FARMERS ARMS HOTEL
ABOUT LOST MAGAZINE
Lost Magazine is an independent 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
PO BOX 463 Daylesford VIC 3460
editor@lostmagazine.com.au 03 5348 2008
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COVER IMAGE
Bridget Farmer by photographer Chris Turner. Read the full story on page 26.
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.
FEATURE WRITER
Larissa Dubecki
FEATURE WRITER
Mahmood Fazal
PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Turner
FEATURE WRITER Michael Harden
DESIGN & BRAND
Jessica Walsh
PUBLISHER
Tony De Marco
PUBLISHER
Theresa Albioli
EDITOR
Melissa Jenkins
Lost News
I’m thrilled to introduce myself as the new editor of LOST. As a local with a passion for uncovering the hidden gems and colourful characters of our region, I’m excited to share stories that highlight the unique charm and talent within our community.
So let's dive into a new season and this fresh edition of LOST together and celebrate Spring! For the country traveller, Spring is when the landscape comes alive, and every road is a scenic route. But Spring isn’t just about nature showing off, it’s also about shedding the layers. We step out of hibernation mode. Those weekend getaways? Now’s the time to hit the trails, explore hidden gems, and let yourself be swept away by the sheer potential that this season brings.
In this edition Mahmood followed a trail, one of birdsong, that led him to Printmaker and Guildford local, Bridget Farmer, whose whimsical and intricate illustrations pay tribute to her lifelong fascination with our feathered friends.
Further up the road in Kyneton, Donna Carlson shared her heartfelt journey behind The Woolshed Australia, where quality fabrics and homewares are more than just products - they're the essence of her country store.
WRAP UP
OF NEWS AND HAPPENINGS IN OUR REGION BY
EDITOR, MELISSA JENKINS
We then sent Mahmood deep into the Wombat State Forest to Bullarto where he caught up with Janine from 17Pounds and discovered a haven of fitness and aquacycling in the most unexpected of places!
Mahmood then had the pleasure of speaking with Dominic Romeo, whose dedication to restoring some of Australia’s most significant properties is nothing short of inspiring.
Larissa indulged in our favourite sweet treat, ice cream! Her conversation with Drè Reiss of Woodend Ice Cream Co. unveiled the artistry and thought behind each delectable scoop.
To wrap up this season’s journey, Michael delved into the world of Gindu, a new distillery in Woodend, where Jamie and Leighan are crafting a new chapter in the world of spirits.
There really are so many reasons to get out of the house and get LOST in nature this Spring. We hope the stories in this edition lead you to your next great discovery.
Happy wandering, Melissa Jenkins, Editor
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE
Heart Storyteller at
DOMINIC ROMEO
STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL
PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER
Architecture is not about space but about time. A building is a vessel of its time and place, and thus reflects the values and ideals of that era.”
- Robin Boyd
The passion for heritage properties was planted in Dominic Romeo at an early age. Sent to boarding school as a young boy, he was surrounded by the grandeur of heritage architecture - loggias, timber-panelled libraries, courtyards, and sprawling sporting ovals. The charm of that place, far removed from the modest new brick home of his childhood in Melbourne’s western suburbs, left a lasting impression. "That early exposure planted a seed," he says, reflecting on the genesis of his lifelong obsession with preserving Australia’s historic estates.
With over 35 years of experience in restoring heritage properties, Dominic has become a leading figure in Australia’s niche market of heritage real estate. But his path to this unique specialisation wasn’t immediately clear. After working in real estate from 2009, it was a moment of frustration in 2014 that became a turning point. Dominic realised that agents selling heritage properties often lacked the specialised knowledge to answer crucial questions, leaving buyers in the dark. "Heritage properties come with complexities - interacting with regulatory authorities, obtaining permits, restoration costs," he explains. "And agents couldn’t address those challenges."
It was then that Dominic decided to carve out his own space. With a wealth of experience, a BA in Fine Art Photography, and a BA in Business, Dominic combined his background in art, conservation, and real estate to establish Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property, Australia’s only real estate agency specialising in heritage properties. The mission? To help both buyers and sellers navigate the intricate web of heritage property transactions with confidence.
His work is far more than a transactional process. Dominic is a storyteller at heart, bringing the histories of Australia’s grand estates to life. "The social history of a house tells us about its identity and soul," he says. "Discerning heritage property buyers are looking for trophy properties with provenance." His marketing is steeped in research, often delving deep into archives to uncover the stories of the people and events that once animated the grand mansions and humble cottages he sells.
