Top things to see and do in Murrindindi Shire this Autumn
Rediscover the Great Victorian Rail Trail, including impressive art installations and scar trees
Experience local food, wine and brews at one of our cafes or pubs
Take a Sunday drive and check out the stunning display of autumn colour
Enjoy the last of the warm dayspack a picnic and hike to the hills
Catch the sunrise or sunset at a scenic lookout or from the lake
Get the kids off their screens and out to one of our fantastic bush playgrounds
Visit one of our markets and stock up on goodies and local produce
Book a weekend getaway camping in nature or staying at a cosy country retreat
Marysville, Kinglake Ranges, Eildon, Yea, Alexandra
Cool, misty mornings and mild, sunny days provide the perfect setting to take in Murrindindi Shire's spectacular show of autumn colour.
If you enjoy fern walks and majestic waterfalls, water sports and fishing, local history, fine food and wine, cosy getaways or a relaxing camping holiday, Murrindindi Shire has it all.
Whether you're a first time visitor or a Murrindindi local, now is the perfect time to plan your next Dindi getaway or 'staycation'.
Visit discoverdindi.com.au to discover a great range of accommodation options and nature-based experiences.
Curious how much your property can generate as a holiday rental?
Getaway Property Management is a leading holiday property management company that operates in some of Victoria’s most beautiful destinations.
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Eildon Parkview Motor Inn
Nestled in the heart of Lake Eildon, with gorgeous gardens, our motel offers a unique blend of comfort and convenience that promises an unforgettable stay
Comfortable & Relaxing Rooms
Family Suites & Guest House
Free WIFI
Netflix
Tea & Coffee
Embrace the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Book your stay at our Lake Eildon motel today and immerse yourself in the tranquility and charm of this hidden gem!
Ready to leave the stress of managing your own holiday rental property behind?
We believe letting your home shouldn’t be a second job, save more time for the things that matter!
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Discover the Heart of Marysville at Peppers Marysville Resort.
Nestled in the picturesque Yarra Valley and High Country, Peppers Marysville is your gateway to local charm, warm hospitality, and unforgettable experiences. Stay in beautifully appointed rooms and suites, designed for relaxation and comfort.
Dine at Andiamo Restaurant & Bar, where fresh, locally sourced ingredients shine in every dish— from hearty breakfasts to delicious mains. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner, a group gathering, or a milestone celebration, we offer private dining spaces and event venues tailored to your needs. Host anything from a cosy dinner party to a lively cocktail event for up to 350 guests. Unwind at Wellness Spa, where expert therapists provide luxurious treatments, or take a moment for yourself in the traditional sauna. Enjoy a refreshing dip in our heated pool or challenge friends to a game of tennis on our private court.
From special occasions to quiet getaways, Peppers Marysville offers the perfect setting to connect, celebrate, and unwind.
Keep an eye out for exciting new events at Peppers Marysville coming soon, including Family Easter activities, Mother's Day, indulgent High Tea experiences, and seasonal celebrations like Christmas in July. Plus, discover our latest food and beverage offerings!
Discover accommodation special offers and book your next Marysville getaway here:
Let us spoil your mum this Mother’s Day when she enjoys a complimentary glass of sparkling upon arrival. Savour a three course luncheon featuring beautiful local produce. Accompanied with spectacular views, great wines and live music.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY DINNER
Saturday 26 July 2025
From 6.30pm
Bring your family and friends and join us for a celebration dinner with all the trimmings; mulled wine, roast turkey, glazed ham and more. With a roving magician, Santa and music, this will be a truly magical event! Accommodation available.
GRAND ITALIAN FEAST PRIVATE FUNCTIONS
Sunday 23 November 2025
12.00pm - 4pm
A long lazy afternoon of feasting with traditional Italian fare including a welcome Aperol spritz, wood fired pizzas, house made pastas and dishes including osso bucco, scallopine, cacciatore, calabrese salad, tiramisu, cannoli and more.
With small and large function rooms, decks and gardens, we have a space to suit your next conference or party. Our flexible function spaces cater from a dozen to over 200 guests. With extensive event management experience we understand what it takes to create a truly successful celebration or conference.
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Situated on 70 acres of classic high country and close to Lake Eildon and Fraser National Park sits this exceptional residence featuring unmatched facilities in the area. We offer a wide range of onsite services and facilities, so whether you wish to be active or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the views in this serene setting then this is the place for you!
EILDON BOAT CLUB
A Classic Country Pub
Nestled in the heart of surrounding farmland and national parks, the Flowerdale Hotel has curated a century of excellence in offering award-winning hospitality. Our cherished establishment has been a beacon of warmth and charm for travellers seeking a quintessential country escape just a stone's throw away from Melbourne.
W here F lowerdali ans F lock
Farm relics sit side-by-side with fine china and silverware at Killingworth Hill Café & Whisky Bar ~ it is rustic, traditional Australiana with more than a smack of sophistication. Drink in this history as you sample some of the finest drams you’ll ever come across. Enjoy a glass of wine, a charcuterie board made with the finest cheeses, meats, patés, pickles, fruits and nuts, or a bowl of homemade soup, a delicious dessert, tea or coffee. Weekly specials
As your Independent MP, you can count on me. I am your strong voice, working each and every day to advocate for you, your family and our community.
My office assists thousands of constituents with NDIS, Centrelink, Medicare, My Aged Care, telecommunications and immigration issues.
If you need help with any Commonwealth service, please email, phone or visit my office which is open 9am - 5pm weekdays.
To hear more about how I’m working for Indi, sign up to my email newsletter
Authorised by Helen Haines
WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING JV DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH SELECTED PARKS ACROSS NORTHEAST VIC. OFFERING “RESIDENTIAL LAND LEASE” & “PRIME SITE UPGRADE PACKAGES” TAYLORED TO SUIT YOUR PARK. For a confidential discussion please call Andrew Dundas on 0418338556 BH or Email andrew@readybuiltportables.com.au Web www.readybuiltportables.com.au Office and display 75 Deadhorse Lane Mansfield.
For a confidential discussion please call Andrew Dundas on 0418 338 556 BH or Email andrew@readybuiltportables.com.au Web www.readybuiltportables.com.au Office and display 75 Deadhorse Lane Mansfield. We are currently seeking JV development opportunities with selected parks across northeast Victoria
Meandering around Murrindindi
MURRINDINDI
ARTS & TOURISM, BUSINESS & TRADES
GUIDE
Murrindindi’s INDEPENDENT guide to events and attractions across the shire and surrounds for locals and tourists alike. Pick up a copy at one of our advertisers or information centres in the shire or surrounding towns. Please support our advertisers as without them this magazine couldn’t be produced. If we support our local businesses and communities then we improve our local economy. Keep it local if you can.
Produced and published by Ann Friedel Publishing, 11 Albert Street Alexandra Victoria. Material published in the Murrindindi Arts & Tourism, Business & Trades Guide is protected by Australian and International copyright laws. Reproduction of any material in whole or part is not permitted without prior authorisation by the publisher. Ann Friedel Publishing has made every effort to ensure the information provided at time of printing is correct, but accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. Some components of some advertising in this magazine are made by Freepik.com or allfree-download.com. Events listed in this publication may be subject to change without notice.
booking DEADLINE for the WINTER 2025 issue is 30 APRIL 2025
Murrindindi-Guide
In a quest to make Dindi Naturals more sustainable, founder Pip Guyatt has been seeking a solution to the plastic packaging problem for a long time. The answer has come in the form of plastics that are “destined to become dirt” if they end up in landfill.
A sustainable quest for Dindi Naturals
By Emily Friedel
Many people in the local area have witnessed Dindi Naturals grow exponentially from its humble beginnings as a tiny home-based business. Throughout this expansion, sustainability and eco-friendliness have always been priorities.
Dindi Naturals are known for their range of high-quality, plantbased products for skin, hair and body care, many of which harness the unique properties of Australian native botanicals. These products are formulated to be gentle on the user, and on nature. Palm-oil free products, recycled packaging, bulk products, and refills are just some of the strategies Dindi Naturals has implemented to reduce their environmental impact.
But the plastic problem is one both businesses and consumers continue to grapple with. An Australian Government report found that in the 2020 – 2021 financial year, our nation consumed over 3 million tonnes of plastics. And the recycling rate? A measly 12.6%. That means there is an awful lot of plastic piling up in landfill or polluting the environment.
Dindi Naturals founder, Pip Guyatt, has been seeking a solution to this issue for a long time.
Dindi Naturals is releasing their biodegradable packaging onto the market, starting with all tubes, and 175ml and 400ml bottles.
The brand’s skincare line includes facial oils, nourishing cleansers, and rejuvenating creams. Their body care range features all-natural soaps, gentle exfoliants, and hydrating body lotions.
Dindi Naturals offers a diverse selection of premium, plant-based skincare, haircare, and body care products – all formulated with sustainability and skin health in mind. They also offer a range of home products, designed to bring a touch of nature into your space, with their room mists and essential oil blends a popular choice for eco-conscious customers.
