borealisau.com

WINTER SOUNDS

IMAGE COURTESY OF DAVE FRAZER

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

WINTER LOCAL MARKET GUIDE

FIRST SATURDAY

WOODEND FARMERS MARKET

9am-1pm High Street, Woodend

FIRST SUNDAY

CASTLEMAINE FARMERS MARKET

9am-1pm Forest Street, Castlemaine

FOURTH SUNDAY CASTLEMAINE ARTISTS MARKET

9am-2pm Western Reserve, Castlemaine (Opp Farmers Market)

GISBORNE ALL SEASONS MARKET

9am-3pm Gisborne Village Shopping Centre, Gisborne

SECOND SATURDAY

BALLAN FARMERS MARKET

9am-1pm Mill Cottage, 96 Inglis Street, Ballan

KYNETON FARMERS MARKET

8am-1pm St Pauls Park Piper Street, Kyneton

SECOND SUNDAY

CLUNES FARMERS MARKET 9am-2pm Collins Place, Clunes

MALDON MARKET

9am-2pm Cnr Church & Edwards Street, Maldon

THIRD SATURDAY

CRESWICK MARKET

9am-1pm Napier & Victoria Street, Creswick

GLENLYON VILLAGE MARKET

9am-1pm Glenlyon Hall, Glenlyon

LEONARDS HILL HALL & COUNTRY MARKET

9am-2pm Ballan-Daylesford Road, Leonards Hill

TRENTHAM FARMERS MARKET

9am-1pm Trentham Town Square, Trentham

THIRD SUNDAY WOODEND LIONS CLUB MARKET

9am-1pm High Street, Woodend

THIRD SUNDAY

TALBOT FARMERS MARKET 9am-2pm Talbot

WANT TO BE SEEN IN LOST MAGAZINE?

FOR A CURRENT MEDIA KIT CALL THE TEAM ON 5348 2008

FOUND@LOSTMAGAZINE.COM.AU

'LAST SATURDAY

LANCEFIELD & DISTRICT

FARMERS MARKET

9am-1pm High Street, Lancefield

EVERY SATURDAY WESLEY HILL COMMUNITY MARKET

9am-1pm Pyrenees Hwy, Castlemaine

EVERY SUNDAY DAYLESFORD SUNDAY MARKET

8am-4pm Daylesford Railway Station, Midland Hwy

RESTAURANTS, CAFE'S & FOOD STORES

BAD HABITS CAFE

5348 3211

7 Daly St, Daylesford. Open daily, 10am-4pm. Enjoy a light morning or afternoon tea, or a substantial breakfast or lunch. theconventgallery.com.au

HEPBURN GENERAL STORE

102 Main Rd Hepburn Springs.

Open 7 day from 7am. (Sundays 8am) hepburngeneralstore.com.au

WINERIES, DISTILLERIES & CIDERIES

ANIMUS DISTILLERY

5403 2431

1/89A Piper St, Kyneton. Artisan gin distillery. Open 12-Late Wed to Sun. Mon and Tues open by appointment. animusdistillery.com

BIG TREE DISTILLERY 1300 040 573

Producing Award Winning Farm Crafted Gin Distillery Tasting Room open most weekends and Mondays. bigtreedistillery.com.au

PALAIS-HEPBURN

5348 1000 New chef serving up Modern Australian cuisine in a luxurious setting. Open Thu 5pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am, Dinner from 5pm-9.30pm palais-hepburn.com

SAULT

5348 6555

2439 Ballan-Daylesford Rd, Sailors Falls. Seasonal Modern Australian dishes in a scenic homestead. Dinner Wed-Sun. Lunch Fri-Sun. sault.com.au

SWISS MOUNTAIN HOTEL 5345 7006

3454 Midland Hwy, Blampied. Pub meals & Functions. Dinner TuesSan. Lunch Wed-Sun. Closed Monday. swissmountainhotel.com.au

THE VIRGIN CAFE

5348 2271

77 Main Road Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days from 8am. Part café, part gallery. Enjoy some of the finest culinary delights in Victoria. bellinzona.com.au

DAYLESFORD CIDER

5348 2275

155 Dairyflat Rd, Musk. Craft Cider, Tastings, Lunch & cellar-door sales. Online reservations, visit website for info on opening hours daylesfordcider.com.au

PASSING CLOUDS

5348 5550

30 Roddas Lane, Musk. Winery open daily 10am5pm. Lunch 12pm Fri-Mon (bookings are essential). passingclouds.com.au

WINE BARS, HOTELS & BOTTLE SHOPS

FARMERS ARMS

DAYLESFORD

5348 2091

1 East Street, Daylesford. Open 7 days lunch & dinner. Hotel and accommodation. thefarmersarms.com.au

FOXXY'S AT CELLARBRATIONS

5348 3577

55 Vincent St Daylesford. Open 7 Days until late. Local and international wines, beers and spirits. cellarbrations.com.au

RED HARE WINERY 0499 607 609 Boutique vineyard & cellar door. 1225 Daylesford Malmsbury Rd, Denver Open Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon 11.00 - 4.30 redhareestate.com.au

THE LOBBY BAR 5348 2271

77 Main Road Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days from 5pm until late. Swing by and settle in for the evening. bellinzona.com.au

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

PORTAL 108 5348 4353 108 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs

Clothing, shoes, handbags, designer pet gear, homewares and jewellery portal108.com.au

GALLERIES & STUDIOS

BULLARTO GALLERY 0408 529 725 962 Daylesford

Trentham Rd Bullarto

Beautiful space and works Open 10-4pm Sat & Sun or via appointment @phillip.edwards.artist