One of the most challenging aspects of restoring historic homes, he admits, is simply finding them. "Finding an unrestored historic property is perhaps the most challenging aspect," he says. Over the years, he and his wife have embarked on countless restoration projects, each one presenting its own unique set of challenges. "Rupertswood in Sunbury was one of the most difficult," Dominic recalls, speaking of the 50-room mansion, one of Australia’s most significant.
"The project encompassed everything that a serious restoration offered."
One of his most satisfying restorations, however, was Karori, an 1888 Mount Macedon property that had been untouched for decades. "It was a time capsule," he says, describing the overgrown six-acre garden and the untouched interior, which revealed a glimpse into Australia’s past. By the time they had finished restoring both house and garden, Dominic and his team had recorded 122 significant trees and uncovered over 300 historical photographs.
This was preservation at its most vital, a tangible link between the past and the present.
Balancing the need for modern comfort with the desire to preserve historical integrity is an essential part of Dominic’s approach. "Period properties exude character and charm, but they must accommodate the needs of a modern lifestyle," he explains. For Dominic, this means blending the old and new, incorporating beautiful cabinetry, modern amenities, and abundant light, while retaining key architectural features that speak to the property's historical importance.
His work has had a profound impact not only on individual homeowners but also on Australia’s broader real estate market.
"We are losing approximately 800 heritage and character houses per week throughout Australia," Dominic says, a fact that motivates him to continue his work in preservation. These houses, he argues, are not just homes; they are physical embodiments of cultural heritage, carrying with them the stories and identities of entire communities.
Looking to the future, Dominic is excited about the continued growth of Circa Heritage and Lifestyle Property.
He is working on an educational booklet, "The Art of Selling Heritage Property," to help buyers and sellers navigate the complexities of this niche market. His work ethic, combined with a deep knowledge of heritage properties and a commitment to their preservation, has made him a sought-after expert in Australia. As he looks ahead, Dominic’s aspirations remain clear: to continue preserving Australia’s rich architectural heritage, one house at a time.
Dominic Romeo @theconstantrenovatoraus circaheritageandlifestyle.com.au
Personal A Symphony
BRIDGET FARMER
STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER
In the muted light of her studio in Central Victoria, Bridget Farmer's world unfurls with the delicacy of a bird's wing. Her prints, etched with an intricate love for the natural world, portray native Australian birds not merely as subjects but as vivid emissaries of place and time. “Every time I move between Ireland and Australia,” Farmer reflects, “the birds are the first to tell me where I am.” It is this migratory rhythm, a personal symphony of feathers and songs, that pulses through her art.
Farmer’s fascination with birds is as unassuming as it is profound. “I don’t have a ‘spark bird,’” she admits with a selfdeprecating chuckle. “It’s always been there, this gentle awareness.” The artist’s approach to her subjects is intuitive and deeply personal, drawn from her own observations and the sounds of the avian world. “I take my camera everywhere,” she says, “and I try to capture not just their appearance but their essence.” This commitment to capturing the ethereal aspect of birdlife transforms her prints into something almost metaphysical.
The process of translating these observations into print is both meditative and meticulous. Farmer’s studio is an alchemical space where the tactile meets the ephemeral. Her preferred medium, drypoint etching, allows her to explore the nuances of line and texture with a precision that mirrors her observational skills. “Drypoint is about how the ink interacts with the lines you’ve created,” she explains. “It’s the opposite of relief printing like lino cuts, where the ink sits on the surface.” This technique, which she discovered in 2005 during a visit to Australia, offers a way to render the intricate detail of feathers and the subtlety of bird songs onto the page.
Yet Farmer’s journey into printmaking was not a straightforward path. Her early training in jewellery and silversmithing at Edinburgh College of Art could not have foretold the pivot to etching. “Jewellery is about working with metal, but printmaking—especially drypoint—is about drawing with metal,” she observes. This crossover between her past and present work is not lost on her. “I still use some of my jewellery tools for scratching into the plates,” she notes with a smile. “It’s a nice connection.”
The intersection of different artistic realms is a recurring theme in Farmer’s work. Her foray into creating embroidered patches and enamel pins is an extension of her printmaking practice, a means of reaching broader audiences while staying true to her artistic vision. “It’s about keeping the art accessible and engaging,” she says. “The patches and pins are like little pieces of my art that people can carry with them.”