“We’ve been looking at different options. We considered aluminium and considered going to all glass,” she says. “But glass isn’t great for everything – it’s heavier and you’ve got to be careful with the transportation.”
An alternative is plastic that is both recyclable and able to break down readily in the environment. This is the option Dindi Naturals landed on, and they are pioneering this approach to packaging in Australia.
“We felt this was the right choice for us, the bio plastics. And our wholesalers, people that stock our products, they’re really keen on it and excited about it,” Pip says.
“We haven’t seen many other companies using it. So it’s all pretty new, and hopefully we see it grow in Australia and companies go down that path.”
Sourced through WellTrade Packaging, a company based in Australia, the biodegradable plastics work by incorporating a microbe-attracting additive during the manufacturing process. Then, when the plastic is in an environment with high levels of microbial activity such as landfill, certain microbes
will be drawn to the plastics. These microbes produce enzymes that break down the bonds holding the plastic together, allowing them to digest it. Through this process, WellTrade says their extensive testing shows that nothing is left behind –not even the dreaded microplastics.
Of course, the hope is always that people disposing of Dindi Naturals packaging will opt for the recycling bin – the biodegradable plastics are fine to chuck in with all your other recyclables.
“But if they end up in landfill, they’re destined to become dirt,” Pip explains.
There are no concerns about the stability of the packaging on your bathroom shelf, though. Unlike some other biodegradable packaging, the plastics used by Dindi Naturals can biodegrade if there is light and oxygen, but they won’t break down outside of a microbe-rich environment. And even then, the process will take up to a decade (which is still much faster than the hundreds of years many plastics will linger on the planet).
Now, after an extensive research and development phase, Dindi Naturals is slowly releasing their biodegradable packaging into the market.
“We’re using it in all our tubes and our 400ml and 175ml bottles at the moment, but we plan to use it right across the whole range apart from the glass,” Pip says.
And the quest for products that are kinder to the environment won’t stop there.
Along with the release of the biodegradable packaging, Dindi Naturals has plastic-free shampoo and conditioner bars, designed to cleanse and nourish the hair without harmful chemicals or packaging waste. To help reduce single-use plastic use in hotels and other accommodation venues, there is now a range of Dindi Naturals plastic-free guest amenities available to support eco-conscious travel. They are also searching for ways to make all their packaging 100% compostable, with ongoing trials in sustainable alternatives to plastic.
It has been a long road to get the company to its current level of sustainability, but Pip says the effort and expense of the necessary changes is worth it. And this will continue to be the case, as Dindi Naturals is built on a philosophy of being “gentle on both the earth and you”.
For more information on Dindi Naturals, you can visit their headquarters and café in Yarck or go to their website: dindinaturals. com.au
Dindi Naturals offers
waste.
• Come and see our NEW alligator exhibit
• Visitors can hand feed deer, kangaroos, emus & llamas
• Free barbecue / picnic area Bookings for BBQ essential
• Day pass entry
• O vernight camping ~ bookings essential 1064 Mansfield-Woods Point Rd Mansfield
Customers of all ages love Dindi Country Clothing
By Emily Friedel
Dindi Country Clothing, located in the heart of Alexandra, is a bustling store where customers of all ages come to get a new work shirts or jeans. Behind the counter, Trish Embling and Courtney Coulson are always ready with a smile, working hard to assist the steady stream of shoppers.
As the name suggests, the store focuses on country clothing. They have everything from Western shirts to stockman’s hats and cowboy boots; the shelves and racks are brimming with well-known brands like Ariat, Thomas Cook, and Wrangler.
“All the clothing shops in town, we’re all specialising in our own particular brands, so no one’s encroaching on each other. It’s really quite good. We all feed off each other, in a sense – if we haven’t got something, we’ll point them in someone else’s direction,” Trish says.
The country clothing is a drawcard for many, with people coming from near and far to get their favourite styles.
“We get a lot of locals, like the farmers come in for their work shirts and jeans, and so they always come back, and we get a lot of tourists as well,” Courtney says.
Trish Embling (left) and Courtney Coulson are the friendly faces waiting to serve the steady stream of customers at Dindi Country Clothing.
Dindi Country clothing is located in the heart of the Grant Street shopping area in Alexandra.
For stylish sun protection, you need not look further than the Dindi Country Clothing stands.
They stock a large selection of boots, with the Ariat cowboy boots available in a range of striking designs.
Some customers come in because they are loyal to a particular brand – like the man who came all the way from Myrtleford Rodeo for some Ariat gear – and plenty are happy to make the journey from places like Seymour and Kinglake. For others, it’s all about convenience.
“A couple have their pick of jeans or something, and they just come in, get them off the shelf and go,” Trish says.
The clothing store made its own journey a couple of years ago, moving from Embling Rural to the current location in the middle of the Grant Street shops. Trish says that with her son Ayden taking over Embling Rural and concentrating on rural merchandise, it made sense to start up a separate clothing enterprise.
“It was interesting – when we moved up here, a few people had said that they didn’t realise we sold clothing down there [at Embling Rural] because they just associated the shop with being a rural merchandise shop.”
Being a true family business, Trish’s son David decked out the new store with its rustic wood and corrugated iron counter. And Courtney – David’s wife and Trish’s daughter-in-law – came along when they moved premises.
Together with working the brick-and-mortar store, Courtney takes care of their online presence and keeps the Facebook updated with whatever country clothing buyers might like to know.
“I put all our specials up there, new stock, anything that we’re discounting,” she says.
This Easter, you will also likely see a Facebook post or two about their stall at the Easter Fair market and what they’ll have on offer. The fair is just one of the many local events Dindi Country Clothing supports. As active participants in the Alexandra & District Tourism and Traders Association, they are keen to do all they can to keep the town and its shops vibrant. They will also go the extra mile to keep customers happy, with their doors open seven days a week and the offer to help you
find something if it’s not in store. Nothing is too much of a hassle.
So if you’re a fan of both country attire and service with a smile, Trish and Courtney at Dindi Country Clothing have got you covered any day of the week.
Dindi Country Clothing is located at 79 Grant St in Alexandra. You can find them on Facebook @DindiCountryClothing or call (03) 5772 1405
A shot like this can take months to get, and a lot of patience, with many hours spent sitting still inside a hide. All photos in this article courtesy Don Wilson.
Don Wilson Photography
By Emily Friedel
Don Wilson’s venture into professional photography grew from a love of the great outdoors. Immersing himself in natural environments created a desire to capture them in photos, which has led to a vast collection of images that records the Murrindindi Shire’s natural history over the last two decades.
Having grown up in the Dandenong Ranges with Sherbrooke Forest at his doorstep, Don developed an affinity for being among the trees from a young age. So when he and his wife, Michelle, moved to Buxton around 30 years ago, Don was quick to check out his new habitat.
“This was a place I hadn’t explored, so I just started exploring and took my camera,” he says.
From there, Don kept going wherever he could in the local area whenever he got the chance, eager to find new places and see new sights.
“I fished half the rivers, and then once I ran out of places where I could fish, I thought I may as well photograph the rest of it,” he says with a laugh.
Don and Michelle transformed their Buxton property into an in-ground tree farm, which takes a lot of work and means Don can’t stray too far for too long. But the farm has also given him a lifestyle with the flexibility and funds to pursue his passions.
Don’s passion for photography is an extension of his deep love of nature and being outdoors.
Above: Don finds wildlife photography particularly rewarding, and is always looking to capture those moments that cannot be repeated. Below: After exploring and photographing the area for several decades, Don has built up an impressive visual record of the Murrindindi Shire’s natural history.
Above: There aren’t many places in the Murrindindi Shire that Don hasn’t been, and he has captured many of its iconic landmarks along the way. Below: As someone who loves forests, the areas around Buxton, Narbethong, and Taggerty have been a rich source of inspiration for Don.
For Don, it’s not only the furred and feathered creatures who deserve to have their images immortalised. Those with scales, like this redbellied black snake and the local fish, are also worthy of a flattering portrait.
And he doesn’t have to stray too far to experience nature at its finest – Buxton and the surrounding area are a naturelover’s paradise with infinite photo opportunities. Don spends much of his spare time in the Murrindindi Shire, scrambling around in the bush, wading through rivers, or sitting patiently in a hide trying to get the perfect shot. He says that after decades of exploring, there aren’t many nearby places that he hasn’t been.
“I’m glad I started a long time ago. I’m not sure I can walk to some of those spots anymore – or should!”
Don’s adventurous spirit, willingness to go off the beaten track, and tolerance for discomfort have allowed him to get some unique images around the district. He has photos of well-known waterfalls from new angles and iconic local landmarks in their most spectacular but hazardous moments.
Pointing to a group of photos of Mt Torbreck, he says: “That’s a feat getting up there when there’s snow everywhere because you can’t get to the base of the mountain. So you’ve got to stop a couple of Ks short, then walk up through the snow, and then come down
just as it’s getting dark if you want to do a sunset. So yeah, not an easy one.”