VENUES

PALAIS-HEPBURN

5348 1000

Serving up the best cocktails in the shire. Selected French and local wines. Boutique bottle shop. Thu 5pm11pm, Fri-Sat 4pm-12am Dinner from 5pm-9:30pm palais-hepburn.com

THE FARM DAYLESFORD 0406 690 775

Daylesford's newest event space. Built from recycled tin, wood, striking power poles and 160 year old trusses. thefarmdaylesford.com.au

SERVICES

OZ-TRANS 0407 697 877

Professional removals, general, furniture & produce freight. Art, piano's, pallets & parcels. Regular runs to Melbourne, Geelong & west/central Vic oztrans.com.au

SIGNSATION

0427 425 577

We specialise in hand painted signs and murals. We also offer the most up to date methods in digital printing to our customers. signsation.net.au

ACCOMMODATION

THE AMALFI 5348 2008

A beautiful self-contained property featuring 20 en-suited guest rooms, commercial kitchen and conference spaces. thehousesdaylesford.com

HOTEL BELLINZONA 5348 2271

77 Main Rd Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days. Bespoke accommodation in the heart of Hepburn Springs. bellinzona.com.au

PARKSTONE REAL ESTATE 9115 7328

Shop 6/22-24 Howe Street, Daylesford. Real Estate Sales & Property Management. Servicing Daylesford, Castlemaine & the Macedon Ranges. parkstonerealestate.com.au

THE OXFORD 5348 2008

Historical property catering to large groups of up to 24, in the scenic Hepburn Springs area. thehousesdaylesford.com

PEPPERS HOTEL 5348 2202

124 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs. Open 7 days. 1930's Daylesford hotel, transformed into a deluxe retreat. mineralspringshotel.com.au

THE HOUSES DAYLESFORD 5348 2008

Office located at 3 Howe St Daylesford. Full service agency specialising in corporate retreats and both large & small groups. thehousesdaylesford.com

THE TRAIN 5348 2008

Thoughtfully converted train carriage for two guests on a private block, only 5-min walk from Lake Daylesford. Pet friendly. thehousesdaylesford.com

WOMBAT EDGE 5348 2008

A beautiful and modern country home for up to 11 guests. Set on 10 acres with a lake, and only 15 minutes from Daylesford. thehousesdaylesford.com

THE GARDEN HOUSE 5348 2008

You could easily forget that you are so close to Daylesford’s thriving town centre, when inside these remarkable grounds. thehousesdaylesford.com

LEWELLYN HOUSE 5348 2008

Accommodateing 18 guests with 9 bedrooms & 9 ensuites. Positioned opposite The Convent Gallery. thehousesdaylesford.com

LEONIE KEYNES

1.Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?

After a successful 28-year career in the Aviation Industry, I now work 2 jobs in Daylesford - Admin for the Catholic Churches of Daylesford & Creswick, and Casual Customer Experience o cer for the Hepburn Shire, where I am often at the Visitor Information Centre on weekends.

3. What do you love about Daylesford and our community?

Located in a picturesque region of Victoria, just a stone’s throw away from Melbourne to me lies the epitome of serenity. The moment I exit the freeway, inhale the crisp pure air, I feel instantly at ease, away from the chaos of the bustling city. The elegant harmony of nature, history, art, charming cafes & restaurants, bountiful fresh produce, and wine make for an appealing and relaxed way of living. Moreover, the community is welcoming, supportive, and diverse, which I enjoy being part of.

4. Tell us an interesting Visitor Info Centre happening – something out of the ordinary you have experienced?

I recall a gentleman who walked in with an eagerness to visit the hot springs. Although this is

common inquiry, he was insistent that he had reached the Mornington Peninsula. He showed me his GPS device and phone, both of which showed ‘Mornington Peninsula’ as his destination. Despite delicately pointing out his current location on a map of Victoria, he remained unconvinced, & a tad exasperated with me. Subsequently, he requested information on the nearest beach, which I happily obliged showing him on a map and wished him well. Having been in customer service and training it for a long time, I am familiar with handling some odd requests with good humour and patience.

5. If you were to be a tourist in our town, what would your weekend itinerary look like?

I would arrive Friday afternoon grab a co ee at Brew Jays and a stroll around either Lake Jubilee, Lake Daylesford, Hepburn Reserve or Botanical Gardens. Upon checking into my accommodation, I would get a massage from one of the many masseurs in town or a luxurious facial at Eko Skin Care Spa. Friday evening a drink at Daylesford Brewing Company before dinner at Frank & Connie’s Kitchen or Farmers Arms Hotel.

Early Saturday morning I would head to the Warm up Café in Mink St Daylesford to get a fantastic Smoothie Bowl. After that I would do a walking tour with Alice’s Journeys for a fascinating historic intro to the area, followed by a visit to the Museum & Mill Market. After a bite to eat at Harry’s Hepburn or Pancho, I would explore the Convent Gallery & the Black Gallery Daylesford for some art appreciation. Some shopping in Vincent Street then I would enjoy a decadent hot chocolate at the Daylesford Hot Chocolate Company. Dinner would be at Radio Springs Hotel, Beppe or Royal Hotel and then I would head to The Palais for some live music.

Sunday Morning a visit to the Sunday Markets then brunch at either Cli ys, Wombat Hill Café or Virgin Café. A drive to Lavandula, Chocolate Mill or a visit to Daylesford Cidery, Herbal Lore or one of our many wineries in the region.