In addition to her printmaking and product lines, Farmer is also involved in teaching and community outreach. Though she admits to occasional bouts of social anxiety, she values the opportunity to share her skills with others. Workshops at locations like the Art Hub in Woodend and Bruny Island provide a space for both instruction and inspiration, fostering a dialogue between artists and their environment.
Central Victoria, with its vast skies and varied birdlife, plays a significant role in Farmer’s creative process. The local environment and community offer a wellspring of inspiration, particularly through interactions with fellow artists and bird enthusiasts. “It’s wonderful to connect with others who share an interest in nature,” she says. “We go on bird walks and camping trips, and it deepens my understanding of the natural world.”
Farmer’s latest project, a children’s book titled I Am a Magpie, I Am a Curlew, is set to launch soon. The book aims to introduce young readers to the subtle distinctions between bird species, encouraging them to observe and appreciate the natural world. “It’s about teaching the value of noticing,” Farmer explains. “Once you start paying attention, the world reveals so much more.”
In Farmer’s prints, as in her life, the bird is not merely a creature of the sky but a symbol of deeper truths and connections. Her work captures a moment where nature’s delicate beauty intersects with human experience, offering a glimpse into a world where every feather and song tells a story worth telling.
Bridget Farmer Printmaker @bridgetfarmerprintmaker bridgetfarmerprintmaker.com
Hard Emblematic of Work
DONNA CARLSON THE WOOLSHED AUSTRALIA
STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER
In the heart of the Australian countryside, Donna’s journey began, shaped by the vast landscapes of Queensland, where her father worked as a station manager in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Her early childhood unfolded in this rugged outback, with her family leaning on the services of Dr John Flynn, the renowned doctor of the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It was a life that rooted her deeply in the rural world, and she later carried those ties into adulthood when her family moved to New South Wales, settling on a farm with cattle and sheep.
Donna’s path to The Woolshed Australia, her clothing business, was as unyielding as the terrain she grew up in. Life was not always generous. Since 2004, Donna has largely been a single mother to her five children. In her words, hard work has been not just a necessity but a defining theme of her life. “The symbol of a woolshed is emblematic of hard work,” she explains, tying it to both the Australian economy’s deep roots in the wool industry and her personal history.
By 2017, Donna had purchased a small farm in the Central West of New South Wales, a harsh yet fertile region known for its extreme weather and prized Merino wool.
An experiment with converting a disused horse stable into an Airbnb yielded success, but it was the cold winters that pushed her in a different direction. “It was more than a little ironic that I couldn’t find any decent knitwear to keep my family and I warm during winter,” she recalls. That irony sparked the idea for The Woolshed Australia. Armed with retail experience and $5,000, she opened her first store in the small town of Molong, on the Mitchell Highway, in April 2018. Stocking a mix of Australian, New Zealand, and Irish heritage garments made from Merino, possum, and alpaca, Donna recalls the beauty of those early days.
But by October of that same year, tragedy struck. During the biggest field day in Cabonne Shire, Donna received the devastating news that her eldest daughter had taken her life after a long battle with depression. A single mother left grappling with unimaginable grief, Donna faced the choice of giving up or carrying on for the sake of her remaining children. “It was the mother in me that galvanised me to carry on,” she says. “I gave myself the pep talk I needed. I have to make the right choices, I have to be strong, I must not give up. My children deserve the best me.”
Returning to work, she leaned on the support of her community in Molong. It was this resilience and the kindness she encountered from the people around her that helped her not only keep The Woolshed Australia open but also expand it.
By August 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Donna had relocated The Woolshed Australia to the Gold Rush town of Kyneton, Victoria. The town’s historical architecture and artisanal spirit appealed to her, and with the same tenacity, she opened her store on Piper Street. “The INCREDIBLE generosity and kindness of community members,” she notes, were pivotal to this new chapter.
The landscape of Australia remains a significant source of inspiration for Donna. She tears up when reading My Country by Dorothea Mackellar, and the wide skies and natural beauty of her home are woven into the fabric of The Woolshed Australia. The store also doubles as an art gallery, with works by Miodrag Jankovic, an Australian landscape artist, hanging on the walls. “These works take my breath away,” she says, deeply moved by the natural scenes they depict.