With the landscape photography industry requiring more digital editing these days – and not being a fan of sitting in front of a computer – Don’s interests have turned more towards wildlife photography. He says the storytelling aspect of this genre is particularly appealing, and capturing one-off moments has become a bit of an obsession.
“They’re all shots that can’t be repeats, you know. A powerful owl in the Black Spur or a batch of peregrines up on Sandstone Ridge, which is right out the back of Big River.”
Talking about some of his lyrebird images, he adds:
“I would have spent a month out there, going back and forth. You’ve just got to keep going back, and the more you go back, the more you learn, and the more they get accustomed to you being there, I guess. Then you can start to close the distance – get intimate so to speak, which is what I think is great.”
And although Don doesn’t do as much of the landscape photography anymore, the excitement of natural events like
storms and floods will see him reaching for the wet-weather gear.
“If there’s a storm, I’ll be sitting up on a hill somewhere to get the lightning,” he says.
Don admits to slowing down a bit as he gets older (and being a bit more careful now because he doesn’t want the SES to have to come and rescue him). But his enthusiasm for being outdoors hasn’t waned – the photography expeditions won’t stop anytime soon, and his catalogue of the area’s natural wonders will continue to grow.
“That’s where I like to be, outside. And the photography is just an extension of that.”
Don’s work is on display and can be purchased at Fraga’s Café in Marysville. You can also go to his Redbubble site to purchase prints or other items made with his images, including his book of Marysville photographs https://www. redbubble.com/people/donwilson/shop
Upcoming Exhibition
There will be an exhibition of Don’s photographs at his home this autumn. When: 19 and 29 April, 10am to 4pm. Where: 34 Retreat Road Buxton, Vic.
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COFFEE BAR Toby’s Estate tea & coffee, biscuits, cakes all made inhouse
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GIFT LINES Commonfolk, Lillydale, Neuve, Queen Bee candles, Huxter, Myrtle & Moss, Ena, Lovely Linen, Bell Art, Bespoke Letterpress, 2Duck Market Baskets, Yummy You
ECLECTIC COLLECTION of vintage, basket ware, crockery, glassware, artwork CARDS AND BABY PRODUCTS old, new and locally made with love
Dindi Wild + Free Co Dindi Wild + Free Co
By Leah Jade
Dindi Wild + Free Co is the Murrindindi Home Education Collective that explores the great outdoors of our wonderfully wild region together.
We are dedicated to promoting healthy habits from childhood woven into education for a lifelong foundation of character and wellbeing.
Our collective offers wilderness adventures and learning opportunities in the region, welcoming like minded nature lovers to come and explore with fellow home educators of all ages from the surrounding region.
Last year in Yea we had a Bushrangers Survival 101 Day, a Wetlands Tour and a CFA Fire Safety excursion. We had all ages in attendance, from little siblings to mid teens from state wide, joining our events.
In January Dindi Wild + Free Co were joined by homeschooling families from all over the state, (from Phillip Island to Wangaratta, Melbourne and Shepparton) for a tour of the beautifully scenic Kerrisdale Mountain Railway and Museum.
This tour was a fantastic opportunity to discover the rich heritage of our region with a steam engine train ride, and
Home Educating Collective
mechanical and heritage tour, walking us through history.
The tour catered for all ages and was a great way for the home educating collective to enjoy stunning panoramic mountain range views with a rich learning experience.
Kerrisdale Mountain Railway and Museum is a narrow gauge tourist railway with spectacular views of the entire Upper Goulburn Valley.
The group was guided by friendly volunteers, on a 35 minute return train journey, steam museum demonstration, and workshop tour.
The two foot (610 mm) railway has a 35
minute return train journey to Summit Station.
After the train journey, we had a guided tour of the steam museum, locomotive sheds and workshop.
With a wealth of local heritage woven throughout the guided tour, this was a wonderful way to discover many of the local region’s historical treasures, natural geographical science and pioneer beginnings.
Coming up
Also this year, we have a jam packed calendar all set and booked! Next up we have an Edible Food Forest Tour at the Yarra Valley Estate. For all of our upcoming events please visit our website dindiwildandfree.co or join our facebook community Dindi Wild + Free Co.
Often our events do have a limited number of places available to help us ensure a high quality interactive environment for families attending. So please be sure to book in or pop
yourselves on the waitlist, where events are fully booked.
We are excited to have more learning adventures planned with our growing collective. We have organised monthly events, in addition to our weekly gathering in the region. This autumn, we have a basket weaving course in Yea with local fibre artist Carolyn Weeks, and an Adventure Resort day in Alexandra.
From there, we have a food forage workshop at the Wetlands in autumn and next is a science field trip with a Kinglake Forest fungi forage in June. Finally we head to Jamieson for a kayaking riverside camp next summer.
What does Wild + Free mean to us?
The Wild + Free movement is based upon the Ainsley Arment book The Call of the Wild + Free. This book was inspired by the Henry David Thoreau quote; “All good things are wild and free”.
Ainsley Arment is the founder of Wild + Free, co-founder of Wild Explorers Club and the Wild + Free Farm Village, and
host of the weekly Wild + Free podcast. Our Wild + Free Collective has been inspired by this philosophy and growing global movement, to build our own community of wilderness explorers as an essential element of education through exploration.
To us, Wild + Free holds many significant meanings, beyond what may be commonly assumed as an entirely unstructured or undisciplined approach. To us, this is purely a missing element in so many children’s (and families’) lives, that we wish to restore through a simple connection to nature… as we feel we were designed to have.
We believe that free play is an important aspect of childhood development, and seek to weave this throughout our daily and weekly rhythms to form strong foundations for holistic health and wellbeing.
So, what, if not “without leadership or discipline” does “Wild + Free” mean to us?
Here are a few little thoughts on what it represents to us as Dindi (& Victoria’s) Wild + Free Co.
1. Wild is as it is in our natural world and creation by design.
2. Free is what we were made to be, unbound by the arbitrary ways of the world.
3. Free from perpetual overdrive culture; and the temptation of buying into the idea of never being enough and keeping up.
4. Wild, unshaped by prejudice, judgment and arbitrary expectations but the ultimate goal of peace and growth.
5. Free to be as we were designed, not according to opinions, but to live out our unique purpose and calling – seeking wisdom and knowledge accordingly.
6. Not living by the standards of the mere minds cluttered with bias and dogma (relating to how learning has to take place).
7. Wild, as in; retreating as we were meant to, so that we may hear the words of wisdom being whispered in our hearts. The voice above and within, only meant for us.
8. In the wilderness that has so often revealed great wisdom, through millennia… out in the quiet light that fortifies.
9. Not hiding behind walls, beyond necessity.
10. Free… to quietly breathe in the life we’ve been given, undistracted by the ideas, limitations, pressures and constructs of time and expectation (a largely screen-addicted culture).
So, if this resonates with you, and you wish to join us for one of our upcoming adventures, catch ups or excursions, get in touch or be sure to follow us on social media @dindi.wildandfree.co / www.dindiwildandfree.co
Horseflow: massage for horses
By Carol Hopkins
While the benefits of a good massage for people suffering from stiff and aching muscles are well known, it may surprise you to learn that horses, too, can benefit from this form of therapy.
Cassandra (Cass) Moxey, from Maindample, is one of the many skilled practitioners throughout Australia who provide remedial massage to horses. Known as equine myofunctional therapists, these practitioners are often contacted by owners who notice concerning changes in their horse’s behaviour. For example, a horse may start bucking, knocking jumps, refusing a bridle or flinching when being brushed and this may indicate that it
has stiff or sore muscles in a certain part of its body. In these cases, equine myofunctional therapists like Cass are able to examine the horse and feel for areas of tension, heat or cold in the muscles, and then provide relief through gentle massage.
However, Cass is keen to stress that horses don’t have to exhibit changes in behaviour to benefit from a massage. She regularly massages racehorses because she says, “If their muscles are in good condition, they can go faster and stretch out more.” And some owners ask for her services simply because they want to give their horse a treat.
Cass provides massages to the full range of horses from family pets such as miniature horses and Shetland ponies
to horses that perform in events such as dressage, show jumping, trail rides, barrel racing, endurance rides and camp drafting. She services all areas of the Murrindindi Shire as well as Seymour, Mansfield and Wangaratta. No horse is too challenging for Cass as she has the skills to placate even the most anxious or tetchy animal.
Not surprisingly, Cass has been around horses all her life, but her interest intensified when she moved to the Mansfield area 25 years ago and started working with a trail riding company. To make the horses feel more comfortable at the end of a day’s riding, Cass would give them a massage.
“I just wanted to help the horses I was working with feel better,” Cass says.
Cass working her magic on Miss M.
“Aaah, that’s better.” Cass working on Miss M. Although she loved riding, she gradually discovered she loved massaging even more. “I loved seeing the positive changes you get with the horses,” she says.