Running a business in the wool and natural fibres sector comes with its own set of challenges, particularly as Australian manufacturing has been on the decline. “It’s more expensive, but it’s worthwhile knowing that the wool in these garments
supports local farmers, wool brokers, mills, manufacturers, and designers,” Donna explains. And yet, Australian wool is revered worldwide, often found in the most luxurious garments produced in Italy and beyond.
Sustainability is also central to Donna’s ethos. She is a firm believer in stocking natural fibres like linen and silk, which regulate body temperature and are biodegradable. She works with suppliers on an indent basis, ensuring only enough stock is produced to meet demand, avoiding the wastefulness of overproduction that plagues the fast fashion industry.
As for the future of The Woolshed Australia, Donna’s vision is clear: continue to offer quality products, serve the community, and, perhaps most importantly, give back. Each year, she donates up to $20,000 in value to her local Kyneton community, contributing to initiatives like the Kyneton Kindness Collective, which provides daily meals to those in need.
In Donna’s world, kindness is a form of currency, and it is her community, not just her business, that she tends to with the same care and dedication that has marked her life from the beginning.
The Woolshed Australia
2/14 Piper Street, Kyneton @thewoolshedaustralia thewoolshedaustralia.com
The Garden House
Nestled in the heart of Daylesford, The Garden House is a charming weatherboard home with a secluded private garden. Despite its close proximity to the town center, the tranquil grounds and enchanting interiors make it feel like a hidden retreat. With three beautifully appointed bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an outdoor pizza oven, this exquisite home comfortably accommodates up to eight guests—perfect for a peaceful getaway. (03) 5348 2008 thehousesdaylesford.com stay@thehousesdaylesford.com 8 3 2
Sweet The Life
Have you ever tried running a café, boulangerie, patisserie and sweet shop while wrangling three young children, one just a newborn baby?
“Something had to give; the baby was sleeping in a banana box on the floor, and it wasn’t a good look,” laughs Andréa Reiss – better known as Dré – of her decision to sell her highly regarded South Melbourne venues Chez Dré and Bibelot and to open a business closer to home in Woodend.
“With a three-month-old and two other kids I had to think of something simple. Ice-cream in summer, chocolate in winter… it seemed like the perfect solution.”
A shopfront on Woodend’s main drag was the ideal forum for her seasonal inspiration. But as a perfectionist pâtissière who has worked in Melbourne and Paris’ finest restaurants, things weren’t likely to stay simple for too long.
At Woodend Ice Cream Co (now joined by sibling Gisborne Ice Cream Co) you can choose from 16-odd flavours, along with old-school milkshakes (made with the house ice-cream, “not that pump stuff”). The remit has expanded to include pastries such as crullers (choux doughnuts), the signature cinnamon buns and a rotating cast of one-off specials.
ANDR Ē A REISS
WOODEND ICE CREAM CO
STORY BY LARISSA DUBECKI
PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER
As Reiss says, “I’m a glutton for making good food simple.” Everything at the shops is made in-house, from the fudge and fruit compotes flavouring the ice-cream to the cookie crumbs folded into the cookies and cream version along with a pinch of salt to make it zing.
Perhaps surprisingly, the most asked-for flavour is liquorice, which Reiss melts down to make an infusion: “Then we churn it so t’s really aniseedy. I think it has that nostalgia factor. It’s the sort of flavour people want at a country ice-cream shop. In the city you have to come up with all sorts of arty combinations to keep people’s attention but here it’s just the solid repertoire. Consistency is key.”
Boysenberry is also popular, while the mandarin and yuzu sorbet hits some seriously refreshing KPIs.
“The shop might have evolved from the original idea, but it still has that philosophy of giving back to the community,” says Reiss. “Every country town needs a great classic ice-cream shop, where the kids come in after school and families swing by for a treat.”
Reiss’ youngest child is now five years old, which means Woodend Ice Cream Co is also celebrating its half-decade. That makes it the perfect time to launch a new venture, a roaming pizzeria called Mie Mani (“my hands”) with pizzaiolo Mattia Orillia.
The custom-built trailer with its proper woodfired oven launched at the start of September and can be found outside the Tylden Community Hall, 10 minutes’ drive from Woodend, every Friday.
“So far the pizza marinara is the absolute standout,” says Reiss of the traditional Neapolitan pizza style using only tomato sugo, extra virgin olive oil, oregano and garlic. “Getting your head around pizza made without cheese might be difficult at first but everyone who’s tried it says it’s amazing. Pizza and a choc-top… you’ll be living your best life.”
Woodend Ice Cream Co.
03 4432 5616
Shop 97A High Street Woodend @woodend_icecream_co
icecreamco.com.au
To those familiar with pandemic lockdowns, a group of stir-crazy friends getting together on Zoom over a few gin and tonics is nothing unusual. But not all virtual drinking sessions are created equal. In the case of Jamie Owen and his mates, their regular boredombusting meetings not only gave everyone’s
mental health a lift but led to the creation of Gindu, a Newham-based gin distilling business which, since releasing its first gin in 2021, has clocked up a trophy-cabinet full of national and international spirit awards. Gindu is short for Gin Down Under and the idea behind the brand was to create a range of gins, all using native botanicals from
GinspiredTraveller
GINDU
across Australia, that represent a sense of place. That this was a lockdown-inspired project is not surprising. Jamie and his mates had all met through the travel industry and, at a time when actual travel wasn't possible, Gindu offered it in another form, a journey around Australia via the palate.
“All of us were connected through the travel industry and because of lockdown a few of the group were out of work” says Jamie, who, along with his wife Leighan (rhymes with Megan), helps run the business and its original distillery from their property in Newham.
STORY BY MICHAEL HARDEN PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER
Passing Clouds Winery
cellar door & Dining Room
9 minutes from daylesford
Cellar Door: THURSDAY - MONDAY 10am -5pm TUES & WED BY APPOINTMENT
Dining Room: FRIday - Monday for Lunch
30 Roddas Lane Musk VIC 3461 passingclouds.com.au | (03) 5348 5550
For Dining Room reservations VISIT OUR website
“We all had a shared love of travel and of gin and so we came up with an idea for a business that would combine the two.”
They didn’t go into the project cold. Jamie had experience of the vagaries of liquor licencing after helping to set up the locally-based Rock & Ranges brewing Co-operative and also had a long-term fascination with distilling.
“I had a love for chemistry at school and, being a Scot, I have a penchant for spirits,” he says. “I’ve had a long fascination with gin and the process where you can create something from nothing that can evoke a sense of place, in our case, a sense of great destinations all across Australia.”
All of Gindu gins are made with imported juniper (“though we do get it from Macedonia, which fits in name at least with the Macedon Ranges”) but all other botanicals are from Australia. In their signature, award-winning An Australian Dry, for example, there is blood lime, anise myrtle, wattle seed, saltbush and mountain pepperberry.
Gindu also does a line of specialty gins including the amber-coloured Billy Tea Gin, which is steeped for 48 hours with a teabag filled with native lemongrass, scented emu bush, blue gum and white kunzea.
While the rapid expansion of Gindu has meant that the gin is now distilled in both Newham and Melbourne, the Macedon Ranges is still at the heart of the business which includes a distillery door in the town of Woodend.
Run by Leighan, the distillery door not only offers guests the opportunity to sample Gindu’s seven-plus range of gins via tasting paddles, it also lists gin-based cocktails and a menu of “Bush Tapas”, cured meats and cheeses, most sourced from the local area, served on locally-made bread, a “celebration of this beautiful region that has been our home for eleven years”.
A hint when drinking Gindu gin? Forget the garnish. “We have put all the work in so that you can taste all these amazing botanicals that are so evocative of the places in Australia we love to travel to,” says Jamie. “The aroma of garnishes can be intrusive so we suggest you skip them, sit back and enjoy the journey.”
Gindu Distillery Door 0416 542 125 4/80 High St, Woodend @discovergindu gindu.com.au
A Sense Place of
17POUNDS COUNTRY ESTATE AND WELLNESS RETREAT
STORY BY MAHMOOD FAZAL
PHOTOS BY CHRIS TURNER
In 1902, a modest transaction occurred in a remote part of Victoria - a stretch of land, later affectionately named "the bull paddock" by locals, was sold for 17 pounds. It would remain in the same family for more than a century, a silent witness to the transformations of Australian rural life, until it was purchased by Janine and her family in 2012. After two years of living on the land, the family realised they possessed something extraordinary, something that transcended the physical space: a sense of place so compelling it demanded to be shared with others. Thus, 17Pounds was born - a boutique wellness retreat nestled in a landscape where history and nature quietly converse.