After completing a Diploma in Myofunctional Therapy at the National College of Traditional Medicine in
Sunshine, Cass realised that horse massage was the career she wanted and set up her own business, Horseflow.
Most massage sessions take about an hour and can be done on a regular basis – such as once a month – or as needed. Sessions cost $100 for an hour and this fee includes travelling time
and expenses. Usually, Cass will try to arrange several appointments in the same area on the same day.
To find out more or to book an appointment you can contact Cass via text message on 0427 535 780 or send an email to horseflow@bigpond.com. You can also follow her on Facebook: Horseflow - equine myofunctional therapist.
Natural bush setting on Acheron River – Majestic Cathedral Range as your back drop Cabins, Safari Tents, Bell Tents,
Unpowered Sites
Escape to nature at Molesworth Caravan Park and Recreation Reserve!
Escape to nature at Molesworth Caravan Park and Recreation Reserve!
Experience the perfect getaway, nestled along the Goulburn River. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a family looking to relax, our park offers the ideal setting for an unforgettable outdoor adventure.
Why choose Molesworth caravan park?
• Prime location: direct access to the beautiful Goulburn River with our boat ramp, known for its serene waters and abundant variety of fish including trout, red fin and perch.
• Comfortable amenities: enjoy spacious camping sites, nice facilities and a friendly community atmosphere.
• Activities for all: fishing, explore nearby hiking trails, the rail trail or simply unwind in nature’s tranquillity.
Molesworth Caravan Park –where great catches and great memories await!
4352 Goulburn Valley Highway, Molesworth Victoria 3718
F: Molesworth recreation reserve and caravan park I: Molesworth_recreation_reserve
Powered & unpowered grass sites
Cabin & motel accomodation
Direct river access
Undercover electric barbecues
Children’s playground
bookings@thorntoncp.com.au T. 03 5773 2305 1288 Goulburn Valley Highway, Thornton Vic www.thorntonriverbendholidaypark.com.au
Swimming pool
Yea Riverside Caravan Park offers great accommodation located on the banks of the picturesque Yea River.
With a choice of brand new two-bedroom villas or studio units that come equipped with air conditioning and kitchen facilities or powered and unpowered caravan sites, you’ll have a pleasant holiday at a price that will fit your budget.
/ Club bookings welcome
Powered & unpowered grass sites
Cabin & motel accomodation
Well behaved pets allowed goulburn river
Direct river access
Undercover electric barbecues
Children’s playground
Swimming pool
Well behaved pets allowed
NESTLED ALONG THE PICTURESQUE EILDON PONDAGE WATERWAY
Fully Equipped Camp Kitchen | Wood Fired Pizza Oven | Free Gas BBQ’s Kid’s Playground | Clean, Modern Amenities | Coin Operated Laundry Free Wi-Fi | Pet Friendly (sites only) | Guest Pool www.eildonpondage.com Toll free: 1800 651 691 • Self-contained cabins • Powered and unpowered sites • Swimming pool • Jumping cushion and playground
Fish from the park grounds
See all our facilities and accommodation options on our website
Male Crested Shrike-tit with black chin and crest (in lowered position). Photo: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Falcunculus_frontatus_-_Dharug_National_ Park.jpg. JJ Harrison (https://tiny.jjharrison.com.au/t/Hh13cCceHenYRGO8), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Crested shrike-tit: a colourful but unobtrusive bird
By Carol Hopkins
It’s hard to believe that a flamboyantly feathered bird such as the crested shrike-tit could ever be described as “unobtrusive” and yet, despite being found throughout the Murrindindi Shire, it would be true to say that most people have not seen this bird.
However, when it does make an appearance, usually higher up in the tree canopy, it is always a thrill. With its bright yellow breast, dramatically striped black and white head and erectable “Mohawk” crest, this small to medium- sized bird is a delight to the eyes.
The male and female birds have similar colourings, although the female’s chin is brown rather than black and her crest is slightly smaller. Juvenile birds have similar patterns to the adults but their colours are more muted.
Most people become aware of the bird’s presence by the rustling, crackling sounds they make when tearing bark off the trunks and limbs of trees with their powerful bills in search of spiders, beetles and grubs.
They have even been observed using a stick to dig out insects from deeper cavities – an example of tooluse that tends to indicate intelligence in both birds and animals. In addition, they will glean insects from foliage, prise apart woody galls on trees to extract prey and, occasionally, eat fruit and seeds.
They usually feed alone, in pairs, or in small groups of three to five birds, often in the company of other insecteating birds such as the golden whistler. In fact, the male golden whistler is often confused with the crested shrike-tit because it has the same bright yellow breast
Female Crested Shriketit with a brown, not black chin, and smaller crest. Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison. com.au/), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Above: Male Crested Shrike-tit searching for insects in bark. Photo: https://commons. wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Falcunculus_frontatus_Royal_Botanic_Gardens,_Cranbourne,_Australia-8. jpg. Frankzed from Melbourne, Australia, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Golden Whistler: often confused with the Crested Shrike-tit but lacks striped face and crest. Photo: https://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Pachycephala_pectoralis_youngi_2. jpg. JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/), CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
and black head but lacks the striped pattern across its face and doesn’t have a crest.
The bird’s preferred habitat is eucalypt forest and woodland, particularly in gullies or along creeks and rivers, but it can also be found in communities of mallee, coastal tea tree and banksia. Trees with loose bark such as river red gums and stringy barks are particularly favoured.
The subspecies found in the Murrindindi Shire is known as the eastern shrike-tit, and its distribution extends from southeastern Queensland (with scattered populations further north and west), through eastern New South Wales, Victoria and on to southeastern South Australia. Other subspecies with slightly different markings are found in the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Although most birds can be clearly identified by their call, the crested shrike-tit doesn’t make this easy. While its contact calls (a rapid chattering and clucking) are consistent and recognisable, its song (a repetitive, plaintive whistle) can vary enormously not just between regions but also between individuals. To further complicate matters, the crested shriketit is an accomplished mimic and so, at any time, it could be imitating the song of another species.
The crested shrike-tit breeds between August and January. They build a deep, coned-shaped nest of bark fibre, grass and lichen all bound together with spider webs. The nest is usually placed up the top of a eucalypt tree or sapling some five to 30 metres above the ground where the female lays two to three eggs. The young hatch after two to three weeks and, although they are ready to fly after another two weeks, the juvenile birds tend to remain with their parents for a further three to six months or even longer.
While this bird’s conservation status is classed as of “least concern” it is, like most woodland birds, under pressure from loss of habitat due to wildfires, urbanisation, changing flood regimes and logging. Feral cats also pose a threat, as do native birds such as the pallid, fan-tailed and brush cuckoo who parasitise the nests of the crested shrike-tit laying their own eggs in the nest and compelling the smaller bird to raise the big cuckoo chicks rather than their own.
It should be possible to see crested shrike-tits at any time of the year as they tend to stay in the same area with, at most, only small, local movements. So, when you are next out in the bush and hear the sound of tearing bark, take a closer look and you may be rewarded with a glimpse of this beautiful bird.
Shelters: beside the Goulburn River between Tallarook and Goulburn Valley Highway, Goulburn River near Kerrisdale, Cheviot Tunnel, Eglington Cutting, Merton Gap, Woodfield Station and Olivers Road Mansfield.
BBQs available at Tallarook, Yea, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield.
Public toilets as indicated on map and also located at Tallarook, Yea, Yarck, Alexandra, Bonnie Doon and Mansfield.
ABOUT US Navy Blue Planning provides urban and regional planning services. With offices in Alexandra and Melbourne, we are currently assisting clients in Murrindindi Shire and more broadly across Victoria with residential, commercial, and industrial planning approvals.
Picturesque walks on country lanes Picturesque walks on country lanes
Part 3: by Carol Hopkins
This is the third in a series of articles on quiet, picturesque country lanes in the Murrindindi Shire which are perfect for short, relaxing walks. The first two of these Murrindindi Guide articles can be found at: Walks Part 1: https://issuu. com/murrindindiguide/ docs/murrindindi_guide_ summer_2023-24
Walks Part 2: https://issuu. com/murrindindiguide/ docs/murrindindi_guide_ autumn_2024.
These lanes often provide fresh glimpses into the beauty of our shire and make a refreshing change from walking around town or on the rail trail.
The walks described in this series are all relatively easy, on good gravel surfaces, and are out-and-back routes of around one to three hours requiring minimal navigation. They can all be shortened by turning around at any time or, in some cases, by organising a car shuttle. Even though these roads are
not busy, and one is closed to traffic, it is always best to walk facing the oncoming traffic, move off to the side of the road when you hear cars or motorbikes approaching and, if possible, wear bright clothing. It’s also a good idea, particularly in warmer weather, to carry water with you on the walk. For longer walks, it could be helpful to carry snacks, or even lunch, with you as well.
So, instead of just walking the same old routes, why not try something different and sample some of the delightful country lanes our shire has to offer.
Shannons Road
Locality: Murrindindi (south of Yea)
Distance: 6kms return
Highlights: Pretty, tree-lined lane which winds along a creek valley with hills and farmland on either side. A possible wine tasting and gourmet platter at Sedona Estate winery.
Getting there: The most
straightforward route is to take the Melba Highway south from Yea towards Melbourne. After 8kms turn left onto Murrindindi Road (clearly marked with large green and white Murrindindi sign and brown and white Sedona Estate sign). After 1km you will reach a junction with Langs and Frog Ponds Roads. Veer right to continue
along Murrindindi Road (marked with a Murrindindi Scenic Reserve signpost) and after about 1.6km you will see Shannons Road on the left (signposted Sedona Estate). Park your car on the wide verge on the corner.
Description: This narrow, shady, gently undulating lane winds up a creek valley framed by low hills and
Above: Tree-lined Shannons Lane.
Below: Sedona Estate vineyard on Shannons Lane.
farmland dotted with dams on either side. Throughout the walk you will be walking beneath impressive stands of box trees. After about 2km you will reach Sedona Estate winery.
On weekends, from 11.30am to 5pm, you could call in for a wine tasting and then sit with one of their fabulous cheese or charcuterie platters and admire the view. However, it’s best to book your platter in advance. From the winery it’s another 1km to the end of the road where you turn around and retrace your steps.
Locality: Rubicon (south of Thornton)
Distance: 5.4km return to the Rubicon Falls; 6.8km return if you continue to Rubicon Dam.
Getting there: From Thornton turn down the Taggerty-Thornton Road which runs alongside the Thornton Hotel (look for a large green and white
Taggerty-Melbourne sign). Continue down this road for 2.8km and then turn left into Rubicon Road (just over the bridge). Follow Rubicon Road for 8km until you reach the end at the power station. Park in the area in front of the power station.
Description: This is an excellent walk for warmer weather as you will be walking in the shade of massive mountain ash trees for most of the way, particularly in the morning, with the sounds and sights of the boisterous Rubicon River along the way. From the carpark, walk around a locked gate, cross the bridge over the aqueduct and then turn left following a sign marked Rubicon River Road. After about 50m, step over a chain with a ‘road closed’ sign, cross the bridge over the Rubicon River and continue following Rubicon
Left: Rubicon Falls on Rubicon River Road.
Below: Rubicon Falls Dam on Rubicon River Road
Rubicon River Road
Above: Plenty of ponds and expansive views on Frog Ponds Road. Right: This double-storey house on Frog Ponds Road makes a good turn-around point for a 4kms walk.
River Road as it climbs gently up the valley. After just over 2km you will pass the Rubicon Falls Power Station and, after another 0.5km, you will have a great view of the Rubicon Falls as they tumble 40m down a cliff face. There is no direct access to the falls. If you have the time, it’s worth walking another 0.7km to view the Rubicon Falls Dam and weir.
Frog Ponds Road
Locality: Limestone (southeast of Yea)
Distance: 5km one-way or 10km return to complete the entire length but it can be shortened at any point. See ‘description’ for a 4kms option.
Highlights: As the name suggests, there are over 18 ponds along this road. Pretty,
rolling farmland with views to distant hills.
Getting there: From the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre travel east along the Goulburn Valley Highway towards Yarck for 1.7km. Turn right into Limestone Road (clearly marked with the brown and white Cheviot Tunnel – Great Victorian Rail Trail sign) and follow this road for 2.7km until you see Frog Ponds Road on the right (opposite a large Cheviot Tunnel sign). You can park your car on the wide verges near the start of the road or go to the rail trail carpark which is about 50m to the east.
Description: This walk follows a quiet, gently undulating, dirt road which is lined with river red gums for most of the way but has occasional exposed
stretches. In the early morning you will have a mixture of sun and shade. Because it winds along and above a wide creek valley it may be windy at times. The road finishes at the junction of Langs Road and Murrindindi Road and this is a good place to leave a
second car if you only want to walk one way. Otherwise, retrace your steps. If you don’t feel like walking the whole road you could turn around at No. 283, an imposing white, two-storey house with a large, reedy dam out the front. This would be a 4km return walk.
with an island in the middle, and then turn back – 5km return.
Left: This large, attractive
a good turn-around point.
in Yarck head north towards Merton on the Maroondah Highway for 14.8km until you reach Old Gobur Road on the left. The signpost is not easily seen but you know you are getting close when you pass a ‘concealed road’ sign followed by an 80km sign. Turn into the road and park on the verge on the right being careful not to block a gate.
Locality: Gobur (north of Yarck)
Distance: To walk the entire lane, it is 6.5km one-way or 13km return. For a shorter walk, go as far as a large, attractive dam on the right,
Highlights: A delightful, tree-lined lane teeming with birds, particularly in spring. Nice views from the higher points.
Getting there: From the pub
Description: This narrow, undulating lane is lined with trees for most of its length and so offers protection from the sun and wind. It’s a particularly lovely walk in spring when the birds are in abundance. During the winter months, some sections may become a little muddy but these can be negotiated without too
much difficulty. Not long after the start, there is a Y-intersection with Millers Lane. Keep left. After 2.5km you will reach a large dam on the right with an island in the middle and, usually, a few waterbirds paddling around. If you only want to do an hour’s walk, this is a good place to turn around. Along the lane there are six gates – sometimes they are open, sometimes closed. Just go through each gate and leave it as you found it. About half-way through the walk you will have pleasant views over the surrounding countryside. The lane ends at the Kanumbra-Gobur Road. This is a good spot to leave a second car if you only want to walk one way. Otherwise, retrace your steps.
Above: Old Gobur Road - a shady, tree-lined lane.
dam on Old Gobur Road offers
Old Gobur Road
We deliver quality engineering & building design solutions for residential and commercial developments including new builds, extensions and custom designs.
With over 40 years’ experience servicing Mansfield and Victoria’s North East and wide-ranging expertise we will streamline your project; help you navigate the building process and provide the best design solutions to achieve your vision.
Join the annual exodus away from the mundane and attend this year’s Lake Eildon Fishing Challenge on 16 to 18 May – the world’s greatest fishing competition based in the heart of Murrindindi Shire at Jerusalem Creek.
If you are up for competing, spectating, mingling with some of Australia’s best freshwater anglers, attending the cod panel Q&A session, picking up a bargain or collectable at the annual All Things Fishy Auction, google lakeeildonfishingchallenge. com where you will find competition entry links, accommodation options, and a full itinerary of the many activities across the weekend.
From as early as 15 May,
competitors will take advantage of the lakeside camping on offer. It’s a high-country thing where pro campers are on hand to allocate competitors individual camping sites that include a great lake vista and a fire pit complete with firewood. They will also assist with an overview of the amenities, deliver the park rules, and discuss boat ramp etiquette, including car, boat, and trailer parking areas.
Friday at 2pm things begin to heat up as the official angling competition begins and will see some of the keenest anglers fishing nonstop up until the official close of fishing at 11am Sunday 18. The competition is open to bait and/or lure anglers with or without a boat, and there are a multitude of prize
is by far
of
best anglers,
here with her 109cm from the 2024 event where the largest winning Murray cod caught and released was 117cm in length. categories for both adults and juniors up for grabs.
Saturday night’s auction has door prizes for some lucky attendees, with the major participating competitor door prize being drawn during the Sunday presentations.
If you are up to the challenge, mark your diary and make your way to Lake Eildon for a weekend of fishing, competition and
entertainment at the official venue Café 501 at the Jerusalem Creek Marina and Holiday Park.
Book a houseboat with lakeeildonhouseboathire. com or hotel accommodation at snobbscreek.com.au.
The annual communitybased fishing competition raises funds for local charities, including Variety The Children’s Charity.
Kate Norman
one
Lake Eildon’s
pictured
In Australia you need a permit to keep sugar gliders, but in the US they can be kept without restrictions. Photo:
<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Could keeping native species as pets save them from extinction?
Here’s why it’s not that simple
By Meg Edwards, Lecturer in Wildlife Science, University of Southern Queensland
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article here: https://theconversation. com
Humans have been turning wild animals into pets for thousands of years. Pets – animals kept for companionship, not for food or work –were widespread in ancient Egypt.
In Australia, First Nations groups favoured dingoes, a naturalised canine arriving perhaps 5,000 years ago. “Dingo” is derived from din-gu, the Dharug word for domesticated dog –wild dingoes were known as “warrigal”.
To begin with, early colonial settlers often saw native wildlife as competitors to livestock. But over time, some began keeping native animals as pets. In the early 20th century, officials began warning people not to take animals such as koalas from the wild to become pets. Over the next few decades, state and territory governments restricted the practice.
A few common native species such as budgies can be kept without a licence regardless of where you live. But having a pet koala is either banned outright or heavily restricted.
In recent years, states such as South Australia have moved to liberalise native wildlife ownership laws. Could this be good for threatened species? That
depends. Turning threatened species into pets may keep the species alive –but unable to survive without us.