Janine, who has spent over three decades in the fitness industry, leading classes in boxing and aqua exercise, approaches her work at 17Pounds with the same dedication to well-being that has marked her career. Her philosophy is simple yet profound. "What we offer is quite unique," she says, speaking not just of the physical space but of the intimate, almost familial atmosphere she’s cultivated. "It’s a small group experience, more like a private session than a group class. It’s about participation, inclusion, and feeling comfortable in the environment."
From the moment guests walk through the door, they are greeted with a sensory immersion into a world apart - the clean country air, the thoughtfully designed changing rooms, and, of course, the coffee machine ready to soothe any early morning grogginess. "Everyone feels loved the moment they walk in," Janine explains. It’s an atmosphere of quiet luxury, where the comforts of modernity blend seamlessly with the tranquillity of nature.
The design of 17Pounds reflects Janine’s belief that personal transformation is inextricably linked to the environment. "It’s about bringing nature to the door," she says. Every detail, from the landscape outside to the amenities within, is designed to create a calming and nourishing experience. "You need to feel loved, nurtured, and nourished," she insists. Without these qualities, the retreat would be incomplete. It is this philosophy that allows 17Pounds to occupy a rare space in the wellness world, balancing the indulgent pleasures of a luxury retreat with a deeply personal approach to transformation.
The land itself plays a significant role in this delicate balance. When Janine and her family first purchased the property, they worked with an architect to design a house that would sit harmoniously with the tall gum trees, the land’s silent sentinels.
"We consider the back of the house the front, and vice versa," she says, an indication of the way they allowed the landscape to guide their decisions. The garden grew around the house as if in conversation with it - on one side, edible plants reflect the family’s desire for selfsufficiency; on the other, the architectural elements balance form and function. "Being in a cool climate can be challenging," Janine admits, "but you just give it a go and hope for success."
One of the most striking features of 17Pounds is the pool, filled with Bullarto spring water and magnesium. It’s a detail that speaks to the retreat’s commitment to providing guests with more than just a break from daily life. The benefits of magnesium are well documented - it’s known to aid muscle recovery and soothe nerve endings - but here, it’s also about the sensory experience. The water is softer than in chlorinated pools, and its gentle feel is echoed by the surrounding landscape. Aqua Bikes, a concept popular in Europe but rare in Australia, offer a novel way to exercise. "You cycle and sing to music while looking at the Wombat State Forest," Janine says, smiling. "Nobody else in Victoria is doing what we do here. It’s very special and unique."
While the physical space of 17Pounds offers serenity and rejuvenation, Janine is aware that the true challenge lies in sustaining the effects of a wellness retreat once guests return home. "That’s a tough one," she confesses. The motivation that comes so easily in the retreat’s supportive atmosphere can be difficult to maintain alone. But for her regular clients, Janine provides ongoing guidance, sometimes even creating programs for them to follow when she’s away.
As she looks to the future, Janine sees the role of aqua fitness expanding, particularly for ageing populations. "Aqua fitness is gentler on the joints, with greater muscle and hip rotation," she explains.
"As more people become aware of the benefits of magnesium, I believe our wellness events will become a weekly occurrence, with more locals getting involved."
In an industry often associated with fleeting indulgences, 17Pounds offers something more enduring: a retreat grounded in nature, community, and personal growth. It is a place where luxury meets simplicity, and where the land itself becomes part of the experience - quiet, nourishing, and eternal.
17Pounds Country Estate & Wellness Retreat Bullarto South @17poundscountryestate 17pounds.com
OPEN GARDEN GUIDE
Four of our region’s most incredible gardens are opening to the public this Spring. Immerse yourself in nature and the wonder at these stunning properties.
WOMBAT PARK ESTATE
Open for the first time in almost 10 years, this magnificent historic garden must be experienced. Explore the Estate and indulge in the delights of the mini country fair on the croquet lawn. An enchanting day out.
Open Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November 10am – 4pm each day
thehousesdaylesford.com/open-gardens Tickets via eventbrite
DAYLESFORD
BANK HOUSE
Garden rooms and farmland vistas will delight you at every turn as you weave your way through this delightful property. Refreshments at the back door “café” are a must!
Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd November
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th November
bankhousenewlyn.com/events Ticket sales at the gate
NEWLYN
OPEN GARDEN GUIDE
Four of our region’s most incredible gardens are opening to the public this Spring. Immerse yourself in nature and the wonder at these stunning properties.
BROLGA HILL ESTATE
Well positioned avenues and consistent symmetry are designed to take full advantage of its surrounds as the gardens spill in all directions from the grand house, each drawing your eye, framing breath-taking vistas in the distance.
Open Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December
Tickets via trybooking
SMEATON
THE SECRET GARDEN HOME GARDEN
What was once a bare paddock is now a four-acre paradise of stunning garden rooms with whimsical artworks and ornamental surprises throughout.
Open Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December
Tickets via trybooking
MOLLONGGHIP
Reasons to get LOST in Spring…
COMPILED BY MELISSA JENKINS
Book a healing session with horses
Rachael Gibson and her equine herd are offering “Healing sessions with Horses” at their stunning property in Drummond North. The experiences involve practical tools that you can take back into your everyday life, giving you the opportunity to continue with ongoing healing and transformation.
• 3 day / 2 night Healing with Horses retreats are held on various dates throughout October and November
• Healing with Horses in the paddock & sound healing in the bell tent Sunday 6th October
• Meditation, Mindfulness & Chai
A 2.5 hour open to the public group session Sunday 20th October
For further information visit heartofthehorse.com.au
A retreat for men
The amazing team at Gathering Men have a clear purpose and vision - Healthy Australian Men.
They are holding a Men’s Health & Wellbeing Retreat on Sacred Djaara Country 15-17 November
Limited tickets on sale via gatheringmen.org/events
The Highlands are calling
Whether you're a fan of Scottish heritage or simply looking for a fun day out, The Daylesford Highland Gathering 2024 is the place to be. Explore a variety of stalls offering Scottish delicacies, artisan crafts, and unique souvenirs. You can even try the famous haggis! And for the first time in 30 years the Highland Games come to town.
Saturday 7th December
Victoria Park 9am – 4pm All-day events including Highland Dance, Highland Heavy Games, Pipebands
Don’t miss the Pipeband Street March 9am, Vincent Street daylesfordhighland.com
See a show at The Mountview Theatre
If you haven’t been to a live theatre performance at The Mountview Theatre in Macedon, which has been home to The Mount Players for over 50 years, then do yourself a favour and go along to see their latest production, A Bunch of Amateurs. This lovely comedy set in a sleepy country village in Suffolk, will be staged in November.
With a fantastic show, complimentary sherry on arrival, an incredibly well priced bar and complimentary tea, coffee and treats at interval, it’s great value, you’ll love it!
For bookings go to themountplayers.com
Budburst
Discover the cool wines and warm hearts of Macedon Ranges winemakers at their annual wine festival, Budburst, from Saturday 16th to Sunday 17th November 2024, 10am – 5pm.
You can enjoy wine tastings, curated food menus championing local produce, art shows, sculptor walks and live music.
Explore at your own pace or jump on one of the Budburst hop-on hop-off bus routes.
Early bird tickets available until 30 September All the information you need can be found at macedonrangeswineandfoodfest.com.au
Feed your creativity with a songwriting workshop
Blackwood Collaborative invite you to a unique weekend-long exploration into songwriting with guest host Rebecca Barnard.
Craft an original composition - refine a song you're working on or start something new in a friendly and supportive environment.
Consisting of two full day workshop sessions, meals, accommodation and demo recording of your composition.
Visit blackwood-collaborative.com for details
Landscape and Vision Art Gallery & Studio
Nature Speaks is a selection of new paintings that reflect the inspiring natural eco systems that surround us here, by Central Highlands artist, Sandipa Gould.
To view the exhibition please contact Sandipa 0484 009 906 art@sandipa.com.au sandipa.com.au
Daylesford Rotary Art Show
One of the most anticipated art events in the region; an event showcasing the work of talented artists while providing an opportunity to support local community initiatives.
October 31st – November 5th
Stanbridge Hall 54 Central Springs Rd, Daylesford
The 150th Daylesford Show
This great country event, which started in 1865, returns for its 150th year on Saturday 23rd November 9am – 3pm at Victoria Park. Come along to compete or come with family and friends to watch a competition, learn and be entertained.
daylesfordshow.com
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“I'm thrilled with our rebrand! Julie’s fresh ideas re ect my vision and captured my nursery’s essence perfectly.”