What wildlife can be kept as pets in Australia?
These days, most Australian pet owners have a dog or a cat and wouldn’t think to consider a native pet other than a budgie. Is it even legal, you might wonder. Well, it depends where you live.
In South Australia you can keep most native animals as a pet, though you might need a permit depending on the type.
Residents keep animals such as fattailed dunnarts, sugar gliders, rufous bettongs, and a long list of reptiles and birds – even emus. But there are rules
Alessandro Di Grazia, CC BY-SA 4.0
– native pets have to be sourced from captive populations, not the wild.
In Queensland you can keep species such as black-throated finches, types of rainbowfish and crimson rosellas without a licence. A standard licence opens the door to bird-eating spiders, tree frogs, land mullet and bearded dragons.
Other states and territories list a few dozen common species which you don’t need a licence to keep.
In the Northern Territory residents can keep species such as spinifex hopping mice without a permit.
In Victoria residents have to get a license for all native species bar 45 common ones such as king quail, blue-tongue lizards and spinifex hopping mice.
In New South Wales residents have a
similar list of 41 common species and license requirements for others.
In Western Australia, residents can keep any invertebrate as a pet, as well as 12 bird species. A standard license opens the door to dozens of bird and reptile species.
Tasmania is more restrictive. Rainbow lorikeets, turtles, snakes and ferrets are banned as pets. The island state wants to avoid issues with introduced species – and even native species such as sugar gliders can do real damage once they’re introduced.
The rules can be quite different overseas. The sugar glider is largely restricted to permit-holders in Australia, but is commonly kept as a pet in the United States without restrictions. Similarly, you can buy a kangaroo as a pet in some US states.
Wild pets can be hard work
Cute, furry gliding marsupials like sugar gliders make for great social media content. But sugar gliders are nocturnal and have specialised diets. They’re not an easy pet.
Most Australian species will pose similar challenges. Special diets. Different waking hours. The need for specific types of enclosures and enrichment.
If a native pet is fed the wrong food, such as fruits high in sugar, they can quickly become overweight, ill and have dental problems.
Some species like gliders also have complex social structures which can be tricky to manage, and without suitable companions may become stressed or depressed.
popular as
native pet species. Photo: Stephen Michael Barnett from Darwin, Australia,
Substitute a pet quoll for a cat? It would come with risks to the health of the species.
<https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Could domestication help conservation?
It’s not uncommon to hear people asking whether keeping threatened native species as pets could help bring them back from the brink.
Conservationists have long used captive breeding to boost dwindling populations and reintroducing captive-born individuals back to the wild. Not long ago, the eastern barred bandicoot was extinct in the wild in Victoria. But a sustained captive breeding and release program on fox-free islands has been remarkably successful.
But conservation projects like this are done carefully. They need strict breeding, genetic and health management, alongside significant funding and planning commitments. Some animals undergo antipredator training to give them a better chance in the wild.
Using native pets for conservation is a different story.
When animals are domesticated, their anatomy and appearance begins to change. We select pets for a range of appealing traits, resulting in a wide variety of coat colours, body shapes and temperaments. This is how we ended up with hundreds of varieties of dogs.
In Russia, foxes bred in captivity ended up with floppy ears and different coat patterns. The budgerigar is one of the world’s most popular pet birds. But captive breeding over 150 years has produced pet budgies generally larger and slower than wild individuals.
What if we had pet quolls not cats?
Conservationists have floated the idea of having pet quolls rather than pet cats. Quolls are attractive, carnivores with unique coats, similar in size to cats. But all four species of these native marsupials are under pressure.
If we bred quolls for pet shops, we would
likely see them change, as our preferences change how they look and behave. Bitey or drab quolls wouldn’t get to mate. This selection process has already happened to sugar gliders – you can now buy gliders with pure white coats. That’s good for humans – but not for the species.
Within 13 captive-bred generations, the northern quoll loses its wariness and other defences against predators. Animals bred for pets would likely find it hard or impossible to survive the wild.
Making animals into pets doesn’t mean wild populations will increase. Around 5,000 tigers now live in captivity in the US, more than those remaining in the wild. But “pet” tigers are rarely reintroduced back to the wild. So wild tiger populations keep falling even while domesticated tiger numbers grow.
So yes, keeping native species as pets could safeguard against complete extinction. But it’s hard to see how owning a pet quoll or other native species would help the species overall.
Photo: Jens Freitag, CC BY-SA 4.0
Caring for the community
Darlingford is a lovely residential aged care facility that accommodates residents with a variety of care needs including permanent, respite, and dementia care. Darlingford provides a secure home environment, surrounded by more than 3acres of beautiful gardens and land, which is also enjoyed by native birds and kangaroos. Our qualified and passionate staff understand, respect and support the needs of residents and their families.
All inclusive services:
• Registered nurse on site 24 hours a day
• State government nurse/patient ratio in place
• Meals are prepared and cooked fresh on-site
• Cappuccino machine available for residents and visitors
• Personal clothing is laundered on-site
• All rooms have ensuite bathrooms
• Group and individual activities – including vegetable garden
• On-site entertainment, external outings and cultural celebrations
• Allied health consultants available: Physiotherapist, Geriatrician, Dietician, speech therapist, hearing and dental services, podiatrist, occupational therapist, social worker.
• 7 double rooms ideal for couples, 37 single rooms
• Aged Care Assessment is required
NDIS
P: 0409 173 105
W: www.amandapippos.com.au
E: amanda@amandapippos.com.au
T: https://t.me/amandapipposhypnotherapy
F: https://www.facebook.com/amandapippos.healer/
Bite-sized exercise Bite-sized exercise
By Emily Friedel
In the Murrindindi Guide spring 2024 issue (https://issuu. com/murrindindiguide/docs/murrindindi_guide_ spring_2024), I wrote about the importance of building and maintaining physical strength across the lifespan. Living stronger may also help you to live longer and live better. But a challenge many of us face is fitting exercise into our busy days. Even half an hour can often seem daunting, and motivation can dwindle rapidly when you’ve got a million other things to do.
What if I told you there was an alternative to doing your exercise in a single, uninterrupted block?
Well, there is an alternative. And it’s effective.
Instead of performing all your strength training in one session,
you can break it up into bite-sized pieces over the course of the day. This method is known as ‘exercise snacking’.
Not only is this approach to exercising more manageable timewise, but it can help overcome the motivation issues that many of us struggle with regarding exercise. Mentally, it’s much easier to convince yourself to do a few minutes of exercise than to slog it out for the better part of an hour. Some guidelines for exercise snacking suggest you can get benefits from as little as 20-second bouts of exercise spread out over the day.
A 2019 study published in the Journal of Aging Research found snacking on strength exercises was a winner for older adults in a relatively short timeframe. Participants in the exercise snacking group performed two nine-minute snacks per day. After four weeks, their ability to stand from a chair was about 30% better compared to the control group who had not been exercising. The snacking group also had enhanced leg power and muscle size.
The exercise program used in this study was conveniently simple, consisting entirely of bodyweight exercises that can be performed just about anywhere – no equipment needed. The following five exercises were performed for one minute each, with a minute of rest in between:
• Chair sit-to-stand
• Seated knee extension (tensing the thigh muscle to lift the lower leg so that the knee joint is straightened)
• Standing knee bends (balance on one leg and lift the lower leg behind so that knee joint is at a 90-degree angle, can be done holding onto a chair for balance)
• Marching on the spot, bringing knees up high
• Standing calf raises (can be done holding onto a chair for balance)
The beauty of such a routine is that it could be modified for any age or fitness level. For instance, you could use different bodyweight exercises such as push ups, chin ups, planks, squats, or lunges. Another option is to add equipment like resistance bands, dumbbells, or kettlebells.
Of course, if you have any concerns about being able to perform exercise safely, speak to a relevant health professional before diving into exercise snacking. Otherwise, there’s no time like the present – you can fit in a quick round of squats or push ups before reading the next article.
Murrindindi Wine Weekend
Discover the hidden vineyards in the Murrindindi region nestled in the Acheron and Yea Valleys this autumn.
Now in its eighth year, Murrindindi Winemakers are going to open their cellar doors on the first weekend in May to celebrate locally grown and made wines. Participating venues include both those with established cellar doors and small wineries that are not generally open to the public.
“The Murrindindi Wine Weekend is a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on our local vignerons. Wine is never-ending in its variations, and our mountainous region produces some outstanding qualities that differentiate it from nearby wine regions,” says Paul Evans, winemaker at Sedona Estate.
This year five local wineries across the Murrindindi shire are joining the celebrations on 3 and 4 May.
There is a lot on offer over the weekend. Savour a diverse array of coolclimate wines, get your feet tapping to live music and enjoy delicious food from woodfired pizza to banquet-style feasts.
The popular Harvest Picnic at Sedona Estate will return this autumn. Owners Paul and Sonja will open their winery doors to host this threecourse banquet-style autumn lunch on Sunday, 4 May. It will be a grazing feast of seasonal dishes ideal for groups of four or more. Chef Angela Poulter from My little Country Kitchen will prepare a delicious menu from locally sourced produce for this special autumn event at Sedona Estate.
To book and find out more about the Harvest Picnic, please visit the Sedona Estate website https://sedonaestate.com.au/events/
Start planning your 2025 Murrindindi Wine Weekend now! The events touring map can be downloaded from https://murrindindifoodandwine. org.au/meet-the-winemaker/ or visit your local Visitor Information Centre.
Above: the autumn themed table at Sedona Estate’s harvest picnic. Below: guests enjoying the event last year. Photos: Sedona Estate.
Dindi Draught – a new beer in town Dindi Draught – a new beer in town
risp, refreshing, and always approachable. Dindi Draught brings the spirit of the High Country to your
The team at On Point Brewery have been hard at work crafting a beer that reflects the heart and soul of the community, a beer made by
A mid-strength, draught style beer, Dindi Draught is the perfect beer for any occasion.
“We talk to a lot of local venue owners around our region and one topic keeps coming up, the rising cost of beer. We have designed the Dindi Draught to be as cost efficient as possible without sacrificing quality, being brewed locally also allows us to keep costs
down, and we pass these savings onto the customer,” says James Smith, director On Point Brewery.
“We’ve had a great response so far, it’s been selling great at our taproom and the local venues that have taken it on.”
“We hope that this beer becomes synonymous with our local region, and with local venues agreeing to pass on the savings we are able to help keep the costs down for the consumer and leave a bit more cash in their back pockets,” says Chris Turner director On Point Brewery.
Find it at all good bars and bottles shops in the Murrindini Shire.
Dindi Draught is here, and it’s your beer!
Alexandra: 0491 714 893
Mansfield: 0491 641 474
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Alexandra Optical 106 Grant St Alexandra Monday & Wednesday: 9am-5pm or by appointment
Mansfield Optical 30c High St Mansfield Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 9am-5pm or by appointment
Sculpture at Acheron
Magicians will wave their wands across Marian Rennie’s Gallery again this Easter, transforming her beautiful rural garden into a wonderland for this year’s Sculpture at Acheron. Commencing with an opening night cocktail party on Thursday, 17 April at 5pm, the Show will be open throughout Easter until Anzac long weekend, from 10am to 4pm each day, ending on Sunday, 27 April. Sculptors from all over Australia have exhibited their works in this annual event and the 2025 offerings again include many outstanding and talented artists. This year we anticipate more than 160 pieces from 70+ sculptors with works from recycled metals, wood, glass, bronze and brass, limestone, plastic, ceramics and even stainless steel. You’ll find the small and exquisite to the 6-metre imposing giants. Some will move and whoosh in the wind,
others will tinkle and change colour as they’re caressed by breeze. Silent sentinels and carved creatures will await to be marvelled at and stroked. From the joyful and whimsical, the funny and playful, the ironic and serious, as abstract or breathtakingly real to the tactile and simply awesome, this exhibition will have you spellbound.
Later in the week, three sculptors will be facilitating one-day practical workshops:
• Campbell Haack, a specialist with metals and wood, who welds, twists and blends lifelike animations of the forests and sky.
•Jennifer Whiteside, a stone sculptor/artist and workshop facilitator of more than 25 years; she’ll be using Mount Gambier Limestone for this class.
•Brad Marmion, drum-maker, who’ll take you through the drum-making process. You too can become a sound weaver!
Once upon a time . . .
Rustic Simplicity Update by Cindy Ferguson
… Rustic Simplicity’s new premises at 21 Perkins Street was a Ford car dealership new car showroom. How fantastically the near floor to ceiling windows and internal mirrored wall would have shown off the then latest models. It is such a joy to be showcasing the art deco interior and to be giving this iconic Alexandra building a little bit of tender loving care.
Opening in time for the Melbourne Cup long weekend, Rustic Simplicity re-opened in this new
Rennie, Show Director, internationally acclaimed and practising artist, will host a Paint’n’Sip day with an ANZAC-inspired theme. All materials are supplied.
The website: www. marianrennie.com.au has a list of the dates, times and course information for all the program events.
On Anzac Day, 25 April, starting at 2pm Gary Soloman will perform a Veteran’s Tribute Concert, featuring poignant sounds from the 70’s and beyond.
A one-day Artisan Alley will consist of individual artisans
and their bespoke crafts in a market style format on Saturday, 26 April from 10am. From handbags made with cork, to hand-crafted knives and various one-off, inspired pieces in between, on offer is a unique variety of goods.
Entry to the gallery and gardens is $5, which is a reciprocal entry fee with the Alexandra Rotary Easter Art Show.
Sculpture at Acheron will be held at Rennies Gallery and Gardens, 132 Breakaway Road, Acheron. Phone Marian 0412 109 129 for more information (see ad page 59)
location in an abridged fashion at the front of the space, whilst the full fitout of the whole space continues.
Coined The Old Garage, Rustic Simplicity’s new space is a little off the beaten track, but only a short (250m) stroll, ride or drive from Grant Street. Perkins Steet runs between the town hall and the library, and the showroom is situated directly opposite Villeneuve Street.
Keep following us on our socials for real time updates and information regarding
Old Ford Car Dealership new car showroom as it looks today, housing Rustic Simplicity. our shop extension, and in the meantime any extended opening hours. Regular days and times are Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays from 11am-ish to 4pm-ish, and more often on long weekends and during holiday periods. If you’ve always wanted to have a peek inside, don’t wait a minute longer!
Marian
Join the Fibre Festival Fun
By Carolyn Weeks
Murrindindi Beanie and Fibre Festival, resplendent in colour and lots of fun, is held on the fourth weekend in May. In 2025 this unique and ever popular event is very happy to once again be full and overflowing from the Alexandra Shire Hall and into the street, with a wonderful market, sculptures in the park, and other events being held nearby.
The theme this year is ‘circus’ and doors open on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May from 10am to 4pm. Celebrating a wonderful 10 years, this year is shaping up to be our biggest and best Beanie Festival to date.
The Beanie Fest attracts entries from all over the state and further afield. It is open for anyone to enter (and have the option to donate) beanies, fibre art, and winter warming items. In fact, the small dedicated committee relies heavily on donated
items to make this magical event come to life. Monies raised from entries sold go towards local charities.
We encourage people of all ages and abilities to get creative and join in the fibre festival fun. Entry into the competition is free for those who donate an item to the colourful display. There are five categories including Fibre Art and Beanie Kids Recycled Creations. From the outlandish to the everyday beanie, we encourage beginners, so there is no excuse not to get creative. Brochures are available from select shops and information centres throughout the Shire, or you can also download your brochure from beanie. org.au
‘Wear a Beanie Day’ is on Friday 23 May – please donate a gold coin for the privilege or purchase a beanie brooch, sold locally. For those who can’t make it to the festival in person we have an online auction from 19 to 24 May (32auctions.
com/beanie2025) where you can place your bid on a select number of beanies for sale. These items can be also be viewed at the Alexandra Shire Hall, 55 Grant Street.
While at the festival there are plenty of beanies, winter warmers and fibre arts for sale. One can browse the entries, school displays or the many stalls to shop for unique handmade goods in our market place which
features fibre artists, yarn, handmade craft, wool and yummy treats. Take a leisurely stroll to the nearby Sculpture Trail, CWA Devonshire Tea, Alexandra Quilters, and the Alexandra Timber Tramway & Museum which will be open all weekend. What a fabulous weekend it will be.
For more information contact 0415 476639 or visit the website: https://beanie.org.au/
Eildon Twilight Markets Eildon Twilight Markets
Exciting times ahead at the Eildon twilight market
By Carine Haslam
Get ready for an incredible few months as we gear up for the next Eildon Twilight Market on 8 March. Music lovers, this one’s for you. We are beyond thrilled to announce the return of the Royal Australian Navy Band to Eildon. They will be kicking off the evening with their fantastic performance from 4pm to 6pm.
Following this, the stage will be handed over to our talented youth musicians, thanks to Paul Ray Music. This is a fantastic opportunity for our young performers to gain valuable experience, build confidence, and have a lot of fun. Don’t miss out on this perfect evening to enjoy great music, indulge in delicious food and drinks, and explore the numerous craft and artisan stalls set against the beautiful natural backdrop of the Eildon Pondage.
Don’t miss the final Eildon Easter twilight market of the season
Mark your calendars for the grand finale of the season – the Eildon Easter Twilight Market on Saturday, 19 April from 4pm to 8pm. This is our biggest market yet, held at the Lion’s Leisure Park, Riverside Drive, right on the stunning banks of the Eildon Pondage.