- Lou e Secret Garden Daylesford
CALL NOW
julie@alongcamejulie.au 0400596594
RESTAURANTS, CAFE'S & FOOD STORES
VENUES
HEPBURN GENERAL STORE 5348 1274
102 Main Rd
Hepburn Springs
Open 7 days from 7am
hepburngeneralstore.com.au
SWISS MOUNTAIN HOTEL 5345 7006
3454 Midland Hwy, Blampied
Pub meals & functions
Dinner Weds-Sun
Lunch Thurs-Sun swissmountainhotel.com.au
THE VIRGIN KITCHEN 5348 2271
77 Main Road
Hepburn Springs
Open 7 days from 8am
Part café, part gallery, stunning gardens bellinzona.com.au
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
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
THE LOBBY BAR 5348 2271
77 Main Road
Hepburn Springs
Swing by and settle in for the evening bellinzona.com.au
WINERIES & DISTILLERIES
BIG TREE DISTILLERY
1300 040 573
Producing Award Winning Farm-Crafted Gin
Distillery Tasting Room open most weekends and Mondays bigtreedistillery.com.au
THE FARM DAYLESFORD
0408 523 716
Magnificent barn event space on over 200 acres, built from recycled tin, wood and 160 year old trusses
thefarmdaylesford.com.au
THE OXFORD DINING ROOM 5348 2271
77 Main Road
Hepburn Springs
Remarkable private event & dining space 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 10am-5pm
Lunch 12pm Fri-Mon (bookings are essential) passingclouds.com.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. Luxury accommodation in the heart of Hepburn Springs bellinzona.com.au
THE OXFORD 5348 2008
Historical property catering to large groups of up to 24, in the scenic Hepburn Springs area thehousesdaylesford.com
THE HOUSES DAYLESFORD 5348 2008
Full service agency specialising in beautiful houses for large/small groups, retreats, and corporate offsites 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
Accommodating 18 guests with 9 bedrooms and 9 ensuites
Positioned opposite The Convent Gallery thehousesdaylesford.com
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
Pamela Jackman
If only every supermarket had a ‘Pamela’ to supply laughs and some cheeky banter as a bonus with every bag of groceries.
You’re a well-known face in our town — what do you enjoy most about working at the local supermarket?
I love our community and helping people who are in need. I love the vibrancy of working in the supermarket - the colours, the light and the constant movement.
What’s your recommendation for visitors looking to experience the best of our town?
A trip to Hotel Bellinzona for a coffee, breakfast or light lunch. A relaxing float at Hepburn Bathhouse. A pastry and coffee at the lovely french patisserie in Creswick. A coffee at Wombat Hill. A drive through Dean to Ballarat - looking at open green space is great for your soul.
Have you noticed any trends in what people are buying recently, especially with the seasons or local events?
When it’s really cold we sell lots of apple pie and cream and have a number of customer’s asking for hot water bottles.
I’ve actually given a number away when people have been desperate - I need to replenish my stock! Visitors really underestimate how cold Daylesford is. Also lots of pumpkin for pumpkin soup. Summer lots of zooper doopers. During ChillOut - which is my absolute favourite time to work as we get to dress up - tons of ice.
What’s the best part of living and working in Daylesford?
I love the seasons in Daylesford especially autumn - April around Anzac Day is divine. When I moved here ten years ago I had a lot of healing to do. That’s the thing about Daylesford - it’s a great place to heal and reset yourself. Now I’ve done that it’s time to move on, which I’m a little sad about. I recently got married and it's time for a new direction. I will miss the amazing customers I’ve met in nine years.
What advice would you give to someone new moving to the town?
Get to know the community… you are never lonely in Daylesford. You just have to go up the street if you’re feeling a little down and you will run into people and have a chat with locals or strangers and feel so much better.
What’s the most unusual/memorable/funny thing that has happened at work?
Oh so many funny moments! During chill out a customer laid down on a pile of potting mix like he was posing for the camera - made me laugh. I’ve served a few well known peoplethey are so lovely and down to earth. I have a lot of interaction with my customers- I’m compassionate and caring and not embarrassed to say I’ve shed a few tears with them - a few hugs here and there. Especially in assisted check out. There are some really funny ones you won’t be able to print - just ask me and I will fill you in!
Newlyweds - Michael & Pamela Jackman
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