As with all our markets, we have a fantastic variety of live music. Easter Saturday is no exception. The evening kicks off with performances by Paul Ray Music and our exceptionally talented youth, Maya O’Loughlin and Tilly Rose. We are thrilled to then present “The Herberts”, a 60’s concept band known for their lively dance hits of the decade. They don the era’s uniform and not only sound great but look fantastic too! Their music appeals to all, with hit songs from the 60s, as well as re-covered classics from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s. Get ready for a night full of fun and dancing! There will be free face painting, an
Easter Bonnet Parade – bring your bonnet or hat along and create a masterpiece on the day. It’s open to all ages and genders, even your furry friends! There are great Easter hampers up for grabs, thanks to the support of Eildon Go Grocer. And, of course, Captain Koala will be there, handing out free Easter eggs.
Enjoy a delightful variety of food and beverage vendors, as well as numerous artisan and craft stalls to explore. We also support our community groups: RSL with their sausage sizzle, Eildon Lion’s with their wood raffle, and CFA also conducting a raffle to raise much needed funds.
This is the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and family, enjoy great music, and have fun—all for a gold coin entry. Remember, we are pet-friendly! Dogs must be on a lead and under control at all times.
All funds raised go back into community projects.
21 Perkins Street (Opposite Villeneuve St) (PO Box 408) Alexandra Victoria 3714 Open Thu, Fri, Sat from 11am-ish – 4pm-ish If our A-Frame is out, we’ll be in store OR By appointment OR online via Facebook… Cindy Ferguson 0419 517 045 rusticsimplicity@hotmail.com
What’s on . . .
GIGS AT PIXIES AT THE BILLABONG
Pixies at the Billabong,19 Main Street, Eildon
For what band is playing at Pixies at the Billabong visit their facebook page P: 0436 969 285 (see ad page 25)
SATURDAY 1 ~ DINDI DAZE
Rotary Park, Alexandra
A new fun filled, family focussed event, celebrating all that is good in Murrindindi. Live music, kids activities & entertainment, food trucks, historic car display, steam train rides, beers, wines, cocktails, arts & crafts. 10am-6pm. Contact Alexandra Rotary F: Dindi Daze
SATRUDAY 1 TO WEDNESDAY 5 ~ BREATH OF NATURE EXHIBITION
MiRa, 11 Murchison Street, Marysville
A series of mixed media artwork by Brigid Burke and Steven Broughton. 10am-4pm P: 5963 4567 W: miramarysville.com.au (see ad page 61)
MARCH 2025 MAY 2025
SATURDAY 1 & SUNDAY 2 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS
5 Giffard Street, Yea
Organic metal sculptures / pen and ink artworks of Australian animals. W: www.monkeytaildesign.com F:www.facebook.com/darren. gilbert.503 P: 0421 378 451 E: gmgilbert@skymesh.com.au (see ad page 38)
SATURDAY 15 ~ ALEXANDRA CUP
Alexandra Racecourse,1 Gordon Street, Alexandra Music, horse racing, tote & bookies. Bookings W: country.racing.com/alexandra
SATURDAY 16 ~ CYCLE DINDI 25
The Great Victorian Rail Trail between Yea & Alexandra
A charity bicycle ride along the Great Victorian Rail Trail. W: www.yearotary.org.au E: cycledindi23@gmail.com P: 0447 762 557
APRIL 2025
GIGS AT PIXIES AT THE BILLABONG
Pixies at the Billabong,19 Main Street, Eildon
For what band is playing at Pixies at the Billabong visit their facebook page P: 0436 969 285 (see ad page 25)
SATURDAY 5 ~ ALEXANDRA COUNTRY & WESTERN RACES
Alexandra Racecourse,1 Gordon Street, Alexandra Music, horse racing, tote & bookies. Bookings W: country.racing.com/alexandra
SATURDAY 5 & SUNDAY 6 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS
5 Giffard Street, Yea
Organic metal sculptures / pen and ink artworks of Australian animals.
W: www.monkeytaildesign.com F:www.facebook.com/darren. gilbert.503 P: 0421 378 451 E: gmgilbert@skymesh.com.au (see ad page 38)
APRIL 2025
FRIDAY 18 TO MONDAY 21 ~ ROTARY ALEXANDRA EASTER ART SHOW
Alexandra Shire Hall, 55 Grant Street, Alexandra E: alex.easter.artshow@gmail.com P: 0418 378 806 / 03 5772 2496 (see ad page 63)
THURSDAY 17 TO SUNDAY 27 APRIL ~ SCULPTURE AT ACHERON
Rennies At Acheron, 132 Breakaway Road, Acheron Showcasing sculpture. Licensed restaurant/cafe open. P: 0412 109 129 (see ad page 59)
SUNDAY 20 ~ ALEXANDRA EASTER FAIR
Rotary Park, Alexandra Market stalls, children’s amusements local food and wine (see ad page 63) E: alexandraeventsltd@gmail.com
GIGS AT PIXIES AT THE BILLABONG Pixies at the Billabong,19 Main Street, Eildon
For what band is playing at Pixies at the Billabong visit their facebook page P: 0436 969 285 (see ad page 25)
SATURDAY 3 & SUNDAY 4 ~ DARREN GILBERT OPEN STUDIOS
5 Giffard Street, Yea
Organic metal sculptures / pen and ink artworks of Australian animals.
W: www.monkeytaildesign.com F:www.facebook.com/darren. gilbert.503 P: 0421 378 451 E: gmgilbert@skymesh.com.au (see ad page 38)
Sedona Estate, Philip Lobley Wines, Utter Wines, Cathedral Range Winery, Little Cathedral
Discover the diversity, quality and regionality of local wines (see ad page 57) https://murrindindifoodandwine.org.au/meet-the-winemakers/
SUNDAY 11 ~ MOTHER’S DAY LUNCHEON
Holmesglen at Eildon 92 Moore Road, Eildon W: www.holmesglenateildon.com.au (see ad page 3) E: eildon@holmesglen.edu.au P: 03 5774 2631
FRIDAY 16 TO SUNDAY 18 ~ LAKE EILDON FISHING CHALLENGE
Café 501 at the Jerusalem Creek Marina and Holiday Park the world’s greatest fishing competition based in the heart of Murrindindi Shire at Jerusalem Creek W: lakeeildonfishingchallenge.com (see page 49)
1st Sunday of the month 9am-1pm ~ Rotary Park, Alexandra Various stalls, music, jumping castle. Contact Andrew Embling 0418 266 038
EILDON TWILIGHT MARKET
8/3/25 & 19/4/25 ~ 4pm-8pm
The Eildon Pondage, Riverside Drive Eildon
Local food and beverage trucks, local producers, quality local artisans, artists and creators. Live music showcasing local youth and artists. Family activities, pet friendly (dogs must be on a lead). Gold coin entry. Karine 0400 715 319 | karine.haslam@gmail.com
FLOWERDALE COMMUNITY MARKET
3rd Sunday of month 9am-1pm
Flowerdale Community Hall, Yea Whittlesea Road, Flowerdale
Country market stalls with arts, crafts, veggies, plants, bric-a-brac. Hot food, Devonshire teas, cold drinks available. New stall holders welcome, $10 a stall. Sharon Collins 0477 076 570 | sharoncollins2523@gmail.com
KINGLAKE PRODUCE & ARTISAN MARKET
4th Sunday of month 10am-2pm (held on 3rd Sunday in December)
Kinglake Community Centre, 1 Exton Rd, Kinglake Central Fresh from us to you. High quality items, grown or made by our stall holders. Proving quality products and food every month, all year round. 0457 481 980 | kinglakemarket@gmail.com | www.kinglakemarket.com
M ARYSVILLE MARKET
2nd Sunday of month – Murchison Street, Marysville
Crafts, gifts, clothing, plants, locally produced preserves, jams, chutneys, lavender products, shortbread biscuits, honey, fresh fruit and vegetables and wine. Additional stallholders invited.
MARYSVILLE TWILIGHT MARKET
• 8 June • 3 Nov
TAGGERTY 4 SEASONS MARKET
Saturday of Australia Day, Easter, King’s Birthday and Melbourne Cup Weekends 9am-1pm – 3 Taggerty-Thornton Road, Taggerty
Local produce including olive oil, wine, honey, fudge, baked goods, preserves, soaps, crafts, bric-a-brac, fruit, vegetables, plants, free range eggs, BBQ sausages and espresso coffee. taggertycommunityprogress@gmail.com
TALLAROOK FARMERS MARKET
1st Sunday of month (except January) 8.30am-12pm (second market in December on 3rd Sunday) – 44 Main Road, Talarook
Fresh local produce. Relax in the market cafe while listening to local musicians. Free kids activities.
0403 831 520 | Facebook Tallarook Farmers Market
YARCK COUNTRY MARKET
3rd Saturday of month 9am-1.30pm
Yarck Hall, Maroondah Hwy, Yarck
The market helps to fund the hall maintenance and provides an outlet for local produce, jams, craft, plants and wines.
1st Saturday of month – Yea Railway Reserve, Station St Yea
Fresh local produce, arts and crafts, children’s activities, playground and skate park. The market showcases local producers, growers and makers and is a community event with a gold coin donation entry - funds from entry are donated to local charities each month.
